10 Hard Rock Songs That Were Supposed To Be Classics (But Tanked)

After the release of American Idiot, you knew that Green Day finally had grown the hell up. While still being rooted in the same pop punk formulas that they were known for, this pseudo punk rock opera worked both as a complete story to follow along with as well as an amazing protest record aimed squarely at the Bush administration. Given all of the anger on display here, it's crazy to think that the most overtly political song from this era never made the final track listing.

Included on one of the Rock Against Bush punk compilations, Favorite Son is one of the most venomous tracks that Green Day had ever committed to tape, painting the president as an entitled wannabe who seems more concerned about being a reality star than actually leading the country. They didn't skimp out on the production either, as Rob Cavallo's signature brand of kickass hits you right in the face from the minute the song starts playing.

Although only included as a bonus track on certain deluxe versions of the album, the song eventually saw a bit of a new life when it was adopted as one of the centerpieces for the American Idiot Broadway show just a few years later. It might be Billie Joe Armstrong's decision at the end of the day, but this song practically has American Idiot pre-stamped on its chest.