To the band's surprise, this song became popular among high school students and at proms, due to the fact that many adults may experience nostalgia, realizing they have allegedly left their childhood, friends, and other things behind. Good Riddance was originally written as a sarcastic message to Billie's girlfriend, who left him and went to Ecuador. He once stated it was like "you broke my heart, I hope you have had the time of your life doing it."