Hello, and welcome to Hearing Double, where I compare and contrast two unrelated songs of the same title and decide which title does the most justice!
As we near the end of the semester, we’re celebrating taking a break with “Holiday” by Madonna or Green Day.
If you’re a music connoisseur or even a casual fan of either artist, you probably know that neither of these songs are about the holiday season. However, their very different takes on a holiday are worth comparing as we examine the word itself as a title.
Madonna’s 1983 song is an upbeat tune celebrating the very act of celebration. It was her third single and one of her first hits, making its way to the charts both in the United States and internationally. The music is peppy and fast-paced, making it a popular dance song.
The lyrics are very straightforward, but that can be an asset in a song trying to emphasize the good in the world. Madonna sings about “a way to come together” and how “it can make things better,” evoking the camaraderie that often comes with holidays. Since this song is referring to a “holiday” as any kind of vacation or break, this places emphasis on community as an important thing to focus on in free time.
The crux of the song is optimism about what could happen “if we took a holiday,” even just for a single day. Despite the relatively simple message of the song, it is important to remember that making time for ourselves and our loved ones is a way to find joy in the world. As Madonna eloquently points out, a break right around now “would be so nice.”
Green Day’s 2004 “Holiday” puts an ironic and scathing twist on the idea of a holiday. The song is the third track on the album “American Idiot” and continues to follow the protagonist of the album as he tries to break from conformity. “Holiday” is an anti-war song that explicitly criticizes the Bush administration.
There’s a lot to unpack in these lyrics. During the bridge, in which lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong paints himself as a representative taking the floor in Congress, the song makes explicit comparisons between the Bush administration during the war in Iraq and Nazis during World War II. In the second verse, Armstrong sings about “a flag wrapped around a score of men,” referencing the lives lost in the name of patriotism.
The chorus is where the idea of a holiday comes into play. Armstrong, speaking as the protagonist of the album, “[begs] to dream and differ from the hollow lies” told by the establishment. The last line of the chorus takes a sarcastic dig at those who spend their lives “on holiday,” not paying any attention to what’s happening around them.
The lyrics are set to Green Day’s high-energy punk rock, with heavy drums and guitar emphasizing each point. The song is meant to be a forceful criticism, and it accomplishes that goal effectively.
I’m never one to dismiss a song just because it lacks a deep, inspiring message. Some songs are created just to uplift spirits, and that’s a noble goal. Madonna’s “Holiday” appears to be one of these songs. Without minimizing the importance of songs like that, Green Day’s “Holiday” is a skillful critique of war that took courage to release in the political climate of 2004. It turns the idea of a holiday on its head by challenging the listener to consider how much they’re really thinking about the cost of war.
Whether you’re finally taking time for yourself or going out and changing the world, remember to make the most of the break. Happy holidays!
Winner: Green Day