Green Day's 'Outlaws' is a reflection on the days of youth. The lyrics explore the nostalgia of being an outlaw, and the freedom of being young. The song paints a picture of life after youth, where innocence and recklessness were intertwined. The chorus repeats 'Outlaws', referring to the freedom of being young and the recklessness of youth. The lyrics also mention 'First love, First forgiveness', referring to the innocence of youth and the freedom of being young. The verses of the song also explore the recklessness of youth, with mentions of 'Scars, Broken hearts, Breaking in cars, Running in the light of the moon'. The bridge of the song speaks of the innocence of youth, with the lyrics 'I got no supervision, Nothing will change my spirit's place to roam, I plead my innocence, I plead my innocence, But that's my best defense, When you are young'. The song ends with the lyrics 'I found a knife by the railroad track, You took a train and you can't go back, Forever now, forever now you'll roam', a metaphor for the freedom of youth and the inevitability of growing up.
Themes:
- Rebellion
- Youth
- Criminality
- Redemption
Analysis
The theme of rebellion is common in Green Day's music, and this song is no different. The lyrics focus on the idea of being an "outlaw" and living a life of crime and recklessness. The idea of redemption is also present, as the narrator looks back on their life with a sense of nostalgia. The idea of youth is also present, as the narrator reflects on the time when they were "forever young" and "running in the light of the moon". This theme is seen in many other Green Day songs, such as "American Idiot" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams".