Meaning of Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day

Let’s start an article about the history of the song Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day by saying that the expression “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” is by no means original. Billie Joe Armstrong admitted that he borrowed it from artist Gottfried Helnwein. He named the painting, which depicts Elvis Presley, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart, sitting in an empty bar.

In addition, in different years before the creation of Green Day, several songs by other artists were released under this name. Yes, and the phrase “boulevard of broken dreams” has repeatedly met in various compositions.

What is the Boulevard of Broken Dreams song about?

The meaning of the Boulevard of Broken Dreams song cannot be found outside the context of the American Idiot album, which is a rock opera.

The composition is performed on behalf of the protagonist, Jesus of Suburbia. He wanders the streets alone after the fun described in the pre-Boulevard of Broken Dreams track Holiday.

Helnwein - Boulevard of the Broken Dreams

The song, which Armstrong called “hangover”, raises the theme of loneliness, perceived by the protagonist as a way of life. Many Green Day fans and music critics believe that the Boulevard of Broken Dreams describes the disappointment that befalls many of those who pursue the “American Dream”.

And now a few words about borrowing. Boulevard of Broken Dreams is based on the same chord progression as Oasis’s Wonderwall, of which Noel Gallagher said:

They should have had the decency to wait until I was dead . At least I do that kind of favor for the people I steal from.

Rolling Stone 2006

The lyrics of Boulevard of Broken Dreams are reminiscent of the lyrics to I Walk Alone by Pinhead Gunpowder.

Release and achievements

Boulevard of Broken Dreams was released as the second single from American Idiot. The song peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart and at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

It was awarded a Grammy for Best Recording of the Year.

Video of Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day

The music video for Green Day was directed by Samuel Bayer. The video is a continuation of the clip Holiday.

The video won six awards at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards.

Let’s watch the online video clip of Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day.

Interesting Facts

  • Green Day Donates Year of Boulevard of Broken Dreams iTunes Proceeds to American Red Cross to Help Hurricane Katrina Victims

Boulevard of Broken Dreams Lyrics by Green Day

I walk a lonely road
The only one I have ever known
Don’t know where it goes
But it’s home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I’m the only one and I walk alone

I walk alone I walk alone
I walk alone I walk a…

My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart’s the only thing that’s beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
’til then I’ll walk alone

I’m walking down the line
That divides me somewhere in my mind
On the borderline of the edge
And where I walk alone

Read between the lines
What’s f***ed up and everything’s all right
Check my vital signs to know I’m still alive
And I walk alone, I walk alone, I walk alone
I walk alone, I walk a…

My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart’s the only thing that’s beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
’til then I’ll walk alone

I walk alone, I walk a…

I walk this empty street
On the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I’m the only one and I walk a…

My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart’s the only thing that’s beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
’til then I’ll walk alone

Lyrics of Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day Alternate

I’m walking on a desert road
The only one I’ve ever known
I don’t know where it leads
But she is home to me and I walk alone

I’m walking down this empty street
Along the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I’m walking alone on my own

I walk alone, I walk alone
I walk alone, I walk in…

The shadow is my only companion
My weak heart is the only thing that beats
Sometimes I wish someone out there would find me
But until then I’ll walk alone

I walk the line
that divides me somewhere in my head
Along the very edge
Where do I go alone

Read between the lines
What failed and everything is alright
Check my vital signs to make sure I’m still alive
And I walk alone, I walk alone, I walk alone
I walk alone, I walk in…

The shadow is my only companion
My weak heart is the only thing that beats
Sometimes I wish someone out there would find me
But until then I’ll walk alone

I walk alone, I walk in…

I’m walking down this empty street
Along the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I’m walking alone on my own

The shadow is my only companion
My weak heart is the only thing that beats
Sometimes I wish someone out there would find me
But until then I’ll walk alone

Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day chords

Intro: Em GDA – 2 times

Em G
I walk a lonely road
D.A.Em
The only one that I have ever known
G
Don’t know where it goes
D.A.Em
But it’s home to me and I walk alone

Em GDA

Em G
I walk this empty street
D.A.Em
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
G
Where the city sleeps
D.A.Em
And I’m the only one and I walk alone

G

DA
I walk alone
Em
I walk alone

G

DA
I walk alone
A
I walk a…

chorus:
CGDA
My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me
CGDA
My shallow heart’s the only thing that’s beating
CGDA
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
CGB
‘Til then I walk alone

Em GDA Em
Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Aaah-ah,
GDA
Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah

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