It was the era of deep side parts, panda-eyed eyeliner and nobody understanding you. You only listened to a select few bands and you were like, totally rolling your eyes at all those preppy girls. The most popular phrase of this era? Well, you guessed it: Mom, It's NOT a phase! You just couldn't understand why she wouldn't let you anything you wanted like get your nose pierced, dye your hair or go to Vans Warped Tour to see all of your favorite bands. So there you were, stuck listening to them on your iPod Nano tucked away inside your room; scrolling through all of those emo posts on tumblr.
Here are the songs that were crucial to not only your little emo soul, but your iTunes library.
1. Sugar, We're Going Down - Fall Out Boy
The first few chords are sure to get your emo heart racing. FOB is a classic in terms of representing your middle school self. We're not talking anything after "Infinity on High" though because lets be honest, Fall Out Boy's sound changed after all those jams came out.
2. I Write Sins Not Tragedies - Panic! At The Disco
Most definitely one of the most iconic songs. Everyone knows these words but it would be just down right wrong for your playlist not to have this banger in it. Go on, scream it on the top of your lungs. I'll be right there with you.
3. All The Small Things - Blink-182
With the return of Blink-182 it would be wrong of me not to include them in this playlist. It was hard to pick a song but this is a jam within itself. If you aren't excited about their return, you're lying to yourself.
4. Face Down - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
You may not remember this song by name but I promise you after you press play, you'll be head banging in no time.
5. Welcome To The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance
Definitely one of the most emo songs of the century. This ties together the unofficial holy trinity of emo bands with Fall Out Boy and P!ATD.
6. Misery Business - Paramore
Hayley Williams. Every scene girl's inspiration. You just wished you could dye your hair all those crazy colors and join a band.
7. Mr. Brightside - The Killers
If this song is wrong, I sure don't want to be right. I still get giddy when I hear this song and all I can do is belt out every single word, melodramatically of course.
8. Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day
Billie Joe really channeled his emo kid in this song. Plus the eyeliner. Like dude, you understood me.
9. Ocean Avenue - Yellowcard
I just had to include this song not only for the sheer fact that it's a jam, but because Yellowcard is breaking up and my middle school self is sad. I am definitely going to see them on their last tour before they break up and I suggest you do too. At least to cleanse your emo soul.
10. Love Drunk - Boys Like Girls
I'm probably just biased because I love them so much, but BLG had so many great hits in their prime. They're doing a tour where they sing the entirety of their first album so naturally, I'm flying to a different state to attend. In my emo prime I got pulled up on stage to sing with them so lets try and go for round 2?
I hope these songs brought back some dramatic and yes, very emo memories. It sure did for me considering I had a list of about 35 songs to narrow down.
May your days be filled with better hairstyles, less dramatic eye-liner and even better music.
Pop punk isn't dead, right?