Still Breathing (Green Day song)

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"Still Breathing"
Cover artwork of "Still Breathing": Red blood cells, white blood cells, and an EKG line appear over a dark background. The title, "Still Breathing," is printed in the center; the band's name, "Green Day," is printed in the top-right corner.
Single by Green Day
from the album Revolution Radio
ReleasedSeptember 23, 2016 (2016-09-23)
Genre
Length3:44
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Green Day
Green Day singles chronology
"Revolution Radio"
(2016) 		"Still Breathing"
(2016) 		"Father of All..."
(2019)
Music video
"Still Breathing" on YouTube
"Still Breathing" (Lyric Video) on YouTube

"Still Breathing" is a song by American rock band Green Day from their twelfth studio album, Revolution Radio (2016). Written and produced by the band, the lyrics explore the idea of overcoming adversity in the face of hardship. "Still Breathing" is a pop-punk song with a pop-like production which has been stylistically considered a "return to form" for the band.

A lyric video for "Still Breathing" was released on September 23, 2016, and Reprise Records made the song available for digital download the same day as the third single for Revolution Radio. The music video for the song, directed by P. R. Brown, was released on November 7, depicting Billie Joe Armstrong walking solemnly through streets while Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool practice in a warehouse. "Still Breathing" received critical acclaim from music critics, being considered one of the best songs on Revolution Radio despite some criticism towards its production and lyrics. The song topped the US Alternative Airplay, Mainstream Rock Songs, Rock Airplay, and Canada Rock charts, and appeared on various others.

Background and release[edit]

“There’s a band called 5 Seconds of Summer who wanted me to write a song for them. All of a sudden I was writing the lyrics, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, there’s no fucking way I’m giving these guys this song.’ There’s all those [lyrics] where it’s the last moment of someone’s life — it’s so intense. It’s just a song about being a survivor.”

—Billie Joe Armstrong on the origin and meaning of "Still Breathing" for People.[1]

In 2015, Green Day began recording material at OTIS, Billie Joe Armstrong's studio in Oakland, California, for their twelfth studio album Revolution Radio.[2] The album was conceived by the band as a "back-to-basics" move, following the rushed ¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tre! trilogy of albums and Armstrong's rehab.[3] Armstrong had previously written "Still Breathing" for the Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer, but deemed the song too intense.[1]

"Still Breathing" was released as the third single of Revolution Radio on September 23, 2016 through a lyric video published to YouTube, and was made available for digital download the same day.[4][5] Later, on November 7, a music video directed by P.R. Brown for the song was released to YouTube.[6] The video features shots of Armstrong walking solemnly through streets while Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool practice in a warehouse, culminating with the band reuniting in the warehouse.[7] Between scenes, various people, including a farmer, a child, and a military veteran, stare pensively as they "find simple salvation in the beauty of nature".[6][8] The song was later released as part of the band's 2017 greatest hits album God's Favorite Band.[9]

Composition and lyrics[edit]

"Still Breathing" is a slow-burning[10] song which begins with "quickly strummed acoustic guitars and a spare beat,"[4] before building up to a heavier sound driven by electric guitar in its chorus.[11] Anna Gaca of Spin described "Still Breathing" as a "paint-by-number pop-punk song,"[12] while Andrew Sacher of BrooklynVegan instead categorized it as alternative rock[13] and Alternative Press called the song an "emo anthem."[14] The song's production has been labeled as "radio-friendly" in reference to its pop sound.[15] Matt Melis and Collin Brennan of Consequence noted that "Still Breathing" sounded "engineered to sit alongside other motivational pop anthems,"[16] while Chris Deville of Stereogum characterized the song as a power ballad with pop sensibilities.[17]

Alternative Press called the melody of the "Still Breathing" an earworm,[14] while Ivy Nelson of Pitchfork noted it was the "most successful melody" on the album.[18] However, the songwriters of the Struts' 2013 song "Could Have Been Me" received co-writing credits on "Still Breathing" due to similarities between their melodies.[19]

The lyrics of "Still Breathing," according to Armstrong, are about being a survivor and overcoming adversity.[1][20] The song's lyrics are mostly similes about various characters like a gambler and a soldier confronting "all kinds of potential trauma."[21] Gil Kaufman of Billboard suggested that these comparisons ultimately connected to the premise of "slogging through it all to make 'my way to you'."[4] Armstrong also noted the line "I'm still breathing on my own" alludes to how "at some point, we’re all going to have to be on life support."[22] Andy Greene of Rolling Stone commented that the lyrics seemed to reflect Armstrong's personal struggles, however Armstrong responded that he avoided introspection when writing the song's lyrics in lieu of "mak[ing] people happy" and "creat[ing] a difference in some way, just by people recognizing themselves in the song."[2]

Critical reception[edit]

"Still Breathing"
A 22-second sample of "Still Breathing." A pop-punk song, it has been positively received as a return to form for the band, however its "radio-friendly" production has received mixed reviews.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Still Breathing" received acclaim from music critics. Entertainment Weekly's Kevin O'Donnell praised the song as a "three-minute blast of life-affirming punk,"[23] while NME's Rhian Daly called the song an "air-punching punk glory full of strength, power and guts."[24] Multiple critics considered "Still Breathing" to be one of the best song on Revolution Radio,[a] with The A.V. Club's Alex McLevy calling it the "statement of purpose" for the album as an "acknowledgement that most of the time, all we have to hang on to is the knowledge that we’re still alive."[27]

Critics lauded the song as a return to form for the band,[4][28] with Uproxx's Chris Morgan praising its "Green Day sound" despite being "slightly less snotty and brash as some of their earlier tracks."[21] However, the song's pop-like production was met with mixed reception. On release, Loudwire's Graham Hartmann called the song the "radio-friendly" and the "poppiest cut from the album yet," however he wrote that it "maintain[ed] that classic Green Day feel."[15] In addition, Far Out's Tyler Golsen called the song "a hell of a pop song," saying that the band was "reaching for something that lies slightly into the future" instead of sticking to the sounds of the band's "glory days."[25] However, ABC News noted that the song sounded "written to please bland, modern radio-ballad standards."[29] Additionally, Stereogum's Tom Breihan negatively compared the song's "heart-on-sleeve sugar-rush harmonies" to those of Blink-182.[30]

The lyrics of "Still Breathing" were positively received, with critics calling them "inspirational"[4] and "powerful."[14] Morgan wrote how "There’s something about a punk band that has been around for more than 25 years singing a song with lyrics like 'I’m still alive.'"[21] Pitchfork's Ivy Nelson additionally praised the song for having "Armstrong's most convincing lyrics" on Revolution Radio, despite being "restricted to the traditional designs of pop-punk."[18] The song's lyrics have also been praised for being "immensely vulnerable,"[20] despite DIY's Emma Swann noting that the song's vocals were "not as vulnerable as the lyrics might warrant."[31] However, the lyrics of "Still Breathing" have been criticized for being clichéd, with Spin's Anna Gaca writing that "sometimes overcoming personal challenges and tragedies leads to heartbreaking lyrical insight, and sometimes it leads to 'Still Breathing'."[12] Paste's Reed Strength similarly called the song's lyrics "cringe-inducing."[32]

Chart performance[edit]

"Still Breathing" peaked at number one on the US Alternative Airplay, Mainstream Rock, and Rock Airplay charts, marking the third time that a single by the band has topped all three charts (after "Know Your Enemy" and "Bang Bang"), and the first time that a single topped all three concurrently.[33] The song also peaked within the top 20 of the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (11)[34] and Adult Alternative Airplay (17)[35] charts. Outside the United States, the song peaked at number one and number two on the Canada Rock and UK Rock & Metal Singles charts, respectively.[36][37] The song also charted on Belgium's Ultratip Flanders (11),[38] the Czech Republic's Rádio – Top 100 chart (21),[39] Scotland's Singles Sales chart (65),[40] and Slovakia's Rádio – Top 100 chart (82).[41]

Live performances[edit]

