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I Never Realized How Much Green Day Ripped Off Other Bands Until Their Game Came Out


I played through the entire Green Day: Rock Band career last night alongside Sean, Ben, and my buddy Ross to get the "Won't Make It for Dinner" achievement (reach the credits within 12 hours as part of a 4-player band) and had a great time. But I couldn't believe how much these guys have consistently and blatantly stolen from other songs throughout their career. Don't believe me? Take a listen for yourself.

There are plenty of instances throughout the track list in Green Day: Rock Band that sound a little too familiar, but you just can't put your finger on it. The following examples  do not fall into that category. These five comparisons showcase undeniable, brazen theft. How has Green Day not been busted after all this time?

[Note: I tried whenever possible to link to official band videos. In Green Day's case, they have blocked embedding so you may have to follow the link to watch the video on YouTube.]

I have GI's Matt Helgeson to thank for this first example comparing Green Day's "Warning" to "Picture Book" by the Kinks



Green Day, "Warning"



The Kinks, "Picture Book"

Crime: Grand Theft Guitar Riff



I actually remember "Brain Stew's" lifting of the riff from one of Chicago's hits back when it came out. The plagiarism memories all came rushing back last night.



Green Day, "Brain Stew"




Chicago, "25 or 6 to 4"

Crime: Grand Theft Guitar Riff, Second Count



I had never heard this particular Green Day track before playing it yesterday, but I liked it better when it was called "Main Offender."



Green Day, "Horseshoes and Handgrenades"




The Hives, "Main Offender"

Crime: Complete Song Hijack




"Jesus of Suburbia" is nearly ten minutes long and for the most part it sounds pretty original, that is, until you get to "Summer of '69."



Green Day, "Jesus of Suburbia" (go to the 2:20 mark)




Bryan Adams, "Summer of '69" (go to the 0:30 mark)

Crime: Vocal kidnapping


Obviously, Green Day have sold millions of records and 99 percent of their songs are huge hits with completely original melodies. I was just flabbergasted at the above examples. Have you heard other Green Day songs that sound a little too close to something else while playing their Rock Band game? Post your findings in the comments section.

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Comments
  • Staff

    I get ripping off the Kinks - they're awesome. But Chicago?! That's like bragging to everyone about kissing your sister. Yuck.

  • This is a prime example of why I hate Green Day.

  • It took you this long? I mean, I've been seeing this stuff since the new album came out.

  • Whoa, now! Easy, Kato. Chicago's a great old school band and 25 or 6 to 4(not 5, BTW) is a classic.

  • Dude.0_0 That's horrible! DX;

  • I know Hitchin' A Ride reminds me of something but I can't place it.

  • The comments about Green Day on YouTube are hilarious to me, I love kids telling me what to think about a band I've been listening to (or in this case, not listening to) for longer than they've been drawing air.

  • I liked when they covered Fiddler on the Roof and Aerosmith the best.

  • "See the Light"'s chorus sounds like You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC (around the 40 second mark)

    I could swear I had another
  • This is BS, stop dissing my favorite band.

  • In a world with only so many chord progressions to go around, I wouldn't blame Green Day just because they've been called on it more than anyone else.

  • I have to admit there are similarities, but saying that they STOLE all of these... that seems a little extreme.

  • Next thing you know, you're going to tell me Oasis ripped off the Beatles.

  • I see the similarities, but let's not get distracted from the most important thing here. That would be the undeniable fact that Green Day is at best a mediocre band.

  • Green Day still rocks!

  • Lol nice find. Gives me another reason to not buy that game. ***, what a long list. And another reason to dislike green day

  • nice ear bryan

  • Go with what works, a tried and true formula if you can't come up with something original, steal it!!!

  • Nobody likes a music nerd Bryan.

    p.s. Green Day sucks

  • if I was to title this blog, I'd have called it:

    I Never Realized How Much Every Other Rock Band Since Has Ripped Off The Beatles Until Their Game Came Out

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