About Still Breathing

"Still Breathing" is a song by American rock band Green Day. It was released on November 12, 2016, as the second single from their twelfth studio album, Revolution Radio (2016). It is considered to be an emotionally dark song that explores the theme of individuals finding strength in the face of hardship and tough times. The song's music video – released on November 7, 2016 – reflected upon that theme. "Still Breathing" received positive critical reception and was praised for its sentimental concept and spirited musical composition. It peaked at number one on the US Alternative Songs, Mainstream Rock, Rock Airplay, and Canada Rock charts, and appeared on various other international charts In 2014 – following the band's 99 Revolutions Tour, in support of ¡Uno! ¡Dos! and ¡Tré! (2012)– Billie Joe Armstrong started testing and recording material at his new studio, Otis, in Oakland, California. The first song that Armstrong wrote was "Bang Bang", the first single released from their 2016 album Revolution Radio. That song reminded critics of Green Day's earlier work.

Following that, "Still Breathing" was released as the second single from the album and was also compared to the band's earlier works. The new song was described as dark and unsettling, with a theme of staying strong in the face of adversity and overcoming it. The song explores the lives of individuals addicted to drugs and gambling, fatherless children, single mothers, and soldiers returning from war, with their stories intertwined throughout the song. Considered to be more emotional than the lead single, "Still Breathing" is characterized as a "serious" track. Armstrong intended to make others happy, and to make a difference, by getting people to recognize themselves in the song. He described the track as "a very heavy song", and further explained, "Sometimes I run away from being too heavy. But sometimes it just comes out that way." While commenting on the chorus, I'm still breathing on my own, he added, "at some point, we're all going to have to be on life support. As time goes on, your thoughts get darker." The song samples the melody for the verses from The Struts' "Could Have Been Me" and their members are credited as co-writers.