Restless Heart Syndrome

Album: 21st Century Breakdown (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Singer and chief songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong told Q magazine May 2009 that the topic of this mid-tempo rocker is about prescription drug junkies. He explained: "It's about pharmaceuticals. A lot of people become junkies if they get the right prescription."
  • Rolling Stone asked Armstrong if he got stressed when writing, trying to keep up the momentum. The Green Day frontman replied: "I love the moments of inspiration, when you feel pretty good about yourself and things are okay. It's the s--t in between, when you're blocked - you have a melody in your head and no words for it. It drives you f--king crazy." Armstrong added that he had the melody to this song, "for a year. I had nothing to write about. I would be sitting there: 'I feel stupid.' 'Little Girl' and '21 Guns' were the same way. But you have to stick with it. It's the patience that drives you crazy. But the moments when you nail something - that's when you're most free. There is no outside stress. You're just in the zone."

Comments: 3

  • Mystic from AustraliaThis is a really good song that accurately represents the danger humans face introducing drugs into their lives.
  • Joel from Evergreen, WaThis song would be perfect for House,MD considering that House is in pain and addicted to Vicodin.
  • Jay from Hartford , CtThere is a real disease called restless leg syndrome (saw it on "House")
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Devo

DevoSongwriter Interviews

Devo founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale take us into their world of subversive performance art. They may be right about the De-Evoloution thing.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.