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{{about|the album|the song|21st Century Breakdown (song)}} {{about|the album|the song|21st Century Breakdown (song)}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox Album <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Use American English|date=March 2021}}
| Name = 21st Century Breakdown
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
| Type = Studio
{{Infobox album
| Artist = ]
| Cover = 21st Century Breakdown Album Cover.jpg | name = 21st Century Breakdown
| Released = May 15, 2009 | type = studio
| artist = ]
| Recorded = 2008–2009 at ], ]; Studio 880, ]; Jel Studios, ]; Costa Mesa Studios, ]
| cover = Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown cover.jpg
| Length = 69:15
| alt = The album's cover shows a piece of stencil graffiti art on a brick wall depicting a man and a woman in a passionate embrace.
| Genre = ], ], ]<!-- DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT A TALK PAGE DISCUSSION -->
| Label = ] | released = {{Start date|2009|5|15}}<br>
| Producer = ], Green Day | recorded = January 2008&nbsp;– April 2009
| Reviews = | venue =
| studio = ], Hollywood; Studio 880, ]; Jel Studios, ]; Costa Mesa Studios, ]
*] (91%)<ref name="absolutepunk"/>
| genre =
*] {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=21st Century Breakdown > Overview |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gcfwxz90ldte |publisher=] |accessdate=2009-05-27}}</ref>
* ]
*'']'' (B)<ref name=EW>{{cite web |last=Greenblatt |first=Leah |title=21st Century Breakdown | Music Review |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20276731,00.html |work=] |date=2009-05-05 |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>
* ]
*'']'' {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="kerrang">{{cite journal |last=Winwood |first=Ian |title=The Band That Took Over the World, Twice, Get Ready To Take It Over Again |date=2009-05-13 |journal=] |page=52}}</ref>
* ]
*'']'' (8/10)<ref name="nme review">{{cite web |last=Beaumont |first=Mark |title=Green Day - Album review: Green Day |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/green-day/10417 |work=] |date=2009-05-15 |accessdate=2009-05-27}}</ref>
* ]
*'']'' {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="observer"/>
* ]
*] (4.8/10)<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web |last=Harvell |first=Jess |title=Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13045-21st-century-breakdown/ |publisher=] |date=2009-05-22 |accessdate=2009-05-27}}</ref>
| length = 69:17
*'']'' {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="rollingstone2"/>
| label = ]
*'']'' {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="spin"/>
| producer =
*] {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="sputnik"/>
* ]
<!-- Do not add any more reviews than 10. WP:ALBUM#Professional reviews. Please consult talk section on "Reviews." -->
| Chronology = Green Day studio album * Green Day
| prev_title = ]
| Last album = '']''<br />(2004)
| prev_year = 2005
| This album = '''''21st Century Breakdown''''' <br />(2009)
| next_title = ]
| Next album =
| Misc = {{Singles | next_year = 2009
| Name = 21st Century Breakdown | misc = {{Singles
| Type = studio | name = 21st Century Breakdown
| single 1 = ] | type = studio
| single1 = ]
| single 1 date = April 16, 2009 | single1date = April 16, 2009
| single 2 = ] | single2 = ]
| single 2 date = May 25, 2009 | single2date = May 25, 2009
| single3 = ]
| single 3 = <!-- DO NOT ADD OR CHANGE THIS TO "21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN" WITHOUT CITING A RELIABLE SOURCE THAT IT WILL BE RELEASED AS A SINGLE. MULTIPLE SOURCES INCLUDING THE BAND'S WEBSITE DECLARE THAT EAST JESUS NOWHERE IS THE NEXT SINGLE. -->]
| single 3 date = October 19, 2009 | single3date = October 19, 2009
| single 4 = ] | single4 = ]
| single 4 date = December 21, 2009 | single4date = December 21, 2009
| single5 = ]
}}
| single5date = March 22, 2010
}} }}
}}
'''''21st Century Breakdown''''' is the eighth studio album by American ] band ]. It is the band's second ], following '']'', and its first record to be ] by ]. The band commenced work on the record in January 2006. 45 songs were written by ] and ] ] by October 2007, but the band members did not enter studio work with Vig until January 2008. The writing and recording process spanned three years and four recording studios and was finished in April 2009.
'''''21st Century Breakdown''''' is the eighth studio album by the American ] band ], released on May 15, 2009, through ]. Green Day commenced work on the record in January 2006 and forty-five songs were written by vocalist and guitarist ] by October 2007, but the band members did not enter studio work until January 2008.<ref name="NME">{{cite news |title=Green Day break studio silence on new album |url=https://www.nme.com/news/greenday/31628 |work=] |date=October 8, 2007 |access-date=May 31, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426084055/http://www.nme.com/news/greenday/31628 |archive-date=April 26, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Fricke, 48">Fricke, p. 48</ref>


''21st Century Breakdown'' was released through ] on May 15, 2009. Armstrong has described the album as a "snapshot of the era in which we live as we question and try to make sense of the selfish manipulation going on around us, whether it be the government, religion, media or frankly any form of authority".<ref>{{cite web |last=Williamson |first=Aidan |title=Albums Out This Week: W/C 11th May 2009 |url=http://strangeglue.com/news/albums-out-this-week-wc-11th-may-2009 |publisher=Strangeglue |date=2009-05-12 |accessdate=2009-07-07}}</ref> The singles, "]" and "]" exemplify the themes of alienation and politically-motivated anger present in the record. 21st Century Breakdown is a ]/] much like their previous album '']'' (2004). According to the band, the album is a rumination of "the era in which we live as we question and try to make sense of the selfish manipulation going on around us".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/caught-in-the-net--gremlins-beset-russian-fairy-1685001.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526061831/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/caught-in-the-net--gremlins-beset-russian-fairy-1685001.html |archive-date=2009-05-26 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Caught in the Net: Gremlins Beset Russian Fairy |first=Jack |last=Riley |work=] |date=May 15, 2009 |access-date=July 12, 2010 | location=London}}</ref> The singles "]" and "]" exemplify the themes of alienation and politically motivated anger present in the record.


Critical response to ''21st Century Breakdown'' was generally positive. Most critics considered the composition and Armstrong's lyrics a success, although a minority of reviewers treated the album's concept as flawed. The record achieved Green Day's best chart performance to date by reaching number one on the album charts of various countries, including the United States ], the ], and the ]. To handle the record, they turned to ] ], best known for producing ]'s '']'' (1991). Critical response to ''21st Century Breakdown'' was generally positive. The record achieved Green Day's best chart performance to date, reaching number one on the album charts of various countries, including the United States ], the ], and the ]. The album won the ] at the ] on January 31, 2010. As of December 2010, ''21st Century Breakdown'' has sold 1,050,000 copies in the United States<ref>{{cite news |url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/71727/week-ending-dec-19-2010-michael-wouldnt-have-liked-this/;_ylt=Aj.H3JkWiMnvsI1nfdVCl7wPwiUv?page=2#comments |title=Week Ending Dec. 19, 2010: Michael Wouldn't Have Liked This |first=Paul |last=Grein |work=] |date=December 22, 2010 |access-date=February 3, 2011 |archive-date=December 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231001357/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/71727/week-ending-dec-19-2010-michael-wouldnt-have-liked-this/#comments |url-status=dead }}</ref> and more than 4 million worldwide.


==Writing and recording== ==Writing and recording==
Green Day began to write new songs for what would become ''21st Century Breakdown'' in January 2006 after touring extensively in 2005 in support of seventh album ''American Idiot''.<ref>{{cite web |date=2009-05-16 |title=Behind The Scenes: Green Day On ‘Saturday Night Live’ |accessdate=2009-07-07 |publisher=] |url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/behind-the-scenes-green-day-on-saturday-night-live_video_1103763}}</ref> At the time, frontman Billie Joe Armstrong stated, "We'll start with silence, and that's how we'll be able to find the inspiration to find another record."<ref>{{cite news |title=Green Day Talks About New Album And Silence |url=http://www.spotlightingnews.com/article.php?news=1692 |publisher=SpotlightingNews |date=January 3, 2006 |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> The band did not release any details of the writing and recording process until October 2007, when Armstrong said in an interview with '']'' that he had written "something like 45 songs".<ref name="NME">{{cite news |title=Green Day break studio silence on new album |url=http://www.nme.com/news/greenday/31628 |work=] |date=October 8, 2007 |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref><ref name="Fricke, 48">Fricke, p. 48</ref> The band members worked on the primitive conceptual stages of the album at their rehearsal studio in ], ]. Little was revealed on the themes or musical style of the album, but Armstrong pointed out, "I want to dig into who I am and what I'm feeling at this moment – which is middle-aged." He added that many of the 45 songs were written on piano rather than guitar.<ref name="NME"/> Green Day began to write new songs for what would become ''21st Century Breakdown'' in January 2006 after touring extensively in 2005 in support of their seventh studio album ''American Idiot''.<ref>{{cite web|date=May 16, 2009 |title=Behind The Scenes: Green Day On ''Saturday Night Live'' |access-date=July 7, 2009 |publisher=] |url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/behind-the-scenes-green-day-on-saturday-night-live_video_1103763| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090618170740/http://www.accesshollywood.com/behind-the-scenes-green-day-on-saturday-night-live_video_1103763| archive-date= June 18, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> At the time, frontman Billie Joe Armstrong stated: "We'll start with silence, and that's how we'll be able to find the inspiration to find another record."<ref>{{cite news |title=Green Day Talks About New Album And Silence |url=http://www.spotlightingnews.com/article.php?news=1692 |publisher=SpotlightingNews |date=January 3, 2006 |access-date=May 31, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107184410/http://spotlightingnews.com/article.php?news=1692 |archive-date=January 7, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The band did not release any details of the writing and recording process until October 2007, when Armstrong said in an interview with '']'' that he had written "something like 45 songs".<ref name="NME" /><ref name="Fricke, 48" /> The band members worked on the primitive conceptual stages of the album at their rehearsal studio in ], ]. Little was revealed on the themes or musical style of the album, but Armstrong stated: "I want to dig into who I am and what I'm feeling at this moment – which is middle-aged." He added that many of the 45 songs were written on piano instead of guitar.<ref name="NME"/>


Green Day began the recording process for ''21st Century Breakdown'' in January 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wan |first=Stephanie Ng |title=Green Day Working on Next Album |url=http://www.soulshine.ca/news/newsarticle.php?nid=4887 |publisher=] |date=2007-12-05 |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> Later that year, it was confirmed that the band worked with producer Butch Vig.<ref>{{cite news |title=Video Confirms Green Day Working With Butch Vig On New Album |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/10/14/video-confirms-green-day-working-with-butch-vig-on-new-album/ |work=] |date=2008-10-14 |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> The album was recorded with Vig throughout 2008 and into early 2009 at four different locations: ] in Hollywood, California, Studio 880 in ], Jel Studios in ], and Costa Mesa Studios in ].<ref name="liner notes">{{cite album-notes|title = 21st Century Breakdown|bandname = ]|year = 2009|format = CD|publisher = ]|publisherid = 518576-2}}</ref> While recording in Hollywood, the band members bought cheap ]s from ] and listened to many ]s for inspiration, including albums by ] and ].<ref name="Fricke, 50">Fricke, p. 50</ref> Armstrong cited as inspiration the music of ]' ], ]' '']'', ]' '']'' and '']'', and ]'s '']''.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> Drummer ] noted the influence of ] and ] on Armstrong's writing.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> Green Day began the recording process for ''21st Century Breakdown'' in January 2008.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wan |first=Stephanie Ng |title=Green Day Working on Next Album |url=http://www.soulshine.ca/news/newsarticle.php?nid=4887 |work=] |date=December 5, 2007 |access-date=May 31, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090616124511/http://www.soulshine.ca/news/newsarticle.php?nid=4887| archive-date= June 16, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Later that year, it was confirmed that the band worked with producer Butch Vig.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Video Confirms Green Day Working With Butch Vig On New Album |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/10/14/video-confirms-green-day-working-with-butch-vig-on-new-album/ |magazine=] |date=October 14, 2008 |access-date=May 31, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414221122/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/10/14/video-confirms-green-day-working-with-butch-vig-on-new-album |archive-date=April 14, 2009 }}</ref> The album was recorded with Vig throughout 2008 and into early 2009 at four locations in California: ] in Hollywood, Studio 880 in Oakland, Jel Studios in ], and Costa Mesa Studios in ].<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=21st Century Breakdown |others=] |year=2009 |type=CD |publisher=] |id=518576-2}}</ref> While recording in Hollywood, the band members bought cheap ]s from ] and listened to many ]s for inspiration, including albums by ] and ].<ref name="Fricke, 50">Fricke, p. 50</ref> Armstrong cited as inspiration the music of ]' ], ]' '']'', ]' '']'' and '']'', and ]'s '']''.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> Drummer ] noted the influence of ] and ] on Armstrong's writing.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> ] is credited as a songwriter on the song "]" to avoid a potential plagiarism lawsuit, as the melody of the chorus is similar to the Bowie-penned "]".<ref name="BOWIE"/>


