Look Ma, No Brains!

Last updated
"Look Ma, No Brains!"
Single by Green Day
from the album Saviors
A-side "The American Dream Is Killing Me" (7" vinyl)
ReleasedNovember 2, 2023 (2023-11-02)
Genre
Length2:03
Label Reprise
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s) Billie Joe Armstrong
Producer(s)
Green Day singles chronology
"The American Dream Is Killing Me"
(2023)		"Look Ma, No Brains!"
(2023)		"Dilemma"
(2023)
Music video
"Look Ma, No Brains" on YouTube

"Look Ma, No Brains!" is a song by American rock band Green Day, released as the second single of their fourteenth studio album Saviors (2024). Written by the band and produced by Rob Cavallo, the lyrics take the perspective of a "hapless rube" who "spirals into chaos". The song was premiered on October 22, 2023 during the When We Were Young festival, and was released for digital download and streaming on November 2, 2023 alongside an accompanying music video. "Look Ma, No Brains!" received generally positive reviews from critics, who called the song a return to the band's roots but criticized its lyrics.

Contents

Background and release

Saviors, the band's fourteenth studio album, was conceived when Billie Joe Armstrong reconnected with producer Rob Cavallo, who had previously worked with the band on their albums Dookie (1994) and American Idiot (2004). The band subsequently went to RAK Studios in London to make the album, after learning that Liam Gallagher had recorded his 2022 studio album C'mon You Know there. [1] Armstrong recalled "Look Ma, No Brains!" being the third song written for Saviors, after the title track and "Goodnight Adeline". [2]

"Look Ma, No Brains!" was first released on October 21, 2023 during the When We Were Young festival, on 7-inch vinyl as the B-side to "The American Dream Is Killing Me". [3] Later that year, on November 2, 2023, the song officially became available for digital download and streaming as the second single from Saviors. [4] [5] An accompanying music video, directed by Brendan Walter and Ryan Baxley, was released on the same day on YouTube; primarily in black and white with flashes of pink, it features the band playing for a nurse and a "catatonic-looking patient". [6] [7]

Composition and lyrics

"Look Ma, No Brains!" is a "fast-paced" and "angsty" punk rock [8] [9] and pop-punk song. [10] The "chirpy" instrumentation consists of "pounding" drums and a "steady yet feverish" electric guitar which plays a "near-hardcore" riff, culminating in a "gorgeously melodic" chorus. [11] [12] [13] The song has been stylistically compared to the Ramones [14] and previous works by the band. [15] [16] [17]

Lyrically, "Look Ma, No Brains!" takes the perspective of a "hapless rube who thinks only about what will happen in the next five minutes", while they "blindly accept their spiral into chaos". [12] [18] A.D. Amorosi of Variety suggested that the lyrics "poke fun at a system that awards gold stars to its least-deserving souls", [13] while Kelly Scanlon of Far Out interpreted the song as being about "embracing uniqueness despite constantly being bombarded by society's ideals". [9] Emma Swann of DIY noted how the song "appears to mock the 'slacker' aesthetic" which the band once epitomized, with the song containing references to "I'm With Stupid" t-shirts and the 1996 film Trainspotting. [19]

Critical reception

"Look Ma, No Brains!" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised the song as being a return to the band's roots. Luke Winstanley of Clash described the song as "completely unfiltered, classic Green Day", [15] while Maria Sherman of AP called the song a "return to [the band's] jubilant absurdity". [20] Alistair Lawrence of Louder also praised the song, saying it "delivers the breezy neurosis of their best material". [21] Andrew Trendell of NME noted "Look Ma, No Brains!" could "arguably fit on any Green Day album", [22] while the staff of Spin declared that the song was "right at home in the band's catalog". [10]

