Play It Again: Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)

It’s been a bittersweet week here at Tattoodo. While the ship continues to run its course as we bring you the best in tattoo journalism, this week saw us saying goodbye to perhaps the sanest and most competent pair of hands on the wheel, our own Hateful Kate. I figured what better way to say goodbye than to try my hand at a article on song lyrics, one of the staples of her quality contributions. And, even though the title doesn’t quite give off the right feeling, today we’re looking at some Good Riddance tattoos.

Good Riddance is the song that finally ruined Green Day for me. While it is so far removed from what I considered to be Green Day’s sound up until that point, it became the band’s biggest hit and the song that they are, sadly, most often associated with. Now ubiquitous at graduation celebrations, this song was played out after the third time I listened to “Nimrod.”

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road

Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go

So make the best of this test, and don't ask why

It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right

I hope you had the time of your life

We all face crossroads in our lives, and Hateful Kate has left us to do some good work for the

Theatre of the Oppressed. We’re all sure she’s going to be a shining assist to this fine organization, just as she was to ours. And what better way to say goodbye than with some tattoos of super clichéd lyrics? So join us in bidding her a fond farewell the only way we know how – with highly questionable Green Day tattoos.

If I could get personal for a second here, when I started here I’d never really written professionally. At least not alongside a team of other people. The first couple weeks I was racked with anxiety, wanting to figure out the ins and outs of this gig and generally not fuck up. I had no clue what I was doing. And Kate was there for me every step of the way, showing me the ropes with endless patience and encouragement. Under her wing, I grew as a writer. As her friend, I’ve grown as a person. And I am going to miss her so much, as will all of us at Tattoodo. Thank you so much for everything, Kate. Things won’t be the same around here without you.

Anyway, look at these Good Riddance tattoos.

Our lives are nothing but a series of temporary situations. Change is constant. But sometimes that change is a tough pill to swallow, but we all must endure, all the while hoping for a brighter future. So, good riddance, Hateful Kate. I hope you had the time of your life.