Wake Me Up When September Ends
| Company type | Record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music industry |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Parent | Warner Music Group |
| Website | www |
Wake Me Up When September Ends is a track by the American rock group Green Day, issued as the fourth single from their seventh studio album, American Idiot (2004). Penned by lead vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong, the composition reflects on the loss of his father in September 1982 and its profound effect on his life. Additionally, its lyrics have been interpreted as a tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks. The song is a rock ballad characterized by acoustic and electric guitars alongside bell sounds, recorded at Ocean Way Recording in Los Angeles.
The single was released on June 13, 2005, through Reprise Records and achieved international chart success, including reaching number one in both the Czech Republic and Croatia, and peaking at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100. It received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and quadruple platinum status from Music Canada. Although initially receiving mixed critical responses, it later garnered praise for its emotional lyricism and is now considered one of Green Day’s most notable songs. At the 2006 Kids' Choice Awards, it won the Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Song, with Green Day also securing Favorite Music Group.
The music video, directed by Samuel Bayer and shot in Los Angeles, tells the story of a young couple (portrayed by Jamie Bell and Evan Rachel Wood) torn apart when the boyfriend enlists in the United States Marine Corps amid the Iraq War. Bayer conceived it as a "mini-movie" to emphasize the war’s impact on servicemen. The video topped the charts on Total Request Live and was voted the second-best music video of 2005 by readers of Rolling Stone.
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" continues to be a mainstay in Green Day’s concert setlists and has been covered by numerous artists. It experiences recurring spikes in popularity every late September, often connected to internet meme culture. The song also became linked with Hurricane Katrina following a viral video that combined it with footage from the disaster.
Background and production
In 2004, Green Day unveiled their seventh studio album, American Idiot, a punk rock concept record focusing on a teenager dubbed the "Jesus of Suburbia" navigating life during George W. Bush’s administration and the Iraq War, delivering pointed social commentary about that period.
Unlike other tracks tied directly to this storyline, "Wake Me Up When September Ends" draws inspiration from lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong’s personal experience—the passing of his father in September 1982. Armstrong had held onto the song’s title for years before finally composing it as an intimate homage. The track was laid down at Ocean Way Recording with production handled by Rob Cavallo, marking an important emotional milestone for Armstrong.
Release
American Idiot debuted on September 21, 2004, via Reprise Records. Positioned as the eleventh track on the album, "Wake Me Up When September Ends" was later issued as its fourth single on June 13, 2005, also through Reprise. A live rendition was included on Green Day’s 2005 live album Bullet In A Bible. The song featured prominently in the 2009 jukebox musical American Idiot along with its 2010 cast recording. It was subsequently part of Green Day's compilation album God's Favorite Band (2017).
For the twentieth anniversary edition of American Idiot, released on October 25, 2024, this track was supplemented with additional live and demo versions. One demo from this reissue was made available early on September 6, 2024, accompanied by the B-side "Governator" and a live take on "St. Jimmy."
Composition and lyrics
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" is a slow-tempo emo rock ballad with a duration of four minutes and forty-five seconds. The track begins with an acoustic guitar arpeggio, gradually layered with electric guitar and bells, producing a rhythm reminiscent of military cadence, which Jordan Blum of PopMatters described as conveying profound anguish. The song concludes with silence interrupted solely by echoing guitar notes, symbolizing a mournful aftermath. Critics have drawn parallels between this piece and Green Day’s earlier single "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)", with Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone labeling it as a "more sorrowful, mature follow-up."
The lyrics slightly depart from the overarching narrative of the album American Idiot, centering instead on Billie Joe Armstrong’s personal reflections following his father's passing. Armstrong contemplates the time elapsed since that loss, repeating references to seven and twenty years having passed. Although deeply personal, the lyrics allow for wider interpretations, including connections to the album's storyline and as an homage to those affected by September 11. Allusions to other tracks such as "Holiday" link the song to the protagonist’s journey prior to his return in "Homecoming."
Critical reception
Upon release, "Wake Me Up When September Ends" received mixed reviews. An IGN reviewer described it as "powerful," highlighting its emotional relatability and its detachment from the album’s central plot. Tim O'Neil of PopMatters acknowledged its emotional resonance but found it somewhat conventional, comparing it to typical television soundtrack music. Johnny Loftus from Pitchfork criticized its slower pace relative to the rest of American Idiot, referring to it as the "price of ambition," and later questioned the clarity of its themes.
