He seems to have a military background and has been made homeless after fighting for his country ( tonight, it's a hero's welcome home and there's no place else to go). Despite it being a festivity to return home ( back in the USA with fireworks on display) the author seems solemn at the state of his home. The politicians are catering to the majority of crazy people through media ( let freedom ring with all the crazies) whilst the ignorant and ill-informed are fed these lies and believe them too along with the crazy majority ( let them eat poison and it tastes like lemonade).
The author possibly refers to the politicians being ignorant to the people and going as they like ( like dogs that shit on your neighbour’s lawn), doing things as they deemed necessary rather than in the interests of the people. However, it seems as those instead of hope, we get riot gears signifying that the hope we see and believe in is nothing more than a Trojan Horse.
The author begins with a reference to Noah’s Ark (perhaps as a sign of hope) to contrast with how things currently are ( a bitter storm). – song meaning written by u/potlah on r/GreenDay He comes to the conclusion that life isn’t about trying to make it big and die as a superstar but rather is something to be valued and appreciated for the little things ( baby I don’t have much but what we have is more than enough). He begins to look at other people, what their desires are ( what would you wish) as the author finds himself lost even after spending most of his life searching for a reason to live ( walk to the end of the earth and afar). He plans to make an impact or leave a legacy on the world before he dies ( how can I leave a buried treasure behind) but over time ( days into years roll by) the author realizes no matter how big or small he is, he is going to live and die just like everyone else in this world. The song starts off with the author’s hopes and dreams ( where can I find the city of shining light) how he yearns to make it big and find a lavish place to live in. The song basically sums up the realization that regardless of what’s happening or what we plan to do, that sometimes living in an ordinary world is all that we need. The final line gives the album a happy ending: “Baby, I don’t have much,” Armstrong sings over acoustic strumming and a gently chiming electric guitar, “but what we have is more than enough/Ordinary world.” It took him a couple of tries, but he ended up with a song so strong that he wanted it on Green Day’s new album, as well.
#Ordinary world green day discography movie
Armstrong wrote this ballad for his movie of the same name, where he stars as a failed rocker turned family man after director Lee Kirk asked him for a poignant song that his character might’ve written.