Welcome to Paradise

"Welcome to Paradise"
"Welcome to Paradise"
Single by Green Day
from the album Dookie
Released	October 17, 1994
Genre	Punk rock; pop punk;
Length	3:44
Label	Reprise; WEA International;
Composer(s)	Green Day
Lyricist(s)	Billie Joe Armstrong
Producer(s)	Rob Cavallo; Green Day;
Green Day singles chronology
Music video
	"Welcome to Paradise" on YouTube

"Welcome to Paradise"
"Welcome to Paradise"
Song by Green Day
from the album Kerplunk
Released	December 17, 1991
Genre	Punk rock; pop punk;
Length	3:30;
Label	Lookout
Composer(s)	Green Day
Lyricist(s)	Billie Joe Armstrong
Producer(s)	Andy Ernst; Green Day;

"Welcome to Paradise" is a song by the American rock band Green Day. It first appeared as the third track on the band's second studio album, Kerplunk (1991). It was re-recorded and rereleased as the fifth track on the band's third studio album, Dookie (1994), and released as the album's third single. Its physical release was exclusive to the United Kingdom on October 17, 1994, though the song still saw radio airplay in the United States. The song peaked at number 56 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart. The Dookie version is more popular^{[citation needed]} and was later included on the band's 2001 compilation album International Superhits!.

Song meaning and composition

The lyrics were written by Billie Joe Armstrong and the music by Armstrong with Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool. It is based on the band members' experiences of moving out of their parents' houses and into an abandoned house in Oakland, California, where they, along with a number of others, lived without paying rent. The house was quite broken-down but to them it became home, and this feeling is described in the song.

Billie Joe Armstrong said this of the song, "It's about West Oakland, living in a warehouse with a lot of people, a bunch of artists and musicians, punks and whatever just lived all up and down, bums and junkies and thugs and gang members and stuff that just lived in that area. It's no place you want to walk around at night, but it's a neat warehouse where you can play basketball and stuff."^[7]

The song is played with the guitar tuned a half-step down, as are many of their Dookie songs.

The song is sung as Armstrong is talking or sending a message to his mother, after moving out of her house. In the first verse, he is talking to his mother after three weeks of leaving, telling her that he is scared about being on his own. The second part describes him writing to her six months later, now happy to live on his own.

Critical reception

Martin Aston from Music Week noted that "America's latest success story have yet to explode in the UK but that could change." He complimented the song as "a good example of the band's riotous, punk-pop japery, with the added bonus of the band's first UK tour to move things along."^[8]

Music video

A video was released for the song that shows the band playing the song live at Slim's in San Francisco, California with the studio version dubbed over the performance. It is one of two videos not to be included on the band's first DVD, International Supervideos! (the other being "Macy's Day Parade").

According to Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, who can be seen getting kicked in the face in the video by a stage diver, the papers burned on stage in the video were local newspaper articles about Green Day.^[9]

Track listing

"Welcome to Paradise" – 3:45
"Chump" (live) – 2:44
"Emenius Sleepus" – 1:44

Track 2 was recorded on March 11, 1994, at Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Charts

Chart performance for "Welcome to Paradise"
Chart (1994)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[10]	44
Finland Airplay (Suomen virallinen lista)^[11]	37
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[12]	21
Scotland (OCC)^[13]	19
UK Singles (OCC)^[14]	20
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)^[15]	17
US Radio Songs (Billboard)^[16]	56
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)^[17]	7

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Welcome to Paradise"
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[18]	Platinum	80,000^‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[19]	Gold	15,000^‡
United Kingdom (BPI)^[20]	Silver	200,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Welcome to Paradise"
Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United Kingdom	October 17, 1994	12-inch vinyl CD cassette	Reprise WEA International	^[21]

