'Green Day: Rock Band' Needs These Deep Cuts

A band that started off their mainstream career fighting off allegations of "selling out," Green Day are now at the beginning of a long road of selling their first video game. Like the Beatles, Van Halen, and Aerosmith the boys from Berkeley have to convince gamers that their catalog is worth consuming as an interactive experience.

It's almost a safe bet that the game's track list will be more International Superhits and less Shenanigans but that doesn't mean that some of their deep cuts aren't worthy of being on the disc. Here's ten of the best options:

Christie Road
Original Album: Kerplunk
Length: 3:33
The guys slow things down a little bit with "Christie Road," one of the longest tracks on 1992's Kerplunk, as they sing about being bored, lonely and escaping to the tracks at Christie Road because "it’s home, it's home." While Billie Joe's voice remains fairly monotone throughout the track, he strives for some highs at the end of each chorus that may offer some players a challenge, but overall, it won't be the most difficult song to play, but it may be the most relatable.
Most "Green Day" lyrics: "Now I feel like me once again/ As the train comes rolling in/ Smoked my boredom gone/ Slapped my brains up so high"
Likelihood it will appear on the disc: Low, depending on who owns the songs, the band or their original label, Lookout Records.

Armatage Shanks
Original Album: Insomniac
Length: 2:17
Fighting the backlash of their major label success with Dookie, 1995's Insomniac was supposed to prove that Green Day were still a "punk" band, and, as the opening track on that album, "Armatage Shanks" had to set the pace for what was to come. It's a track that showed that the band didn't really grow too much between albums, and, whether you liked it or not, that they were going to stick with their signature sound for a long time to come. Some older may remember it as the song that Green Day performed at the 1994 VMA's on the front half of a rotating stage, with the Beastie Boys on the back, waiting to perform "Sabotage." Otherwise, you may have missed it, unless you were really into Green Day's "darker" works.
Lyrics that describe most of Green Day's early fans: "I must insist on being a pessimist/I'm a loaner in a catastrophic mind"
Likelihood it will appear on the disc: Moderate - It's the opening song to their second major label album, so there's a solid chance you'll be seeing it at some point.

J.A.R. (Jason Andrew Relva)
Original Album: Angus Soundtrack
Length: 2:53
Originally found on the best pop-punk soundtracks for a movie you've never seen, "J.A.R. (Jason Andrew Relva)" is one of the few songs from throughout Green Day's career penned by bassist Mike Dirnt. Once you realize that the song was written for a friend, Jason Andrew Relva, that died in a car accident, its easy to understand how the lyrics offer a positive perspective on living life how you want to live it. While the song sticks with Green Day's standard three chords, there's a number of tempo changes, as well as bass riffs throughout the song that should offer players some variety when this song comes up in their playlist.
Most sobering lyrics: "Gotta make a plan, gotta do what's right/ Can't run around in circles if ya wanna build a life"
Likelihood it will appear on the disc: High - it may have been on a soundtrack, but it was also a Billboard #1 single in August of 1995

Going To Pasalacqua
Original Album: 39/Smooth
Length: 3:24
Billie Joe has always been able to encapsulate the pain of being in and out of relationships through his lyrics, and "Going To Pasalacqua" is a prime example of his early work on the subject. He knows how you feel when you just can't get over that certain someone, and he's there for you. Go, give him a hug, he needs it too.
Most heart-wrenching lyrics: "We run away (far away)/ I'm in for nasty weather/ But I'll take whatever you can give that comes my way (far away)"
Likelihood it will appear on the disc: Low - one of Green Day's first releases, it features John Kiffmeyer on drums and might throw off the continuity of the game.

My Generation
Original Album: Kerplunk
Length: 2:20
It's been rumored for years now that The Who will also be getting their own "Rock Band" game, so how amazing would it be for Green Day and The Who fans to come together over their 1995 cover of the classic "My Generation." It's a shame too, since Green Day's version offers one of the few standout guitar solos of their entire career, which would be something that might actually work well in the game.
Most famous Who lyrics: "People try to put us down/ Talkin' 'bout my generation"
Likelihood it will appear on the disc: Low - It would be a licensing nightmare.

