Reject by Green Day

Album: Nimrod (1997)

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Songfacts®:

"Reject" was inspired by a letter Green Day received from the mother of an 8-year-old boy whose grandmother bought him a cassette of the band's 1995 album Insomniac for his birthday. When she heard the album, she was horrified and took action, writing a formal letter to Green Day (at their PO Box in Berkeley, California) expressing her displeasure. It reads, in part:

That tape is not something any singer/songwriter should take any pride in at all. It is horrifying and has got to be one of the worst interpretations of an 'artform' that I have ever had the misfortune to hear.

She explains that the boy likes their song "When I Come Around," which is why he got Insomniac for his birthday. Then she gets preachy:

Why don't you do something positive and clean up your act!!!! Isn't there enough garbage in the world? All the thoughts you are helping to put in the minds of our youth is scary. You have so much influence why not use it for something GOOD?

The letter made its way to the band, and Billie Joe Armstrong replied with a handwritten note that begins:

I don't write music for parents, grandparents, or eight year olds. I write for myself and I'll say anything I damn well please. That's the difference between you and me. I do what I want.... You do what you're told.

He added:

Next time, I suggest you do a little research before you purchase such "rubbish" for your little boy.

The song "Reject" is the musical expression of this incident, which went public when Green Day sent the letter they received and Billie Joe's response to the NME.
The All-American Rejects may have taken their name from this song, which contains the line, "A reject, all American." The group has told different stories about where their name came from.

Comments: 12

Snow from ..., NyHe also wrote the woman who sent him the letter a reply. It has some lines from the song in it. You can find them both online. It adds a lot more context to the song, which is currently my favorite Green Day song (But that changes a lot).
Sam from Deerfield, Ilactually, the boys mom got mad cause he was singing the explicit lyrics. Swear words aren't that bad, they are just words with meanings, so its not that different then just talking
Whitney from Hazelhurst, GaBullet in a Bible was so awesome. Anyone who hasn't seen it needs to. Happy holidays.
Tanya from London, EnglandWell not to worry, it was a cut down version anyway (was 6.5 mins) The whole thing is 14 mins apparently. As far as i know the full one hasnt been played anywhere yet, but will be on mtv n mtv2 in a few weeks. Go on greendayauthority.com if u missed the one on friday, u can download it. watch it a few times and think about it in relation to the rest of the album before u judge it. takes some gettin used to...its a weird vid
Tanya from London, Englandyes, friend. what else could it mean?
Tanya from London, EnglandOops i take back what i said about mikes lyrics never being very inspiring. I forgot he wrote emenius sleepus. One of my faves that. Reminds me of my now ex best mate who changed (for the worse). So does ha ha your dead. i hate her. ggrrrrrr
Tanya from London, EnglandAye i like 86 too. but the "theres no return from 86" is repeated too many times to listen to it alot
Tanya from London, EnglandYeah i love ha ha you're dead. pretty good considering mike wrote it. Am not sayin mikes rubbish or anythin its just that his lyrics arent usually very inspiring. BUT i have a thing about people doin covers of songs. I know they weren't released as A side singles like other rip off so called artists do but i really do not like people recordin covers. But the rest of shenanigans is good. my fave is ha ha you're dead and desensitized. CANT WAIT FOR BULLET IN A BIBLE DVD!
Whitney from Hazelhurst, GaMy favorite album from Green Day is their album Shenanigans. Because no one really hears about it alot. My fav song is from it called Ha Ha Your Dead.
Tanya from London, Englandwhat's your fave album? mines 39/smooth, kerplunk and american idiot i think. oh and insomniac. BUT my fave song of all time is on nimrod which is ofcourse good riddance. theyre all amazing
Whitney from Hazelhurst, GaI, by the way, love this song I own every Green Day album from 39/Smooth to American Idiot. So anything bad you losers have to say keep it to yourself!
Tanya from London, Englandwow i never knew it was about that. GREAT song

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