MUSIC
Why does Billie Armstrong hate ‘Wake me up when September ends’ memes?
The story behind why people want Armstrong to wake up when September ends, and the origin of the memes
September is drawing to an end, but the “Wake Me Up When September Ends” memes continue.
The strong emotions evoked by Green Day’s song, “Wake Me Up When September Ends” have sparked a series of online memes and jokes, particularly around the beginning and end of the month. These memes showcase the creativity of internet users and have made the song a culturally relevant element during September.
However, Green Day fans often remind people posting these jokes why it can be seen as insensitive. Let’s delve into the why:
The sad story behind ‘Wake me up when September ends’
During a 2019 appearance on the Howard Stern Show, the band’s frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong, revealed that the song’s inspiration is deeply personal and saddening. The title itself originates from a phrase he told his mother upon learning about his father’s passing. Billie Joe’s father, Andrew Armstrong, passed away from esophageal cancer when Billie Joe was just ten years old.
Related: What is the meaning behind Green Day’s song ‘Wake me up when September ends’?
How Armstrong feels about the song
Although the song’s title might lead to humorous meme ideas, it doesn’t evoke that same sentiment for Armstrong.
“I think it’s something that just stayed with me; the month of September being that anniversary that always is just, I don’t know, kind of a bummer,” he said. “But it’s weird. When things happen like that when you’re that young, it’s almost like life starts at year zero, or something like that.” The singer admitted that it was hard to him to write about his father for years, but the song felt like a breakthrough and a way to honor him.
The song itself explores the theme of a loss of innocence, which the music video portrays in a different way without directly addressing Armstrong’s father.
The memes
