Wish it were Sunday? So does Billie Joe Armstrong. For his latest No Fun Mondays cover, the Green Day frontman took on The Bangles’ 1986 hit “Manic Monday.” But he had a special guest appearance — and it was none other than Bangles lead vocalist and founding member Susanna Hoffs.
In the music video shared to Green Day’s YouTube page, the rocker is sitting on his couch, calmly singing as his tiny little dog snoozes on the couch cushion behind him. Meanwhile, in the split screen, Hoffs is rocking out on her guitar as the sun filters into her home. The Bangles’ Prince-penned hit reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in April 1986 — kept out of the top spot by Prince’s own “Kiss.”
Armstrong has been releasing a new cover of a classic song since March 23, as more and more people around the nation are sheltering at home to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. His first cover was Tommy James & the Shondells’ “I Think We’re Alone Now.” At the time, the Green Day singer told fans in a YouTube caption: “While we’ve all been in quarantine I’ve been reflecting on the things that matter most in my life. Family, friends and of course music. … I figure if we have to spend time in isolation at least we can be alone together.”
His second cover during the quarantine, released March 30, was “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory” by Johnny Thunders. Besides classic tunes by other bands, the rocker also participated in the iHeart Living Room Concert for America on March 29. During that special live telecast to raise money for COVID-19 relief, Armstrong performed an acoustic version of Green Day’s 2004 hit “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”
Since the coronavirus pandemic has spread globally, numerous musicians have canceled and postponed shows, including Green Day, who recently released their new album Father of All Motherf—–s. But like Armstrong, many artists have found other ways to connect with fans, including doing live-stream performances from their homes.
