Welcome to high school, young lad! For the next four years you’ll be swinging helplessly on the ropes of teenage society, bobbing your head from the surface in order to stay afloat. For you, a new place with new people may seem daunting, especially for someone as unique as yourself. If there’s anything I remember about my years in high school, it's that unless you fit the boring status quo, it can get pretty lonely. Thankfully for me, whenever I felt sad and alone, I always had music as my closest companion. Even though it may seem that no one understands you, there’s always your favorite band or singer to tell you that everything’s going to be alright (even if it means complaining about life with you).
1. “Teenagers” -- My Chemical Romance
This song shows exactly why high school is the equivalent of the Seventh Circle of Hell. Instead of conveying the struggles poetically, front man Gerard Way unapologetically proclaims that teenagers really suck and that being a teenager is even worse. It teaches us to just let our freak flags fly in order to get by, that the best way to get bullies off your tail is to “darken your clothes or strike a violent pose.” You may be peered at with judging eyes, but let them stare -- you are who you are and you are a total bad-ass!
2. “The Middle” -- Jimmy Eat World
Hey, don’t write yourself off yet. Sometimes it really is only in your head that everyone looks down on you. Out of all the years in pre-adulthood, your middle school and high school years are definitely the most difficult in terms of self-esteem, and that’s totally normal. Like NFG are saying, you’re in the middle of a big ride in your life, but everything will turn out fine for you, even though the drama of high school exams and raging hormones say otherwise. You’re still growing and you can easily have amazing opportunities coming your way, even if the future at the moment seems bleak.
3. “Oh No!” -- Marina and the Diamonds
4. “You’re Not Alone” -- Saosin
5. “We Are Pilots” -- Shiny Toy Guns
While the electronica dance beat of the song leads you to believe that the song has little meaning, it's the lyrics that just break your heart into a million pieces. If you ever wanted to tell your parents to accept you for who you are, instead of bringing it up at dinner or writing an apathetic letter, just play this song and they will totally get it.
6. “The Sound of Settling” -- Death Cab for Cutie
If there were ever a film made about your high school career involving every moment of self-loathing, rebellious high jinks and contemplating who you are, “The Sound of Settling” would be the theme song playing in the trailer. As one of the greatest bands to ever come out of the alternative rock/emo scene of the early 2000s, Death Cab for Cutie know exactly how to pull at the heartstrings of wayward youths.
The lyric, “Our youth is fleeting/ Old age is just around the bend” just sticks to you with its startling reality. Because nothing makes you feel better about high school than thinking about how your life is fleeting and that we will all be dust in the wind. Though depressing, the upbeat music makes you want to go and do something risky yet fulfilling with your life whenever the moment arises.
7. “On My Own” -- The Used
Ever since I heard this song almost seven years ago, I find that there is something about it that just gives me goosebumps. The naked sounds of a simple guitar strum contrast with the sounds of a busy subway station. Bert McCraken belts out that “knowing nothing is better than knowing at all” with so much heart that the only other way to convey his feelings of disenchantment is to scream at the top of his lungs. This song really stays with you. The lyrics are painfully honest and McCraken's performance is stripped-down and heartbreaking.
8. “The Teachers are Afraid of the Pupils"-- Morrissey
Do you feel like none of your stern teachers or annoying parents understand you? That all they wanna do is mold you into the perfect teen? Don’t worry, little one, Uncle Moz understands you. With an ominous sample of Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5” setting the mood for this 11-minute rampage, Morrissey is basically describing what any fed up student would love to do to a difficult teacher, from getting snot on their collar to putting sharp nails on the staff chairs. So basically, if you’ve ever thought about blowing up your school Heathers-style, just listen to this song and let your devious imagination run free instead.
9. “Down” -- Blink 182
Who knew that everyone’s favorite pop-punk trio could be so angsty! This is a song that’s perfect for just going into your room and letting yourself sulk for a bit. Trust me, you’re going to have a lot of those moments, but when you do, Blink’s self-titled album will be your best friend.
10. “Pieces” -- Sum 41
Though the same can be said about most of the songs on this playlist, “Pieces” is the ultimate teen angst anthem. From the first lines -- “I tried to be perfect, but nothing was worth it” -- you understand exactly where the song is going. This is the song you play whenever you try to fit into the high school "it-crowd," only to feel even more alone. But by changing the guitar notes from a gritty tone of moodiness to a slightly more upbeat defiance, the song is really about the fact that sometimes it's better to be alone than to try and be someone you’re not.
No matter what, you are who you are. What you are is beautiful and don’t you dare let anyone tell you otherwise. High school’s tough, but you’re tougher. If I can get through high school, so can you. And if you feel yourself falter, at least you have some good tunes to help you through the days.
