# American Idiot

> 2004 album by American rock band Green Day

**Wikidata**: [Q151714](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q151714)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idiot)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/american-idiot

## Summary
*American Idiot* is a 2004 album by the American rock band Green Day, released on September 21, 2004, through Reprise Records. The album is a concept piece that blends punk rock, pop-punk, and post-hardcore influences, marking a significant shift in Green Day's sound and a major milestone in punk rock history.

## Key Facts
- Released on September 21, 2004, by Reprise Records
- Produced by Green Day and Rob Cavallo
- Genre: Punk rock, pop-punk, post-hardcore
- Part of Green Day's discography, following *American Idiot* (2004) and preceding *21st Century Breakdown* (2009)
- Includes notable singles such as "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "American Idiot"
- Part of Green Day's broader discography, which also includes *Dookie* (1994) and *Nimrod* (1997)
- Associated with the punk rock and grunge genres, which emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, respectively
- Released as part of Green Day's transition from punk to a more mainstream sound
- Available in various formats, including CD, LP, and digital download
- Part of Reprise Records' extensive catalog, which includes works by artists like Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac

## FAQs
**What genre does *American Idiot* belong to?**
*American Idiot* blends punk rock, pop-punk, and post-hardcore influences, reflecting Green Day's evolution from traditional punk to a more polished sound.

**Who produced *American Idiot*?**
The album was produced by Green Day and Rob Cavallo, who helped shape its signature sound.

**What are the most famous songs from *American Idiot*?**
Notable tracks include "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "American Idiot," and "Jesus of Suburbia," which became anthems of the punk and pop-punk movements.

**Where was *American Idiot* released?**
The album was released through Reprise Records, a label known for its diverse roster of artists across multiple genres.

**How did *American Idiot* influence punk rock?**
The album marked a turning point for Green Day, transitioning them from underground punk to mainstream success and inspiring a new generation of punk and pop-punk musicians.

## Why It Matters
*American Idiot* is a defining work in punk rock history, bridging the gap between traditional punk and modern pop-punk. Its release marked a significant shift in Green Day's career, propelling them from an underground band to a mainstream icon. The album's success helped redefine punk rock in the 21st century, influencing countless bands and artists. Additionally, *American Idiot* showcased Green Day's ability to adapt while staying true to their punk roots, making it a pivotal moment in the evolution of rock music. Its enduring popularity and cultural impact continue to shape the punk and pop-punk genres today.

## Notable For
- Being a concept album that tells a story through music, blending punk rock with pop-punk influences
- Transitioning Green Day from an underground punk band to a mainstream success
- Introducing tracks like "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," which became a global hit and a punk anthem
- Influencing the evolution of punk rock in the 21st century
- Being part of Reprise Records' diverse catalog, which includes works by legendary artists like Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac
- Expanding Green Day's discography with a mix of punk and pop-punk elements
- Serving as a bridge between traditional punk and modern pop-punk

## Body
### Release and Production
*American Idiot* was released on September 21, 2004, through Reprise Records, marking a significant shift in Green Day's sound. The album was produced by Green Day and Rob Cavallo, who helped shape its signature blend of punk rock, pop-punk, and post-hardcore influences. The production process involved a mix of traditional punk rock instrumentation and modern production techniques, creating a sound that was both raw and polished.

### Musical Style and Influences
The album is a concept piece that tells a story through music, blending punk rock with pop-punk influences. It features a mix of fast-paced punk tracks and more melodic pop-punk songs, reflecting Green Day's evolution from traditional punk to a more mainstream sound. The album's influences include classic punk bands like The Ramones and The Clash, as well as modern pop-punk acts like Blink-182 and Sum 41.

### Notable Tracks and Singles
*American Idiot* includes several notable tracks and singles that became anthems of the punk and pop-punk movements. "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" became a global hit, reaching the top of the charts in multiple countries and becoming one of the most iconic punk songs of the 21st century. Other notable tracks include "American Idiot," "Jesus of Suburbia," and "Holiday," which further solidified the album's place in punk rock history.

### Cultural Impact
The album's release marked a turning point for Green Day, transitioning them from an underground punk band to a mainstream success. *American Idiot* helped redefine punk rock in the 21st century, influencing countless bands and artists. Its success also helped popularize punk rock among a wider audience, making it a defining work in the evolution of rock music.

### Genre and Influence
*American Idiot* is part of the punk rock and grunge genres, which emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, respectively. The album's blend of punk rock and pop-punk influences helped shape the sound of modern punk and pop-punk, making it a pivotal moment in the evolution of these genres.

### Reprise Records and Distribution
The album was released through Reprise Records, a label known for its diverse roster of artists across multiple genres. Reprise Records has been home to numerous influential artists, including Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, and Jimi Hendrix. The label's association with Warner Music Group provided *American Idiot* with global distribution, ensuring its success on an international scale.

### Legacy and Influence
*American Idiot* continues to influence punk rock and pop-punk today, inspiring countless bands and artists. Its enduring popularity and cultural impact make it a defining work in the evolution of rock music. The album's success also helped redefine punk rock in the 21st century, making it a pivotal moment in the genre's history.

### Related Works
*American Idiot* is part of Green Day's broader discography, which includes albums like *Dookie* (1994) and *Nimrod* (1997). The album also precedes *21st Century Breakdown* (2009), another significant work in Green Day's catalog. Additionally, *American Idiot* is part of Reprise Records' extensive catalog, which includes works by artists like Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac.

## References

1. MusicBrainz
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. AllMusic
4. Apple Music
5. [lescharts.com - Green Day - American Idiot](https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Green+Day&titel=American+Idiot&cat=a)
6. Deezer
7. Tidal
8. [AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000387172)
9. Album of the Year
10. Rate Your Music