Sydney Bucksbaum of Entertainment Weekly praised the lyrics of "Look Ma, No Brains!", writing that they contained the "angst that skyrocketed [the band] to fame in the early '90s". [23] However, Helen Brown of The Independent questioned the song's "immature streak", calling the song's lyrics "weird" with respect to the band's age. [24] Dana Poland of Slant similarly criticized the song's lyrics, saying they "toe the line between charmingly irreverent and cringe-worthy". [25] Arrielle Gordon of Pitchfork singled out the lyrics "Slam-danced on my face again" and "Rude boy going comatose", denouncing them as "punk Mad Libs". [26]

Live performances

Green Day debuted "Look Ma, No Brains!" during their appearance at the When We Were Young festival on October 22, 2023. [27] The band played the song on October 26, 2023 as part of their Amazon Music Live setlist. [28] On January 16, 2024, the band performed an acoustic version of "Look Ma, No Brains!" in a New York City subway station with Jimmy Fallon as part of a segment for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon ; while the performance did not air, it was uploaded to the show's YouTube channel on January 18. [29] [30] The song was included in the setlist of their January 18, 2024 show at Irving Plaza, as part of the Small Stages Series by Sirius XM. [31] On April 3, 2024, the band played the song at the Fillmore during a charity concert for the United Nations Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance. [32]

"Look Ma, No Brains!" is included in the setlist of The Saviors Tour, the ongoing concert tour in support of Saviors that began on May 30, 2024. [33] On July 26, 2024, Green Day played a part of "Look Ma, No Brains!" as part of Good Morning America 's televised "Summer Concert Series". [34]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from iTunes. [35]

Green Day

Additional personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Look Ma, No Brains!"
Chart (2024)Peak
position
Czech Republic Rock (IFPI) [36] 15
Germany Airplay (TopHit) [37] 69
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [38] 37
Poland Airplay (TopHit) [37] 187

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Day</span> American rock band

Green Day is an American rock band formed in Rodeo, California, in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, with drummer Tré Cool joining in 1990. In 1994, their major-label debut Dookie, released through Reprise Records, became a breakout success and eventually shipped over 20 million copies in the U.S. Alongside fellow California punk bands Bad Religion, the Offspring, Rancid, NOFX, Pennywise and Social Distortion, Green Day is credited with re-popularizing mainstream interest in punk rock in the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billie Joe Armstrong</span> American rock musician (born 1972)

Billie Joe Armstrong is an American musician and actor. He is best known for being the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Green Day, which he co-founded with Mike Dirnt in 1987. He is also a guitarist and vocalist for the punk rock band Pinhead Gunpowder, and provides lead vocals for Green Day's side projects Foxboro Hot Tubs, the Network, the Longshot and the Coverups. Armstrong has been considered by critics as one of the greatest punk rock guitarists of all time.

<i>Dookie</i> 1994 studio album by Green Day

Dookie is the third studio album by the American rock band Green Day, released on February 1, 1994, by Reprise Records. The band's major label debut and first collaboration with producer Rob Cavallo, it was recorded in late summer 1993 at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California. Written mostly by the singer and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, the album is largely based on his personal experiences and includes themes such as boredom, anxiety, relationships, and sexuality. It was promoted with four singles: "Longview", "Basket Case", a re-recorded version of "Welcome to Paradise", and "When I Come Around".

<i>Nimrod</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Green Day

Nimrod is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Green Day, released on October 14, 1997, by Reprise Records. The band began work on the album in the wake of the cancellation of a European tour after the release of their previous album, Insomniac. Recorded at Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles, the album was written with the intent of creating a set of standalone songs as opposed to a cohesive album. Retrospectively, Nimrod is noted for its musical diversity and experimentation, containing elements of folk, hardcore, surf rock, and ska. Lyrical themes discussed include maturity, personal reflection, and fatherhood.

