Guns

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Green Day

About Guns

"21 Guns" is a song by American rock band Green Day. It was released as the second single from their eighth album, 21st Century Breakdown, and serves as the sixteenth track from the album. The single was released through Reprise Records on May 25, 2009 as a digital download and July 14, 2009 as a CD single. The song has been a success on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 22, becoming their highest charting single since 2005; however, it is one of their last to chart, "Oh Love" from ¡Uno! in 2012 being the last one to chart so far. It is also their last top 40 hit in the United States. The song is also featured on the soundtrack of the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and is featured as one of the songs during the end credits. It was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Rock Song in 2010. 


Year:
2010
4:45
96 
#3

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Green Day

Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, drummer Tré Cool and guitarist and backing vocalist Jason White, who became a full member after playing in the band as a session and touring guitarist for 13 years. Cool replaced former drummer John Kiffmeyer in 1990, prior to the recording of the band's second studio album, Kerplunk (1992). more »

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10 facts about this song

Album Origin
"Guns" is a song by Green Day, taken from their eleventh studio album titled "¡Uno!", which was released in 2012.
Theme & Significance
The song is believed to be a call for societal change, as it talks about the chilling reality ever-present in American society – the high number of guns and the potential implications of this gun culture.
Lyrics Inspiration
Billie Joe Armstrong, lead vocalist of Green Day, acknowledged in interviews that "Guns" was a response to the controversial shooting of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African American high school student who was fatally shot in Sanford, Florida.
Musical Style
The song deviates from the band's punk rock style, delivering a more folk and country sound. It fits into the wider theme of the album ¡Uno!, which focuses more on power pop.
Distinguished Instrumentation
It features an acoustic guitar as the main instrument, different from the heavier emphasis on electric guitar in other Green Day songs. This contributes to its unique sound and stands out from the typical punk rock palette.
Reception
Criticized by some for its direct and controversial lyrics, "Guns" is often recognized for its bold confrontation of sensitive topics and its unique approach, compared to the rest of Green Day's discography.
Song Duration
"Guns" is one of the shorter songs on ¡Uno!, with a running time of just 2 minutes and 45 seconds.
Secondary Themes
While primarily dealing with gun violence, the lyrics also touch on issues like racial inequality and political corruption, indicating the band's social awareness and their use of music as a platform for protest.
Album Performance
Despite the mixed reviews of "Guns" specifically, the album ¡Uno! became a commercial success, reaching top 10 positions in multiple countries and getting certified Platinum in Canada.
Charity Participation
In a concert in 2012, Green Day dedicated the song to the victims of the Aurora, Colorado shooting, solidifying the band's stance against gun violence.

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