References

^ Egerdahl, Kjersti (January 1, 2010). Green Day: A Musical Biography. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-313-36597-3.
^ "Top 5 Punk Songs to Jam in Your Ride". Chicago Automotive Magazine. Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- "50 Best Punk Songs Of All Time". Consequence of Sound. August 17, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
^ Chicago Automotive Magazine (May 14, 2013). "The 10 Songs Green Day Should Play At Brixton Next Week". Sabotage Times. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- Smith, Troy (March 7, 2022). "The 100 greatest pop punk songs of all time". Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
^ Spitz, Marc (2006). Nobody Likes You: Inside the Turbulent Life, Times, and Music of Green Day. Hyperion Books. ISBN 9781401302740.
^ "Top 5 Punk Songs to Jam in Your Ride". Chicago Automotive Magazine. Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- "50 Best Punk Songs Of All Time". Consequence of Sound. August 17, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
^ Chicago Automotive Magazine (May 14, 2013). "The 10 Songs Green Day Should Play At Brixton Next Week". Sabotage Times. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- Smith, Troy (March 7, 2022). "The 100 greatest pop punk songs of all time". Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
^ Childers, Chad (February 1, 2023). "29 Years Ago: Green Day Release 'Dookie'". Loudwire. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
^ Aston, Martin (October 8, 1994). "Market Preview: Alternative" (PDF). Music Week. p. 16. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
^ "Turned Out a Punk: Episode 390 - Matt Bettinelli-Olpin (Co-Director of Scream, Link 80, Radio Silence Collective, Delores) on Apple Podcasts". Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
^ "Green Day – Welcome to Paradise". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
^ "Chart History" (PDF). Suomen virallinen lista. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
^ "Green Day – Welcome to Paradise". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
^ "Green Day Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
^ "Green Day Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
^ "Canadian single certifications – Green Day – Welcome to Paradise". Music Canada. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Green Day – Welcome to Paradise". Radioscope. Retrieved May 23, 2025. Type Welcome to Paradise in the "Search:" field.
^ "British single certifications – Green Day – Welcome to Paradise". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
^ "Single Releases". Music Week. October 15, 1994. p. 27.

External links

Welcome to Paradise official video on YouTube

[1] Egerdahl, Kjersti (January 1, 2010). Green Day: A Musical Biography. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-313-36597-3.

[2] "Top 5 Punk Songs to Jam in Your Ride". Chicago Automotive Magazine. Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- "50 Best Punk Songs Of All Time". Consequence of Sound. August 17, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2022.

[3] Chicago Automotive Magazine (May 14, 2013). "The 10 Songs Green Day Should Play At Brixton Next Week". Sabotage Times. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- Smith, Troy (March 7, 2022). "The 100 greatest pop punk songs of all time". Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.

[4] Spitz, Marc (2006). Nobody Likes You: Inside the Turbulent Life, Times, and Music of Green Day. Hyperion Books. ISBN 9781401302740.

[5] "Top 5 Punk Songs to Jam in Your Ride". Chicago Automotive Magazine. Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- "50 Best Punk Songs Of All Time". Consequence of Sound. August 17, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2022.

[6] Chicago Automotive Magazine (May 14, 2013). "The 10 Songs Green Day Should Play At Brixton Next Week". Sabotage Times. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- Smith, Troy (March 7, 2022). "The 100 greatest pop punk songs of all time". Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.

[7] Childers, Chad (February 1, 2023). "29 Years Ago: Green Day Release 'Dookie'". Loudwire. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.

[8] Aston, Martin (October 8, 1994). "Market Preview: Alternative" (PDF). Music Week. p. 16. Retrieved June 16, 2025.

[9] "Turned Out a Punk: Episode 390 - Matt Bettinelli-Olpin (Co-Director of Scream, Link 80, Radio Silence Collective, Delores) on Apple Podcasts". Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.

[sc_Australia_Green_Day-10] "Green Day – Welcome to Paradise". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[11] "Chart History" (PDF). Suomen virallinen lista. Retrieved October 20, 2024.

[sc_New_Zealand_Green_Day-12] "Green Day – Welcome to Paradise". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[sc_Scotland_-13] "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2025.

[sc_UK_-14] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2025.

[sc_UKrock_-15] "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2025.

[sc_Billboardradiosongs_Green_Day-16] "Green Day Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[sc_Billboardalternativesongs_Green_Day-17] "Green Day Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[CanadaGreen_DayWelcome_to_ParadisesingleCertRef-18] "Canadian single certifications – Green Day – Welcome to Paradise". Music Canada. Retrieved October 18, 2023.