<i>American Idiot</i> 2004 studio album by Green Day

American Idiot is the seventh studio album by the American rock band Green Day, released on September 21, 2004, by Reprise Records. As with their previous four albums, it was produced by Rob Cavallo in collaboration with the group. Recording sessions for American Idiot took place at Studio 880 in Oakland and Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, both in California, between 2003 and 2004. A concept album, dubbed a "punk rock opera" by the band members, American Idiot follows the story of Jesus of Suburbia, a lower-middle-class American adolescent anti-hero. The album expresses the disillusionment and dissent of a generation that came of age in a period shaped by tumultuous events such as 9/11 and the Iraq War. In order to accomplish this, the band used unconventional techniques for themselves, including transitions between connected songs and some long, chaptered, creative compositions presenting the album themes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basket Case (song)</span> 1994 single by Green Day

"Basket Case" is a song by rock band Green Day, released on August 1, 1994 by Reprise Records as the second single from the band's third studio album, Dookie (1994). The song spent five weeks at the top of the US Billboard Alternative Songs chart and garnered a Grammy Award nomination in the category for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. Its music video was directed by Mark Kohr and filmed in an abandoned mental institution in California. In 2001, the song appeared on their greatest hits album International Superhits!. In 2021, "Basket Case" was ranked number 150 in Rolling Stone's updated list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jawbreaker (band)</span> American punk rock band

Jawbreaker is an American punk rock band that was active from 1986 to 1996, and again since 2017. The band is considered to be extremely influential to the 1990s emo and punk genre with their "poetic take on hardcore." Their influence on the punk scene has led some critics to label Jawbreaker as the best punk rock band of the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Idiot (song)</span> 2004 single by Green Day

"American Idiot" is a protest song by the American rock band Green Day. The first single released from the album American Idiot, the song received positive reviews by critics and was nominated for four 2005 Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Rock Song, and Best Music Video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wake Me Up When September Ends</span> 2005 single by Green Day

"Wake Me Up When September Ends" is a song by the American rock band Green Day and the fourth single from their seventh studio album, American Idiot (2004). Written by the band's front man Billie Joe Armstrong, the song is about the death of Armstrong's father in September 1982 and his life since. The song's lyrics have also been interpreted in other ways, including as a song about the victims and survivors of the September 11 attacks. The song is a rock ballad, starting with an acoustic guitar and later introducing an electric guitar and bells. It was recorded at Ocean Way Recording.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day song)</span> 2004 single by Green Day

"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is a song by American rock band Green Day. The power ballad is the fourth track from their seventh studio album American Idiot (2004). Reprise Records released "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" as the second single from American Idiot on November 29, 2004. The song's lyrics were written by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, and the music was composed by the band. Production was handled by Rob Cavallo and Green Day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holiday (Green Day song)</span> 2005 single by Green Day

"Holiday" is an anti-war protest song by American rock band Green Day. It was released as the third single from the group's seventh studio album American Idiot, and is also the third track. The song is in the key of F minor. Though the song is a prelude to "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", "Holiday" was later released as a single on March 14, 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesus of Suburbia</span> 2005 single by Green Day

"Jesus of Suburbia" is a song by the American rock band Green Day. It was released as the fifth and final single from the group's seventh studio album, American Idiot, and the second song on the album. With the song running for 9 minutes and 8 seconds, it is Green Day's second longest song and the group's longest song to be released as a single. The studio version of the song was considered unfriendly for radio, so it was cut down to 6½ minutes for the radio edit. The single has sold 205,000 copies as of July 2010. Despite its commercial success, the song is the only hit single from the American Idiot album not to be included on the band's greatest hits album, God's Favorite Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tré Cool</span> American drummer (born 1972)

Frank Edwin Wright III, better known by his stage name Tré Cool, is a German-born American musician, best known as the long-time drummer for the rock band Green Day. He replaced the band's former drummer, John Kiffmeyer, in 1990. Cool has also played in the Lookouts, Samiam, Dead Mermaids, Bubu and the Brood and the Green Day side projects the Network and the Foxboro Hot Tubs.

