Entertainment
21 of the Most Emo Lyrics From the Early '00s That Will Bring Back the Glory Days of Pop-Punk
Get ready for your bleeding heart from high school to be ripped back open, Saves the Day and Say Anything are going on tour along with Reggie and the Full Effect. And if that's not enough to get the baseball tees and Chucks out of your closet, they're each playing full albums from start to finish. Saves the Day will have you moshing and crying to Through Being Cool, Say Anything will tear through ...Is a Real Boy, and Reggie and the Full Effect will play Under the Tray in full. If there aren't some B-sides and demos thrown in, I will rip off my rubber bracelets and studded belt in a rage, a RAGE (of feelings) I tell you!
Truth be told, I am beyond excited for this tour. Saves the Day is the band I solely credit for my angsty teen taste in music, and I've never regretted a single concert ticket or lyric written in white-out on my Jansport bookbag.
In celebration of the tour that will make 16-year-old me swoon and 27-year-old-me nostalgic beyond belief, here are 21 of the most emo lyrics from the pop-punk glory days of the late 90's and early 00's. Enjoy, or don't. Everything hurts anyway.
Image: Equal Vision
Saves The Day, "My Sweet Fracture"
“Could you tell me the next time that you’re choking? ‘Cause I’ll rush right over to shove some dirt right down your throat.”
Say Anything, "A Walk Through Hell"
“I’d walk through hell for you. Let it burn right through my shoes. These soles are useless without you.”
…and yes, I’m sure you were really into this song when it was a demo track.
Image: Alternative Press
Taking Back Sunday, "You're So Last Summer"
“The truth, is you could slit my throat. And with my one last gasping breath I’d apologize for bleeding on your shirt.”
The grand poobah of emo lyrics.
Image: Rebloggy
Brand New "Mix Tape"
“This is the first song for your mixtape. It’s short just like your temper, but somewhat golden like the afternoons we used to spend before you got too cool.”
UUUGHHH THE ANNNNNNNGST.
Image: WiffleGif
The Early November, "Every Night's Another Story"
“Breathe in deep, let it out slow. Did you hear it’s all my fault again? I know why no one else knows why I am all alone again.”
These sad sad lyrics, probably.
Image: TheEarlyNovember/Instagram
Bright Eyes, "From a Balance Beam"
“Now I’m staring at my wrist, hoping that the timing is right. When the planets will align. There will be no planets to align. Just the carcass of the sun and those little painted marbles spinning senseless through an endless black sky.”
CRIPES.
Thursday, "Understanding in a Car Crash"
“Staring at the setting sun, no reason to come back again, the twilight world in blue and white, the needle and the damage done. I don’t want to feel this way forever. A dead letter marked return to sender.”
Apparently kids who grow up in New Jersey have a lot of feelings.
Image: Victory Records
Senses Fail, "One Eight Seven"
The Get Up Kids, "I'm a Loner Dottie, A Rebel"
“Last night everything was right and the rain was gone. One summer night’s the only time we’ve known. Shut your eyes and when you wake i’ll be gone.”
What is it with emo bands and wistful memories of Summer? Oh, right…
Image: Vagrant Records
The Ataris, "San Dimas High School Football Rules"
“Last night I had a dream that we went to Disneyland, went on all the rides, didn’t have to wait in line. I drove you to your house where we stared up at the stars, I listened to your heartbeat as I held you in my arms.”
Now this, this brings me back.
Image: The Ataris/Facebook
Dashboard Confessional, "The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most"
“Buried deep as you can dig inside yourself, and hidden in the public eye, such a stellar monument to loneliness. Laced with brilliant smiles and shining eyes, perfect make-up, but you’re barely scraping by, but you’re barely scraping by…”
BRB everyone, sobbing into my Taco Bell.
Hidden in Plain View, "American Classic"
“We’re still bleeding from these back stabbed scars, young boys dying in an old man’s war, and your sympathy can’t take that away.”
Image: Hidden in Plain View/Instagram
Fall Out Boy, "Tell That Mick He Just Made My List Of Things To Do Today"
“Stop burning bridges and drive off of them. So I can forget about you. So bury me in memory, his smile’s your rope. So wrap it tight around your throat.”
Nice and wholesome for future Today show performers.
American Football, "I'll See You When We're Both Not So Emotional"
“Considering everything, me leaving with regrets only makes sense. I’ll see you when we’re both not so emotional.”
Which I am assuming is never.
Image: Polyvinyl Records
Matchbook Romance, "Playing for Keeps"
“You’re as welcome as cancer, but my door is always unlocked.”
That barely even makes sense!
The Spill Canvas, "All Hail the Heartbreaker"
“I had the feeling that those looks you gave me were real what if I ripped your heart apart at the seams maybe then you’d know how I feel.”
Sad? I’m assuming you felt sad.
Image: fuckyeah-thespillcanvas/Tumblr
The Starting Line, "Cheek to Cheek"
“More nights of hugging my pillow, oh replaying memories.”
…get it together, Kenny!
Image: Alternative Press
Boys Night Out, "I Got Punched In The Nose For Sticking My Face In Other Peoples Business"
“You and me, you know that we were always funny in a car crash sort of way. Watch me bruise and bleed for you.”
Um, no, no thank you.
Image: Ferrett Records
Something Corporate, "Konstantine"
“And you tell me that it’s over, but I can’t stand here in a patch of four leaf clover. And you're restless, and I’m naked. You’ve got to get out. You can’t stand to see me shaking.”
This song is nine minutes and 36 seconds long, you guys.
Image: tinabumbleybee/Tumblr
New Found Glory, "Dressed to Kill"
“I can’t dream anymore since you left. I miss you singing me to sleep.”
Someone get the violins!
Reggie and the Full Effect, "Your Bleedin' Heart"
“Go ask your mother cause she knows what you need. Left your heart open, I’m just helping it bleed.”
At least they’re self-aware with their lyrics.
