Why Do You Want Him? by Green Day

Album: 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours (1990)

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

This is one of the first songs Billie Joe Armstrong wrote. He wrote it when he was 14, and it is about his stepfather whom he and his 5 siblings detested. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Tanya - London, England
After his father died and his mother started dating a different man, Billie Joe wrote this to get his feelings out. It's a great example of the expressive songwriting that is characteristic of his songs. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Jennifer - Oakland, MD

Comments: 5

Hayes from Newark, OhNone of Billie's siblings liked his stepdad, so he made this song. And I don't think it was his first song he wrote....it says he used to sing at the hospital when he was 5. Oh and just a side note: Billies dad died of esophageal cancer.
Douglas from Staten Island , NyEven though this album is so simple and the songs all sound the same, it is one of my favorites.

I listen to it in my car all the time.
Greenday!!!!
Spam from West Islip, NyPrevious poster is wrong. He was 14.
Katie from Berkly, CaThis was the first song Billie Joe wrote at the age of 11 after his dad died and his mom met his stepdad.
Tanya from London, Englanddefo one of my fave albums

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Live ForeverOasis

The Oasis song "Live Forever" was written in response to "I Hate Myself And I Want To Die" by Nirvana. "Kids don't need to hear that nonsense," said Noel Gallagher.

Put Your Records OnCorinne Bailey Rae

Corinne Bailey Rae's 2006 hit "Put Your Records On" borrows the opening line ("Three little birds sat on my window") from the Bob Marley song "Three Little Birds." Both songs have the same message: Don't worry, because every little thing's going to be alright.

When I'm 64The Beatles

In The Beatles' "When I'm 64," Paul McCartney asks a woman if she'll still be there for him when he's 64. In 2006, he got his answer when shortly before his 64th birthday, he and Heather Mills separated.

Try AgainAaliyah

Until December 5, 1998, a song had to be issued as a single to make the Hot 100. Aaliyah's "Try Again" was the first tune to top the chart based on airplay alone, without any sales figures being included.

I Remember EverythingZach Bryan

Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves had both gone through divorces when they wrote and recorded the wrenching duet "I Remember Everything." It was the first #1 Hot 100 hit for each of them.

Bad RomanceLady Gaga

Lady Gaga is a big fan of horror movies; listen for the names of these three Alfred Hitchcock films in the lyrics to "Bad Romance": Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window.