<i>¡Uno!</i> 2012 studio album by Green Day

¡Uno! is the ninth studio album by the American rock band Green Day, released on September 25, 2012, by Reprise Records. It is the first of three albums in the ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, ¡Tré! trilogy, a series of studio albums released from September 2012 to December 2012. Green Day recorded the album from February to June 2012 at Jingletown Studios in Oakland, California. This is the band's first album recorded as a quartet, as touring guitarist Jason White joined the band in the studio to give the studio recordings a more live feel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Still Breathing (Green Day song)</span> 2016 single by Green Day

"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.

<i>Saviors</i> (album) 2024 studio album by Green Day

Saviors is the fourteenth studio album by the American rock band Green Day, released on January 19, 2024, through Reprise Records. It received generally positive reviews from critics. The album was promoted through five singles; "The American Dream Is Killing Me", "Look Ma, No Brains!", "Dilemma", "One Eyed Bastard" and "Bobby Sox". The band embarked on a world tour in support of the album, named The Saviors Tour. It is set to conclude on July 7, 2025.

"The American Dream Is Killing Me" is a song by American rock band Green Day from their fourteenth studio album, Saviors (2024). The opening track of the album, the song was originally written by the band during the sessions of their previous studio album as a protest song against the presidency of Donald Trump. The song was later recorded with encouragement from producer Rob Cavallo, with lyrics tweaked to reflect the "anxiety of being an American".

"Bobby Sox" is a song by the American rock band Green Day from their fourteenth studio album, Saviors (2024). Released as the album's fifth single, the song was originally written by Billie Joe Armstrong as a love song to his wife, but its lyrics evolved to instead reflect his bisexuality. "Bobby Sox" has received a generally positive reception from music critics, who praised its catchiness and declared it a "bisexual anthem". An accompanying music video for the song, directed by Brendan Walker and Ryan Baxley, was released on January 19, 2024. The song is included in the setlist of The Saviors Tour, the ongoing concert tour in support of Saviors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Saviors Tour</span> 2024–25 concert tour by Green Day

The Saviors Tour is an ongoing concert tour by American rock band Green Day in support of their fourteenth studio album Saviors. The tour was announced on November 2, 2023, and began on May 30, 2024, at Monte do Gozo in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. It is scheduled to conclude on July 7, 2025, at the Ejekt Festival in Athens, Greece.

"Dilemma" is a song by American rock band Green Day from their fourteenth studio album, Saviors (2024). The fifth song on the album, "Dilemma" is a punk rock song which has been stylistically compared to power pop and '50s rock. The song is lyrically inspired by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong's struggles with alcohol addiction and mental health.

