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This song addresses the topic of patriotism. Frontman and chief songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong told Q magazine May 2009: "It brings up 21st Century Breakdown in a lot of ways, and the 21 gun-salute for someone that's fallen, but done in an arena rock 'n' roll sort of way."

At the pre-release preview of 21st Century Breakdown, the MTV News reviewer called this song, "a cell-phones-in-the-air anthem."

Comments:

I think this is a really boring song but I hate Green Day too boring and all songs sound the same
- Sara, Kingman, AZ

@Scott,Boston,Ma....... THIS VIDEO SUCKS! It is so stupid! Why the hell are there people shooting through a wall and a dude and a girl loving each other or something? It's about the 21 Gun Salute so why doesn't the video reflect that?!
- Currie, Charlotte, NC

See the show American Idiot. Its all in there and its FABULOUS.
- margy, Alameda, CA

Felt a hint of Boulevard o Broken Dreams according to me... Great song though.
- Kiran, Kannur, India

Pablo, in Mexico...That is almost exactly what I was thinking; although, I couldn't pin-point the song. Thank you!
- Mary, Phoenix, AZ

i think you people get way hyped up bout somethings, Green Day is Green Day they will be who they wanna be
- Ame, Greencastle, IN

i like greendays music but i dont like them because their trying to apeal to to many people they were origionaly punk pot heads then they were political and now thheir emo i dont like that cus their not showing who they are
- derek, shrewsbury, MA

green day is 1 of the top five best artist in rock since guns and roses. this is 1 of there top rated songs that are played on 103.9 the X but still not the best song on the album tho.
- Ashlee, Presscot, AZ

The girl in the music video is pretty hot. Great song!
- Corey, Richmond, VA

i loved this song until one day my dad pointed out thata it sounds just like telephone line.... a sad day for me.
- katira, new york, NY

agree
- Joseph, Cleveland, OH

Yes, there is a melodic similarity with this song to Telephone Line, and All the Young Dudes, but the actual melody line (musicnerds here:) 3rd, 4th, 5th, octave, is a very common melody. I wouldn't quite say it's a ripoff. Anymore than "Brain Stew" rips off "25 or 6 to 4" (listen to both intros)
- Stu, Philly, PA

i love this song one of the best on the album
- Emily, Dudley, United Kingdom

New favorite song :D
- Phoebe, Belchertown, MA

It does sort of sound like "All the Young Dudes" at some points...and yes, the guitar solo does sound like the theme from Full House. Anyways. It's a good song.
- Francesca, Dallas, TX

No Doubt Kayla, this song is right on,this is one of the best new songs, been waiting for someone to release something
- Michael, Columbus, OR

I think the solo sounds like Clapton's "Tears in Heaven".
- Brad, Lexington, KY

i think this is one of green day's best song ever. its really catchy. the first time i heard it i couldnt stop singing it!
- aly, los angeles, CA

They didn't steal the lyrics from anyone, and it's brilliant song writing, so just shut up and listen.
- Kayla, Ballston Lake, NY

I Love this song. And Matt i noticed it. Lol i realized it the first time ive ever heard the song
- Andrew, lake worth, FL

this song is so great. one of my favorite song of theres
- amanda, manitowoc, WI

does anyone know why do they say one before saying 21 guns? it's almost like they're saying 121 guns lol
- Meredith, Port Clinton, OH

@ mike from orlando.. david bowie just wrote the lyrics to All the Young Dudes.. it was MOTT THE HOOPLE who put the melodies and music to it.
- sustin, venetia, PA

matt from new york, i can hear what u r talking about.
- Vicki, Chicago, IL

While the chorus might rip off "All the Young Dudes," am I the only one that hears the theme to Full House in the guitar solo? "Everywhere you look, everywhere you look..." (go to 3:00 in the YouTube vid)
- Matt, New York, NY

This is just a terrible knockoff of David Bowie's All the Young Dudes. I listened to this horrible song throughout the transformers movie this is clearly stolen. You would think that Green Day with all the time they have on their hands that they would just write their own material.
- mike, Orlando, FL

I don't know if this is some sort of plagio but the chorus of 21 Guns sounds a lot like a part of the song "Telephone Lines" composed by ELO (Electric Light Orchestra). Don't ya think?
- Pablo, Monterrey, Mexico

Hmmm, i love the way he says guns in this song
- Anthony, North Cape May, NJ

easy song on guitar. pretty cool song tho
- Hunter, Jones, OK

Absolutely brilliant
- Aaron, Houston, TX

This song has a great music video.
- Scott, Boston, MA

Well I wouldn't call it the best ballad, but It is a hell of a lot better than know your enemy. this sounds more like thier nimrod era and I like any album before american idiot.
- Matt, Houston, TX

This is in my opinion is the best ballad since Time of Your life, if not better! Can't wait to see them July 3rd at the Key Arena!!!
- Peter, North Bend, WA

This song and Before The Lobotomy are the best songs in the new album
- Runcil, Mumbai, India