Blink-182 is one of those bands that simply will never get old. I enjoy listening to them as much now as I did when I was in 7th grade. Their timeless songs cover every single area that teenagers and college-aged kids will ever possibly encounter. Most importantly, they’re just big little kids… there’s a reason they’ve been around for (mostly) 23 years and why they’re still performing at venues like Firefly Music Festival, come June 2016. But what Blink does the best in my opinion is they say the words that kids in that weird age don’t even know they’re thinking themselves. Some of their lyrics are downright honest, some are ridiculous, some are really poetic, and some just make no sense. Here are some of my favorite lyrics of theirs about growing up and being a confused/emotional teenager that are overlooked behind “What’s My Age Again”? and “All the Small Things”:

1. “If we’re f*cked up, you’re to blame” - Anthem Part 2

This entire song focuses on how kids in our generation get blamed for being “bad” or “lazy” when in retrospect, who raised us? The generation before us. The lyrics of this song highlight that in a witty and clever way.

2. “I see them everyday, we get along so why can’t they?” - Stay Together for the Kids

This song tells a story of a divorce from a kid’s point of view. This lyric reflects how terribly tragic a divorce is for children, because they feel like they’re getting the worst end of it when in reality, they did absolutely nothing wrong. The kids are innocent, but are punished as if they aren’t.

3. “I said ‘Don’t let your future be destroyed by my past’, she said ‘Don’t let my door hit your ass’” - Don’t Leave Me

Having a sense of humor after a failed relationship is what Blink-182 does best.

4. “F*ck this place! I lost the war, I hate you all, your mom’s a whore, where’s my dog? Girls are such a drag” - Dysentery Gary

… See what I mean?

5. “Tidal waves they rip right through me, tears from eyes worn cold and sad, pick me up now I need you so bad” - Down

But sometimes, the lyrics are more reflective and perfectly hit the nail on the head about what it feels like to go through a rough patch with your boyfriend/girlfriend. Even though your partner is the one causing you the pain, for some reason, you still think they’re the only person that can make you feel better.

6. “But everybody’s gone, and I’ve been here for to long to face this on my own, well I guess this is growing up” - Dammit

Everyone has that “wow being an adult is hard” moment at some point in college and this lyric sums up that “accept it and move on” type of mentality.

7. “Where are you now? I can hear footsteps, I’m dreaming. And if you will keep me from waking to believe this” - I’m Lost Without You

Another lyric showcasing how it feels hopeless to even do anything other than stay in bed and sleep after a really tough break up.

8. “WHERE ARE YOU? AND I’M SO SORRY!” - I Miss You

If you listen to this song and don’t absolutely scream this lyric then do you even like Blink?!

9. “I can’t get my feet up off the edge, I kinda like the little rush you get when you’re standing close to death… like when you’re driving me crazy” - After Midnight

This song talks about how with each relationship, the same messed up pattern ensues, yet he keeps engaging in these relationships. This happens all the time! You say you won’t fall for the same type of guy/girl again and then you just do. It's because of that "rush."

10. “Please tell mom this is not her fault” - Adam’s Song

This song is tough and explores a male protagonist Adam discussing how much better his life is when he’s by himself. This lyric culminates the whole idea of what being depressed is: it’s not like the depressed person can just snap out of it, as it is completely out of his or her control. To me, this song seems like a suicide note to a sibling, where he is telling that sibling: “I know mom will be sad, but don’t let her blame herself, I know what I'm doing." I feel like extreme depression is more common in teenagers than one may think but it is still an issue and it must be taken seriously.

11. “Push it out, fake a smile, avert disaster, just in time” - Story of a Lonely Guy

Honestly, this is what needs to be done some days. Some days, even if you’re so sad or so upset, you can’t let others see that. You need to knock it out and act like everything is okay in order to “avert [the] disaster” of either drawing attention to yourself or of finally admitting to yourself this thing is really bothering you.

12. “Apologize for the past, talk some sh*t, take it back, are we cursed to this life?” - Here’s Your Letter

This lyric is applicable to a relationship, to a friendship, to a family situation, etc. all focusing on the more in-depth question of can someone get over their past without letting it define who they are?

13. “Please don’t look at me with those eyes, please don’t hint that you’re capable of lies” - First Date

This is one of the most fun songs by Blink, in which the lyricist is taking the audience through him getting ready to go on his first date with a girl he really likes. Here he is pleading with this girl in his mind because he can already tell that she’s got him hooked just by the way he feels when he looks at her, and they’re only on their first date.

There are so many times in my life where I was either angry or upset about something and all I needed to do in order to feel better was to blast Blink-182. In times when I felt like I was alone, either physically or in a certain feeling, I always felt like they just got me. And that's what great music does, it makes you feel like you have that secret weapon that can keep your head in the game even when you feel like it'd be easier to just give in to whatever made you upset/sad in the first place.