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MY PET SONG, MY FRIEND
By Paula Orozco
I’ve always been a music lover, but mainly so in my late teens. In those days, I was fond of listening to punk rock. My pet band was Green Day and I knew every single song from the album named American Idiot. Nowadays, I’m no longer a big fan of that musical genre but one song of that CD has forever touched my heart: Wake Me up When September Ends.
I’ve liked this song since it was released in 2004. However, at that time I couldn’t appreciate the beauty of its lyrics. I used to listen to this song as if it were a completely made-up story, until some years ago I came to know the real meaning behind its verses. The song deals with the death of the lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong's father, who died in September 1982, when Armstrong was a 10-year-old child. As the kid couldn’t handle his emotions at the funeral, he ran home to lock himself in his bedroom. His mother followed him and asked him to come out, but he only answered, ‘Wake me up when September ends’. As a result of this personal experience, the leader of Green Day wrote about his feelings 22 years after his loss. I believe his emotions are very well reflected in the song when it goes “as my memory rests but never forgets what I lost”. In this line, the singer uses personification to convey the message that even though he’s overcome his father’s death, he still remembers him.
Since I learnt the reason for its heartfelt lyrics, the effects that song has had on me are twofold. Firstly, it’s made me reflect on how fortunate I am to have a supportive father. That’s why, when we have time to spare, we go out together to have a drink or simply to talk. It’s also taught me how valuable the time we spend with our family and beloved friends is. Since I became aware of this, I’ve tried to ‘leave the world behind’ and take every single opportunity to have fun with them.
In addition, Wake Me Up When September Ends has very practical uses. Recent experts’ studies have concluded that stressful situations can be alleviated with music. After checking whether this idea is true or not, I must say that of course it is! When I play this song, its rhythm is very soothing and helps me to calm down and relax without any professional guidance.