Song #2: "Minority" By Green Day

"Minority" By Green Day fits under the umbrella of ideas known as transcendentalism. There are many transcendental ideals that have made their way into the lyrics of this song. In Henry David Thoreau’s On Civil Disobedience, he says, “If the machine of government is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law.” Thoreau felt that if a certain piece of legislature was unjust, then it was his duty to defy it, even if he was in the minority. “Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.” In this quote from Walden, Thoreau explains that it is positive to change things from what they were if they need to change, but do not conform to the rest of society’s new requests. Each generation laughs at what was done in the past but quickly conforms to what is happening now. It is okay not to just accept what is happening now, question it, and follow what you believe. If you are the minority in wanting to change something, it is okay because you are trying to find what you believe is your own truth. This song falls under the precepts of free thought and non-conformity because its message is to show that people should have their own thoughts and pursue their passions regardless of who tries to stop them. There are many ideas that Billy Joe Armstrong is trying to portray to his audience composed of young rebellious teenagers. He wants them to believe that not only is it acceptable to be different; it is one's best attribute. He believes that a majority of society's actions and expectations are ways for the government  to control you. To respond to this, he encourages his audience to continue their free and unique thoughts. It exemplifies the desire to be unique and defy authority that transcendentalism is known for. The title and main line of this song, "I want to be the minority" is a bold statement that encourages standing up for who you are and what you believe in, even if you are standing alone. "Marching out of time to my own beat now" endorses the individuality that is highly valued in the transcendentalist society.