While writing at his home studio, Armstrong worked on a ] of ]'s 1966 mini-opera "]"; Green Day recorded a full-band version of the song during the album sessions.<ref>Fricke, pp. 48-50</ref> Vig noted that frustrations would sometimes cause delays in the recording process for ''21st Century Breakdown''.<ref name="Fricke, 48"/> Armstrong kept his lyrics closely guarded and intentionally mixed his demos so that the vocals were low in the mix and thus unintelligible to the other band members.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> It was not until late 2008 that he chose to share his words with Cool, Vig, and bassist ] by sitting down with them and reading the entire album's lyrics aloud in order.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> The band members made the finishing touches on the album in early April 2009 and claimed that its release would lead to a "kind of... ]".<ref>{{cite news |title=Green Day Reflects On '21st Century Breakdown' |url=http://www.gantdaily.com/news/12/ARTICLE/49905/2009-04-27.html |publisher=Gantdaily.com |date=2009-04-27 |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> While writing at his home studio, Armstrong worked on a ] of ]'s 1966 mini-opera "]"; Green Day recorded a full-band version of the song during the album sessions.<ref>Fricke, pp. 48–50</ref> Vig noted that frustrations would sometimes cause delays in the recording process for ''21st Century Breakdown''.<ref name="Fricke, 48"/> Armstrong kept his lyrics closely guarded and intentionally mixed his demos so that the vocals were low in the mix and thus unintelligible to the other band members.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> It was not until late 2008 that he chose to share his words with Cool, Vig, and bassist ] by sitting down with them and reading the entire album's lyrics aloud in order.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> The band members made the finishing touches on the album in early April 2009 and claimed that its release would lead to a "kind of... ]".<ref>{{cite news|title=Green Day Reflects On ''21st Century Breakdown'' |url=http://www.gantdaily.com/news/12/ARTICLE/49905/2009-04-27.html |publisher=Gantdaily.com |date=April 27, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616231912/http://www.gantdaily.com/news/12/ARTICLE/49905/2009-04-27.html |archive-date=June 16, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Themes and composition== ==Themes and composition==
{{quotebox|I look at Christian and Gloria, and it's me. Gloria is one side: this person trying to hold on to this sense of belief, still trying to do good. Whereas Christian is deep into his own demons and victimizing himself over that.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/>|Billie Joe Armstrong, on the link between the two main protagonists of ''21st Century Breakdown'' and himself|width=20%|align=right}} {{quote box|I look at Christian and Gloria, and it's me. Gloria is one side: this person trying to hold on to this sense of belief, still trying to do good. Whereas Christian is deep into his own demons and victimizing himself over that.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/>|Billie Joe Armstrong, on the link between the two main protagonists of ''21st Century Breakdown'' and himself|width=20%|align=right}}
''21st Century Breakdown'' continues the rock opera style of its predecessor ''American Idiot''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/02/green-day-previ.html |title=Green Day's '21st Century Breakdown': We heard (some of) it! &#124; PopWatch Blog &#124; EW.com |publisher='']'' |date=2009-02-11 |accessdate=2009-05-07}}</ref> The album is divided into three acts: "Heroes and Cons", "Charlatans and Saints", and "Horseshoes and Handgrenades" and is set in ].<ref>{{cite web |author=JBev |title=Green Day’s Latest ''Breakdown'' |url=http://magazine.jamsbio.com/2009/05/20/green-days-latest-breakdown/ |publisher=JamsBio |date=2009-05-20 |accessdate=2009-07-08}}</ref> Its loose narrative follows a young couple named Christian and Gloria through the challenges present in the U.S. following the presidency of ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Green Day Swings for the Fences on "21st Century Breakdown" |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/26796137/green_day_swings_for_the_fences_on_21st_century_breakdown |publisher='']'' |date=2009-03-20 |accessdate=2009-07-08}}</ref> Bassist Mike Dirnt has suggested that the songs "speak to each other the way the songs on '']'' speak to each other. I don't know if you'd call it a ']', but there's a thread that connects everything".<ref name="rollingstone1">{{cite web |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/02/11/first-listen-green-day-revive-dramatic-political-punk-on-21st-century-breakdown/ |title=First Listen: Green Day Revive Dramatic Political Punk on "21st Century Breakdown" : Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily |publisher='']'' |date=2009-02-11 |accessdate=2009-07-08}}</ref> Many of the record's themes and lyrics are drawn from Armstrong's personal life and he sings in the ] style about abandonment and vengeance in "Before the Lobotomy", "Christian's Inferno", and "Peacemaker".<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> ''Rolling Stone'' noted that the album is "the most personal, emotionally convulsive record Armstrong has ever written".<ref name="Fricke, 50"/>


''21st Century Breakdown'' continues the rock opera style of its predecessor, ''American Idiot''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/02/green-day-previ.html |title=Green Day's ''21st Century Breakdown'': We heard (some of) it! {{!}} PopWatch Blog |magazine=] |date=February 11, 2009 |access-date=May 7, 2009 |archive-date=March 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303114608/http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/02/green-day-previ.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album is set in ], ] and is divided into three acts: "Heroes and Cons", "Charlatans and Saints", and "Horseshoes and Handgrenades".<ref>{{cite web |author=JBev |title=Green Day's Latest ''Breakdown'' |url=http://magazine.jamsbio.com/2009/05/20/green-days-latest-breakdown/ |publisher=JamsBio |date=May 20, 2009 |access-date=July 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622201217/http://magazine.jamsbio.com/2009/05/20/green-days-latest-breakdown/ |archive-date=June 22, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its loose narrative follows a young couple named Christian and Gloria through the challenges present in the U.S. following the ].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/26796137/green_day_swings_for_the_fences_on_21st_century_breakdown |title=Green Day Swings for the Fences on "21st Century Breakdown" |magazine=] |date=March 20, 2009 |access-date=July 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326074817/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/26796137/green_day_swings_for_the_fences_on_21st_century_breakdown |archive-date=March 26, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bassist Mike Dirnt has compared the relationships between the songs to those in ]'s '']'', saying that the themes are not as tightly interwoven as in a ], but that they are still connected.<ref name="revive">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/02/11/first-listen-green-day-revive-dramatic-political-punk-on-21st-century-breakdown/ |title=First Listen: Green Day Revive Dramatic Political Punk on "21st Century Breakdown" |magazine=] |date=February 11, 2009 |access-date=July 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616082704/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/02/11/first-listen-green-day-revive-dramatic-political-punk-on-21st-century-breakdown/ |archive-date=June 16, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Many of the record's themes and lyrics are drawn from Armstrong's personal life and he sings in the ] style about abandonment and vengeance in "Before the Lobotomy", "Christian's Inferno", and "Peacemaker".<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> ''Rolling Stone'' noted that the album is "the most personal, emotionally convulsive record Armstrong has ever written".<ref name="Fricke, 50"/>
The title track's opening lyric "Born into Nixon, I was raised in hell" references Armstrong's birth year of 1972, while "We are the class of '13" references the fact that his eldest son, Joseph, will graduate from high school in 2013.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> Dirnt has expressed his belief that "Last of the American Girls" was written about Armstrong's wife Adrienne, who he claimed is steadfast in her beliefs and assertively defends them.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> Armstrong has cited his "disconnected" childhood—he was raised by his five older siblings after their father's death, while their mother worked graveyard shifts as a waitress—as the roots of the discontent expressed on ''21st Century Breakdown''.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> "]" rebukes ] religion and was written after Armstrong attended a church service where a friend's baby was baptized.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/>


The title track's opening lyric "Born into Nixon, I was raised in hell" references Armstrong's birth year of 1972, while "We are the class of '13" references the fact that his eldest son, Joseph, would graduate from high school in 2013.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> Dirnt has expressed his belief that "Last of the American Girls" was written about Armstrong's wife Adrienne, who he claimed is steadfast in her beliefs and assertively defends them, as is the topic of the girl in the record.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> Armstrong has cited his "disconnected" childhood—he was raised by his five older siblings after their father's death, while their mother worked graveyard shifts as a waitress—as the roots of the discontent expressed on ''21st Century Breakdown''.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> "]" rebukes ] religion and was written after Armstrong attended a church service where a friend's baby was baptized.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/>
Musically, ''21st Century Breakdown'' is similar to the punk rock style of ''American Idiot'',<ref name="rollingstone2">{{cite web|last=Sheffield |first=Rob |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/27796996/review/27809821/21st_century_breakdown |title=21st Century Breakdown : Green Day : Review |publisher='']'' |date=2009-04-27 |accessdate=2009-05-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gundersen |first=Edna |title=It's a new, motivated Green Day for the '21st Century' |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2009-05-10-green-day_N.htm |work=] |date=2009-05-14 |accessdate=2009-05-25}}</ref> but many critics have claimed that Green Day's traditional sound has evolved in the five years since their last release to incorporate new influences such as "well-built, muscular pop rock" and "king-sized stadium rock".<ref name="absolutepunk">{{cite web |last=Fallon |first=Chris |title=Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown - Album Review |url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1058322 |publisher=] |date=2009-05-14 |accessdate=2009-05-25}}</ref><ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/may/08/green-day-21st-century-breakdown|title=Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|work=]|date=2009-05-08|accessdate=2009-05-14}}</ref> Rob Sheffield of ''Rolling Stone'' indicated that the album sports ballads that are Green Day's "glossiest ever"; he claimed that the band "combine punk thrash with their newfound love of classic-rock grandiosity".<ref name="rollingstone2"/> ] compared the material to that of classic rockers like The Who,<ref>{{cite web|last=Montgomery |first=James |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604950/20090212/green_day.jhtml |title=We Preview Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown - News Story &#124; Music, Celebrity, Artist News &#124; MTV News |publisher=] |date=2009-02-12 |accessdate=2009-05-07}}</ref> while ''Spin'' called the title track "Green Day's most epic song yet".<ref>{{cite web|last=Goodman |first=William |url=http://www.spin.com/articles/first-listen-green-days-21st-century-breakdown |title=First Listen: Green Day's '21st Century Breakdown' &#124; Spin Magazine Online |publisher='']'' |date= |accessdate=2009-05-07}}</ref> Cool has remarked, "It's important to us that we're still looked at as a punk band. It was our religion, our higher education", but has noted that Armstrong had "gone archival" in writing ''21st Century Breakdown'' by gleaning inspiration from "the architects of rock & roll".<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> Armstrong himself has stated, "Ground zero for me is still punk rock. I like painting an ugly picture. I get something uplifting out of singing some of the most horrifying shit you can sing about. It's just my DNA."<ref name="Fricke, 50"/>

Musically, ''21st Century Breakdown'' is similar to the ] style of ''American Idiot'',<ref name="rollingstone2">{{cite magazine|last=Sheffield |first=Rob |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/21st-century-breakdown-20090427 |title=21st Century Breakdown : Green Day : Review |magazine=] |date=April 27, 2009 |access-date=February 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gundersen |first=Edna |title=It's a new, motivated Green Day for the ''21st Century'' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2009-05-10-green-day_N.htm |work=] |date=May 14, 2009 |access-date=May 25, 2009}}</ref> but many critics have claimed that Green Day's traditional sound has evolved in the five years, with ''21st Century Breakdown'' incorporating new influences such as heavier, louder ] and ] on an epic scale.<ref name="fallon">{{cite web |last=Fallon |first=Chris |title=Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown – Album Review |url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1058322 |website=] |date=May 14, 2009 |access-date=May 25, 2009| archive-url= https://archive.today/20090521121539/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1058322| archive-date= May 21, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/may/08/green-day-21st-century-breakdown |title=Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |work=] |date=May 8, 2009 |access-date=May 14, 2009 | location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090511100953/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/may/08/green-day-21st-century-breakdown| archive-date= May 11, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Rob Sheffield of ''Rolling Stone'' indicated that the album provides ballads that are Green Day's most polished; he claimed that the band "combine punk-thrash with their newfound love of ] grandiosity".<ref name="rollingstone2"/> ] compared the material to that of classic rockers like ],<ref>{{cite web|last=Montgomery |first=James |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604950/20090212/green_day.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214154658/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604950/20090212/green_day.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 14, 2009 |title=We Preview Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown – News Story |publisher=MTV |date=February 12, 2009 |access-date=May 7, 2009}}</ref> while '']'' called the title track "Green Day's most epic song yet".<ref>{{cite web|last=Goodman |first=William |url=https://www.spin.com/2009/02/first-listen-green-days-21st-century-breakdown/ |title=First Listen: Green Day's "21st Century Breakdown" |work=Spin|date=February 13, 2009 |access-date=May 7, 2009}}</ref> Cool has remarked: "It's important to us that we're still looked at as a punk band. It was our religion, our higher education". However, he also noted that Armstrong had delved into the past in writing ''21st Century Breakdown'', gleaning inspiration from the artists who shaped rock music.<ref name="Fricke, 50"/> Armstrong himself has stated: "Ground zero for me is still punk rock. I like painting an ugly picture. I get something uplifting out of singing some of the most horrifying shit you can sing about. It's just my DNA."<ref name="Fricke, 50"/>

With a running time of almost 70 minutes, ''21st Century Breakdown'' is Green Day's longest album to date.

Critics have labeled ''21st Century Breakdown'' as ],<ref name="diver">{{cite web |last1=Diver |first1=Mike |title=Green Day - ''21st Century Breakdown'' |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/green-day-21st-century-breakdown |website=] |access-date=May 11, 2022 |date=April 23, 2009}}</ref><ref name="club"/><ref name="Slant"/> ],<ref name="rollingstone2"/><ref name="revive"/> ],<ref name="fusilli">{{cite news |last1=Fusilli |first1=Jim |title=Great Days for Green Day |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204261704574272262882880876 |access-date=May 13, 2022 |work=] |date=July 16, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/review/a155911/green-day-21st-century-breakdown.html#~pmdREjcYTmzVxm|title=Green Day: '21st Century Breakdown'|work=Digital Spy|date=May 14, 2009|access-date=August 23, 2015}}</ref> ],<ref name="heisel">{{cite web |last1=Heisel |first1=Scott |title=Green Day – ''21st Century Breakdown'' |url=https://www.altpress.com/reviews/21stcenturybreakdown/ |website=Alternative Press |access-date=May 13, 2022}}</ref><ref name="guardian"/> ],<ref name="NME review" /> ],<ref name="p4k"/> and ].<ref name="fallon"/>


==Promotion and release== ==Promotion and release==
] ]


On February 9, 2009, Green Day announced the album title and that the record would be split into three acts: "Heroes and Cons", "Charlatans and Saints", and "Horseshoes and Handgrenades".<ref>{{cite news |title=Green Day name new album |url=http://www.nme.com/news/green-day/42638 |work=] |date=2009-02-09 |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> On March 17, a ] for ''21st Century Breakdown'' was posted on the band's website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklouder.co.uk/articles/7263/Green-Day-Confirm-21st-Century-Breakdown-Release-Date.html|title=Green Day Confirm 21st Century Breakdown Release Date!|date=2009-03-25|accessdate=2009-03-25|publisher=Rocklouder}}</ref> The international release date of May 15 was announced on March 25.<ref>{{cite news |title=Green Day Nail Down “21st Century Breakdown” Release Date: May 15th |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/03/25/green-day-nail-down-21st-century-breakdown-release-date-may-15th/ |work=] |date=2009-03-25 |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> In early April 2009, Green Day premiered "]" on television; a portion of the song was used as introductory music to the 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game.<ref>{{cite news |title=CBS Sports' NCAA Championship Game Covereage to Tip-off with World Television Premiere of Green Day's New Single "Know Your Enemy" |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cbs-sports-ncaa-championship-game-covereage?dist=msr_4 |publisher=] |date=2009-04-02 |accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref> Before the album was released in Australia "Know Your Enemy" could be bought on iTunes. The band first performed ''21st Century Breakdown'' in full during a string of California club shows in April 2009.<ref name="livedaily">{{cite news |last=Madison |first=Tjames |title=Green Day taps big names as tour openers |url=http://www.livedaily.com/news/19183.html |publisher=] |date=2009-05-26 |accessdate=2009-06-01}}</ref><ref name="Fricke">{{cite web|last = Fricke|first = David|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/04/15/green-day-bring-21st-century-breakdown-to-life-at-stunning-oakland-gig/|title = Green Day Bring ''21st Century Breakdown'' to Life at Stunning Oakland Gig|publisher = '']''|date = 2009-04-15|accessdate = 2009-05-07}}</ref> At each show, concertgoers were given programs containing all of the album's lyrics.<ref name="Fricke"/> The first single, "Know Your Enemy", was released on April 16,<ref>{{cite news |title=Green Day's "Know Your Enemy" is No. 1 at Alternative Radio |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/green-days-know-your-enemy-is-no-1-at-alternative-radio?dist=msr_10 |publisher=] |date=2009-04-27 |accessdate=2009-07-07}}</ref> and the world premiere of the song's music video occurred on April 24 on the ] website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/green-day/video/know-your-enemy |title=Know Your Enemy Video &#124; Green Day &#124; MTV UK |publisher=] |date= |accessdate=2009-05-07}}</ref> Green Day commenced work on the record in January 2006. The writing and recording process spanned three years and four California recording studios, and it was finished in April 2009. On February 9, 2009, Green Day announced the album title and that the record would be split into three acts: "Heroes and Cons", "Charlatans and Saints", and "Horseshoes and Handgrenades".<ref>{{cite news|title=Green Day name new album |url=https://www.nme.com/news/green-day/42638 |work=] |date=February 9, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2009}}</ref> On March 17, a ] for ''21st Century Breakdown'' was posted on the band's website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklouder.co.uk/articles/7263/Green-Day-Confirm-21st-Century-Breakdown-Release-Date.html |title=Green Day Confirm 21st Century Breakdown Release Date! |date=March 25, 2009|access-date=May 25, 2009 |publisher=Rocklouder| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090616215202/http://www.rocklouder.co.uk/articles/7263/Green-Day-Confirm-21st-Century-Breakdown-Release-Date.html| archive-date= June 16, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> The international release date of May 15 was announced on March 25.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Green Day Nail Down "21st Century Breakdown" Release Date: May 15th |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/03/25/green-day-nail-down-21st-century-breakdown-release-date-may-15th/ |magazine=] |date=March 25, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420103913/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/03/25/green-day-nail-down-21st-century-breakdown-release-date-may-15th |archive-date=April 20, 2009 }}</ref> In early April 2009, Green Day premiered "]" on television; a portion of the song was used as introductory music to the 2009 NCAA men's basketball tournament championship game.<ref>{{cite news |title=CBS Sports' NCAA Championship Game Covereage to Tip-off with World Television Premiere of Green Day's New Single "Know Your Enemy" |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cbs-sports-ncaa-championship-game-covereage?dist=msr_4 |publisher=] |date=April 2, 2009 |access-date=May 26, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090616234026/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cbs-sports-ncaa-championship-game-covereage?dist=msr_4| archive-date= June 16, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> The band first performed ''21st Century Breakdown'' in full during a string of California club shows in April 2009.<ref name="livedaily">{{cite news|last=Madison |first=Tjames |title=Green Day taps big names as tour openers |url=http://www.livedaily.com/news/19183.html |publisher=] |date=May 26, 2009 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530070251/http://www.livedaily.com/news/19183.html |archive-date=May 30, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Fricke">{{cite magazine|last=Fricke |first=David |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/04/15/green-day-bring-21st-century-breakdown-to-life-at-stunning-oakland-gig/ |title=Green Day Bring ''21st Century Breakdown'' to Life at Stunning Oakland Gig |magazine=] |date=April 15, 2009 |access-date=May 7, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090417045447/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/04/15/green-day-bring-21st-century-breakdown-to-life-at-stunning-oakland-gig/| archive-date= April 17, 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> At each show, concertgoers were given programs containing all of the album's lyrics.<ref name="Fricke"/> The first single, "Know Your Enemy", was released on April 16, 2009,<ref>{{cite news |title=Green Day's "Know Your Enemy" is No. 1 at Alternative Radio |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/green-days-know-your-enemy-is-no-1-at-alternative-radio?dist=msr_10 |publisher=] |date=April 27, 2009 |access-date=July 7, 2009}}</ref> and soon after the world premiere of the song's music video occurred on April 24 on the ] website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/green-day/video/know-your-enemy |title=Know Your Enemy Video |publisher=] |access-date=May 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428005953/http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/green-day/video/know-your-enemy |archive-date=April 28, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


''21st Century Breakdown'' was released internationally on May 15, 2009 through Reprise Records.<ref>{{cite web |title= Green Day Announce New Album Title|publisher= Rocklouder |date=2009-02-09 |url=http://www.rocklouder.co.uk/articles/6977/Green-Day-Announce-New-Album-Title.html |accessdate=2009-02-09}}</ref> The special edition ] version was limited to 3,000 copies and consisted of three 10" records, one for each of the album's "acts", a CD copy of the album, a 60-page art booklet, and a code for the ] of the full album.<ref>{{cite web |title=Limited Special Edition of 21st Century Breakdown |url=http://www.greendaymusic.com/shop/index_03.jpg |publisher=GreenDayMusic.com |accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=College News and Green Day Giveaway |url=http://www.collegenews.com/index.php?/article/college_news_and_green_day_giveaway_0501200929345825/ |publisher=College News |accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref> The album artwork process was led by Chris Bilheimer and is based on a work from artist ], who confirmed that the couple on the cover were "just friends of a friend at a party in ], Sweden" and explained that a mutual friend snapped a picture of the pair kissing.<ref name=SIX/> He added, "I love their passion, and just had to make a ] out of it to spread the love."<ref name=SIX>{{cite news |title=Green Day artist reveals story behind new album cover |url=http://www.nme.com/news/green-day/42691 |publisher='']'' |date=2009-02-11 |accessdate=2009-05-28}}</ref> The cover art was noted for a marked similarity with that of ]'s 2003 album '']'', itself a stencil by artist ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Luke |coauthors= |title=Green Day Artwork - Have They Stolen From Blur? |url=http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=123&title=green_day_artwork_have_they_stolen_from_&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 |date=2009-02-10 |work= |publisher='']'' |accessdate=2009-06-20}}</ref> Green Day will showcase a collection of similarly themed art, called The Art of Rock, at an art exhibition in London between October 23 and November 1, 2009.<ref name="exhibition">{{cite news |last=Cochrane |first=Greg |title=Green Day stage 'art' exhibition |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_10000000/newsid_10002400/10002405.stm |publisher=] |date=2009-10-15 |accessdate=2009-10-18}}</ref> ''21st Century Breakdown'' was released internationally on May 15, 2009, through Reprise Records.<ref>{{cite web |title=Green Day Announce New Album Title |publisher=Rocklouder |date=February 9, 2009 |url=http://www.rocklouder.co.uk/articles/6977/Green-Day-Announce-New-Album-Title.html |access-date=February 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212130436/http://rocklouder.co.uk/articles/6977/Green-Day-Announce-New-Album-Title.html |archive-date=February 12, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The special edition ] version was limited to 3,000 copies and consisted of three 10" records, one for each of the album's "acts", a CD copy of the album, a 60-page art booklet, and a code for the ] of the full album.<ref>{{cite web|title=Limited Special Edition of 21st Century Breakdown |url=http://www.greendaymusic.com/shop/index_03.jpg |publisher=GreenDayMusic.com |access-date=May 26, 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=College News and Green Day Giveaway |url=http://www.collegenews.com/index.php?/article/college_news_and_green_day_giveaway_0501200929345825/ |publisher=College News |access-date=May 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507153550/http://www.collegenews.com/index.php?%2Farticle%2Fcollege_news_and_green_day_giveaway_0501200929345825%2F |archive-date=2009-05-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album artwork process was led by Chris Bilheimer and is based on a work from artist Sixten, who confirmed that the couple on the cover were "just friends of a friend at a party in ], Sweden" and explained that a mutual friend snapped a picture of the pair kissing.<ref name="SIX">{{cite news |title=Green Day artist reveals story behind new album cover |url=https://www.nme.com/news/green-day/42691 |work=] |date=February 11, 2009 |access-date=May 28, 2009}}</ref> He added: "I love their passion, and just had to make a ] out of it to spread the love."<ref name="SIX"/> The cover art was noted for a marked similarity with that of ]'s 2003 album '']'', itself a stencil by artist ], except that one had the couple wearing diving helmets.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis |first=Luke |title=Green Day Artwork Have They Stolen From Blur? |url=https://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=123&title=green_day_artwork_have_they_stolen_from_&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 |date=February 10, 2009 |work=] |access-date=June 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217163416/http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=123&title=green_day_artwork_have_they_stolen_from_&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 |archive-date=February 17, 2009 }}</ref> Green Day showcased a collection of similarly themed art, called "The Art of Rock", at an art exhibition in London between October 23 and November 1, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cochrane |first=Greg |title=Green Day stage 'art' exhibition |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_10000000/newsid_10002400/10002405.stm |work=BBC News |date=October 15, 2009 |access-date=October 18, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091018200724/http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_10000000/newsid_10002400/10002405.stm| archive-date= 18 October 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> The "kissing couple" on the cover later was re-created in the music video for "21 Guns".


The record reached number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 in the U.S., where it sold 215,000 copies in its first week, which was a shortened three days.<ref name="Green Day rule">{{cite news |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |title=Green Day rule U.S. and international pop charts |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE54K05M20090521 |publisher=] |date=2009-05-20 |accessdate=2009-05-28}}</ref> The album remained at number one on the ] chart for three weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=408&cfgn=Albums&cfn=Top+Rock+Albums&ci=3108927&cdi=10216395&cid=06%2F13%2F2009|title=Top Rock Albums - 21st Century Breakdown|work=]|accessdate=2009-06-08}}</ref> It debuted at the top of sales charts in twenty four countries,<ref name="Green Day rule"/> including a peak of number one on the European Top 100 Albums.<ref name="billboardbiz"/> ''21st Century Breakdown'' was only released in a ] version containing explicit lyrics and content; ] refuses to sell albums with a Parental Advisory sticker and requested that Green Day release a censored edition. The band members responded by stating, "There's nothing dirty about our record... They want artists to censor their records in order to be carried in there. We just said no. We've never done it before. You feel like you're in 1953 or something."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/05/21/2846595-green-day-lashes-out-at-wal-mart-policy|title=Green Day lashes out at Wal-Mart policy|date=2009-05-21|accessdate=2009-05-21|publisher=Newsvine}}</ref> The second single, "]", was released to radio stations on May 25.<ref name="FMQB">{{cite web|title = Modern Rock singles listing|url = http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=16770|publisher = '']''|accessdate = 2009-05-22}}</ref> The band embarked on a world tour in July 2009; the North American leg lasted through September and the European leg will end in November.<ref name="livedaily"/> "]" was released as the album's third single on October 19, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last = Murray|first = Robin|title = Green Day Single News|work = Clashmusic.com|publisher = '']''|date = 2009-09-25|url = http://www.clashmusic.com/news/green-day-single-news|accessdate = 2009-10-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Green Day Single News: 'East Jesus Nowhere' Due|date = 2009-09-25|work = greenday.com|publisher = ]|url = http://greenday.com/site/news.php|accessdate = 2009-10-01}}</ref> The record debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 in the U.S., where it sold 215,000 copies in its first week, which was a shortened three days. In its second week, 21st Century Breakdown moved an additional 166,000 copies, sliding to number 2. In its third week, it sold 76,000 copies. 21st Century Breakdown slid down to number five in its fourth week but achieved the coveted Gold status for sales of 500,000 copies in the same week.<ref name="Green Day rule">{{cite news|last=Caulfield |first=Keith |title=Green Day rule U.S. and international pop charts |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE54K05M20090521 |work=Reuters |date=May 20, 2009 |access-date=May 28, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090527013900/https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE54K05M20090521| archive-date= May 27, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> The album remained at number one on the ] chart for three weeks.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2009-06-13/rock-albums |title=Top Rock Albums 21st Century Breakdown |magazine=] |access-date=June 8, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090616124246/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2009-06-13/rock-albums| archive-date= June 16, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at #1, selling 79,770 copies in its first week and it has sold over 600,000 copies to date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t194589.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018230907/http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t194589.html|date=October 13, 2016|first=Alan|last=Jones|title=Commentary on Singles|archive-date=October 18, 2016|website=buzzjack.com}}</ref> In Canada, the album debuted at #1 on the ], selling 30,000 copies in its first week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/G/Green_Day/2009/05/20/9512651-jam.html|title=Green Day hits No. 1 on charts|publisher=]|first=John|last=Williams|date=May 20, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711002659/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/G/Green_Day/2009/05/20/9512651-jam.html|archive-date=July 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album debuted at the top of sales charts in twenty four total countries,<ref name="Green Day rule"/> including a peak of number one on the European Top 100 Albums.<ref name="billboardbiz">{{cite magazine|last=Sexton |first=Paul |title=Green Day Rises To European Chart Summit |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i0cc7a863b3935049b0f50c16785c2126 |magazine=] |date=May 28, 2009 |access-date=June 2, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090616122110/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i0cc7a863b3935049b0f50c16785c2126| archive-date= June 16, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> ''21st Century Breakdown'' was only released in a ] version containing explicit lyrics and content; ] refuses to sell albums with a Parental Advisory sticker and requested that Green Day release a censored edition. The band members responded by stating: "There's nothing dirty about our record... They want artists to censor their records in order to be carried in there. We just said no. We've never done it before. You feel like you're in 1953 or something."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/05/21/2846595-green-day-lashes-out-at-wal-mart-policy |title=Green Day lashes out at Wal-Mart policy |date=May 21, 2009 |access-date=May 21, 2009 |website=Newsvine| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090525094507/http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/05/21/2846595-green-day-lashes-out-at-wal-mart-policy| archive-date= May 25, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> The second single, "]", was released to radio stations on May 25.<ref>{{cite web|title=Modern Rock singles listing |url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=16770 |website=] |access-date=May 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620161540/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16770 |archive-date=June 20, 2012 }}</ref> The band embarked on a world tour in July 2009; the North American leg lasted through September and the European leg ended in November.<ref name="livedaily"/> "]" was released as the album's third single on October 19, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Murray |first=Robin |title=Green Day Single News |work=Clashmusic.com |publisher=] |date=September 25, 2009 |url=http://www.clashmusic.com/news/green-day-single-news |access-date=October 2, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Green Day Single News: ''East Jesus Nowhere'' Due |date=September 25, 2009 |work=GreenDay.com |url=http://greenday.com/site/news.php |access-date=October 1, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091210113019/http://www.greenday.com/site/news.php |archive-date=December 10, 2009 }}</ref>


==Critical reception== ==Critical reception==
{{Music ratings
Media reception to ''21st Century Breakdown'' was generally favorable; aggregating website ] reported a rating of 70% in July 2009 based on 30 critical reviews.<ref>{{cite web |title=Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown (2009): Reviews |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/greenday/21stcenturybreakdown |publisher=] |accessdate=2009-07-30}}</ref> DailyMusicGuide's Tom Rowse called the album "enthused, fresh, punchy and melodic" and claimed that it "pulled Green Day up from being just a punk band to a true anthemic stadium band".<ref>{{cite web |last=Rowse |first=Tom |title=Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown (Reprise Records) |url=http://www.dailymusicguide.com/Reviews/green-day-reprise-records-21st-century-breakdown-08052009-1750.aspx |publisher=DailyMusicGuide |date=2009-05-08 |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> Dan Silver of '']'' awarded the record four stars out of five and likened it to both ]'s music and the ] writing of ].<ref name="observer">{{cite web |last=Silver |first=Dan |title=Rock review: Green Day, 21st Century Breakdown |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/apr/19/green-day-21st-century-breakdown |work=] |date=2009-04-19 |accessdate=2009-05-27}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'''s ] called ''21st Century Breakdown'' "a compound bomb of classic-rock ecstasy, no-mercy punk assault and pop-song wiles; it's like ]'s '']'', ]'s '']'' and ]'s '']'' all compressed into 18 songs".<ref name="Fricke, 48"/> Dan Cairns of '']'' concluded, "Lyrically, it may succeed in capturing the contradictions, vulnerabilities and longing for harmony that thrum through Armstrong, Dirnt and Cool, their country, and humanity as a whole. But its real triumph, in an age of trimming, of market testing, of self-censorship and lowest common denominators, is not simply to aim insanely high, but to make it to the summit."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6154388.ece |title=Green Day return bigger and better - Times Online |publisher='']'' |date= |accessdate=2009-05-07}}</ref>
| ADM = 5.4/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://anydecentmusic.com/review/11/Green-Day-21st-Century-Breakdown.aspx |title=21st Century Breakdown by Green Day reviews |website=AnyDecentMusic? |access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref>
| MC = 70/100<ref name="Metacritic"/>
| rev1 = ]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=21st Century Breakdown – Green Day |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/21st-century-breakdown-mw0000812729 |website=] |access-date=May 27, 2009}}</ref>
| rev2 = '']''
| rev2Score = B+<ref name="club">{{cite web |last=Ryan |first=Kyle |title=Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown |url=https://www.avclub.com/review/green-day-em21st-century-breakdownem-28036 |work=] |date=May 19, 2009 |access-date=September 20, 2015}}</ref>
| rev3 = '']''
| rev3Score = B<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Greenblatt|first=Leah|title=21st Century Breakdown|magazine=] |url=https://ew.com/article/2009/05/06/21st-century-breakdown/|date=May 5, 2009|access-date=May 31, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514023709/https://ew.com/article/2009/05/06/21st-century-breakdown/|archive-date=May 14, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev4 = '']''
| rev4Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="guardian"/>
| rev5 = '']''
| rev5Score = {{rating|3.5|4}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Powers |first=Ann |author-link=Ann Powers |title=Giving rock's past a kick in the pants |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-may-15-et-greenday15-story.html |newspaper=] |date=May 15, 2009 |access-date=December 13, 2009}}</ref>
| rev6 = '']'' (])
| rev6Score = C<ref name=xgau>{{cite web |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |title=Consumer Guide |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2009-07.php |work=] |date=July 2009 |access-date=December 13, 2009}}</ref>
| rev7 = '']''
| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="NME review">{{cite web|last=Beaumont|first=Mark|title=Album review: Green Day |website=] |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/green-day/10417|date=May 15, 2009|access-date=May 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517022440/http://www.nme.com/reviews/green-day/10417 |archive-date=May 17, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| rev8 = '']''
| rev8Score = 4.8/10<ref name="p4k">{{cite web |last=Harvell |first=Jess |title=Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13045-21st-century-breakdown/ |work=] |date=May 22, 2009 |access-date=May 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523093210/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13045-21st-century-breakdown/ |archive-date=May 23, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev9 = '']''
| rev9Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="rollingstone2"/>
| rev10 = '']''
| rev10Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="spin"/>
}}
Reception to ''21st Century Breakdown'' has been generally favorable, according to aggregating website ], which reported a rating of 70/100 based on 30 critical reviews.<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|title=Reviews for 21st Century Breakdown by Green Day |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/21st-century-breakdown/green-day |website=] |access-date=July 30, 2009}}</ref> Dan Silver of '']'' awarded the record four stars out of five and likened it to both ]'s music and the ] writing of ].<ref name="observer">{{cite news|last=Silver |first=Dan |title=Rock review: Green Day, 21st Century Breakdown |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/apr/19/green-day-21st-century-breakdown |work=] |date=April 19, 2009 |access-date=May 27, 2009 | location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090422053506/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/apr/19/green-day-21st-century-breakdown| archive-date= April 22, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s ] called ''21st Century Breakdown'' "a compound bomb of classic-rock ecstasy, no-mercy punk assault and pop-song wiles; it's like ]'s '']'', The Who's '']'' and ]'s '']'' all compressed into 18 songs".<ref name="Fricke, 48"/> Dan Cairns of '']'' concluded: "Lyrically, it may succeed in capturing the contradictions, vulnerabilities and longing for harmony that thrum through Armstrong, Dirnt and Cool, their country, and humanity as a whole. But its real triumph, in an age of trimming, of market testing, of self-censorship and lowest common denominators, is not simply to aim insanely high, but to make it to the summit."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6154388.ece |title=Green Day return bigger and better – Times Online |work=] |date=April 26, 2009 |access-date=May 7, 2009 | location=London | first=Dan | last=Cairns}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>


Criticism centered on the concept of the record; ]'s Chris Jones said that it is "griping vaguely against 'authority'" and that "too many buzz words obscure incisive meaning".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/b6w6|title=You may not get any deep insights, but you are getting some great tunes.|last=Jones|first=Chris|date=2009-05-08|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-05-13}}</ref> Steve Kandell of '']'' wrote that the humor of ''American Idiot'' was "sorely missed" and that the energy of the album seemed "directionless".<ref name="spin">{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/green-day-21st-century-breakdown-reprise|title=Green Day, '21st Century Breakdown'|last=Kandell|first=Steve|date=2009-04-30|publisher='']''|accessdate=2009-05-17}}</ref> '']'''s ] indicated that "the storyline becomes impossible to follow".<ref name="guardian"/> Adam Downer of ] was the most critical professional reviewer of the album and questioned the clarity of the lyrics by calling ''21st Century Breakdown'' "more conceptually vague/ridiculous than ''American Idiot''"; he went on to say that it "spirals out of control in its own heroic glory and never regains focus, thus ending with a product that Green Day couldn’t afford to produce: an average record".<ref name="sputnik">{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=30509|title=Green Day 21st Century Breakdown|last=Downer|first=Adam|publisher=]|date=2009-05-11|accessdate=2009-05-13}}</ref> Criticism centered on the concept of the record; ]'s Chris Jones said that it is "griping vaguely against 'authority{{'"}} and that "too many buzz words obscure incisive meaning".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/b6w6 |title=You may not get any deep insights, but you are getting some great tunes |last=Jones |first=Chris |date=May 8, 2009 |publisher=BBC |access-date=May 13, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090515022117/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/b6w6| archive-date= May 15, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Steve Kandell of '']'' wrote that the humor of ''American Idiot'' was "sorely missed" and that the energy of the album seemed "directionless".<ref name="spin">{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/green-day-21st-century-breakdown-reprise |title=Green Day, '21st Century Breakdown' (Reprise) |last=Kandell |first=Steve |date=April 30, 2009 |work=Spin |access-date=May 17, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090503154459/http://www.spin.com/reviews/green-day-21st-century-breakdown-reprise| archive-date= May 3, 2009 | url-status=dead}}</ref> '']''{{'}}s ] indicated that "the storyline becomes impossible to follow".<ref name="guardian"/> ] of '']'' panned the album, reserving particular distaste for the multiple songs that heavily utilize ], before concluding, "I don't like right-wing Christianists either. But as every oppressed teen in the right-wing orbit knows full well, they're not as garbled and simplistic as Armstrong's anthems insist."<ref name=xgau/> Adam Downer of ''Sputnikmusic'' was even less receptive, calling the album "more conceptually vague/ridiculous than ''American Idiot''", and going on to say that it "spirals out of control in its own heroic glory and never regains focus, thus ending with a product that Green Day couldn't afford to produce: an average record".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=30509 |title=Green Day 21st Century Breakdown |last=Downer |first=Adam |website=Sputnikmusic |date=May 11, 2009 |access-date=May 13, 2009| archive-url= https://archive.today/20090519193034/http://sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=30509| archive-date= May 19, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> '']'' claims that "...an uncanny sense of familiarity hangs over too much of the album. The melodies of several tracks suggest ghosts of older Green Day songs."<ref name="Slant">{{cite web|last=Robbins |first=Charles |title=Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/green-day-21st-century-breakdown |work=Slant |date=May 15, 2009 |access-date=December 13, 2009}}</ref> Kyle Ryan at '']'' gave the album a B+, noting it as "going bolder" than ''American Idiot''. Ryan also declared "''21st Century Breakdown'' reinforces what ''American Idiot'' first revealed: Green Day should never be underestimated."<ref name="club"/>

===Accolades===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Publication
! Country
! Accolade
! Year
! Rank
|-
| '']''
| United States
| Best Albums of 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/rolling.htm |title=Rolling Stone (USA) End Of Year Lists |work=Rocklist.net |access-date=July 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723004927/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/rolling.htm |archive-date=July 23, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| 2009
| 5
|-
| '']''
| United Kingdom
| Reader's Choice: Best 50 Albums of the 21st Century<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet?boardid=41&threadid=74402 |title=Kerrang Readers 50 Best Albums Of The 21st Century |work=Ilxor |access-date=July 12, 2010}}</ref>
| 2009
| 17
|-
| '']''
| United States
| The 25 Best Albums of 2009<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blog.rhapsody.com/2009/12/best-albums-of-2009.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002121839/http://blog.rhapsody.com/2009/12/best-albums-of-2009.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 2, 2011|title=The 25 Best Albums of 2009 - Rhapsody: The Mix|date=October 2, 2011|access-date=August 27, 2018}}</ref>
| 2009
| 16
|}

===Album awards===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Ceremony
! Award
! Result
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2009
| ]
| ]
| {{won}}
|-
| ]
| Music Album Group
| rowspan="6" {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| Best International Album
|-
| ]
| Best Album
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2010
| ]
| Album of the Year
|-
| rowspan="2"| ]
| Best Album
|-
|Worst Album
|}


==Track listing== ==Track listing==
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| all_lyrics = Billie Joe Armstrong | all_lyrics = ]
| all_music = ], "21 Guns" credits ] as additional songwriter.<ref name="BOWIE"></ref>
| all_music = Green Day
| title1 = Song of the Century | title1 = Song of the Century
| length1 = 0:57 | length1 = 0:57
}} }}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Act I: Heroes and Cons | headline = Act I: Heroes and Cons
| title2 = ] | title2 = ]
Line 95: Line 188:
| length6 = 3:07 | length6 = 3:07
| title7 = Last Night on Earth | title7 = Last Night on Earth
| length7 = 3:57 | length7 = 3:56
}} }}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Act II: Charlatans and Saints | headline = Act II: Charlatans and Saints
| title8 = ] | title8 = ]
Line 103: Line 196:
| title9 = Peacemaker | title9 = Peacemaker
| length9 = 3:24 | length9 = 3:24
| title10 = Last of the American Girls | title10 = ]
| length10 = 3:51 | length10 = 3:51
| title11 = Murder City | title11 = Murder City
Line 112: Line 205:
| length13 = 4:21 | length13 = 4:21
}} }}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Act III: Horseshoes and Handgrenades | headline = Act III: Horseshoes and Handgrenades
| total_length = 69:16 | total_length = 69:13
| title14 = Horseshoes and Handgrenades | title14 = Horseshoes and Handgrenades
| length14 = 3:14 | length14 = 3:14
| title15 = The Static Age | title15 = The Static Age
| length15 = 4:17 | length15 = 4:16
| title16 = ] | title16 = ]
| length16 = 5:21 | length16 = 5:21
Line 125: Line 218:
| length17 = 4:26 | length17 = 4:26
| title18 = See the Light | title18 = See the Light
| length18 = 4:36 | length18 = 4:35

}} }}
{{track listing
===Bonus tracks===
| headline = Amazon.com MP3 version bonus tracks
{{tracklist
| collapsed = yes
| headline = Amazon.com MP3 version
| all_lyrics = Billie Joe Armstrong | all_lyrics = Billie Joe Armstrong
| all_music = Green Day, except where noted | all_music = Green Day, except where noted
| title19 = Burnout | title19 = Burnout
| note19 = Live in St. Petersburg, FL at Jannus Landing on March 11, 1994
| note19 = live
| length19 = 2:21 | length19 = 2:21
| total_length = 71:34
}} }}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| collapsed = yes | headline = iTunes deluxe edition bonus tracks
| headline = iTunes deluxe edition
| writing_credits = yes
| title19 = ] | title19 = ]
| note19 = originally performed by ] | note19 = originally performed by ]
Line 150: Line 239:
| writer20 = ] | writer20 = ]
| length20 = 2:46 | length20 = 2:46
| total_length = 79:18
}} }}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = iTunes pre-order edition bonus tracks
| collapsed = yes
| headline = iTunes pre-order edition
| writing_credits = yes
| title21 = ] | title21 = ]
| note21 = originally performed by ] | note21 = originally performed by ]
Line 163: Line 251:
| writer22 = Bob Dylan | writer22 = Bob Dylan
| length22 = 6:10 | length22 = 6:10
| total_length = 87:29
}} }}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| collapsed = yes | headline = Japanese edition bonus track
| headline = Japanese edition
| title19 = Lights Out | title19 = Lights Out
| length19 = 2:16 | length19 = 2:16
| total_length = 71:25
}} }}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| collapsed = yes | headline = Rhapsody version bonus tracks
| headline = Rhapsody version
| title19 = Know Your Enemy | title19 = Know Your Enemy
| note19 = live | note19 = live
Line 179: Line 267:
| note20 = live | note20 = live
| length20 = 4:30 | length20 = 4:30
| total_length = 77:90
}} }}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| collapsed = yes
| headline = Target version bonus CD (''Live in Japan'') | headline = Target version bonus CD (''Live in Japan'')
| total_length = 29:08
| title1 = ] | title1 = ]
| note1 = live | note1 = live
Line 201: Line 290:
| note6 = live | note6 = live
| length6 = 4:41 | length6 = 4:41
}}
{{track listing
| headline = Japanese bonus DVD
| title1 = Know Your Enemy
| note1 = live at Abbey Road
| title2 = East Jesus Nowhere
| note2 = live at Abbey Road
| title3 = St. Jimmy
| note3 = live at Abbey Road
| title4 = 21 Guns
| note4 = live at Abbey Road
| title5 = American Idiot
| note5 = live at Abbey Road
| title6 = Know Your Enemy
| note6 = music video
| title7 = 21 Guns
| note7 = music video
| title8 = 21st Century Breakdown
| note8 = music video
}} }}


==Personnel== ==Personnel==
<ref name="liner notes"/>
{{col-begin}} {{col-begin}}
{{col-2}} {{col-2}}
Credits adapted from AllMusic <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/21st-century-breakdown-mw0000812729/credits |title= 21st Century Breakdown - Green Day |website=AllMusic |access-date= September 17, 2023}}</ref>
===Band===
<!-- MAINTAIN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. DO NOT ADD JASON WHITE: he did not play on the album and is not listed in the album credits. He is a touring guitarist only (see talk page). -->
* Billie Joe Armstrong – ], ], ]
* Tré Cool – ], ]
* Mike Dirnt – ], vocals
<!-- MAINTAIN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. DO NOT ADD JASON WHITE: he did not play on the album and is not listed in the album credits. He is a touring guitarist only (see talk page). -->


'''Green Day'''
===Additional musicians===
* ]&nbsp;– lead and backing vocals, guitar, piano
<!-- DO NOT ADD JASON WHITE: he did not play on the album and is not listed in the album credits. He is a touring guitarist only (see talk page). -->
* ]&nbsp;– bass guitar, backing vocals; lead vocals on "Modern World" (section in "American Eulogy")
* ] – piano
* ]&nbsp;– drums, percussion
* ] – ]
* Patrick Warren – ]


'''Additional musicians'''
* ]&nbsp;– piano
* ]&nbsp;– ]
* ]&nbsp;– ]
{{col-2}} {{col-2}}
===Production=== '''Production'''
* ] ] * ]&nbsp;– producer
* ] – ] * ]&nbsp;– ]
* Chris Dugan – ] * Chris Dugan&nbsp;– ]
* Keith Armstrong; Nik Karpen; Wesley Seidman – assistant engineers * Keith Armstrong&nbsp;– assistant engineer
* Nik Karpen&nbsp;– assistant engineer
* Brad Kobylczak; Joe McGrath; Andrew Schubert; Brad Townshend – additional engineering
* Wesley Seidman&nbsp;– assistant engineer
* Ted Jensen – ]
* Brad Kobylczak&nbsp;– additional engineering
* Shari Sutcliffe – production coordinator
* Joe McGrath&nbsp;– additional engineering
* Bill Schneider – band coordinator, guitar technician
* Andrew Schubert&nbsp;– additional engineering
* Micah Chong – guitar technician
* Brad Townshend&nbsp;– additional engineering
* Kenny Butler; Mike Fasano – drum technicians
* ]&nbsp;– ]


===Artwork=== '''Artwork'''
* Chris Bilheimer – design, ], ] * Chris Bilheimer&nbsp;– design, photography, ]s
* Andrew Black; Micah Chong; David Cooper – stencils * Andrew Black&nbsp;– stencils
* Micah Chong&nbsp;– stencils
* Marina Chavez – back cover photo
* David Cooper&nbsp;– stencils
* Marina Chavez&nbsp;– back cover photo


{{col-end}} {{col-end}}
Line 242: Line 350:
==Release history== ==Release history==
{|class="wikitable" {|class="wikitable"
|-
! Region ! Region
! Date ! Date
Line 250: Line 359:
| World | World
| rowspan="6"|May 15, 2009 | rowspan="6"|May 15, 2009
| ]
| rowspan="4"|]
| Digital download | Digital download
| — | —
|- |-
| United States | United States
| ]
| ], ]
| ], ]
| 517153<ref name="allmusic" /> | 517153<ref name="allmusic" />
|- |-
| United Kingdom | United Kingdom
| rowspan="5"|]
| rowspan="3"| CD | rowspan="3"| CD
| rowspan="2"| 9362-49802-1<ref>{{cite web |title=Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown (CD, Album) |url=http://www.discogs.com/Green-Day-21st-Century-Breakdown/release/1813710 |publisher=] |accessdate=2009-10-18}}</ref> | rowspan="2"| 9362-49802-1<ref>{{cite web |title=Green Day&nbsp;– 21st Century Breakdown (CD, Album) |url=http://www.discogs.com/Green-Day-21st-Century-Breakdown/release/1813710 |publisher=] |access-date=October 18, 2009}}</ref>
|- |-
| Europe | Europe
|- |-
| rowspan="3"|Australia | rowspan="3"|Australia
| 9362498021<ref name="Australian-charts">{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Green+Day&titel=21st+Century+Breakdown&cat=a |title=Green Day&nbsp;– 21st Century Breakdown (Album) |publisher=Australian-charts.com |access-date=July 17, 2009}}</ref>
| rowspan="3"|]
| 9362498021<ref name="Australian-charts">{{Cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Green+Day&titel=21st+Century+Breakdown&cat=a|title=Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown (Album)|publisher=Australian-charts.com|accessdate=2009-07-17}}</ref>
|- |-
| Deluxe CD | Deluxe CD
Line 274: Line 384:
| LP | LP
| 9362497853<ref name="Australian-charts" /> | 9362497853<ref name="Australian-charts" />
|-
| rowspan="4"|Japan
| May 15, 2009
| rowspan="4"|]
| CD
| WPCR-13377<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wmg.jp/artist/greenday/WPCR000013377.html|title=21st Century Breakdown|publisher=] Japan|access-date=August 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819095947/http://www.wmg.jp/artist/greenday/WPCR000013377.html|archive-date=August 19, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| January 20, 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wmg.jp/artist/greenday/WPZR000030361.html|title=21st Century Breakdown (CD+DVD)|publisher=] Japan|access-date=August 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230083008/http://wmg.jp/artist/greenday/WPZR000030361.html|archive-date=December 30, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| ] (Japan Tour Edition)
| WPZR-30361
|-
| July 11, 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wmg.jp/artist/greenday/WPCR000075691.html|title=21st Century Breakdown (CD, Japan Edition)|publisher=] Japan|access-date=August 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831095403/http://wmg.jp/artist/greenday/WPCR000075691.html|archive-date=August 31, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| CD (Japan Edition)
| WPCR-75691
|-
| September 26, 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wmg.jp/artist/greenday/WPCR000014540.html|title=21st Century Breakdown (SHM-CD)|publisher=] Japan|access-date=August 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824054721/http://wmg.jp/artist/greenday/WPCR000014540.html|archive-date=August 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| SHM-CD
| WPCR-14540
|} |}


==Charts==
==Chart performance==
{{col-begin}} {{col-begin}}
{{col-2}} {{col-2}}

===Album===
===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
|+Weekly chart performance for ''21st Century Breakdown''
! Chart (2009)
! Chart (2009–10)
! Peak<br />position ! Peak<br />position
! ]<br><small>(])</small>
|- |-
{{album chart|Australia|2|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|]<ref name="auscharts">{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Green+Day|title=Discography Green Day|publisher=Australian-charts|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |2
|align="left" |Platinum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2009Albums.htm|title=ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2009 Albums|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-06-05}}</ref>
|- |-
{{album chart|Austria|1|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|Austrian Albums Chart<ref name="billboardbiz">{{cite news |last=Sexton |first=Paul |title=Green Day Rises To European Chart Summit |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i0cc7a863b3935049b0f50c16785c2126 |work=] |date=2009-05-28 |accessdate=2009-06-02}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |Platinum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.at/?section=goldplatin|title=IFPI Austria Accreditations for Green Day|publisher=IFPI Austria|accessdate=2009-06-05}}</ref>
|- |-
{{album chart|Flanders|1|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|]<ref name="canada">{{cite news |last=Williams |first=John |title=Green Day hits No. 1 on charts |url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/G/Green_Day/2009/05/20/9512651-jam.html |publisher=] |accessdate=2009-05-28 |date=2009-05-20}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |2× Platinum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cria.ca/gold/0709_g.php|title=Gold & Platinum Certification - July 2009|publisher=Canadian Recording Industry Association|accessdate=2009-11-24}}</ref>
|- |-
{{album chart|Wallonia|3|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|Czech Republic Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php?hitp=P|title=TOP 50 Prodejní - 2009, week 22|publisher=ČNS International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |
|- |-
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|1|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|Danish Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://danishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Green+Day|title=Discography Green Day|publisher=danishcharts.com|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |Gold<ref>{{da icon}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hitlisten.nu/|title=Album Top-40 Uge 24 - 2009|publisher=Hitlisten.Nu|accessdate=2009-06-20}}</ref>
|- |-
!scope="row"|Czech Albums (IFPI)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php?hitp=P |title=TOP 50 Prodejní&nbsp;– 2009, week 22 |publisher=ČNS International Federation of the Phonographic Industry |access-date=June 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218010646/http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php?hitp=P |archive-date=December 18, 2008 }}</ref>
|]<ref name="billboardbiz"/>
|align="center" |1 | style="text-align:center;"|1
|align="left" |
|- |-
{{album chart|Denmark|1|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|Finnish Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://finnishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Green+Day|title=Discography Green Day|publisher=Finnishcharts|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |3
|align="left" |Gold<ref name="Fin">{{cite web |title=Green Day Certifications |url=http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/artistit/green+day |publisheIFPI Austria |accessdate=2009-05-28}}</ref>
|- |-
{{album chart|Netherlands|4|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Green+Day|title=Discographie Green Day|publisher=Lescharts|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |
|- |-
!scope="row"|European Top 100 Albums ('']'')<ref name="billboardbiz"/>
|]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/GREEN+DAY/?type=longplay|title=Chartverfolgung / Green Day / Longplay|publisher=Musicline|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |1 | style="text-align:center;"|1
|align="left" |Gold<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank/|title=Musikindustrie Accreditations for Green Day|publisher=Musikindustrie|accessdate=2009-06-05}}</ref>
|- |-
{{album chart|Finland|3|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Green+Day|title=Discography Green Day|publisher=Irish-charts|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |2
|align="left" |
|- |-
{{album chart|France|1|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://italiancharts.com/search.asp?search=Green+Day&cat=a|title=Italian Charts - Album Search: Green Day|publisher=Italiancharts|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |
|- |-
{{album chart|Germany4|1|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"|id=105423}}
|]<ref name="japan-chart">{{jp icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/confidence/66221/full/|title=米3人組バンド、グリーン・デイが初のアルバム首位|publisher=]|date=2009-05-18|accessdate=2009-05-18}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |Gold<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/gold/200905.html#top|title=RIAJ Acreditations May 2009|publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan|accessdate=2009-06-05}}</ref>
|- |-
{{album chart|Hungary|4|year=2009|week=21|rowheader="true"}}
|]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Green+Day|title=Discographie Green Day|publisher=Dutchcharts|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |4
|align="left" |
|- |-
! scope="row"| Irish Albums (])<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 75 Artist Album, Week Ending 21 May 2009 |url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240002&arch=t&lyr=2009&year=2009&week=21 |publisher=] |access-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502210853/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240002&arch=t&lyr=2009&year=2009&week=21 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref>
|]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://charts.org.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Green+Day|title=Discography Green Day|publisher=Charts.org.nz|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |1 | style="text-align:center" | 2
|align="left" |Platinum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp|interpret=Green+Day|title=RIANZ Chart|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|- |-
{{album chart|Italy|1|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Green+Day|title=Discography Green Day|publisher=Norwegiancharts|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |
|- |-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums (])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/confidence/66221/full/ |script-title=ja:米3人組バンド、グリーン・デイが初のアルバム首位 |publisher=] |date=May 18, 2009 |access-date=May 18, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090617222257/http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/confidence/66221/full/| archive-date= June 17, 2009 | url-status= live|language=ja}}</ref>
|]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?lang=en |title=Oficjalna lista sprzedaży (OLiS) - Official Retail Sales Chart |publisher=Oficjalna Lista Sprzedaży |accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref>
|align="center" |6 | style="text-align:center;"|1
|align="left" |
|- |-
|Portuguese Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web |url=http://portuguesecharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Green+Day|title=Discography Green Day|publisher=Portuguescharts|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref> !scope="row"|Mexican Albums (])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mexicancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Green+Day&titel=21st+Century+Breakdown&cat=a|publisher=Hung Medien|title=Mexicancharts.com – Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121020001631/http://mexicancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Green+Day&titel=21st+Century+Breakdown&cat=a|archive-date=October 20, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|align="center" |2 | style="text-align:center;"|3
|align="left" |
|- |-
{{album chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|Spanish Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web |url=http://promusicae.es/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Green+Day|title=Discography Green Day|publisher=Spanishcharts|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |
|- |-
{{album chart|Norway|1|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|]<ref name="swediscog">{{cite web|url=http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Green+Day|title=Discography Green Day|publisher=Swedishcharts|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |Gold<ref>{{swe icon}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hitlistan.se/|title=Sverige Topplistan - Veckolista Singlar - Vecka 25, 19 juni 2009|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-06-19}}</ref>
|- |-
{{album chart|Poland|6|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"|id=513}}
|]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparade.ch/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Green+Day|title=Discographie Green Day|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |Platinum<ref>{{cite web |url=http://swisscharts.com/weekchart.asp?cat=a|title=SWISS CHARTS - ALBUMS TOP 100, 11.10.2009 |publisher=] |accessdate=2009-10-09}}</ref>
|- |-
{{album chart|Portugal|2|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|]<ref name="ukcharts">{{cite web|url=http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=317|title=Chart Stats - Green Day|publisher=Chartstats|accessdate=2009-06-06}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |Platinum<ref name=BPI>{{cite news |title=BPI Certified Awards Search for Green Day |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |publisher=BPI |accessdate=2009-09-18}}</ref>
|- |-
{{album chart|Spain|1|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|US ]<ref name="billboard-chart">{{cite news |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |title=Green Day Takes Top Spot On Billboard 200 |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/green-day-takes-top-spot-on-billboard-200-1003974878.story |work=] |date=2009-05-20 |accessdate=2009-06-02}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="left" |Gold<ref>{{cite web |title=RIAA - Gold &amp; Platinum - July 06, 2009 |url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=21st%20Century%20Breakdown&artist=Green%20Day&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |publisher=] |accessdate=2009-07-05}}</ref>
|- |-
{{album chart|Sweden|1|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|1|artist=Green Day|album=21st Century Breakdown|rowheader="true"}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|1|artist=Green Day|date=20090523|rowheader="true"}}
|-
{{album chart|UKRock|1|artist=Green Day|date=20090523|rowheader="true"}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Green Day|rowheader="true"}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardAlternative|1|artist=Green Day|rowheader="true"}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=Green Day|rowheader="true"}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardTastemaker|1|artist=Green Day|rowheader="true"}}
|} |}
{{col-2}} {{col-2}}


===Singles=== ===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2009 year-end chart performance for ''21st Century Breakdown''
!scope="col"|Chart (2009)
!scope="col"|Position
|- |-
!scope="row"|Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-2009.htm |title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2009 |publisher=] |access-date=January 11, 2010}}</ref>
!rowspan="2"| Year
|19
!rowspan="2"| Title
!colspan="9"| Peak chart positions
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="30"| ]<br /><ref name="billboardsingles" />
! width="30"| ]<br /><ref name="billboardsingles">{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=54578&model.vnuAlbumId=754886|title=Green Day single chart history|accessdate=2009-06-03|work=]}}</ref>
! width="30"| ]<br /><ref name="billboardsingles" />
! width="30"| ]<br /><ref name="auscharts" />
! width="30"| ]<br /><ref name="swediscog"/>
! width="30"| ]<br /><ref name="RIANZ">{{cite news|title=RIANZ - Top 40 Singles Chart (2009-04-06) |work=Recording Industry Association of New Zealand |accessdate=2009-07-17}}</ref>
! width="30"| ]<br /><ref name="ukcharts" />
! width="30"| ]<br /><ref name="ukcharts" />
|- |-
!scope="row"|Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://austriancharts.at/year.asp?id=2009&cat=a |title=Jahreshitparade Alben 2009 |language=de |publisher=austriancharts.at. Hung Medien |access-date=October 9, 2010}}</ref>
|rowspan="4"| 2009
|8
|align="left"| "]"
| 28
| 1
| 1
| 20
| 8
| 19
| 21
| 5
|- |-
!scope="row"|Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2009&cat=a|title=JAAROVERZICHTEN 2009: Albums|language=nl|publisher=Ultratop}}</ref>
|align="left"| "]"
| 22 |41
| 3
| 17
| 14
| 2
| 3
| 36
| 12
|- |-
!scope="row"|Belgian Alternative Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2009&cat=aa|title=Jaaroverzichten 2009: Alternatieve Albums|language=nl|publisher=Ultratop}}</ref>
|align="left"| "]"
|20
| —
| 18
| 35
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- |-
!scope="row"|Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2009&cat=a|title=REPORT ANNUELS 2009: Albums|language=fr|publisher=Ultratop}}</ref>
|align="left"| "]"
|53
| —
|-
| —
!scope="row"|Canadian Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-canadian-albums|title=Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>
| —
|19
| —
|-
| —
!scope="row"|Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hitlisterne.dk/yearlist.asp |title=Album 2009 Top-100 |language=da |publisher=Hitlisten.NU. ] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926182233/http://hitlisterne.dk/yearlist.asp |archive-date=September 26, 2010 |access-date=October 12, 2011}}</ref>
| —
|46
| —
| 92 |-
!scope="row"|Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2009&cat=a |title=Jaaroverzichten - Album 2009 |language=nl |publisher=dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien |access-date=October 9, 2010}}</ref>
|66
|-
!scope="row"|European Top 100 Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2009/european-100-albums |title=2009 Year End Charts – European Top 100 Albums |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003174206/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2009/european-100-albums |archive-date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=April 9, 2013}}</ref>
|11
|-
!scope="row"|Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/myydyimmat/2009/ulkomaiset/albumit |title=Myydyimmät ulkomaiset albumit vuonna 2009 |language=fi |publisher=] |access-date=February 6, 2012 |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913233850/http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/myydyimmat/2009/ulkomaiset/albumit |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|7
|-
!scope="row"|French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=2009|title=Top Albums 2009|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=fr}}</ref>
|33
|-
!scope="row"|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2009|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts 2009|language=de|publisher=Offizielle Deutsche Charts|access-date=March 1, 2010}}</ref>
|9
|-
!scope="row"|Italian Albums (FIMI)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/11/2009/0|title=Classifica annuale 2009 (dal 29.12.2008 al 27.12.2009) – Album & Compilation|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|language=it|access-date=January 30, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|26
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/y/2009/p/4/ |script-title=ja:オリコン年間 アルバムランキング 2009年度 |trans-title=Oricon Annual CD Album Ranking 2009 |language=ja |publisher=Oricon |access-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527155232/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/y/2009/p/4/ |archive-date=May 27, 2019}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|34
|-
!scope="row"|Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)<ref name="Mexico">{{cite web|url=http://www.amprofon.com.mx/Archivos/PDF/top_anual/Top_100_Album_2009.pdf |title=Charts Year End: AMPROFON |language=es |publisher=] |access-date=May 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021114005/http://www.amprofon.com.mx/Archivos/PDF/top_anual/Top_100_Album_2009.pdf |archive-date=October 21, 2012 }}</ref>
|63
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/2009-12-31 |title=Top Selling Albums of 2009 |publisher=] |access-date=April 9, 2013}}</ref>
|8
|-
!scope="row"|Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/83?dspy=2009&dspp=1|title=Årslista Album, 2009|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=October 9, 2010|language=sv }}</ref>
|20
|-
!scope="row"|Swedish Albums & Compilations (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/42?dspy=2009&dspp=1|title=Årslista Album (inkl samlingar), 2009|language=sv|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=March 16, 2021}}</ref>
|25
|-
!scope="row"|Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2009/alben |title=Swiss Year-End Charts 2009 |publisher=swisscharts.com. Hung Medien |access-date=October 9, 2010}}</ref>
|4
|-
!scope="row"|UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20090104/37502/|title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 - 2009|publisher=Official Charts Company}}</ref>
|35
|-
!scope="row"|US Alternative Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-alternative-albums|title=Top Alternative Albums - Year-End 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 24, 2021}}</ref>
|6
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2009/the-billboard-200 |title=2009 Year End Charts – Top Billboard 200 |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003062419/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2009/the-billboard-200 |archive-date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=April 9, 2013}}</ref>
|25
|-
!scope="row"|US Top Rock Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-rock-albums|title=Top Rock Albums - Year-End 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 24, 2021}}</ref>
|7
|- |-
|} |}


