Warning (Green Day song)

"Warning"
"Warning"
Single by Green Day
from the album Warning
B-side	"Scumbag"; "Outsider";
Released	December 11, 2000
Genre	Acoustic rock; pop rock;
Length	3:41
Label	Adeline; Reprise;
Composer	Green Day
Lyricist	Billie Joe Armstrong
Producer	Green Day
Green Day singles chronology
Music video
	"Warning" on YouTube

"Warning" is a song by American rock band Green Day. It is the second single and title track from their sixth album of the same name. The song was a number-three modern-rock hit in the United States. The song also peaked at No. 27 on the UK Singles Chart, and No. 1 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart.

Composition

The main guitar riff of "Warning" has been compared to the Kinks' song "Picture Book".^[3]

Music video

The music video for "Warning" premiered on MTV in January 2001. It was directed by Francis Lawrence and shows the life of a rather oblivious young man who does dangerous, socially unacceptable and trivial things during his day. His punch-in card reveals his name to be John Earle.

Live performances

Despite being included in the band's greatest hits albums International Superhits! and God's Favorite Band, as well as appearing as a playable track in the video game Green Day: Rock Band, the band did not perform the song live for 21 years since 2001, until it was performed during a warm-up show before their performance at the 2022 Lollapalooza.^[4]

Track listings

US 7-inch single^[5]

A1. "Warning"

B1. "Scumbag"

B2. "Outsider"

UK CD1^[6]

"Warning" (album version) – 3:42
"Scumbag" – 1:44
"I Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely" – 3:08

UK CD2^[7]

"Warning" (album version) – 3:42
"Outsider" – 2:17
"Suffocate" – 2:57

UK 7-inch single^[8]

A. "Warning" (album version) – 3:42

B. "Suffocate"

Australian CD single^[9]

"Warning" – 3:42
"Minority" (album version)
"Scumbag" – 1:44
"Outsider" – 2:17

Japanese CD single^[10]

"Warning" – 3:42
"Scumbag" – 1:44
"Outsider" – 2:17
"I Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely" – 3:08

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Warning"
Chart (2000–2001)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[11]	19
Canada (BDS)^[12]	54
Ireland (IRMA)^[13]	46
Italy (FIMI)^[14]	49
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[15]	37
Poland (PiF PaF)^[16]	12
Scottish Singles Sales (Official Charts)^[17]	23
UK Singles (Official Charts)^[18]	27
UK Rock & Metal (Official Charts)^[19]	1
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)^[20]	14
US Adult Alternative Airplay (Billboard)^[21]	7
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)^[22]	31
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)^[23]	3
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)^[24]	24

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Warning"
Chart (2001)	Position
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[25]	30
US Triple-A (Billboard)^[26]	48

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Warning"
Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	December 5, 2000	Active rock radio	Reprise	^[27]
United Kingdom	December 11, 2000	7-inch vinyl CD		^[28]
Japan	December 20, 2000	CD		^[29]
Australia	January 15, 2001	CD		^[30]
United States	February 12, 2001	Hot adult contemporary radio		^[31]
United States	February 13, 2001	Contemporary hit radio		^[31]

References

↑ "Green Day – Warning Review". Alternative Press. June 22, 2010. Retrieved May 9, 2022. When Warning kicks off with the title track, the straightforward acoustic rocker shows promise for the album
↑ "Warning: by Green Day". Apple Music. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
↑ Fowles, Paul; Wade, Graham (February 23, 2012). Concise History of Rock Music. Mel Bay Publications. p. 341. ISBN 9781619110168.
↑ Shutler, Ali (July 30, 2022). "Green Day perform deep cuts at Lollapalooza warm-up show". NME. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
↑ Warning (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Adeline Records. 2000. AR014.
↑ Warning (UK CD1 liner notes). Reprise Records. 2000. W548CD1, 9362-44958-2.
↑ Warning (UK CD2 liner notes). Reprise Records. 2000. W548CD2, 9362-44959-2.
↑ Warning (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Reprise Records. 2000. W548.
↑ Warning (Australian CD single liner notes). Reprise Records. 2001. 9362449702.
↑ Warning (Japanese CD single liner notes). Reprise Records. 2001. WPCR-10852.
↑ "Green Day – Warning". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
↑ "The Hits Chart". Archived from the original on March 20, 2001.
↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Green Day". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
↑ "Green Day – Warning". Top Digital Download. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
↑ "Green Day – Warning". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
↑ "Poland: Airplay Chart - Lista Krajowa 04/2001" Retrieved September 4, 2015.
↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 23/12/2000 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
↑ "Official Singles Chart on 23/12/2000 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
↑ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart on 23/12/2000 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
↑ "Green Day Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
↑ "Green Day Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
↑ "Green Day Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
↑ "Green Day Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
↑ "Green Day Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
↑ "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-72.
↑ "Most-Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 45.
↑ "Going for Adds: Active Rock". Radio & Records. No. 1379. December 1, 2000. p. 97.
↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting December 11, 2000: Singles". Music Week. December 9, 2000. p. 27.
↑ "ウォーニング | グリーン・デイ" [Warning | Green Day] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 15th January 2001" (PDF). ARIA. January 15, 2001. p. 19. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 22, 2008. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
↑ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1388. February 9, 2001. pp. 69, 112.

[altpress-1] "Green Day – Warning Review". Alternative Press. June 22, 2010. Retrieved May 9, 2022. When Warning kicks off with the title track, the straightforward acoustic rocker shows promise for the album

[applemusic-2] "Warning: by Green Day". Apple Music. Retrieved May 3, 2026.

[3] Fowles, Paul; Wade, Graham (February 23, 2012). Concise History of Rock Music. Mel Bay Publications. p. 341. ISBN 9781619110168.

[4] Shutler, Ali (July 30, 2022). "Green Day perform deep cuts at Lollapalooza warm-up show". NME. Retrieved August 13, 2022.

[5] Warning (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Adeline Records. 2000. AR014.

[6] Warning (UK CD1 liner notes). Reprise Records. 2000. W548CD1, 9362-44958-2.

[7] Warning (UK CD2 liner notes). Reprise Records. 2000. W548CD2, 9362-44959-2.

[8] Warning (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Reprise Records. 2000. W548.

[9] Warning (Australian CD single liner notes). Reprise Records. 2001. 9362449702.

[10] Warning (Japanese CD single liner notes). Reprise Records. 2001. WPCR-10852.

[sc_Australia_Green_Day-11] "Green Day – Warning". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[12] "The Hits Chart". Archived from the original on March 20, 2001.

[sc_Ireland3_Green_Day-13] "Irish-charts.com – Discography Green Day". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 24, 2020.

[sc_Italy_Green_Day-14] "Green Day – Warning". Top Digital Download. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[sc_New_Zealand_Green_Day-15] "Green Day – Warning". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[16] "Poland: Airplay Chart - Lista Krajowa 04/2001" Retrieved September 4, 2015.

[sc_Scotland_-17] "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 23/12/2000 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2018.

[sc_UK_-18] "Official Singles Chart on 23/12/2000 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2018.

[sc_UKrock_-19] "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart on 23/12/2000 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2018.

[sc_Billboardbubbling100_Green_Day-20] "Green Day Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2020.

[sc_Billboardadultalternativesongs_Green_Day-21] "Green Day Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[sc_Billboardadultpopsongs_Green_Day-22] "Green Day Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[sc_Billboardalternativesongs_Green_Day-23] "Green Day Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[sc_Billboardmainstreamrock_Green_Day-24] "Green Day Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[25] "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-72.

[26] "Most-Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 45.

[27] "Going for Adds: Active Rock". Radio & Records. No. 1379. December 1, 2000. p. 97.

[28] "New Releases – For Week Starting December 11, 2000: Singles". Music Week. December 9, 2000. p. 27.

[29] "ウォーニング | グリーン・デイ" [Warning | Green Day] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 24, 2024.

[30] "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 15th January 2001" (PDF). ARIA. January 15, 2001. p. 19. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 22, 2008. Retrieved March 24, 2024.

[31] "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1388. February 9, 2001. pp. 69, 112.

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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 Jason White 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 Nimrods Love Is for Losers No Fun Mondays Money Money 2020 Part II: We Told Ya So!
Category

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"