A reference to a 1913 children’s novel, “Pollyanna” is commonly used to describe people who are overly cheerful and optimistic, even when circumstances are terrible. So, when I opened Spotify and saw that Green Day had released a new single called “Pollyanna,” I expected something pessimistic that would poke fun at the idea that we could be returning to normal after the pandemic — or that normal is worth returning to. And I thought I was right — for about two seconds. “Pollyanna” opens with a typical Green Day crash of guitars and drums, only to to swept up by a catchy, upbeat guitar riff that spits the listener into the first verse: “Rainy days and razor blades / I think it’s time to pull up the shades / It’s wonderful to be alive.”
“Pollyanna” continues with surfy synth riffs and uplifting, even cliched lyrics like “Don’t let ’em get you down,” “Hold the truth and never let go,” “Don’t give up,” and “Everything’s gonna be alright.” And there’s no twist — “Pollyanna” is, well, Pollyanna until the very end, when Billie Joe repeats “Don’t let me down / don’t let me down / don’t let me down,” begging the listener to keep going and do their best. And honestly, guys? I kinda needed this. I think we all kinda needed this. “Pollyanna” is a pretty much perfect cheer-up song; the lyrics are lighthearted and inconsequential, it’s an absolute bop, and the title is both an acknowledgement that the whole thing is cheesy, and permission to take it to heart.
