Grenade Jumper

Album: Take This To Your Grave (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title of this song refers to a person who is such a good friend they would jump on a grenade for you. It is aimed towards the band's friend Chris Gutierrez (he's the "Chris" in the lyrics). Gutierrez was in the band Arma Angelus with Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz. Because of the song, Chris is now known to fans as HeyChris. For a while he had his own website at askheychris.com. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jules - W Bloomfield, MI
  • In their early days, Fall Out Boy earned a reputation as the band who would play anywhere, often in exchange for little-to-no money, and at times even accepting pizza as payment. The cash-strapped band also had to get creative in finding places to crash. That's where the "grenade jumper" came in. In 2013, bassist Pete Wentz told Alternative Press the phrase was about "whoever would be the person that would have…um, relations Biblically with a girl in order to have the rest of the band stay at the house."
  • Take This To The Grave is the band's debut studio album. Upon its release, it didn't attract much fanfare from critics but in retrospect, it's hailed as a pop-punk masterpiece that revitalized the genre. This track in particular inspired a pop-punk band from Sydney, Australia, who adopted the moniker Grenade Jumper.
  • This was used in the 2004 video game Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood.

Comments: 10

  • Mary from Fort Worth, TxPete and Chris aren't fighting anymore, they made up after IOH came out and everything is all good with them as it has been for a few years now.
  • Shayna2013 from Piketon, Ohits so sad that pete and heychris arent friends anymore..maybe in time theyll have one of those "lifes short, so lets get over it" moments.. that would be great..i know there are a few people in my life that i would for sure jump on a grenade for..and i dont think there would ever be ay argument that would ever change that..
  • Kayla from Port Orcard, WaPete and HeyChris aren't friends anymore.
    Its sad
  • Shelby from North Augusta, Scpete wentz and chris arent friends anymore because of something to do with chris's girlfriend and pete or something like but if you look on fuct (from under the cork tree) in the thank yous you will that heychris is not thanked
  • Jimmy from Farmington, NmI LOVE this song, I can relate to how they feel about their friend. Pete and Chris will tough it out and still be friends ( if thry are fighting).
    And Patrick Stump is HOTT!!!
  • Melissa from Toledo, OhPete and Chris are fighting. They're not friends anymore.
  • Ruben from Wenatchee, WaI think this song has a jump beat to it and its kewl that they spend there time making this song about one of there good friends and Fall out boy comes up with intresting lyrics...... P.S. Fall out boy R.O.L. with means rock out loud
  • Galina from New London, CtLove Fall Out Boy and this song. I have some people in mind who I would jump a grenade for. :)
  • Joe from Chicago, Ari heard this song somewhere but i forget where well anyway this is a great song and i think fall out boy rock and are much better then simple plan or good charlotte
  • Melissa from Toledo, OhI love this song. I think its really cool how they wrote a song for their best friend. It rocks
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Curt Kirkwood of Meat Puppets

Curt Kirkwood of Meat PuppetsSongwriter Interviews

The (Meat)puppetmaster takes us through songs like "Lake Of Fire" and "Backwater," and talks about performing with Kurt Cobain on MTV Unplugged.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Joan Armatrading

Joan ArmatradingSongwriter Interviews

The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."