Appears on: Insomniac [1995], Brain Stew/Jaded [1996], Bowling Bowling Bowling Parking Parking [1996], Godzilla Soundtrack [1998], International Superhits! [2001], Bullet In A Bible [2005]
Music by: Green Day
Lyrics by: Billie Joe Armstrong
Length: 3:13
Line-up: Billie Joe Armstrong [vocals, guitars], Mike Dirnt [bass, backing vocals], Tre Cool [drums]
Produced by: Rob Cavallo and Green Day
Engineered by: Kevin Army
Mixed by: Jerry Finn
Information
Green Day's joint seventh single along with 'Jaded'. Released in July 1996.
Six official recorded versions of this track are known to exist. The first appearing normally on Insomniac, a stapled together version of both 'Brain Stew' and 'Jaded' into one track which becomes 'Brain Stew/Jaded' with a runtime of 4:44 which appears on the 'Brain Stew/Jaded' single, a clean radio faded ending version which appears on the 'Brain Stew/Jaded' single, a live version recorded March 26, 1996 at Sporthalle, Prague, Czech Republic for Bowling Bowling Bowling Parking Parking, the 'Godzilla Remix' version which appears on the Godzilla soundtrack and a second live version recorded on June 19 2005 at Milton Keynes National Bowl for Bullet In A Bible.
The CD single was available on a limited edition CD shaped like a brain.
"Brain Stew" is actually the name of one of Billie Joe's old friends. He can be seen on the VH1 show 'Green Day: Behind The Music' under the name James Washburn. His picture can be seen on the '39/smooth' vinyl record in the center, as well as in an old picture of Green Day playing live circa 1991 in the pictures section of the remastered version of 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours. His name was also thanked in the liner notes of Kerplunk.
The track was included on Clear Channel's list of "songs with questionable lyrics" following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
'Brain Stew' was featured in the movie Stick It.
Charts
#3 - US Modern Rock Tracks [1996]
#8 - US Mainstream Rock Tracks [1996]
#28 - Official UK Singles Chart [1996]
Lyrics
I'm having trouble trying to sleep
I'm counting sheep but running out
As time ticks by and still I try
No rest for crosstops in my mind
On my own, here we go
My eyes feel like they're gonna bleed
Dried up and bulging out my skull
My mouth is dry, my face is numb
Fucked up and spun out in my room
On my own, here we go
My mind is set on overdrive
The clock is laughing in my face
A crooked spine, my senses dulled
Passed the point of delerium
On my own, here we go
My eyes feel like they're gonna bleed
Dried up and bulging out my skull
My mouth is dry, my face is numb
Fucked up and spun out in my room
On my own, here we go
Commercial Release
Tracks released with these singles:
* Brain Stew / Jaded
* Do Da Da
* Good Riddance
* Brain Stew (Clean Radio Edit)
