Green Day’s “American Idiot” hits 800 weeks on the U.K.’s Official Rock and Metal Singles chart, becoming the band’s second song to reach the milestone. Green Day during Spike TV’s 2nd Annual “Video Game Awards 2004” – Backstage at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
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When Green Day shared its song “American Idiot” in the summer of 2004, the track was a look at a politically divided America. The smash tune, which preceded the release of the album of the same name, came at a time when the differences between Republicans and Democrats seemed to be growing. The tune became a worldwide sensation thanks to its outspokenness and the musicians’ lack of fear regarding putting their feelings and political standpoints into a pop-rock cut made for the masses.
More than 20 years later, “American Idiot” is, sadly, still timely. The track — and the album it’s featured on — enjoyed new relevance since the re-election of Donald Trump, and across the Atlantic in the United Kingdom, both titles have spent the past several months in loftier positions than in many of the months before the election. As British fans continue to listen to “American Idiot” in large numbers, they help the cut reach a very special milestone on one tally.
Green Day’s “American Idiot” Reaches a Milestone
“American Idiot” celebrates 800 weeks on the Official Rock and Metal Singles chart, the U.K.’s list of the bestselling tracks in those styles. The tune dips 10 spaces from No. 23 to No. 33 on the 40-spot roster, but appearing on the ranking in any position is impressive for a cut that has been around as long as this Green Day favorite.
“American Idiot” Joins “Basket Case”
“American Idiot” is Green Day’s second tune to reach 800 weeks on the Official Rock and Metal Singles chart. “Basket Case” remains the group’s longest-running winner, with 923 stays on the tally. That cut adds to its sum again this frame.
Green Day Claims Three Rock Hits
Green Day scores three hits on this week’s Official Rock and Metal Singles chart. “Basket Case” falls four spaces to No. 24, and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” comes in just a few spots ahead of “American Idiot” at No. 30. That middle tune recently passed 400 stays on the roster and ranks as one of Green Day’s most successful cuts.
“Jesus of Suburbia” and “Brain Stew”
“American Idiot” ranks as one of Green Day’s nine No. 1s on the Official Rock and Metal Singles chart. While it comes in second place in terms of longevity compared to “Basket Case,” the latter cut never made it to the summit. Instead, it stalled in the runner-up space. “Basket Case” joined other Green Day classics like “Brain Stew,” “When I Come Around” and fellow American Idiot single “Jesus of Suburbia” by missing out on ruling by just one spot.
American Idiot – the Album – Also Climbs
The album American Idiot is also gaining groun this frame in the U.K. The project climbs to No. 11 on the Official Rock and Metal Albums chart, nearly managing to return to the top 10. The set appears in the lower spaces on both the Official Album Sales and Official Physical Albums charts at the same time. American Idiot is now up to 924 weeks on the rock-and-metal-only list, where it has spent time at No. 1.