Govenator
Original Album: American Idiot iTunes Release
Length: 2:31
"Govenator" is the best example of Green Day's modern sound, and the best example on this list for more than three people to play, since it was recorded with Green Day's current, larger, lineup. It also represents the more political turn that the band has taken in recent years, which could work for some fans, and maybe not so much for others. The reason you may have never heard of it is because it was included as a bonus on the iTunes version of American Idiot, and doesn't appear to fit into that album's storyline.
Most leftwing lyrics: "Seems like everything was just a fraction of a second from being a dream/ So run and hide 'cause we're all gonna die/ Let the government decide what's left"
Likelihood it will appear on the disc: High - Fingers crossed.

Dominated Love Slave
Original Album: Kerplunk
Length: 1:41
Billie Joe doesn’t sing every song in the Green Day catalog. Every now and then drummer Tré Cool hops on the mic (and Billie hops on the drums) and sings some of his more ridiculous songs. "Dominated Love Slave" happens to be sung with a southern twang, with a "Yee-Haa" or two thrown in for good measure. Basically, it's a song about how he likes to be get beat up, and "be punished for his sins." As an overall package, including some of Tré's songs would really break up the monotony of hearing Billie Joe's voice on every track, and either this song or the hidden track on Dookie are pretty much the only two options.
Most painful sounding lyrics: "I want you to slap me and call me naughty/ Put a belt sander against my skin"
Likelihood it will appear on the disc: Very Low, aside from being a song about sadomasochism, there may also be licensing issues around it.

The Grouch
Original Album: Nimrod
Length: 2:12
From the same album that spawned their comeback mega-hit "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)," "The Grouch" offers a very sobering look back at an old man whose life didn't exactly work out as he had hoped. It's a subject that many people might be able to relate to, and it's a track that is frequently overlooked by fans, but it is one of the most realistic songs they've ever composed.
Most life changing lyrics: "I've decomposed, and my gut's getting fat/ Oh my god I'm turning out like my dad"
Likelihood it will appear on the disc: Very Low - The song tends to lose its true meaning once you start removing all the f-bombs.

Take Back
Original Album: Nimrod
Length: 1:09
"Take Back" is one of the fastest and most aggressive songs that the band has ever played, proving that, even three albums into their major label contract that they could still rock with the best punks at 924 Gilman Street. For players it will offer one of the best opportunities to emulate Billie Joe's growl as they tear through the chorus of the song.
Most intimidating lyrics: "The taste of bad blood on the tip of my tongue/ An eye for an eye, a gun for a gun/ I'm taking back what's mine"
Likelihood it will appear on the disc: Moderate - It's short, even for a punk band, but not a "typical" Green Day song, so it might offer some nice variety

F.O.D.
Original Album: Dookie
Length: 2:50
Like the bomb going off on the cover of Dookie, "F.O.D." explodes at about a minute and a half into the track. The beginning of the song might not necessarily be an ideal "Rock Band" song, since it is just Billie Joe singing over what sounds like an unplugged electric guitar, but once the band kicks in the song kicks ass, and is the perfect way to end the fourteen listed tracks on the album. It's basically two different songs married together, similar to "Brainstew/Jaded," but "F.O.D." manages to stand alone better than both of those songs.
Most explosive lyrics: "Let's nuke the bridge we torched two thousand times before/ This time we'll blast it all to hell"
Likelihood it will appear on the disc: High - theres no reason that every track from Dookie shouldn't be included on the disc, unless the plan is to sell it to you later. Only time will tell.

Suggested Bonus tracks from Green Day's various side projects:
The Network - "Spike"
Pinhead Gunpowder - "Life Durring Wartime"
Foxboro Hottubs - "Ruby Room"

If "The Beatles Rock Band" DLC strategy is any indication of the availability of songs for "Green Day Rock Band," then the band's entire catalog may eventually be available for download, which would be great news for longtime fans. However, if Green Day's catalog is any indication, it may also be in their best interest to release an explicit version of the game as well, as many of the songs lose their meaning when they get edited down. One thing is for certain, Green Day have a huge back catalog of both hits and deep cuts, which will hopefully make for a well rounded package when the game is finally released.

Tags green day, green day: rock band, harmonix, mtv games, rock band