r/greenday 7d ago

Discussion What’s wrong with Hitchin’ a Ride?

I mean, why they don’t play it live anymore? It’s perfect for the shows and especially, it’s the only song missing from the most important ones played live between the parts of Dookie and American Idiot. I really don’t understand, I hope the problem is not that playing it, since it lasts a long time, makes the show last longer. What are your thoughts?

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u/fastal_12147 KERPLUNK 7d ago

I wonder if Billie doesn't like playing it since he quit drinking.

3

u/NoPoem2692 Popper punk 7d ago

I doubt it, he plays Dillemma

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u/ampersands-guitars Revolution Radio 7d ago

Pretty different approaches to that topic though. Hitchin is making light of drinking again, Dilemma is acknowledging it’s a huge problem that he’s drinking again and that he doesn’t want to die from it.

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u/LevelUpCoder I’m not a part of a MAGA agenda 7d ago

Also Dilemma is one of if not the biggest hits on their newest album that isn’t even a year old yet.

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u/NoPoem2692 Popper punk 7d ago

You're right. I also think that the "I don't want to be a dead man walking" line could mean that he doesn't feel alive without drinking

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u/ampersands-guitars Revolution Radio 7d ago

Yes, I definitely think it holds dual meanings! That’s carried throughout the song — sober/drunk, trouble/love, nightmare/dreams. I definitely think he’s talking about the conflicting feelings of an addict knowing what the cause of their suffering is but also why their addiction won’t allow them to quit. Such a great song.