{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2010 year-end chart performance for ''21st Century Breakdown''
!scope="col"|Chart (2010)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://austriancharts.at/year.asp?id=2010&cat=a |title=Jahreshitparade Alben 2010 |language=de |publisher=austriancharts.at. Hung Medien }}</ref>
|30
|-
!scope="row"|French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=2010|title=Top Albums 2010|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=fr}}</ref>
|166
|-

|}
{{col-end}} {{col-end}}


==Certifications==
{{s-start}}
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''21st Century Breakdown''}}
{{succession box
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2009|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=green+day&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|title=Discos de Oro y Platino - Green Day|publisher=]|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531185556/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=green+day&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|archive-date=May 31, 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
| before = '']'' by ]
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|relyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Platinum|access-date=April 14, 2018|certyear=2009}}
| title = ] ]
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|relyear=2009|title=21 Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Platinum|access-date=May 20, 2013}}
| years = May 17, 2009 – May 24, 2009
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|relyear=2009|relmonth=5|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Gold|access-date=April 14, 2018|certyear=2009|certmonth=11}}
| after = '']'' by ]
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|relyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Gold|certyear=2012|access-date=May 20, 2013}}
}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|relyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|access-date=April 14, 2018}}
{{succession box
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|id=7324|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2009|certyear=2011|relmonth=2|access-date=July 14, 2022}}
| before = ''We All'' by ]
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|relyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Gold|salesamount=16,386|certyear=2009|access-date=September 6, 2019}}
| title = ] ]
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Green Day|title=21st Century Breakdown|type=album|relyear=2009|certmonth=12|certyear=2009|award=Platinum|access-date=February 12, 2021|source=archive}}
| years = May 25, 2009 – June 1, 2009
{{Certification Table Entry|region=GCC|relyear=2010|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|certyear=2009|type=album|award=Platinum|access-date=May 20, 2013}}
| after = ''Relapse'' by Eminem
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|relyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Gold|number=3|access-date=May 20, 2013}}
}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|relyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Platinum|access-date=April 14, 2018|certyear=2009}}
{{succession box
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|relyear=2009|certyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Platinum|access-date=May 20, 2013|id=30}}
| before = '']'' by ]
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|relyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Gold|certyear=2009|certmonth=5|access-date=June 7, 2021}}
| title = ] ]
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|relyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Platinum|id=2009-05-29|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|date=June 1, 2009}}
| years = May 30, 2009
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=album|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|award=Gold|relyear=2009|certyear=2009|access-date=December 31, 2020}}
| after = ''Relapse'' by Eminem
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|relyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Gold|certyear=2009|access-date=July 14, 2022}}
}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|relyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Platinum|access-date=May 20, 2013}}
{{succession box
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Platinum|access-date=April 14, 2018|certyear=2013|id=112-2001-2}}
| before = '']'' by ]
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2009|certyear=2011|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Platinum|salesamount=1,000,000<sup>^</sup> / 1,050,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/sales_ur.cgi?112210|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906154007/http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/sales_ur.cgi?112210|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-06|title=Upcoming Releases 2013|publisher=Hits Daily Double|date=September 6, 2012|access-date=October 14, 2020}}</ref>}}
| title = ] number-one album
{{Certification Table Summary}}
| years = June 6, 2009 – June 27, 2009
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|relyear=2009|title=21st Century Breakdown|artist=Green Day|type=album|award=Platinum|access-date=May 20, 2013|certyear=2009}}
| after = '']'' by ]
{{Certification Table Bottom}}
}}
{{succession box
|before = "]" by ]
|title = ] ]
|years = May 15, 2009 - May 22, 2009
|after = "]" by ]
}}
{{end box}}


==Notes== ==Notes==
* {{Cite news|last = Fricke|first = David|author-link = David Fricke|title = Green Day Fights On|newspaper = ]|pages = 48–50|date = May 28, 2009}}
===Bibliography===
*{{Citation|last = Fricke|first = David|author-link = David Fricke|title = Green Day Fights On|newspaper = ]|pages = 48-50|date = May 28, 2009}}


===References=== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{reflist|30em}}


==External links== ==External links==
<!-- This is a licensed stream for the album, which is allowed under Misplaced Pages polices -->
* {{metacritic album|id=greenday/21stcenturybreakdown}}
* at ] (streamed copy where licensed)


{{Green Day}} {{Green Day}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rock Album}}

{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 22:15, 23 December 2024

This article is about the album. For the song, see 21st Century Breakdown (song).

2009 studio album by Green Day
21st Century Breakdown
The album's cover shows a piece of stencil graffiti art on a brick wall depicting a man and a woman in a passionate embrace.
Studio album by Green Day
ReleasedMay 15, 2009 (2009-05-15)
RecordedJanuary 2008 – April 2009
StudioOcean Way Recording, Hollywood; Studio 880, Oakland, California; Jel Studios, Newport Beach, California; Costa Mesa Studios, Costa Mesa, California
Genre
Length69:17
LabelReprise
Producer
Green Day chronology
Bullet in a Bible
(2005)
21st Century Breakdown
(2009)
Last Night on Earth: Live in Tokyo
(2009)
Singles from 21st Century Breakdown
  1. "Know Your Enemy"
    Released: April 16, 2009
  2. "21 Guns"
    Released: May 25, 2009
  3. "East Jesus Nowhere"
    Released: October 19, 2009
  4. "21st Century Breakdown"
    Released: December 21, 2009
  5. "Last of the American Girls"
    Released: March 22, 2010

21st Century Breakdown is the eighth studio album by the American rock band Green Day, released on May 15, 2009, through Reprise Records. Green Day commenced work on the record in January 2006 and forty-five songs were written by vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong by October 2007, but the band members did not enter studio work until January 2008.

21st Century Breakdown is a concept album/rock opera much like their previous album American Idiot (2004). According to the band, the album is a rumination of "the era in which we live as we question and try to make sense of the selfish manipulation going on around us". The singles "Know Your Enemy" and "21 Guns" exemplify the themes of alienation and politically motivated anger present in the record.

To handle the record, they turned to producer Butch Vig, best known for producing Nirvana's Nevermind (1991). Critical response to 21st Century Breakdown was generally positive. The record achieved Green Day's best chart performance to date, reaching number one on the album charts of various countries, including the United States Billboard 200, the European Top 100 Albums, and the United Kingdom Albums Chart. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 52nd Grammy Awards on January 31, 2010. As of December 2010, 21st Century Breakdown has sold 1,050,000 copies in the United States and more than 4 million worldwide.

Writing and recording

Green Day began to write new songs for what would become 21st Century Breakdown in January 2006 after touring extensively in 2005 in support of their seventh studio album American Idiot. At the time, frontman Billie Joe Armstrong stated: "We'll start with silence, and that's how we'll be able to find the inspiration to find another record." The band did not release any details of the writing and recording process until October 2007, when Armstrong said in an interview with Rolling Stone that he had written "something like 45 songs". The band members worked on the primitive conceptual stages of the album at their rehearsal studio in Oakland, California. Little was revealed on the themes or musical style of the album, but Armstrong stated: "I want to dig into who I am and what I'm feeling at this moment – which is middle-aged." He added that many of the 45 songs were written on piano instead of guitar.

Green Day began the recording process for 21st Century Breakdown in January 2008. Later that year, it was confirmed that the band worked with producer Butch Vig. The album was recorded with Vig throughout 2008 and into early 2009 at four locations in California: Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, Studio 880 in Oakland, Jel Studios in Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa Studios in Costa Mesa. While recording in Hollywood, the band members bought cheap turntables from Amoeba Music and listened to many vinyl records for inspiration, including albums by The Beat and The Plimsouls. Armstrong cited as inspiration the music of The Kinks' Ray Davies, The Pretty Things' S.F. Sorrow, The Doors' The Doors and Strange Days, and Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell. Drummer Tré Cool noted the influence of Eddie Cochran and The Creation on Armstrong's writing. David Bowie is credited as a songwriter on the song "21 Guns" to avoid a potential plagiarism lawsuit, as the melody of the chorus is similar to the Bowie-penned "All the Young Dudes".

While writing at his home studio, Armstrong worked on a cover of The Who's 1966 mini-opera "A Quick One, While He's Away"; Green Day recorded a full-band version of the song during the album sessions. Vig noted that frustrations would sometimes cause delays in the recording process for 21st Century Breakdown. Armstrong kept his lyrics closely guarded and intentionally mixed his demos so that the vocals were low in the mix and thus unintelligible to the other band members. It was not until late 2008 that he chose to share his words with Cool, Vig, and bassist Mike Dirnt by sitting down with them and reading the entire album's lyrics aloud in order. The band members made the finishing touches on the album in early April 2009 and claimed that its release would lead to a "kind of... post-partum depression".

Themes and composition

I look at Christian and Gloria, and it's me. Gloria is one side: this person trying to hold on to this sense of belief, still trying to do good. Whereas Christian is deep into his own demons and victimizing himself over that.

Billie Joe Armstrong, on the link between the two main protagonists of 21st Century Breakdown and himself

21st Century Breakdown continues the rock opera style of its predecessor, American Idiot. The album is set in Detroit, Michigan and is divided into three acts: "Heroes and Cons", "Charlatans and Saints", and "Horseshoes and Handgrenades". Its loose narrative follows a young couple named Christian and Gloria through the challenges present in the U.S. following the presidency of George W. Bush. Bassist Mike Dirnt has compared the relationships between the songs to those in Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run, saying that the themes are not as tightly interwoven as in a concept album, but that they are still connected. Many of the record's themes and lyrics are drawn from Armstrong's personal life and he sings in the first-person narrative style about abandonment and vengeance in "Before the Lobotomy", "Christian's Inferno", and "Peacemaker". Rolling Stone noted that the album is "the most personal, emotionally convulsive record Armstrong has ever written".

The title track's opening lyric "Born into Nixon, I was raised in hell" references Armstrong's birth year of 1972, while "We are the class of '13" references the fact that his eldest son, Joseph, would graduate from high school in 2013. Dirnt has expressed his belief that "Last of the American Girls" was written about Armstrong's wife Adrienne, who he claimed is steadfast in her beliefs and assertively defends them, as is the topic of the girl in the record. Armstrong has cited his "disconnected" childhood—he was raised by his five older siblings after their father's death, while their mother worked graveyard shifts as a waitress—as the roots of the discontent expressed on 21st Century Breakdown. "East Jesus Nowhere" rebukes fundamentalist religion and was written after Armstrong attended a church service where a friend's baby was baptized.

Musically, 21st Century Breakdown is similar to the punk rock style of American Idiot, but many critics have claimed that Green Day's traditional sound has evolved in the five years, with 21st Century Breakdown incorporating new influences such as heavier, louder pop rock and arena rock on an epic scale. Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone indicated that the album provides ballads that are Green Day's most polished; he claimed that the band "combine punk-thrash with their newfound love of classic-rock grandiosity". MTV compared the material to that of classic rockers like The Who, while Spin called the title track "Green Day's most epic song yet". Cool has remarked: "It's important to us that we're still looked at as a punk band. It was our religion, our higher education". However, he also noted that Armstrong had delved into the past in writing 21st Century Breakdown, gleaning inspiration from the artists who shaped rock music. Armstrong himself has stated: "Ground zero for me is still punk rock. I like painting an ugly picture. I get something uplifting out of singing some of the most horrifying shit you can sing about. It's just my DNA."

