3. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
Artist: Green Day Album: Nimrod (Reprise) This is another one that should not provoke any controversy. I was actually a little torn about whether Green Day deserved to be listed among groups like Wilco and Led Zeppelin. But they have/had their merits. They took the energy of 1980s punk rock and added melodicity, without taking away any of the attitude. That is, until this song came out. Apparently it was written back in the Dookie days, so it likely wasnt a conscious attempt to cash out later in their career. But that just proves Green Day always had it in them to make songs this bad. Even though the lyrics are kind of nonsensical, there are enough evocative lines (Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go) to make it perfect for graduations and sitcom clip-shows alike. Thats enough to embarrass anyone who has this pop up on Pandora® during a party. And the title might have been an attempt to give it a bit of attitude, but it just makes me hate the song more. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnQ8N1KacJc