He hit the ground running,
At the speed of light.
The star was brightly shining,
Like a neon light.

It's your favorite son.
It's your favorite son.

A fixture on the talk shows,
To the silver screen.
From here to Colorado,
He's a sex machine.

It's your favorite son.
It's your favorite son.

But isn't it a drag?
Isn't it a drag?
Isn't it a drag?
It's pretty bloody sad,
But isn't it a drag?

A clean-cut All-American,
Really ain't so clean.
His royal auditorium,
Is a murder scene.

It's your favorite son.
It's your favorite son.
Oh, isn't it a drag?
Isn't it a drag?
Isn't it a drag?
It's pretty bloody sad,
But isn't it a drag?

Well no one says it's fair.
Turn a teenage lush,
To a millionaire.

Now where's your fuckin' champion?
On a bed you laid.
He's not the All-American,
That you thought you paid.

It's your favorite son.
It's your favorite son.
But isn't it a drag?



Lyrics submitted by Alucard

Track duration: 02:40

"Favorite Son" as written by Billie Joe/wright Iii Armstrong

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Favorite Son song meanings
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28 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I think that this song is about Pee-wee Herman and his rise and downfall.

    "He hit the ground running,
    At the speed of light.
    The star was brightly shining,
    Like a neon light."

    (PWH's career taking off.)

    "A fixture on the talk shows" (started on Letterman)
    to the silver screen (which is how he got his movie, Big Adventure).
    he's a sex machine" (indecent exposure arrest).

    "It's your favorite son (he ruled the 80's)
    But isn't it a drag" (Paul Reubens as Pee-wee lived in that persona, and many people thought it was a drag for him to be hidden behind the facade.)

    "A clean-cut all American (PWH was noted for his clean cut looks, hosting a children's TV show)
    really ain't so clean" (self explanatory)

    "Well no one says it's fair, turn a teenage lush to a millionaire." (Went from nobody to millionare overnight.)

    "Now where's your fuckin' champion?
    On a bed you laid.
    He's not the All-American,
    That you thought you paid."

    (Referring to the downfall, how the he was sent to prison, on a bed "you" laid, "you" meaning America. Not the All-American, lovable talk show host paid to entertain children. )




    Read more at songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858511698/
    Flag misguidedmelodyon May 12, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I adore this song <3
    Flag TornStaticon September 22, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I don't think this song is directly about Bush. I believe this song was actually the closing track on American Idiot in Japan, so I think this song is supposed to tie in to the albums storyline. Maybe after all is said and done, Jesus becomes a politician (a favorite son is a candidate supported by the delegates of his state at a presidential nominating convention, as 1000BrokenHearts stated) and even though his friends are anti-establishment punks, they still have to somewhat support Jesus, because he means something to them.
    Flag Paralesson March 29, 2008   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I think that is a song about Bush, maybe even like hes singing it to Bush Sr.. But its pretty point blank on making fun of Bush. It is on Rock against Bush vo.2. Its a kind of revamped verison of American idoit in a way, but it focuses more just on Bush himself, not on america in genarel. anyway, thats just my veiw on it......
    Flag Vintage_Loveon April 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The "Anti-Bush anthem," as so well phrased by GreenDayAuthority--a fuckin AWESOME song. The musical configuration as well as the lyrics/meaning. Love it love it.
    Flag MilfordMiron December 27, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I usually hate Green Day. The new Green Day just sucks so bad. But the old Green Day (like... Dookie) rules.

    I liked that comparison to Kobe and Bush. Except that every verse applies to both of them. Favorite Son obviously applies to Bush only though.

    The meaning of the words 'Favorite Son' - dictionary.reference.com/…

    And this isn't about John Lennon. I'm sorry, but I find that really stupid. I use the phrase, 'Isn't it a drag?'
    Flag Father Timeon May 29, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:gibbonsofpaul: Sure, let's leave the political side of music to the multimillionaires!

    Yes, I realise that Green Day are millionaires too, but there are many punk bands that are signed to independent labels still sing political tunes far more earnestly than Bono and Lennon who is dead anyway.

    I also kind of like the inference that this is about a sellout band who's left their roots and original "scene" behind. Like that guy in Homecoming who Rock n Roll girlfriend is about...
    Flag ArianeTheFoolon January 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is jus bout how lucky GW Bush is to hav been born into this family and becos of his name he was made president by his family since the Bush's r very powerful. wtf, john lenon has nothin to do with this song, and y wud u put a song bout john lenon on a Rock Against Bush album
    Flag deoon January 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about Billie's mom not paying that much attention to him, and now that he's famous, he's saying too bad if you want to be close to me now./ It's about Bush.
    Flag your ex-loveron December 15, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:it think this is obviously about George W. Bush, because the term "Favorite Son" actually means: a candidate supported by the delegates of his state at a presidential nominating convention. lol i am such a nerd. i just found that by reading the whole dictionary.
    Flag 1000BrokenHeartson December 07, 2005   Link

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