With a running time of almost 70 minutes, 21st Century Breakdown is Green Day's longest album to date.

Critics have labeled 21st Century Breakdown as pop-punk, punk rock, power pop, arena rock, post-punk, alternative rock, and pop rock.

Promotion and release

Green Day performing in a 21st Century Breakdown showcase concert at the Kesselhaus, Berlin, May 7, 2009

Green Day commenced work on the record in January 2006. The writing and recording process spanned three years and four California recording studios, and it was finished in April 2009. On February 9, 2009, Green Day announced the album title and that the record would be split into three acts: "Heroes and Cons", "Charlatans and Saints", and "Horseshoes and Handgrenades". On March 17, a teaser trailer for 21st Century Breakdown was posted on the band's website. The international release date of May 15 was announced on March 25. In early April 2009, Green Day premiered "Know Your Enemy" on television; a portion of the song was used as introductory music to the 2009 NCAA men's basketball tournament championship game. The band first performed 21st Century Breakdown in full during a string of California club shows in April 2009. At each show, concertgoers were given programs containing all of the album's lyrics. The first single, "Know Your Enemy", was released on April 16, 2009, and soon after the world premiere of the song's music video occurred on April 24 on the MTV UK website.

21st Century Breakdown was released internationally on May 15, 2009, through Reprise Records. The special edition vinyl version was limited to 3,000 copies and consisted of three 10" records, one for each of the album's "acts", a CD copy of the album, a 60-page art booklet, and a code for the digital download of the full album. The album artwork process was led by Chris Bilheimer and is based on a work from artist Sixten, who confirmed that the couple on the cover were "just friends of a friend at a party in Eskilstuna, Sweden" and explained that a mutual friend snapped a picture of the pair kissing. He added: "I love their passion, and just had to make a stencil out of it to spread the love." The cover art was noted for a marked similarity with that of Blur's 2003 album Think Tank, itself a stencil by artist Banksy, except that one had the couple wearing diving helmets. Green Day showcased a collection of similarly themed art, called "The Art of Rock", at an art exhibition in London between October 23 and November 1, 2009. The "kissing couple" on the cover later was re-created in the music video for "21 Guns".

The record debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in the U.S., where it sold 215,000 copies in its first week, which was a shortened three days. In its second week, 21st Century Breakdown moved an additional 166,000 copies, sliding to number 2. In its third week, it sold 76,000 copies. 21st Century Breakdown slid down to number five in its fourth week but achieved the coveted Gold status for sales of 500,000 copies in the same week. The album remained at number one on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart for three weeks. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at #1, selling 79,770 copies in its first week and it has sold over 600,000 copies to date. In Canada, the album debuted at #1 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 30,000 copies in its first week. The album debuted at the top of sales charts in twenty four total countries, including a peak of number one on the European Top 100 Albums. 21st Century Breakdown was only released in a Parental Advisory version containing explicit lyrics and content; Walmart refuses to sell albums with a Parental Advisory sticker and requested that Green Day release a censored edition. The band members responded by stating: "There's nothing dirty about our record... They want artists to censor their records in order to be carried in there. We just said no. We've never done it before. You feel like you're in 1953 or something." The second single, "21 Guns", was released to radio stations on May 25. The band embarked on a world tour in July 2009; the North American leg lasted through September and the European leg ended in November. "East Jesus Nowhere" was released as the album's third single on October 19, 2009.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?5.4/10
Metacritic70/100
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
The A.V. ClubB+
Entertainment WeeklyB
The Guardian
Los Angeles Times
MSN Music (Consumer Guide)C
NME
Pitchfork4.8/10
Rolling Stone
Spin

Reception to 21st Century Breakdown has been generally favorable, according to aggregating website Metacritic, which reported a rating of 70/100 based on 30 critical reviews. Dan Silver of The Observer awarded the record four stars out of five and likened it to both Bruce Springsteen's music and the avant-garde writing of Chuck Palahniuk. Rolling Stone's David Fricke called 21st Century Breakdown "a compound bomb of classic-rock ecstasy, no-mercy punk assault and pop-song wiles; it's like The Clash's London Calling, The Who's Quadrophenia and Hüsker Dü's Zen Arcade all compressed into 18 songs". Dan Cairns of The Times concluded: "Lyrically, it may succeed in capturing the contradictions, vulnerabilities and longing for harmony that thrum through Armstrong, Dirnt and Cool, their country, and humanity as a whole. But its real triumph, in an age of trimming, of market testing, of self-censorship and lowest common denominators, is not simply to aim insanely high, but to make it to the summit."

Criticism centered on the concept of the record; BBC's Chris Jones said that it is "griping vaguely against 'authority'" and that "too many buzz words obscure incisive meaning". Steve Kandell of Spin wrote that the humor of American Idiot was "sorely missed" and that the energy of the album seemed "directionless". The Guardian's Alexis Petridis indicated that "the storyline becomes impossible to follow". Robert Christgau of MSN Music panned the album, reserving particular distaste for the multiple songs that heavily utilize dynamics, before concluding, "I don't like right-wing Christianists either. But as every oppressed teen in the right-wing orbit knows full well, they're not as garbled and simplistic as Armstrong's anthems insist." Adam Downer of Sputnikmusic was even less receptive, calling the album "more conceptually vague/ridiculous than American Idiot", and going on to say that it "spirals out of control in its own heroic glory and never regains focus, thus ending with a product that Green Day couldn't afford to produce: an average record". Slant Magazine claims that "...an uncanny sense of familiarity hangs over too much of the album. The melodies of several tracks suggest ghosts of older Green Day songs." Kyle Ryan at The A.V. Club gave the album a B+, noting it as "going bolder" than American Idiot. Ryan also declared "21st Century Breakdown reinforces what American Idiot first revealed: Green Day should never be underestimated."

Accolades

Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Rolling Stone United States Best Albums of 2009 2009 5
Kerrang! United Kingdom Reader's Choice: Best 50 Albums of the 21st Century 2009 17
Rhapsody United States The 25 Best Albums of 2009 2009 16

Album awards

Year Ceremony Award Result
2009 Grammy Awards Best Rock Album Won
Teen Choice Awards Music Album Group Nominated
TMF Awards Best International Album
Kerrang! Awards Best Album
2010 MTV Video Music Awards Japan Album of the Year
NME Awards Best Album
Worst Album

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Billie Joe Armstrong; all music is composed by Green Day, "21 Guns" credits David Bowie as additional songwriter.

No.TitleLength
1."Song of the Century"0:57
Act I: Heroes and Cons
No.TitleLength
2."21st Century Breakdown"5:09
3."Know Your Enemy"3:11
4."¡Viva la Gloria!"3:31
5."Before the Lobotomy"4:37
6."Christian's Inferno"3:07
7."Last Night on Earth"3:56
Act II: Charlatans and Saints
No.TitleLength
8."East Jesus Nowhere"4:35
9."Peacemaker"3:24
10."Last of the American Girls"3:51
11."Murder City"2:54
12."¿Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl)"3:48
13."Restless Heart Syndrome"4:21
Act III: Horseshoes and Handgrenades
No.TitleLength
14."Horseshoes and Handgrenades"3:14
15."The Static Age"4:16
16."21 Guns"5:21
17."American Eulogy" (A. "Mass Hysteria" / B. "Modern World")4:26
18."See the Light"4:35
Total length:69:13

All lyrics are written by Billie Joe Armstrong; all music is composed by Green Day, except where noted

Amazon.com MP3 version bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
19."Burnout" (Live in St. Petersburg, FL at Jannus Landing on March 11, 1994)2:21
Total length:71:34
iTunes deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
19."A Quick One, While He's Away" (originally performed by The Who)Pete Townshend7:59
20."Another State of Mind" (originally performed by Social Distortion)Mike Ness2:46
Total length:79:18
iTunes pre-order edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
21."That's All Right" (originally performed by Elvis Presley)Arthur Crudup2:01
22."Like a Rolling Stone" (originally performed by Bob Dylan)Bob Dylan6:10
Total length:87:29
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
19."Lights Out"2:16
Total length:71:25
Rhapsody version bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
19."Know Your Enemy" (live)4:47
20."The Static Age" (live)4:30
Total length:77:90
Target version bonus CD (Live in Japan)
No.TitleLength
1."American Idiot" (live)4:18
2."Jesus of Suburbia" (live)9:22
3."Holiday" (live)4:34
4."Are We the Waiting" (live)2:49
5."St. Jimmy" (live)2:58
6."Boulevard of Broken Dreams" (live)4:41
Total length:29:08
Japanese bonus DVD
No.TitleLength
1."Know Your Enemy" (live at Abbey Road) 
2."East Jesus Nowhere" (live at Abbey Road) 
3."St. Jimmy" (live at Abbey Road) 
4."21 Guns" (live at Abbey Road) 
5."American Idiot" (live at Abbey Road) 
6."Know Your Enemy" (music video) 
7."21 Guns" (music video) 
8."21st Century Breakdown" (music video) 

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic

Green Day

  • Billie Joe Armstrong – lead and backing vocals, guitar, piano
  • Mike Dirnt – bass guitar, backing vocals; lead vocals on "Modern World" (section in "American Eulogy")
  • Tré Cool – drums, percussion

Additional musicians

Production

  • Butch Vig – producer
  • Chris Lord-Alge – mix engineer
  • Chris Dugan – engineer
  • Keith Armstrong – assistant engineer
  • Nik Karpen – assistant engineer
  • Wesley Seidman – assistant engineer
  • Brad Kobylczak – additional engineering
  • Joe McGrath – additional engineering
  • Andrew Schubert – additional engineering
  • Brad Townshend – additional engineering
  • Ted Jensen – mastering

Artwork

  • Chris Bilheimer – design, photography, stencils
  • Andrew Black – stencils
  • Micah Chong – stencils
  • David Cooper – stencils
  • Marina Chavez – back cover photo

Release history

Region Date Label Format Catalog
World May 15, 2009 Warner Music Digital download
United States Reprise CD, double LP 517153
United Kingdom Warner Music CD 9362-49802-1
Europe
Australia 9362498021
Deluxe CD 9362497777
May 29, 2009 LP 9362497853
Japan May 15, 2009 Warner Music Japan CD WPCR-13377
January 20, 2010 CD+DVD (Japan Tour Edition) WPZR-30361
July 11, 2012 CD (Japan Edition) WPCR-75691
September 26, 2012 SHM-CD WPCR-14540

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for 21st Century Breakdown
Chart (2009–10) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) 2
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) 3
Canadian Albums (Billboard) 1
Czech Albums (IFPI) 1
Danish Albums (Hitlisten) 1
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) 4
European Top 100 Albums (Billboard) 1
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) 3
French Albums (SNEP) 1
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) 1
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) 4
Irish Albums (IRMA) 2
Italian Albums (FIMI) 1
Japanese Albums (Oricon) 1
Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico) 3
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) 1
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) 1
Polish Albums (ZPAV) 6
Portuguese Albums (AFP) 2
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) 1
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) 1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) 1
UK Albums (OCC) 1
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) 1
US Billboard 200 1
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) 1
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) 1
US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard) 1

Year-end charts

2009 year-end chart performance for 21st Century Breakdown
Chart (2009) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA) 19
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) 8
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) 41
Belgian Alternative Albums (Ultratop Flanders) 20
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) 53
Canadian Albums (Billboard) 19
Danish Albums (Hitlisten) 46
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) 66
European Top 100 Albums (Billboard) 11
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) 7
French Albums (SNEP) 33
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) 9
Italian Albums (FIMI) 26
Japanese Albums (Oricon) 34
Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico) 63
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) 8
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) 20
Swedish Albums & Compilations (Sverigetopplistan) 25
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) 4
UK Albums (OCC) 35
US Alternative Albums (Billboard) 6
US Billboard 200 25
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) 7
2010 year-end chart performance for 21st Century Breakdown
Chart (2010) Position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) 30
French Albums (SNEP) 166

Certifications

Certifications and sales for 21st Century Breakdown
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF) Gold 20,000
Australia (ARIA) Platinum 70,000
Austria (IFPI Austria) Platinum 20,000
Belgium (BEA) Gold 15,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) Gold 30,000
Canada (Music Canada) 2× Platinum 160,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) Platinum 30,000
Finland (Musiikkituottajat) Gold 16,386
France (SNEP) Platinum 100,000
GCC (IFPI Middle East) Platinum 6,000
Germany (BVMI) 3× Gold 300,000
Ireland (IRMA) Platinum 15,000
Italy (FIMI) Platinum 70,000
Japan (RIAJ) Gold 100,000
New Zealand (RMNZ) Platinum 15,000
Norway (IFPI Norway) Gold 15,000
Sweden (GLF) Gold 20,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) Platinum 30,000
United Kingdom (BPI) Platinum 300,000
United States (RIAA) Platinum 1,000,000 / 1,050,000
Summaries
Europe (IFPI) Platinum 1,000,000

Sales figures based on certification alone.
Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

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External links

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