Restless Heart Syndrome is the 13th track on Green Day's eighth studio album, 21st Century Breakdown. It is also the final song in Act II of the album called "Charlatans and Saints."
Song Meaning[]
In context of the album, the song is about pharmaceuticals and the junkies who use the prescription drugs which eventually turns into an addiction problem. Christian, a man who's usually powered by fire and hatred in his heart in previous songs, is seen here as self-loathing and lack of any emotion. Gloria, who already has an addiction problem seen in songs like Before the Lobotomy, has more of her addiction issues portrayed here. The lyric, "I am my own worst enemy" is a throwback to an earlier song called Know Your Enemy where the narrator expresses distrust in the system, a system which he later falls victim to in this song.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I've got a really bad disease
It's got me begging on my hands and knees
So, take me to emergency
'Cause something seems to be missing
Somebody, take the pain away
It's like an ulcer bleeding in my brain
So, send me to the pharmacy
So I can lose my memory
[Chorus]
I'm elated, medicated
Lord knows I tried to find a way
To run away
[Verse 2]
I think they found another cure
For broken hearts and feeling insecure
You'd be surprised what I endure
What makes you feel so self-assured?
I need to find a place to hide
You never know what could be waiting outside
The accidents that you could find
It's like some kind of suicide
[Chorus]
So what ails you is what impales you
I feel like I've been crucified
To be satisfied
[Bridge]
I'm a victim of my symptom
I am my own worst enemy
You're a victim of your symptom
You are your own worst enemy
Know your enemy
[Guitar Solo]
[Breakdown]
I'm elated, medicated
I am my own worst enemy
So, what ails you is what impales you
You are your own worst enemy
You're a victim of the system
You are your own worst enemy
You're a victim of the system
You are your own worst enemy