Green Day first performed “Still Breathing” live as part of their Revolution Radio Tour, the concert tour in support of Revolution Radio which ran from September 26, 2016 to November 19, 2017.[42][43] The band performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on December 13, 2016, alongside "American Idiot.”[44] On March 21, 2017, the band performed "Still Breathing" on the The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.[45] Critics generally praised the performance, calling it “hard-hitting”[46] and “ear-pummeling,”[47] but Zac Gelfand of Uproxx noted that Armstrong’s vocals sounded “strained” due to the Revolution Radio Tour.[48] Green Day performed the song on The Late Late Show with James Corden on May 4, 2017.[49] On May 19, 2017, the band performed the song in Central Park as part of their setlist for Good Morning America’s televised “Summer Concerts” series.[50] The band later performed the song as part of the setlist of the Hella Mega Tour, a concert tour with Fall Out Boy and Weezer which ran from July 24, 2021 to July 2, 2022.[51]

Credits and personnel[edit]

Credits are adapted from iTunes.[5]

Charts[edit]

Release history[edit]

Release history for "Still Breathing"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various September 23, 2016
Reprise [5]
Italy September 30, 2016 Radio airplay Warner [66]
United States November 1, 2016 Modern rock radio [67]
November 15, 2016 Active rock radio [68]
United Kingdom January 2017 Promotional CD single Reprise [69]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Attributed to Pitchfork's Ivy Nelson,[18] Entertainment Weekly's Kevin O'Donnell,[23] Far Out's Tyler Golsen,[25] and Alternative Press's Tim Coffman.[26]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Nelson, Jeff (January 17, 2024). "Billie Joe Armstrong Breaks Down Green Day's Biggest Hits — and Reveals Which One They Almost Gave Away (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Greene, Andy (August 11, 2016). "Billie Joe Armstrong on Green Day's Provocative New LP". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  3. ^ Hiatt, Brian (September 7, 2016). "Inside Green Day's Revolutionary Rebirth". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e Kaufman, Gil (September 23, 2016). "Listen to Green Day's Inspirational Anthem 'Still Breathing'". Billboard. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Still Breathing — Song by Green Day — Apple Music". Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Kreps, Daniel (November 7, 2016). "Watch Green Day's Contemplative 'Still Breathing' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  7. ^ Lifton, Dave (November 7, 2016). "Green Day Release Video for 'Still Breathing'". Diffuser. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "Green Day unveil emotional music video for "Still Breathing"". Alternative Press. November 7, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  9. ^ Stubblebine, Allison (October 12, 2017). "Green Day to Release Greatest Hits Album: 'God's Favorite Band'". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  10. ^ Kreps, Daniel (September 23, 2016). "See Green Day's Lyric Video for Resilient 'Still Breathing'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  11. ^ Collins, Robyn (September 23, 2016). "Check Out Green Day's New Single, 'Still Breathing'". CBS News. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Gaca, Anna (September 23, 2016). "Green Day Are "Still Breathing" on New Song, At Least". Spin. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  13. ^ Sacher, Andrew (September 23, 2016). "Green Day share "Still Breathing"". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved May 18, 2024. It's a bit slower than the other two, more of an anthemic alternative rock song than the snotty pop punk they helped bring to prominence in the '90s.
  14. ^ a b c "'Revolution Radio' is the most intensely personal Green Day album in years". Alternative Press. September 30, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Hartmann, Graham (September 23, 2016). "Green Day Reveal Emotionally Heavy Track 'Still Breathing'". Loudwire. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  16. ^ Melis, Matt; Brennan, Collin (February 17, 2023). "A Definitive Ranking of Every Green Day Album". Consequence. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  17. ^ Deville, Chris (October 6, 2016). "Do You Remember Rock On Pop Radio: Why Green Day Aren't Crossing Over Anymore". Stereogum. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  18. ^ a b c Nelson, Ivy (October 10, 2016). "Green Day: Revolution Radio album review". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  19. ^ Selleck, Cole (September 23, 2016). "Struts Guitarist Got Writing Credit For New Green Day Song". iHeart. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Ryan, Patrick (October 6, 2016). "Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong: 'It got pretty scary for a while'". USA Today. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c Morgan, Chris (September 23, 2016). "Green Day's New Single 'Still Breathing' Is Hooky, Hopeful, And Really, Really Good". Uproxx. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  22. ^ Hiatt, Brian; Greene, Andy (September 22, 2016). "Green Day's 'Revolution Radio': A Track-by-Track Guide to New Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  23. ^ a b O'Donnell, Kevin (January 16, 2017). "Green Day's 'Revolution Radio': EW Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  24. ^ Daly, Rhian (September 23, 2016). "Track Review: Green Day Tackle Personal Demons On Triumphant 'Still Breathing'". NME. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Golsen, Tyler (February 17, 2023). "The best Green Day song from every studio album". Far Out. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  26. ^ Coffman, Tim (October 7, 2021). "A beginner's guide to Green Day: from the big hitters to the deep cuts". Alternative Press. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  27. ^ McLevy, Alex (October 7, 2016). "Green Day are punks afraid of dying on the uncertain Revolution Radio". The A.V. Club. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  28. ^ Geffen, Sasha (September 23, 2016). "Green Day's New Song 'Still Breathing' Is A Triumphant Ode To Survival". MTV. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  29. ^ "Review: Green Day's 'Revolution Radio' Is 'Short on Jaw-Dropping Moments'". ABC News. October 12, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  30. ^ Breihan, Tom (September 23, 2016). "Green Day – "Still Breathing"". Stereogum. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  31. ^ Swann, Emma (October 7, 2016). "Green Day - Revolution Radio review". DIY. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  32. ^ Strength, Reed (October 28, 2016). "Ranking Green Day's 12 Albums". Paste. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  33. ^ Rutherford, Kevin. "Green Day's 'Still Breathing' Rules Mainstream Rock Songs Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  34. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  35. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  36. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  37. ^ "2016-09-30 Top 40 Rock & Metal Singles Archive". Official Charts Company. September 30, 2016. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  38. ^ "Green Day – Still Breathing" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  39. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201717 into search. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  40. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  41. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201650 into search. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  42. ^ Kroll, Katy (March 18, 2017). "Green Day Takes Crowd-Pleasing Victory Lap With Sold-Out Revolution Radio Tour". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  43. ^ "Green Day brought the 'Revolution Radio' tour to BB&T Pavilion". BrooklynVegan. September 1, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  44. ^ Kaye, Ben (December 13, 2016). "Green Day perform "Still Breathing" and "American Idiot" on Ellen, their first-ever daytime TV appearance — watch". Consequence. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  45. ^ Geslani, Michelle (March 22, 2017). "Green Day perform "Still Breathing" on Colbert — watch". Consequence. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  46. ^ Reed, Ryan (March 22, 2017). "Watch Green Day's Rousing 'Still Breathing' on 'The Late Show'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  47. ^ Hughes, Hillary (March 22, 2017). "God Is A Huge Green Day Fan, According To Stephen Colbert". MTV. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  48. ^ Gelfand, Zac (March 22, 2017). "Stephen Colbert Accidentally Proved Green Day Is God's Favorite Band". Uproxx. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  49. ^ Wright, Hayden (May 5, 2017). "Watch Green Day Perform 'Still Breathing' on 'The Late Late Show'". CBS News. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  50. ^ DiVita, Joe (May 20, 2017). "Watch Green Day Kick Off 'Good Morning America' Summer Concert Series". Loudwire. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  51. ^ Morton, Luke (July 25, 2021). "This is Green Day's setlist from the Hella Mega Tour". Kerrang!. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  52. ^ "Green Day – Still Breathing" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  53. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  54. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201717 into search. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  55. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201650 into search. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  56. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  57. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  58. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  59. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  60. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  61. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  62. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  63. ^ "Green Day Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  64. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  65. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  66. ^ Mompellio, Gabriel. "Green Day - Still Breathing (Radio Date: 30/09/2016)" (Press release) (in Italian). Italy: Airplay Control. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  67. ^ "Your Radio Add Recap". Hits. November 1, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  68. ^ "Rock Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  69. ^ "Green Day - Still Breathing". Australian Charts. Retrieved May 20, 2024.

External links[edit]

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