Holiday / Boulevard of Broken Dreams

"Holiday" is about the American government and society during the Iraq War. It begins by commenting on how the thousands of dead Americans and Iraqis are nameless to the average American citizen. The song then shines a spotlight on the corporate greed and corruption involved in the "rebuilding" effort, and shows how the average protester realizes that the pro-war money men have more power than they can ever have. It also points out the irony of the Christian right-wing feeling religiously justified in this war: "Can I get another 'Amen'? There's a flag wrapped around the score of men."

This follows the story on the album. Jesus of Suburbia has just left town and he's living his life on the streets ("Hear the sound of the falling rain..."). He's speaking out loud and acting in vain, but it seems like he's talking himself into believing that running away was the right thing to do, explaining his reasons of discontent to himself. He still feels alone, and shunned from society, but it seems he feels a little more self-confidence and happiness out on the road. It's Jesus of Suburbia yelling out and expressing his own dead beliefs onto the world. Like screaming into mid air.

To go "on holiday" is to go on vacation, so in the context of the album it's like an escape, a runaway. The song then leads us into the desolate Boulevard Of Broken Dreams