[New_ZealandGreen_DayWelcome_to_ParadisesingleCertRef-19] "New Zealand single certifications – Green Day – Welcome to Paradise". Radioscope. Retrieved May 23, 2025. Type Welcome to Paradise in the "Search:" field.

[United_KingdomGreen_DayWelcome_to_ParadisesingleCertRef-20] "British single certifications – Green Day – Welcome to Paradise". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 18, 2022.

[21] "Single Releases". Music Week. October 15, 1994. p. 27.

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v t e Green Day
Billie Joe Armstrong Mike Dirnt Tré Cool John Kiffmeyer
Studio albums	39/Smooth Kerplunk Dookie Insomniac Nimrod Warning American Idiot 21st Century Breakdown ¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tré! Revolution Radio Father of All Motherfuckers Saviors
Live albums	Bullet in a Bible Awesome as Fuck Woodstock 1994 BBC Sessions
Compilations	1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours International Superhits! Shenanigans Demolicious Greatest Hits: God's Favorite Band
EPs	1,000 Hours Slappy Sweet Children Bowling Bowling Bowling Parking Parking Tune In, Tokyo... Last Night on Earth: Live in Tokyo 21 Guns
Tours	Pop Disaster Tour American Idiot World Tour 21st Century Breakdown World Tour 99 Revolutions Tour Revolution Radio Tour Hella Mega Tour The Saviors Tour
Associated acts	Foxboro Hot Tubs The Network Pinhead Gunpowder The Frustrators The Lookouts The Big Cats The Influents The Longshot The Coverups
Related articles	Discography List of songs Awards and nominations Adeline Records Seltzer v. Green Day, Inc Punk Bunny Coffee Cigarettes and Valentines Money Money 2020 Stop Drop and Roll!!! American Edit Green Day's American Idiot soundtrack Green Day: Rock Band songs ¡Cuatro! Foreverly "Boulevard of Broken Songs" Ordinary World Love Is for Losers No Fun Mondays Money Money 2020 Part II: We Told Ya So!
Category

v t e Green Day songs
1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours	"Knowledge"
Kerplunk	"Welcome to Paradise"
Dookie	"Longview "Basket Case "She" "When I Come Around"
Insomniac	"Stuck with Me" "Geek Stink Breath" "Brain Stew / Jaded" "Walking Contradiction"
Nimrod	"Nice Guys Finish Last" "Hitchin' a Ride" "Redundant" "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)"
Warning	"Warning" "Waiting" "Minority"
American Idiot	"American Idiot" "Jesus of Suburbia" "Holiday" "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" "Wake Me Up When September Ends"
21st Century Breakdown	"21st Century Breakdown" "Know Your Enemy" "East Jesus Nowhere" "Last of the American Girls" "21 Guns"
Awesome as Fuck	"Cigarettes and Valentines"
¡Uno!	"Let Yourself Go" "Kill the DJ" "Oh Love"
¡Dos!	"Stray Heart" "Amy"
¡Tré!	"X-Kid" "The Forgotten"
Revolution Radio	"Bang Bang" "Revolution Radio" "Still Breathing"
Father of All Motherfuckers	"Father of All..." "Oh Yeah!" "Meet Me on the Roof"
Saviors	"The American Dream Is Killing Me" "Look Ma, No Brains!" "Bobby Sox" "One Eyed Bastard" "Dilemma"
Other songs	"J.A.R." "Xmas Time of the Year" "I Fought the Law" "The Saints Are Coming" "The Simpsons Theme" "Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely" "Dreaming" "Smash It Like Belushi"

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"Welcome to Paradise"
Song by Green Day
from the album Kerplunk
Released	December 17, 1991 (1991-12-17)^[1]
Genre	Punk rock^[2] pop punk^[3]
Length	3:30
Label	Lookout^[4]
Composer(s)	Green Day
Lyricist(s)	Billie Joe Armstrong
Producer(s)	Andy Ernst Green Day