Amy (song)

"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 an acoustic ballad written in tribute to Amy Winehouse, and marked a departure from the band's typical sound.

This article is about the song by Green Day. For other songs, see Amy (disambiguation) § Music.
"Amy"
Song by Green Day
from the album ¡Dos!
ReleasedNovember 9, 2012 (2012-11-09)
Recorded2012
StudioJingletown Studios, Oakland, California
Genre
Length3:25
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Rob Cavallo, Green Day

Background and composition
Amy Winehouse, who "Amy" was written in tribute for

"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 at a secret charity show in Costa Mesa, California on August 12, less than a month after Winehouse's death,[4][5] before being officially released as the closing track on their studio album ¡Dos! on November 9, 2012.[6]

The song is a mournful ballad incorporating the jazz-inspired styles of Winehouse through "stripped-back guitar work" and "sparse fingerpicking" reminiscent of lounge music.[1][7] Lyrically, the song contains multiple allusions to Winehouse's "troubled" life and death, and speaks about Armstrong's desire to have met the late singer.[8][9][10] Because of its contrast to previous Green Day songs, and with the other songs in ¡Dos!, "Amy" has been compared to "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" for their acoustic sound and mellow nature.[11] Armstrong explained this difference by stating that the somber tone of the song deals with the "consequences of the party."[2][12]

Reception

"Amy" has received a positive reception since its release, with critics calling it "heartfelt" and a standout on ¡Dos![13][14] Rolling Stone described "Amy" as a "mascara-streaked soul ballad... where Billie Joe Armstrong makes like the skate-park Sam Cooke",[15] while Loudwire praised how the song experimented with sounds reminiscent of The Everly Brothers.[16] The Guardian called the song a "surprisingly poignant tribute",[17] while critics at NME praised the song as "slight but touching."[10] Billboard specifically took note of the song's "unadorned" nature, calling it one of the band's strongest ballads.[18] However, the song has also been described by critics at Consequence as an "uncomfortable ode".[19] In addition, The A.V. Club commented that "sentiment isn't enough to salvage the song," calling the song "listless".[20]

Credits and personnel

References
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. "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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. "Green Day – ¡Dos!". Discogs. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  7. 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.
  8. Kaufman, Gil (August 16, 2011). "Green Day Debut Amy Winehouse Tribute Song". MTV. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  9. "Green Day unveil Amy Winehouse tribute". Elle Canada. August 16, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  10. "Green Day – '¡Dos!'". NME. November 9, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. Keefe, Jonathan (November 12, 2012). "Review: Green Day, Dos". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  14. 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.
  15. Dolan, Jon (November 12, 2012). "¡Dos!". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  16. Childers, Chad (November 13, 2012). "Green Day, '¡Dos!' – Album Review". Loudwire. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  17. Mongredien, Phil (November 10, 2012). "Green Day: ¡Dos! – review". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  18. Lipshutz, Jason (December 20, 2012). "Green Day's Album Trilogy: What Happened with 'Uno!,' 'Dos!' and 'Tre!'?". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  19. Roffman, Michael (November 13, 2012). "Album Review: Green Day – ¡Dos!". Consequence. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  20. Heller, Jason (November 13, 2012). "Green Day: ¡Dos!". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.