Macy's Day Parade

Album: Warning (2000)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is Billie Joe Armstrong's commentary on commercialism, and how people want materialistic things all the time. Macy's is a big department store that sponsors a Thanksgiving day parade in the US that is the height of commercialism, with branded floats and inflatables reminding us of all the great stuff we should buy for Christmas.

    In the song, Armstrong sees through the veneer and won't be spellbound by the giant Snoopy. He wants something, but you can't buy it. All he wants is to have hope in his life.
  • Armstrong explained in a promotional interview for the album: "It's sort of about the lies and deceptions that you have growing up and how you have to find your own way around." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Salinda - Portland, ME, for above 2
  • "Macy's Day Parade" is the last track on Warning, Green Day's sixth album. Commercially, it was a flop, merely going Gold when their previous three albums had all gone Double Platinum, but artistically it was a success, leading the way for their next album, American Idiot, in 2004.
  • Mark Kohr, who directed many of Green Days early videos, returned to helm "Macy's Day Parade." Kohr staged a parade when he made Alanis Morissette's "Hand In My Pocket" video, but he didn't go the parade route with this one, instead showing the band at an abandoned factory, following Armstrong in one continuous shot.

Comments: 12

  • AnonymousSomeone knows the location of this video?
  • Jake from OregonTim, how'd you associate chaos with the song?!
  • Lacey from Chicago, Ili could listen to this song for hours.
  • Blake from Redhook, Nyby the way life's been good was a song by the eagles that was written by joe walsh and i'm suprised he even remember's he wrote it i mean he admitts he doesn't remember a lot from his past anyway. but i like this song i think it's music video was exilent and it is an all around good song.
  • September Heaven from Lawton, MiSo why is there a Green Day Basher comment on here again? ne way I think it's very melodic which is great. .One of the reasons why I love Green day's songs is becuz you can listen to them at ne given time whether it be to PARTY or to just relax and be easy going. ♥☺
  • Tom from Mead County, KyI think Greenday put this song on warning just to show people that there not just punk rocker.

    I think this song is about billie stated that he wants to take a break from the media and trying to find the price for true hope in his life.
    -tom, ky
  • Erik from Willow Hill, Pait kind of sounds like he's talking about maturing and growing up to me
  • Tim from Dalton, MaThis song sounds like dying children, I rather listen to 24 straight hours of Gregorian Chants.
    You want a poetic song about the dangers of materialism, try Hotel California or Life in The Fast Lane or Life's Been Good
  • Ben from London, EnglandPart of it seems to criticise the way that the corporate world cash in on people's deaths "Its a lifetime guarantee, stuffed in a coffin 10% more free, the red light special at the mausoleum"
  • Tanya from London, United StatesThis is one of my fave green day songs
  • Ben from London, EnglandThis song is great and finishes the International Superhits album off nicely. 2nd best acoustic song by greenday behind Good Riddance IMO
  • Erik from Willow Hill, Pathis is a great song. it's lyrics are so poetic and nothing is flawless. i never saw the video.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tommy James

Tommy JamesSongwriter Interviews

"Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," "Draggin' The Line"... the hits kept coming for Tommy James, and in a plot line fit for a movie, his record company was controlled by the mafia.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.