References

  1. ↑ Carter, Emily (January 16, 2024). "Green Day: "We're not going anywhere… and we're just getting better!"". Kerrang! . Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  2. ↑ Zanes, Anna (December 11, 2023). "Green Day are making a commotion". Alternative Press . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  3. ↑ Brannigan, Paul (October 23, 2023). "Watch Green Day debut new loser anthem Look Ma, No Brains at When We Were Young festival". Louder . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Green Day Drops New Single, 2024 Tour Details". Spin . November 2, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Look Ma, No Brains! (Explicit) – Green Day". 7digital (US). 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  6. ↑ Čížek, Ondřej (March 20, 2024). "The American Dream Is Killing Me. Interview with Director Ryan Baxley". Wired CZ . Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  7. ↑ Grow, Kory (November 2, 2023). "Green Day to Play 30 Years of Hits With 2024 Saviors Tour, Celebrating 'Dookie' and 'American Idiot'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  8. ↑ Conaton, Chris (January 30, 2024). "Back-to-Basics 'Saviors' Is Green Day's Strongest LP in Years". PopMatters . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Scanlon, Kelly (January 18, 2024). "Green Day – 'Saviors' album review: authentic post-punk anthems for a broken world". Far Out . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  10. 1 2 "Green Day Debuts 'Look Ma, No Brains' At When We Were Young". Spin . October 23, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  11. ↑ Dunworth, Liberty (October 23, 2023). "Watch Green Day debut new song 'Look Ma, No Brains' at When We Were Young 2023". NME . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  12. 1 2 Liebig, Lorie (November 3, 2023). "Listen: Green Day Embraces the Chaos in New Single "Look Ma, No Brains!"". American Songwriter . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  13. 1 2 Amorosi, A.D. (January 19, 2024). "Green Day's Sociopolitical Sarcasm Ages Well in Sharp 'Saviors': Album Review". Variety . Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  14. ↑ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (January 19, 2024). "Green Day revive rock-and-roll stupidity in Saviors — album review". Financial Times . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  15. 1 2 Winstanley, Luke (January 19, 2024). "Green Day – Saviors". Clash . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  16. ↑ Gallucci, Michael (January 16, 2024). "Green Day, 'Saviors': Album Review". Ultimate Classic Rock . Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  17. ↑ Brow, Jason (January 17, 2024). "Green Day's 'Saviors' Review: The American Idiots Don't Burn Out on Their Best Album in Years". US Weekly . Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  18. ↑ Richardson, Mark (January 16, 2024). "'Saviors' by Green Day Review: Perennial Punks". Wall Street Journal . Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  19. ↑ Swann, Emma (January 19, 2024). "Green Day - Saviors review". DIY . Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  20. ↑ Sherman, Maria (January 23, 2024). "Music Review: Green Day are once again political pop-punk 'Saviors' on new album". Associated Press . Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  21. ↑ Lawrence, Alistair (February 2, 2024). "Every single Green Day album ranked from worst to best". Louder . Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  22. ↑ Trendell, Andrew (January 16, 2024). "Green Day – 'Saviors' review: their best work since 'American Idiot'". NME . Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  23. ↑ Bucksbaum, Sydney (October 23, 2023). "Green Day unveil second song off upcoming album at When We Were Young festival". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  24. ↑ Brown, Helen (January 19, 2024). "Green Day review, Savior: Stroppy chant-alongs about the State of Things". The Independent . Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  25. ↑ Poland, Dana (January 14, 2024). "Green Day Saviors Review: Pop-Punk's Great Redeemers Get Personal". Slant . Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  26. ↑ Gordon, Arielle (January 23, 2024). "Green Day: Saviors Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  27. ↑ Sacher, Andrew (October 22, 2023). "Watch blink-182 and Green Day play new songs at When We Were Young + Lil Wayne, Tony Hawk & more". BrooklynVegan . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  28. ↑ Garro, Adrian (October 30, 2023). "Watch: Green Day Previews 'Saviors' Album with New Material, Classics in 'Amazon Music Live' Performance". Rock Cellar. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  29. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (January 17, 2024). "Green Day and Jimmy Fallon Rock N.Y. Subway Station With Surprise 'Basket Case' Performance". Billboard . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  30. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (January 19, 2024). "'Tonight Show' Posts Official Video of Green Day's Ripping Subway Pop-Up Concert". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  31. ↑ Shanfeld, Ethan (January 19, 2024). "Green Day Previews New Album 'Saviors' at Intimate, Hit-Filled Irving Plaza Show". Variety. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  32. ↑ Ruskin, Zack (April 3, 2024). "Green Day riles up S.F. crowd for a cause". San Francisco Chronicle . Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  33. ↑ Carter, Emily (June 6, 2024). "Green Day add some more Saviors songs into current tour setlist". Kerrang! . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Green Day played Central Park for GMA's Summer Concert Series (pics, setlist)". BrooklynVegan. July 26, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Look Ma, No Brains! — Song by Green Day — Apple Music" . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  36. ↑ "CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock". hitparada.ifpicr.cz. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  37. 1 2 "Look Ma No Brains – Green Day - TopHit - Highway To Airplay". TopHit. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  38. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.