Horseshoes and Handgrenades by Green Day

Album: 21st Century Breakdown (2009)

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Songfacts®:

Chief songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong told Q magazine May 2009 that he's "not sure about that song yet."
21st Century Breakdown is split into three acts (Heroes And Cons, Charlatans And Saints and Horseshoes And Handgrenades). Armstrong explained to The Sun April 24, 2009: "I liked the three acts as I work in three parts. I have dual personalities, but I'm on medication so that's okay. Heroes And Cons represents dealing with these two demons and what they mean. Then Charlatans And Saints deals with religion. The final act gets its name because horseshoes are a sign of luck and hand-grenades are a sign of an explosion. The characters are just something I sing through. You give them a name and it gives them a life."

Comments: 4

Frank from Spokane, WaI always thought this song was about the character Christian was pissed at America, and that he wasn't messing around anymore. he wanted things to change, and so far, the way i see it they havent!
Michael from Staten Island, NyGreat song, reminded me of The Hives.
Andrei from Melbourne, Australiai always thought that song name refered to the saying something like when someone complains about being SO close u say "only in horseshoes and handgrenades" coz in a game of horseshoes even if u miss the closest one wins and with handgrenades even if u dont hit them directly u would blow em to bits with the explosion.
Jay from Hartford , CtI think that the significance between horseshoes and handgrenades is that you throw them the same way, but have completly differing uses and purposes (one is good luck and another could kill you)

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