Geek Stink Breath
Encyclopedia
"Geek Stink Breath" is a song by American punk rock
band Green Day
. It was released as the first single from their fourth album, Insomniac. The lyrics tell of the effects of methamphetamine
on the human body.
. The word "shit" in the line "Wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which one gets filled first" was left uncensored since they could not understand the lyrics to the new song (closed caption typed it as "unintelligible lyrics"). The song was later recorded and released on the band's fourth studio album Insomniac (1995), and as the album's lead-off single.
The lyrics tell of the singer leading a "path of self-destruction" through the use of methamphetamine, and the effects of this drug on his body. The lyrics were inspired by Armstrong's own experiences, as well as the people around him that he saw lose control of their lives because of their addictions. The word "Geek" is slang for "methamphetamine". Featuring a hard rocking three chord riff, the song pays homage to the band's 1970s punk
influences, including the Ramones
and the Sex Pistols
. The song ended up being a moderate radio hit.
A live version of the song recorded on the band's 21st Century Breakdown World Tour
in Saitama-Shi, Japan was included on the band's 2011 live album Awesome as Fuck
and it's accompanying bonus DVD.
Vinyl Box Set
. This footage is relevant to the song, as it features the lyrics: "and it's rotting out my teeth". (Oral problems
are associated with meth use, but are actually related to poor hygiene, exacerbated by dry mouth, both of which are associated with illicit use of some drugs, rather than being directly related to the effect of smoking or otherwise ingesting methamphetamine.) The video was directed by Mark Kohr. An edited version of the music video is shown internationally.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
. It was released as the first single from their fourth album, Insomniac. The lyrics tell of the effects of methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
on the human body.
History, lyrics, and composition
"Geek Stink Breath" debuted live on December 3, 1994 during Green Day's first performance on Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
. The word "shit" in the line "Wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which one gets filled first" was left uncensored since they could not understand the lyrics to the new song (closed caption typed it as "unintelligible lyrics"). The song was later recorded and released on the band's fourth studio album Insomniac (1995), and as the album's lead-off single.
The lyrics tell of the singer leading a "path of self-destruction" through the use of methamphetamine, and the effects of this drug on his body. The lyrics were inspired by Armstrong's own experiences, as well as the people around him that he saw lose control of their lives because of their addictions. The word "Geek" is slang for "methamphetamine". Featuring a hard rocking three chord riff, the song pays homage to the band's 1970s punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
influences, including the Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
and the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
. The song ended up being a moderate radio hit.
A live version of the song recorded on the band's 21st Century Breakdown World Tour
21st Century Breakdown World Tour
21st Century Breakdown World Tour was a concert tour by American punk trio Green Day in support of the group's eighth studio album, 21st Century Breakdown, which was released in May 2009....
in Saitama-Shi, Japan was included on the band's 2011 live album Awesome as Fuck
Awesome as Fuck
Awesome as Fuck is a live album by the American punk rock band Green Day, released March 22, 2011 through Reprise Records...
and it's accompanying bonus DVD.
Track listing
7"Vinyl Box Set
Music video
The video shows the band playing the song in a basement, as well as graphic footage of one of the band's friends having a tooth pulled, which was intended to only be shown during late night hours on MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. This footage is relevant to the song, as it features the lyrics: "and it's rotting out my teeth". (Oral problems
Meth mouth
"Meth mouth" is an informal name for advanced tooth decay attributed to heavy methamphetamine use. According to the American Dental Association, meth mouth "is probably caused by a combination of drug-induced psychological and physiological changes resulting in xerostomia , extended periods of poor...
are associated with meth use, but are actually related to poor hygiene, exacerbated by dry mouth, both of which are associated with illicit use of some drugs, rather than being directly related to the effect of smoking or otherwise ingesting methamphetamine.) The video was directed by Mark Kohr. An edited version of the music video is shown internationally.
Chart positions
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
22 |
| Canadian RPM Alternative 30 Canadian rock/alternative chart The Canadian rock/alternative chart was first published on June 11, 1995 by RPM magazine under the name Alternative 30. The song which held the number-one spot on this first chart was "More Human than Human" by White Zombie... |
1 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
27 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
16 |