"Amy" is a song by American rock band Green Day, released as the closing track on their tenth studio album ¡Dos! (2012). It was written by Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool, and the song was produced by Rob Cavallo. "Amy" is a ballad written in tribute to Amy Winehouse, and marked a departure from the band's typical sound.
| "Amy" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Green Day | |
| from the album ¡Dos! | |
| Released | November 9, 2012 |
| Recorded | 2012 |
| Studio | Jingletown Studios, Oakland, California |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:25 |
| Label | Reprise |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Rob Cavallo, Green Day |
Background and composition
edit
"Amy" was written by Armstrong as a tribute to English singer Amy Winehouse, who died of alcohol poisoning on July 23, 2011. Despite the two artists never having met,[1] Armstrong commented that he was a fan of Winehouse's music and described her death as "tragic".[2][3] The song was first performed on August 12 at a secret charity show in Costa Mesa, California,[4][5] with Armstrong commenting he had written "Amy" the week before.[6] The song was later released as the closing track on their studio album ¡Dos! on November 9, 2012.[7]
The song is a mournful ballad incorporating the jazz-inspired styles of Winehouse through "stripped-back guitar work" and "sparse fingerpicking" reminiscent of folk rock,[8] doo-wop[9] and lounge music.[1] It is one of two solo numbers on ¡Dos!, featuring only Armstrong.[10] Lyrically, the song serves as a cautionary tale[11][12] through its multiple allusions to Winehouse's "troubled" life and death,[9] and speaks about Armstrong's desire to have met the late singer.[13][14] Because of its acoustic sound and mellow nature atypical of Green Day songs, "Amy" has been compared to "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)".[15] Armstrong explained this difference by stating that the somber tone of the song deals with the "consequences of the party."[2][16]
Reception
edit"Amy" has received a positive reception since its release, with critics calling it "heartfelt" and a standout on ¡Dos![17][18] Rolling Stone described "Amy" as a "mascara-streaked soul ballad... where Billie Joe Armstrong makes like the skate-park Sam Cooke",[19] while Loudwire and Alternative Press stylistically compared the song to The Everly Brothers and Elvis Costello, respectively.[10][20] The Guardian called the song a "surprisingly poignant tribute",[21] while critics at NME praised the song as "slight but touching."[14] Billboard called "Amy" one of the band's strongest ballads, specifically noting of the song's "unadorned" nature,[22] while Entertainment Weekly called "Amy" one of the best songs recorded in 2012.[23] However, "Amy" has also been described by critics as "uncomfortable",[24][25] with the BBC calling it a "slightly awkward finale."[26] The A.V. Club commented that "sentiment isn't enough to salvage the song," calling it "listless".[27]
Usage in media
editIn 2012, "Amy" was included at the beginning of the CSI: NY episode "Unspoken", alongside other songs from the band's ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, ¡Tré! trilogy. Executive producer Pam Veasey chose the song because it "beautifully accompanied the visuals" of the episode.[28][29]
Credits and personnel
edit- Billie Joe Armstrong – producer, songwriter
- Mike Dirnt – producer, songwriter
- Tré Cool – producer, songwriter
- Rob Cavallo – producer
References
edit- ^ a b Golsen, Tyler (November 14, 2021). "The song Green Day wrote about the death of Amy Winehouse". Far Out. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ a b Martin, Daniel (July 26, 2012). "Green Day write song in tribute to Amy Winehouse". NME. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ^ "Green Day dedicate a song to the 'unbelievable talent' of Amy Winehouse". Evening Standard. August 24, 2012. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ Kaufman, Spencer (August 14, 2011). "Green Day Play New Song About Amy Winehouse at 'Secret' Gig". Loudwire. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (August 15, 2011). "Green Day Debuts Amy Winehouse Tribute, 'Amy,' at California Show". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ O'Donnell, Kevin (August 16, 2011). "Green Day Debut New Songs, Winehouse Tribute". SPIN. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ "Green Day – ¡Dos!". Discogs. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ^ Bosquez, James (November 12, 2012). "Green Day: '¡Dos!'". San Antonio Current. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Kaufman, Gil (August 16, 2011). "Green Day Debut Amy Winehouse Tribute Song". MTV. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ a b "Green Day - ¡Dos!". Alternative Press. November 13, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Nicolson, Barry (October 30, 2012). "Green Day, '¡Dos!' – First Listen". NME. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ Muston, Samuel (July 29, 2012). "Trending: Green Day light a candle in the wind for Amy". The Independent. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ "Green Day unveil Amy Winehouse tribute". Elle Canada. August 16, 2011. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ a b "Green Day – '¡Dos!'". NME. November 9, 2012. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ Pace, Jessica (2011). "Hear Green Day's Song For Amy Winehouse". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ Copsey, Robert (July 25, 2012). "Green Day explain Amy Winehouse tribute song: "It was a tragic loss"". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ Keefe, Jonathan (November 12, 2012). "Review: Green Day, Dos". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ Golsen, Tyler (February 17, 2023). "The best Green Day song from every studio album". Far Out. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ Dolan, Jon (November 12, 2012). "¡Dos!". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ Childers, Chad (November 13, 2012). "Green Day, '¡Dos!' – Album Review". Loudwire. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ Mongredien, Phil (November 10, 2012). "Green Day: ¡Dos! – review". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (December 20, 2012). "Green Day's Album Trilogy: What Happened with 'Uno!,' 'Dos!' and 'Tre!'?". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Kyle (January 2, 2013). "Green Day announce new tour dates, update on Billie Joe Armstrong's rehab stay". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ Roffman, Michael (November 13, 2012). "Album Review: Green Day – ¡Dos!". Consequence. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ Papandreas, Jay (January 18, 2024). "Green Day Albums Worst To Best". Stereogum. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Lawrence, Alistair (2012). "Green Day ¡Dos! Review". BBC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ Heller, Jason (November 13, 2012). "Green Day: ¡Dos!". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ Stevens, Jenny (October 10, 2012). "Green Day to soundtrack CSI: NY episode". NME. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ Tilles, Jay (October 8, 2012). "Green Day To Provide Soundtrack To Intense CSI: NY Episode". KROQ-FM. Archived from the original on April 23, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2024.