Just after American Idiot cast members took their final bows on the stage of the Roda Theatre, the work continued. A few days following the final performance on Nov. 15, the cast assembled at Green Day's Jingletown recording studio. With Green Day producing, playing, and singing, they recorded a newly orchestrated (by Tom Kitt) version of "21 Guns."
That track — which sounds absolutely incredible — is streaming on Green Day's website.
Here's Billie Joe Armstrong from the press release talking about the recording (shipped to radio Dec. 4 and available for purchase and download on Dec. 22):
"We wanted to record ’21 Guns’ because it represents a pivotal moment in the show when the lead character, sung by John Gallagher, Jr., realizes he needs to get his stuff together,” says Armstrong, who collaborated on the story for American Idiot with Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening). “After the show wrapped, we headed straight to Oakland with the cast to record, and they sung the hell out of it. I couldn’t be happier. It’s great to have something out there for people to hear who didn’t get to see the show.”
It’s been a big week for Green Day and “21 Guns.” The song received two Grammy nominations on Dec. 2: Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Rock Song.
Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown was also nominated for Best Rock Album. The 52nd annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast on CBS Jan. 31, 2010.
Above photo: The cast of American Idiot. Photo by Kevin Berne
I just wish that the cast could record the entire show. They were so amazing that I would love to hear them singing it over and over.
Good job! I dig it! Can't stop playing it over and over.
I keep picturing the scene as I play it over and over too. I miss this show!
they are totally going to record the entire show sooner or later i mean they are going to broadway! =)
this is the best play i have ever seen!!! i give best wishes to my friends in the cast and i also wanna say everybody did a great job! i saw the play 7 times!! it keep on getting better and better each time!!! i miss them and the play.
The magnificent play!!!!!! Tremendous! I am in love with this play!!!!! I've seen it many times too, I don't stop to admire!!!! Excellentl work!
Joanna Riplie
yay! my fav band!!!
i can't stop listening to it! I so miss going to the Theatre and seeing the show! it was the best show I have ever seen and I will be so there in NYC!
Suzanne one of the Canadians:)
This song is awesome.I couldn't stop hearing it.I saw th show 3 times and so much amazed every time.Its like he says"your fate comes walking on broken glass"..Its so pretty.
I agree...bring on the ENTIRE cast recording! Best show EVER!
I saw the show and absolutely loved it. I wish I could have seen it a million times. I hope there will be a CD or recording of the cast doing all the songs.
Amazing show.