Longview (song)

"Longview" is the name of a song by Green Day, from their 1994 album, Dookie. It was written by Billie Joe Armstrong during a period of extreme boredom. Mike Dirnt has stated that the famous bass line to this song was written while he was high, and what remains on the album is what Billie Joe and he could recall in the morning. The lyrics describe intense boredom and are about a day spent sitting around the house, doing absolutely nothing of importance, masturbating until it is no longer fun, having no job, no life, and doing drugs. With the verses featuring the signature walking bassline and tribal tom-tom drumbeat culminating into the melodic yet destructive chorus, the song echoes the '60s classic, "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" by the Animals.

"It's about boredom, masturbation and smoking dope." - Billie Joe Armstrong

Song idea

The band Green Day took a trip to Longview, Washington where they first played this song. According to Jim Baltutis, their press agent, after a concert in Longview, Washington "They played it and went home and said let's name that thing Longview."

The band denies the name has anything to do with the city of Longview, Washington.

Music video

The video mainly takes place in a dimly-lit basement (the band states that this was the actual basement of the band's house at that time). The cost of the video is reported to be US$300. The band members say that the look was intentionally grungy and un-aestheticized, including low-budget filming and visible pimples and apples. The video was directed by Mark Kohr.

Song quotes

"I'm so damn bored I'm going blind."
"When masturbation's lost its fun you're fucking breaking."
"Some say, "Quit or I'll go blind," but it's just a myth."
"Smoking my inspiration."
"Sit around and watch the tube, but nothing's on."
"Call me pathetic, call me what you will."
"And I smell like shit."
"My mother says to get a job, but she don't like the one she's got."
"Bite my lip and close my eyes, take me away to paradise."
"Peel me off this velcro seat and get me moving, I sure as hell can't do it by myself."

Track listing

"Longview (Album Version)"
"Welcome to Paradise (Live)"
"One of My Lies (Live)"

Chart positions

Year	Chart	Position
1994	Modern Rock Tracks (US)	No. 1
1994	Mainstream Rock Tracks (US)	No. 14
1994	Official UK Singles Chart	No. 30

Sample

External Links

1994 singles | Debut singles | Green Day songs | Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine songs

Longview (piosenka)