You Never Knew What These Misunderstood Songs Were Really About
‘Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)’ – Green Day
Green Day’s acoustic ballad became a massive crossover hit — partially thanks to its use in the Seinfeld finale — in 1998. The track, with it’s seemingly wistful lyrics about the passage of time, has become a favorite at proms, graduations, and weddings.
However, those happy couples probably should have examined the lyrics — or at least the song’s title — just a bit closer. The lyrics are not a tender goodbye at all, but rather an angry rebuke against a girlfriend who will one day regret leaving the “time of her life.”