The Alarming Generation Gap: As Illustrated by the Lyrics of Bruce Springsteen and Billie Joe Armstrong

I’ve always been interested in good songwriting, especially songs that tell a story. I find it interesting that some of the most recent songs by well-known American artists have been so broad. Broad, as in, contemplating the state of our country. Bob Dylan did it in the 60’s, so it’s not a new concept…but look what HAPPENED in the 60’s. Lots of really bad things. Many people honestly believed they were changing the world for good, but ended up damaging a good bit of America’s core ideals. Why? Two generations turned their backs on each other, and both essentially turned their backs on God Himself. I’m afraid the same thing may be happening in our time. People are so divided in their beliefs and ideals that nothing is accomplished but collateral damage from the fight.

I’m not drawing any particular conclusion here, but take a look at how different the viewpoints are between Bruce Springsteen and Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day. Springsteen is roughly 60 years old, born and raised in New Jersey. Armstrong is about 30 years his junior, a California punk. Both write very broad songs, but it is incredible how different their outlooks are.

Read the lyrics to Springsteen’s latest, “Working on a Dream”. It acknowledges that times are tough, but it is also hopeful, the old “work hard and keep plugging” attitude he’s known for.


Working on a Dream
-Bruce Springsteen

Out here the nights are long, the days are lonely
I think of you and I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
Now the cards I've drawn are a rough hand, darling
I straighten the back and I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
Though sometimes it feels so far away
I'm working on a dream
And i know it will be mine someday
Rain pourin' down, I swing my hammer
My hands are rough from working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
Though trouble can feel like it's here to stay
I'm working on a dream
Well our love will chase trouble away
I'm working on a dream
Though it can feel so far away
I'm working on a dream
Our love will make it real someday
The sun rise up, I climb the ladder
The new day breaks and I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
I'm working on a dream
Though it can feel so far away
I'm working on a dream
Our love will make it real someday
I'm working on a dream
Though it can feel so far away
I'm working on a dream
And our love will make it real someday

Compare that to Green Day’s upcoming release, “21st Century Breakdown”. There’s even a reference to Springsteen (though an earlier, better known song of his.) But WHOA…big difference!

"21st Century Breakdown"
-By Green Day


Born into Nixon, I was raised in hell.
A welfare child where the teamsters dwelled.
The last one born, the first one to run,
My town was blinded by refinery sun.


My generation is zero.
I never made it as a working class hero
21st century breakdown
I once was lost but never was found.
I think I'm losing what's left of my mind.
to the 20th century deadline.

I was made of poison and blood.
Condemnation is what I understood
From Mexico to the Berlin Wall
Homeland security could kill us all.

My generation is zero.
I never made it as a working class hero.
21st century breakdown,
I once was lost but never was found.
I think I'm losing what's left of my mind.
to the 20th century deadline.

We are the cries of the class of 13
born in the era of humility
we are the desperate in the decline
raised by the bastards of 1969!!!

My name is no one, your long lost son
Born on the 4th of July
raising the bygones of heroes and cons
left me for dead or alive

There is the war that's inside my head
that questions the results and lies
While breaking my back til I'm damn near well dead
When enough ain't enough to survive.

I am an agent, a worker, a pawn
my debt to the status quo
the scars on my hands are a means to an end
it's all that I have to show

I'm taking a loan on my sanity
for the redemption of my soul
well I am exempt from this tragedy
and the 21st century fall

Praise, Liberty
the freedom to obey
it's a song that strangles me
well, don't cross the line

Oh, dream American dream
I can't even see
from rainstorms til dawn
Oh, bleed America bleed
believe what you read
from heroes and cons.

How did we go from a generation of people with hope and optimism in the face of hard times to a generation of people who feel hopeless, bitter and powerless? The sad thing is, Bruce and Billie Joe are only 30 years apart, yet have radically different viewpoints on the same issue. We as a country need to wake up and see this dichotomy, and we need to address it quickly. There’s an elephant in the room, and it’s not the Republican logo. This is an alarming conflict of world views, and I fear for our nation because of it. While both are very well-written songs, I’d much rather live in a country that worked like Bruce Springsteen’s ideal, and not like Billie Joe Armstrong’s…