Warning (Green Day song) explained

"Warning" is a song by American rock band Green Day. It is the second single and title track from their sixth album of the same name. The song was a number-three modern-rock hit in the United States. The song also entered the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart.

Composition

The main guitar riff of "Warning" has been compared to the Kinks' song "Picture Book".^[3]

Music video

The music video for "Warning" premiered on MTV in January 2001. It was directed by Francis Lawrence and shows the life of a rather oblivious young man who does dangerous, socially unacceptable and trivial things during his day. His punch-in card reveals his name to be John Earle.

Live performances

Despite being included in the band's greatest hits albums International Superhits! and God's Favorite Band, as well as appearing as a playable track in the video game , the band did not perform the song live for 21 years since 2001, until it was performed during a warm-up show before their performance at the 2022 Lollapalooza.^[4]

Track listings

US 7-inch single^[5]

A1. "Warning"

B1. "Scumbag"

B2. "Outsider"

UK CD1^[6]

1. "Warning" (album version) – 3:42
2. "Scumbag" – 1:44
3. "I Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely" – 3:08

UK CD2^[7]

1. "Warning" (album version) – 3:42
2. "Outsider" – 2:17
3. "Suffocate" – 2:57

UK 7-inch single^[8]

A. "Warning" (album version) – 3:42

B. "Suffocate"

Australian CD single^[9]

1. "Warning" – 3:42
2. "Minority" (album version)
3. "Scumbag" – 1:44
4. "Outsider" – 2:17

Japanese CD single^[10]

1. "Warning" – 3:42
2. "Scumbag" – 1:44
3. "Outsider" – 2:17
4. "I Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely" – 3:08

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2001)	Position
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[12]	30
US Triple-A (Billboard)[13]	48

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	December 5, 2000	Active rock radio	Reprise	[14]
United Kingdom	December 11, 2000			[15]
Japan	December 20, 2000	CD		[16]
Australia	January 15, 2001			[17]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Green Day – Warning Review . Alternative Press . June 22, 2010 . May 9, 2022 . When Warning kicks off with the title track, the straightforward acoustic rocker shows promise for the album.
2. Web site: Robinson . Charlotte . Green Day - "Warning" . . August 29, 2020 . October 2, 2000 . Green Day begin their first album of the new millennium with a sober, mid-tempo pop song .
3. Book: Concise History of Rock Music. Fowles. Paul. Wade. Graham. 341. February 23, 2012. Mel Bay Publications. 9781619110168.
4. Web site: Shutler . Ali . July 30, 2022 . Green Day perform deep cuts at Lollapalooza warm-up show . August 13, 2022 . NME.
5. Warning. Green Day. 2000. US 7-inch single vinyl disc. Adeline Records. AR014.
6. Warning. Green Day. 2000. UK CD1 liner notes. Reprise Records. W548CD1, 9362-44958-2.
7. Warning. Green Day. 2000. UK CD2 liner notes. Reprise Records. W548CD2, 9362-44959-2.
8. Warning. Green Day. 2000. UK 7-inch single sleeve. Reprise Records. W548.
9. Warning. Green Day. 2001. Australian CD single liner notes. Reprise Records. 9362449702.
10. Warning. Green Day. 2001. Japanese CD single liner notes. Reprise Records. WPCR-10852.
11. https://web.archive.org/web/20011226144728/http://pifpaf.com.pl/airplay/lista_04_2001.html "Poland: Airplay Chart - Lista Krajowa 04/2001"
12. The Year in Music 2001: Hot Modern Rock Tracks. Billboard. 113. 52. YE-72. December 29, 2001.
13. Most-Played Triple-A Songs. Airplay Monitor. 9. 51. 45. December 21, 2001.
14. Going for Adds: Active Rock. Radio & Records. 1379. 97. December 1, 2000.
15. New Releases – For Week Starting December 11, 2000: Singles. Music Week. 27. December 9, 2000.
16. Web site: ウォーニング グリーン・デイ. Warning Green Day. Oricon. ja. March 24, 2024.
17. Web site: The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 15th January 2001. ARIA. 19. January 15, 2001. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080222222432/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue568.PDF. February 22, 2008. March 24, 2024. live.