“When I Come Around” is about a boy who wants to be in a casual relationship, but has become involved with a girl who wants something more serious; his insecurities and poor self-image are detailed throughout.

The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on January 7, 1995, and remained there for seven weeks. Though “When I Come Around” was released as part of the album Dookie in 1994, it was re-released as a single in Europe and Japan in 1995.