英语歌曲赏析

The appreciation of 《21 Guns》

《21 guns》was included in the album《21st Century Breakdown》，this album is about religion, war, love and social problems. 《21st Century Breakdown》is Green Day's eighth studio album, the album follows 2004's critically acclaimed 《American Idiot》.

《21 guns》was released in May 2009 with the album. After the first listening, I was attracted by the rhythm of the song, but confused of the lyrics’meaning. What do guns mean? And what is the number “21”meaning for ? Then I searched the internet and finally understood the song.

7 is the lucky number in England, so the number of the guns on battle ship is the multiple of 7. 21 was the largest guns’number in that time. Two nations show peace and friendship by firing out the guns. Gradually, releasing 21 guns represents showing friendship to countries coming to visit. So this song is an anti-war song, it expresses the disappointment to the Bush’s government.

“Do you know what's worth fighting for, When it's not worth dying for”, I see an American soldier fighting in Iraq, but he actually doesn’t know what’s fighting for, and he is also afraid of death, missing he families. “Does the pain weigh out the pride? And you look for a place to hide，Did someone break your heart inside? You're in ruins”，I see how much the pain the people in Iraq are suffering. “One, 21 guns, Lay down

your arms, Give up the fight”, what beautiful wish it is, but Bush’s government who American people trusted totally disappointed them.

The music style of this song is punk and pop , this song is the representative of the punk music—rebellion to the mainstream. It shows great criticism to the Bush’s government without reservation. This song’s melody is not so metal but moving and evocative. The rhythm is simple but strong and impressive.

《21 guns》is also many movies and series’ s interludes. For example, in《Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen》, the song rings every time the love scenes show up. In《Vampire diaries》season 1 episode six, the song rings when Damon and Vicki held in the arms together.

Lyrics