The song starts off with the line "Summer has come and passed / The innocent can never last" which reflects on the passing of innocence and time. It is followed by the chorus, "Wake me up when September ends", which is a plea to be woken up when the month of September ends, symbolizing the end of the summer. The second verse talks about the rain coming down again, which symbolizes a sense of sadness and pain. The third verse talks about the memories that remain, but never forget what was lost. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the plea to be woken up when September ends.
Themes:
- Loss
- Time Passing
- Pain
- Becoming
Analysis
The themes of loss and time passing are common in Green Day's music. This song is no exception, with the opening lines, "Summer has come and passed/The innocent can never last," setting the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics also touch on themes of pain and becoming, as the singer reflects on the memories of the past and how they shape him in the present. This is similar to other Green Day songs, such as "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)," which also deals with themes of loss and time passing.