In hindsight, the song has garnered more positive acclaim. Jordan Blum from PopMatters called it the album’s most moving track—"deceptively straightforward yet subtly ingenious"—emphasizing both its intimate grief and broader meanings, including Armstrong’s mourning and the impact of September 11. Matthew Leimkuehler of American Songwriter praised its "memorable and powerful message" about enduring sorrow and unforeseen life events.
In various rankings, Scott Waldman of Alternative Press positioned the song eighth, describing it as an "emotional gut punch," while Consequence placed it twentieth, with staff members sharing personal connections to its lyrics. Jon O'Brien ranked it fourth within the American Idiot catalog, commending Armstrong’s compelling vocal delivery and its lasting relevance within emo music.
Commercial performance
In the United States, this track reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and sustained a presence there for twenty weeks. It climbed to number two on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and number twelve on Mainstream Rock. On Billboard’’’s 2005 year-end charts, it secured the 46th position. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded it platinum certification in 2008. In Canada, it achieved top 30 status on CHR/Pop at number four, Hot AC at number three, and topped the Rock Top 30 chart; Music Canada certified it four times platinum.
Globally, the song reached number one in Croatia, the Czech Republic, and on Germany’s Airplay chart. In the United Kingdom, it dominated the Rock & Metal chart for seven consecutive weeks and peaked at number eight on the singles chart, becoming Green Day's fourth highest-charting single there as of February 2020. The track earned Favorite Song honors at the 2006 Kids' Choice Awards, where Green Day also won Favorite Music Group.
Music video
Directed by Samuel Bayer—renowned for his work with Nirvana and Metallica—the music video was envisioned as a short film to distinguish itself from conventional videos. After conversations with soldiers influenced by military recruitment advertisements, Bayer suggested an Iraq War theme aiming for a more politically charged message than other videos from the album. Although this concept was not originally intended by Armstrong, it resonated with the song’s emotional tone. The production entailed a month-long process involving casting and rehearsals before filming took place in Los Angeles.
The storyline follows a couple portrayed by Jamie Bell and Evan Rachel Wood. The male character enlists in the United States Marine Corps, believing his service is an expression of love, while his partner experiences feelings of abandonment. Scenes alternate between combat sequences in Iraq where Marines face ambushes by insurgents and moments depicting the girlfriend grieving at home, implying casualties among soldiers.
The video was generally well-received; despite its anti-war intention, some interpreted it as supportive of military personnel. Critics praised its authentic depiction of warfare and its emotional impact on soldiers. It became one of MTV's most requested videos, topping Total Request Live charts and maintaining popularity through September 2005. In Rolling Stone's 2005 reader poll, it ranked second among best music videos. Additionally, Entertainment Weekly rated it highly and later included it among top narrative-driven videos. At the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, it received a nomination for Best Rock Video but was ultimately surpassed by AFI's "Miss Murder."
Live performances and other versions
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" has consistently featured in Green Day's live shows across multiple tours such as the 2010 21st Century Breakdown World Tour,[1] the 2021 Hella Mega Tour,[2] and during their 2024 Saviors Tour.[3] On certain tours like The Saviors Tour, they performed all tracks from American Idiot alongside this song. It was also part of their setlist at the 2023 When We Were Young festival.[4]
Billie Joe Armstrong delivered a live rendition on the Howard Stern Show in October 2019 while discussing its background.[5] He also performed this piece during One World: Together At Home, a charity livestream organized by Global Citizen in April 2020 to support COVID-19 relief.[6]
In April 2021, Australian singer-songwriter Didirri offered a cover during Like A Version, a segment on Triple J, alongside one original composition.[7] Additionally, Australian pop-punk group With Confidence contributed their rendition to American Superhits!, a limited-edition tribute compilation dedicated to Green Day released by Kerrang!.[8][9]
Legacy
The song "Wake Me Up When September Ends" became closely associated with Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath after striking the Gulf Coast just days before September in 2005. This connection intensified following a viral video created by blogger Karmagrrrl that paired disaster footage with this track. While the official music video carried an ambiguous meaning, this fan-made edit conveyed a distinct narrative. Green Day performed this song at ReAct Now: Music & Relief, a benefit concert supporting hurricane victims, also releasing a live version recorded at Gillette Stadium on September 3 that year. Furthermore, they played it during the pre-game ceremony for the first NFL game held at New Orleans’ Superdome after Katrina.
Since its debut, "Wake Me Up When September Ends" experiences annual surges in streaming numbers and YouTube views around late September through early October. According to Loudwire, YouTube viewership rose by 135% on September 30, 2019 compared to average daily figures throughout the year—resulting in increased revenue for Green Day during this timeframe. This spike is often accompanied by social media posts and memes urging to “wake Armstrong up.” However, many critics consider these memes insensitive given the song’s serious context. Responding humorously in a 2016 interview, Armstrong joked about writing a follow-up titled "Shut The Fuck Up When October Comes." He later referenced these memes again in promotional material released on October 1, 2023 for their forthcoming single "The American Dream Is Killing Me."
Personnel
Credits adapted from the UK CD1 liner notes:
- Green Day – performance, production
- Billie Joe Armstrong – lyrics, lead vocals, guitar
- Mike Dirnt – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Tré Cool – drums, African bead gourd
- Rob Cavallo – producer
- Doug McKean – engineer
- Chris Lord-Alge – mixing engineer
- Chris Bilheimer – visual design
Weekly charts
Template:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chart| Chart (2005–2006) | Highest position |
|---|---|
| Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records) | 4 |
| Canada Hot AC Top 30 (Radio & Records) | 3 |
| Canada Rock Top 30 (Radio & Records) | 1 |
| Croatia (Croatian Radiotelevision) | 1 |
| Germany Airplay (BVMI) | 1 |
| Greece (IFPI Greece) | 29 |
| Russia Airplay (TopHit) | 22 |
| Chart (2011) | Highest position |
|---|
| Chart (2020) | Highest position |
|---|---|
| US Alternative Digital Song Sales (Billboard charts) | 8 |
| US Rock Digital Song Sales (Billboard charts) | 7 |
| Chart (2023) | Highest position |
|---|---|
| Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard (magazine)) | 8 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2005) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 87 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 72 |
| Brazil (Crowley) | 35 |
| Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) | 90 |
| United Kingdom Singles (OCC) | 53 |
| United States Billboard Hot 100 | 46 |
| US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) | 41 |
| US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) | 54 |
| US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard) | 16 |
| US Triple-A (Billboard) | 44 |
| Chart (2006) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Brazil (Crowley) | 38 |
| CIS Airplay (TopHit) | 135 |
| Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) | 67 |
| Russia Airplay (TopHit) | 144 |
| US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) | 25 |
Release history
| Region | Release Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | June 13, 2005 | Alternative radio | Reprise Records | |
| United Kingdom | CD | |||
| Australia | July 11, 2005 | |||
| United States | ||||
| August 29, 2005 |
Sources
- ↑ Goldberg, Michael (August 4, 2010). "Green Day Kick Off Epic Tour Near Philly". Spin.
- ↑ Greene, Andy (July 25, 2021). "Green Day, Weezer, Fall Out Boy Launch 'Hella Mega' With Epic, Emotional Dallas Concert". Rolling Stone.
- ↑ "Green Day: Here's the setlist from the first night of The Saviors Tour". Kerrang!. May 31, 2024.
- ↑ Dunworth, Liberty (October 23, 2023). "Watch Green Day debut new song 'Look Ma, No Brains' at When We Were Young 2023". NME.
- ↑ "Billie Joe Armstrong Discusses "Honouring" His Late Father With Wake…". Kerrang!. October 17, 2019.
- ↑ Daly, Rhian (April 19, 2020). "Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong plays poignant version of 'Wake Me Up When September Ends' on One World: Together At Home special". NME.
- ↑ Brereton, Greta (April 16, 2021). "Watch Didirri take on Green Day's 'Wake Me Up When September Ends' for Like A Version". NME.
- ↑ "Hear The World Premiere Of Waterparks' Brilliant Green Day Cover". Kerrang!. December 4, 2016.
- ↑ Garner, George (December 2, 2016). "Pre-Order Kerrang!'s Green Day American Superhits Cover CD + Issue Now!".
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- 2003 songs
- 2005 singles
- Green Day songs
- American Idiot
- Music about the September 11 attacks
- Music videos directed by Samuel Bayer
- Number-one singles in the Czech Republic
- Reprise Records singles
- Rock ballads
- Song recordings produced by Rob Cavallo
- Commemoration songs
- Songs inspired by deaths
- Songs written by Billie Joe Armstrong
- Warner Records singles
- Songs written by Mike Dirnt
- Songs written by Tré Cool
- 2000s ballads
- Emo songs