Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?

Album: Kerplunk! (1992)
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Songfacts®:

  • Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong remarked that in high school his teacher made him read The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger. This classic novel was very boring to him and he hated reading it (the idea of forcing a kid to read was repugnant to Billie Joe). When he became an adult he decided to read it again, as it was "punk rock." The narrator and main character of the novel is an outcast named Holden Caulfield - this song is about him. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Kel - Houston, TX
  • Green Day wasn't famous yet when they released this song, at least not outside the California punk rock scene. It was issued on their second album, Kerplunk!, which led to a deal with the major label Reprise Records.

Comments: 13

  • Punk Dan from NyScreeching Weasel has a song called "I Wrote Holden Caulfield".


    Billie was a huge fan of Screeching Weasel growing up and after he had read the book and realized how fitting it wad to his style, he wrote a song inspired by it and as an ode to Screeching Weasel name dit "Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?"
  • Snow from ..., NyThe band was asked about this song in an interview once and gave literally three different meanings in about thirty seconds. Without really specifying which one was right... So that's probably where Tanya from London got confused. Also, Joe from Chicago, Green Day doesn't suck and never will. But I agree that they aren't the punkest band, they're definitely more melodic, with some influences from all over the music spectrum.
  • Cam from Wichita, KsWow, The guy who shot John Lennon purchased the book "The Catcher in the Rye" the day he killed John Lennon. Many people believe that the book drove him to kill him...I have no idea if there is a connection between that and the song but it is pretty interesting!
  • Shannon from Mankato, MnCatcher in the Rye is REALLY good! :D
  • Corey from West Portsmouth, Oh, AfghanistanScreeching Weasel has a song called "I Wrote Holden Caulfield".
  • Alex from New City, Nyya...green day does NOT suck, but you are right, they arent punk rock. They are their own combination of punk, pop, and alternative rock. Also, billie joe wrote this because it was one of his favorite books. look it up on www.greendayauthority.com......go to the didja know section on the left side and it is under Billie Joe Armstrong
  • Joe from Chicago, Arwell green day suck but this song is pretty kool........ defintly not punk compared to some other stuff like ramones,sex pistols,clash,bad religion,dead kennedys,NOFX,misfits,pil,manic street preachers(sortof),forgotten rebels,radiohead(sortof but there more alternative) and lots of other stuff......... if you're still stuck with bands like blink 182 and sum 41 then listen to some real punk please.......... for me :P
  • Zuzana from Bratislava, EuropeTanya this song is NOT about drug abuse. Have you read the book? It's really good.
  • Eileen from San Diego, Cai love this song a lot.. it is so cool. keep it up green day, u guys freakin' rule!!!!!!! ^^
  • Tubby from Hexham, EnglandActually Tanya, "Armatage Shanks" is from Insomniac, track 1.
  • Tanya from London, Englandive decided its probs 1039/smoothed out slappy hours BUT kerplunk has christie road and this on it. Then dookie obviously has armitage shanks, longview, basket case n when i come around n FOD. then insomniac has brain stew, brat n geek stink breath. then nimrod has hitchin a ride, redundant, king 4 a day n time of your life. then warnin has macys day parade n blood sex n booze. then shenanigans has ha ha your dead n desensitised. then international has poprocks n coke. then american idiot has september, american idiot n give me novocaine n whatsername. so i have no idea really. god im bored. as youve probably guessed
  • Whitney from Hazelhurst, GaGreat song, Great Album, Great band!
  • Tanya from London, EnglandGreat song off one of their greatest albums. It's about losing your memory and keeping forgettin what you're about to say due to drug abuse. Love this album
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