What do you think East Jesus Nowhere means?

Green Day: East Jesus Nowhere Meaning

Album cover for East Jesus Nowhere album cover

Song Released: 2009


East Jesus Nowhere Lyrics

Raise your hands now to testify
Your confessions will be crucified
You're a sacrificial suicide,
Like a dog that's been sodomized

(Stand up!) All the White boys,
(Sit down!) And the Black girls,
(Stand up!) You're the soldiers
(Sit...

  1. 1TOP RATED

    #1 top rated interpretation:
    zachlovesnirvana
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    Jun 17th 2009 !⃝

    The song talks about religious hypocrisy and the effect religion have in the government such as war and genocide

  2. 2TOP RATED

    #2 top rated interpretation:
    anonymous
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    Aug 29th 2009 !⃝

    I believe it's about the current 'revolution' (if that's what you want to call it) in America. More people than ever are identifying as either atheist or agnostic and I also think that it's got parts in it that are about all the religious nuts who are interfering in our government's decisions because of what their bible says.

  3. 3TOP RATED

    #3 top rated interpretation:
    EvilEye1245
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    May 14th 2010 !⃝

    It's about religious hypocrisy and oppression.

  4. anonymous
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    Jun 8th 2014 !⃝

    It's basically a mix of everything everyone has been saying. But definitely the religious hypocrisy part.

  5. anonymous
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    Nov 11th 2013 !⃝

    Well its something you have to think deep about. Remember that this is a rock and punk band and that whatever it is, its real. Religion, war, government/ political problems.

  6. anonymous
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    May 4th 2012 !⃝

    This song makes me think about the part when Jesus comes to the temple and the people have made it into a market.
    Many people (not all) nowadays say they are Christians and make it look like it because they dress up fine on Sundays and go to church and they underestimate the people with no education and no work.

  7. anonymous
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    Dec 1st 2011 !⃝

    This song is (obviously) about religion. It states how there is too much war, violence, and just plan old arguments because of ones faith. It is also about the New World Order (Illuminati). We all need to get over ourselves and focus on our beliefs and religious actions and leave everyone else alone. The truth is no one knows for sure which religion is really true. We don't even know if God is real, though I believe He is and I am Christian. This does not mean I will immediatly hate you because you're atheist or Jewish. But in this song he kind of pokes fun at Christians so I don't think that is what it is about, but that is my oppinion.

  8. anonymous
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    Aug 22nd 2011 !⃝

    the key lines of songs are usually in the chorus. one of those lines is "a fire burns today, of blasphemy and genocide". he puts blasphemy on the same side as genocide, indicating he's not against theism. the next line, however, seems to be against religious fanaticism.
    to me he seems to be unsure about religion and that's what the song conveys. it's neither pro nor con religion

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
  9. anonymous
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    Jul 20th 2011 !⃝

    Well, everyone already said it.... It's an anti-religious song. Not only against Christianity though, I think it's about every religion that's "trying to rule the world", thinking it's the only right way. Sure, they use a lot of Christian things (sunday best, crucify, Lord) but I doubt this song is about another religion doing exactly the same.
    And as an answer to all the people that say that religion is good and should be preserved the way it is nowadays:
    Sure, religion is your own choice. (And I have nothing against it as long as it doesn't say I can't believe what I want, which most religions do)
    But, and I'm so free to use this example, your freedom to say what you want is also limited when it's about harming others (at least in my country). Isn't it the same with faith? I mean, should you kill for something that only exists in your mind?
    If someone stands up and declares he has seen a vision from a new God that told him to kill everyone in sight, we'd think he's crazy, right? But isn't that exactly the same as what present religions do in some situations?

    I think that this is what Greenday means with the song. But hey, that's just me.

  10. anonymous
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    May 25th 2011 !⃝

    This song is about the hypocrisies in religion..... This song was made after Green Day went to a young boys baptism and it inspired them to write this song..... but its truly one of my favorites.. (Kevin Milk)

  11. anonymous
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    Apr 20th 2011 !⃝

    This song is about following your own faith. This faith is your thoughts that no one can change. If people don't like your beliefs, then they're probably faith-anatics who only follow what they're told. The song begs people, such as myself, to believe what they want and to not look back. Who cares? Religions all lead to the same place in the end. Every one believes in leading it's followers to eternal bliss. I'm made fun of at school for questioning my faith. Sometimes I feel like punching everyone who does. But this song and Jesus of Suburbia keep me true to my belief. My belief to live without ridicule of others, to live in a world where everyone can be free. Free to say the truth and to not be afraid of anyone, whether it be your parents pleading you to follow their religion or your teacher lecturing you on what is right and wrong, but in the end, right and wrong are opinions. If someone believes that it is right to steal, it is their opinion as most people believe it to be wrong. Now i believe it is a terrible thing to steal, but once again, it is an opinion such as joining a political party or a religion.

  12. anonymous
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    Mar 5th 2011 !⃝

    "well im not too sure what the song exactly means, but in an interview Billie Joe Armstrong said that this song along with a few others were letters written by the Jesus of Suburbia character. So if that helps anyone...lol"

    Jesus of Suburbia was from American Idiot. This song is from 21st century breakdown. When Armstrong said that a bunch of the songs were letters from Jesus of Suburbia he was referencing songs from American Idiot such as Letterbomb. Both of these albums are rock operas. Jesus of Suburbia is a character from American Idiot and he does not appear in 21st century breakdown.

  13. anonymous
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    Jan 6th 2011 !⃝

    i think that what billie joe is trying to say is that he is sick of having wars and that religion is not helping it. he is not religious at all andd sometimes mocks religion. he is very much into politics and just wants religion to stop interferring with the governments decisions. i agree with him no offence to anyone

  14. anonymous
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    Jan 5th 2011 !⃝

    I think this song's about religion. Its about how people fight in wars for religion. BJ is agnostic, so he wants everyone to be like him, that's why he mocks a bit of the catholic faith. i'm catholic, but I personally think music is a way to express yourself. He only said his opinion and I am not against it, I mean, there are a lot of wars for religions and beliefs, but making everyone of the same religion will be more like the one world order and it would cause more war. This song also talks about the new world order (against it) 'couse it really sucks, it would not make the world better but worse. The cool thing about the world is diversity, and the one world order would spoil it, and there would be wars people would want to have their culture and beliefs back.
    Thats my interpretation of a song with my opinion of stuff
    I hope it helps (i'm only 13 so I don't think its 100% right)

  15. anonymous
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    Sep 3rd 2009 !⃝

    well im not too sure what the song exactly means, but in an interview Billie Joe Armstrong said that this song along with a few others were letters written by the Jesus of Suburbia character. So if that helps anyone...lol


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