I would say I hit my emo phase a little late. Most people talk about the early to mid-2000s, but I really dove deep into the world of emo circa 2011. I had a lot of catching up to do, but I made sure not to miss out on the key songs that I would need to survive. The angst that emanated from these songs made us who we were and stuck with us for the long run. Some of these songs, I haven't even thought of in years. This is also in no way a complete list, but these really stuck out to me and threw me way back in time. Middle school was weird, but some of the music was pretty alright.
"Sugar, We're Goin Down" by Fall Out Boy was a staple for all of us.
Of course, this one is a classic and of course it would make it to this list. Not gonna lie, this one is till a staple to many of my playlists. Quite a throwback.
"We Own The Night" by Dance Gavin Dance isn't as well known, but just as good.
This song didn't come out until 2015, but in my lasting days as an emo kid, I loved this song.
"To Sheila" by The Smashing Pumpkins was all I needed to fall asleep.
While a lot of the music I listened to was angsty and upbeat, this song is mellow and whimsical. Which was perfect to let hit me in my feels at ten at night.
"I Write Sins Not Tragedies" by Panic! At The Disco is maybe top five most iconic emo anthems of all time.
Not only is this a classic, but Panic! was the group that primarily got me into punk and emo music. So, of course it belongs on this list.
"Reckless & Relentless" by Asking Alexandria may have just been my friend group, but this song ruled our world.
This is more on the "screamo" side of the spectrum, but if you were into Asking Alexandria at all, it's likely that this was one of your favorites.
"The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World was one of my personal favorites.
I don't know if everyone would agree with this, but I know this song had a lot of significance to me when I was younger. It was one of my favorite songs to play on Rock Band!
''Zombie" by The Cranberries was just the edgy song that I needed for long car rides that my dad would agree to listen to.
While this song came out in the 90s, it's still so loved by everyone and it's one of my personal favorites.
"Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance is the one true staple song for all former emo kids, no matter what.
All you have to do is hit that G note and they all come running.
"Check Yes, Juliet" by We The Kings had me dreaming about forbidden romances, just like Romeo and Julitet.
As much as I dislike "Romeo and Juliet", I love this song.
"Face Down" by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus had me rocking out before I was even an emo kid.
I don't remember how I know this song, but I've been listening to it since I was super young.
"Ocean Avenue" by Yellowcard had me wanting to run away and be free.
My best friend introduced me to this song and it was literally all we listened to.
“Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance was the song of revolution and still is.
I’ve been hearing this song a lot lately and in the air of Gen Z taking control of revolution, it’s very fitting.
“Miserable At Best“ by Mayday Parade really just spoke to us.
Hit me right in my feels every time.
“Misery Business“ by Paramore made us all feel super cool for being able to keep up with the lyrics.
While I don’t approve of the message of the song, it’s something I find myself listening to often and I love the female representation given by Paramore.
