Billie Joe Armstrong sings Italian in his latest "No Fun Mondays" cover on Wednesday (April 29) with Don Backy's "Amico."
The Green Day frontman brings new life to the Italian singer and actor's song with an updated power pop twist. In the cover video posted on the band's YouTube channel, Armstrong prefaced the video as "Welcome to No fun hump day" and notes in the caption's post-script to "please excuse my Italian."
Don Backy's original "Amico," with its 50's and 60's rock and roll vibe, was reimagined by Billie Joe Armstrong to have more prominent percussions, highlighted by the rolling drums and tambourines and upbeat guitar riffs. The music video contained the standard "No Fun Mondays" montage of Green Day performing on stage, plus an ink brush writing of the lyrics on a sketchbook.
Even though Armstrong rocks through the song, he surprisingly pins down the subtleties and sensitivities that instantly identify the Italian accent. He easily sings the chorus "Amico/ Canta ancora insieme a me/ Ridi ancora insieme a me," with the signature Green Day vocals fans have come to know and love. "Amico" in Italian translates to "friend" and tells the story of a heartbroken friend the singer tries to help and cheer up.
Fans were quick to relate to Armstrong's apparent loss of touch with the days of the week, releasing a welcome addition to his "No Fun Mondays" playlist on a Wednesday. Other fans lauded his Italian, which, given the power pop melody he sang to, was too awesome to even point out.
Italian-speaking fans are pleased with Billie Joe Armstrong's cover of the Italian song "Amico."
"Amico" marks the seventh entry in Billie Joe Armstrong's quarantine series, and the second this week. He already released his scheduled Monday entry with a punk rock makeover of The Starjets' 1979 hit "War Stories." He has previously released an unofficial debut with "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tommy James and the Shondells. His "No Fun Mondays" has also treated fans with a collab between Armstrong and The Bangles' Susanna Hoffs in their hit single "Manic Monday."
Billie Joe Armstrong's cover series is his ongoing effort to keep in touch with his fans in the middle of quarantine, keeping his promise of releasing covers "until we're let back out into the world."
Aside from his "No Fun Mondays," the Green Day frontman has also actively participated in fundraisers supporting the fight against the global coronavirus pandemic. Last April 18, Armstrong delivered an emotional performance of the Green Day anthem "Wake Me Up When September Ends" as a part of the World Health Organization and Global Citizen's "One World: Together At Home" charity event. His solemn performance of the song he originally wrote for his father, plus the images of deserted streets, sent the event curator, Lady Gaga, into tears.
Also, Billie Joe recently brought his hit covers series to the latest edition "The Late Late Show with James Corden." The Armstrong household performed "I Think We're Alone Now" as Billie Joe played rhythm and sang vocals while his sons Jakob and Joey covered with their guitar and drums.
Watch Billie Joe sing in Italian with "Amico" below:
