Parents Guide to “Emo” Music – Understanding Your Teen’s Music

Some parents claim to not understand their teenager or the loud racket that blares from their stereo. For those parents who want to understand where your teens are coming from and why, just why, their son feels he should wear girl’s jeans and eyeliner, this list of “emo" albums is for you.

Emo music, also know as “Emotional" music, has been around for years but only in the last decade has it really made a dent in the popular music culture. In the last ten years, Emo music has branched out from its post-hardcore roots into the wide variety of genres it has to offer today.

Emo music mostly consist of bands who sing, or scream, about relationships, breakups and other tragic events in every young adult’s life. These vocal styling’s are usually backed by aggressive rock guitars and heavy drum beats, reminiscent of its post-hardcore background.

Emo music, since its beginning, has always spoken to the “younger crowd" of teenaged angst but has now evolved into a more expectable style of music for the “older crowd" to enjoy.

Thus, for someone who has no earthly clue about emo music, this list is for them. This is “The 10 Essential Emo CD Collection from 1996-2006."

10. 10. The Postal Service - Give Up (2002)

The title alone screams “EMO!" The Postal Service is the side-project of Death Cab for Cutie front man, Ben Gibbard. Gibbard steps away from his indie roots to deliver a beautiful techno-emo album unlike anything people have ever heard. Most notable songs: “Such Great Heights," “Nothing Better," and “Clark Gable."

9. Taking Back Sunday - Tell All Your Friends (2002)

TBS took the idea of “dueling vocals" to a new level as they delivered a masterpiece of aggressive heartbreak songs to the masses. Their lyrics are witty and devilishly sinister as both Adam Lazzara and John Nolan sing about love, and love loss. Most notable songs: “The Blue Channel," “There’s no ‘I’ in Team," “You Know How I Do," and “Cute without the E (Cut from the Team)."

8. Ozma - Rock ‘n Roll Part 3 (2001)

Ozma took a step to the side of typical emo music by getting in touch with their younger side. Their music lets you know that it’s ok to reminisce about the good ‘ole days staying up late and playing Nintendo. Geeks unite in this classic! Most notable songs: “Natalie Portman," “Baseball," “Battlescars," and “In Search of 1988."

7. Jimmy Eat World - Clarity (2001)

This band from Arizona has hit the charts on many occasions with songs from the self titled album, but it was “Clarity" that rocketed these “Emo Heroes" to the top of young people’s hearts. “Clarity" is the perfect balance of love, loss, and hope. Most notable songs: “Lucky Denver Mint," “Your New Aesthetic," “Blister," and “Clarity."

6. Northstar - Pollyanna (2004)

Inventive, new, creative! These are all words that can describe all the songs from this Alabama based band’s second album. Nick Torres is, by far, the closest thing emo has to modern day poet. His lyrics and melodies crawl under your skin so you can’t ever get them out of your body. Face it, “Pollyanna" will become a part of you and your everyday life. Most notable songs: “For Members Only," “The Pornographer’s Daughter," “Two Zero Two," and “Rocket City."

5. The Get Up Kids - Four Minuet Mile (1997)

Though it is the rawest material these “Emo Kings" ever released, it’s also their best. Poorly recorded in ’97, these (at the time) young lads poured out their hearts to the world. They gave everything they had on this record as if all of them were going to die the next day and never record anything else. Their frustration and excitement about leaving their loved ones behind for the chance at success can be heard on all the tracks. By far, the best garage style emo record ever! Most notable songs: “Coming Clean," “Don’t Hate Me," “Better Half," and “Shorty."

4. Brand New - Deja Entendu (2003)

This album broke all the rule of music in general. It stared critics in the eyes and said, “We don’t care what you think!" These talented New Jersey boys left their pop-punk roots behind to record the most daring, sophisticated, and egotistical album the “Emo World" has ever seen. A must have for anyone who is tired of music following rules and guidelines. Most notable songs: “Sic Transit Gloria…Glory Fades," “Okay I Believe You, but My Tommy Gun Don’t," “The Quiet Things that No One Ever Knows," and “The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot."

3. Saves The Day - I’m Sorry I’m Leaving (1998)

This acoustic E.P. is a small collection of some of emo music’s greatest songs ever written and recorded. It laid the foundation for future acts to see what real heartfelt acoustic should sound like. Songs about desire and romance; love loss and understanding; and songs about missing those who are closest to you. Beautifully written and extremely catchy, this album will be enjoyed by both girls and boys alike for years to come. Most notable songs: “I’m Sorry I’m Leaving," “Hold," “The Way His Collar Falls," and “Jesse and my Whetstone."

2. Dashboard Confessional - The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most (2001)

We have all heard Chris Carrabba’s “Vindicated" off the Spiderman 2 Soundtrack, but have you heard anything else from this brilliant man? If not, then please, please, pick up this album. No one can match the sounds of want and desire that pours form his vocals, even to the point of passionate screams cracking on the recording. What he brings to the table is real, pure emotion. Honestly, after hearing one of his records, you personally will want to go find who hurt this man (and inspired his music) and then hurt them for torturing him so bad. Most notable songs: “The Brilliant Dance," “Again I Go Unnoticed," “This Bitter Pill," “The Best Deceptions," and “Screaming Infidelities."

1. Weezer - Pinkerton (1996)

This is the record that brought emo music to where it is today. Without this masterpiece of carefully crafted greatness, emo music would not exist today. Weezer, the Godfathers of emo, stepped out of their “major label" box to craft a rollercoaster of emotions from love, regret, wanting, hating, thriving and any other powerful emotional word you can fit on this page. Let’s just say if it wasn’t for Weezer, your kids would be listening to show tunes on a constant basis. Weezer gave everyone in the music industry the understanding that you can be on a major label and still record music you truly believe in, not just what the record executives want you to hear. Most notable songs: “Tired of Sex," “Getchoo," “Across the Sea," “Pink Triangle," and “Butterfly."

►Reprint Rights◄

Log in to become a member of Ryan Stroud's Fan Club!

Comments on this article:

» left by Anonymous (2 years 34 days ago.)

i wish my parents would just understand the fact that im emo
Respond to this comment

» left by Emodude from Here (1 year 35 days ago.)

me too. if they dont start. my friend gir and zim will eat them...  :)

Respond to this comment

» left by Nurse from US (1 year 212 days ago.)

I’m a school nurse & you wouldn’t believe how many of the “emo” kids cut. They call themselves “emo,” by the way. We’ve sent at least a dozen kids to the local psychiatric hospital for self-injury and suicidal ideation just during this school year. I was pretty confused about the whole “emo” thing until one of the kids showed me the website whatisemo.bravehost. (just add dot com) Once I saw that site, I understand the issue much better; please take the time to view this and protect yourself and your loved ones.
Respond to this comment

» left by A concered parent from Kentucky (1 year 168 days ago.)
I am a mother of an "emo" child and I would just like to say that this sight has not helped me at all. My son is like a suicidal girl. I try to understand but I just dont. He is always saying, "Note to self I miss you terribly". Is that some sort of emo saying? Do all emo's say things like this? I need to know. He refuses to talk to his family or his therapist. What can I do to keep him from acting like this? You people say that being "emo" is just your way of life, but why do you want to live like this. Just because you love someone or a person close to you dies doesn't mean that you should harm yourself in any way. My son has not had any sort of problems in his life that would make him want to act the way he does. Is it the depressing music that makes him want to do these things to himself? Is it todays music that has influenced our children to behave like this? Please help me understand what is happening to my son before he dies.

Respond to this comment

» left by Anonymous (1 year 168 days ago.)
Emo now vs. Emo then has changed over the years, trust me. The songs being sung in these album do not suggest hurting yourself by cutting or killing. Emo culture doesnt reflect the music scene of today at all. Today's emo kids are completly different. The music that they call emo now is in no way what it was then.

But you need to further help your child. Meds are good when supervised. therapy is also good, but maybe your child needs to express himself in a different way. Let him paint, draw, make his own music. Get him a guitar or bass. Sign him up for art classes. Let him say what he feels in something else than pain inflicted on himself.

The whole "note to self" thing, that's a cry for attention. If you're not giving it, than do so. If you are trying to give it, try looking at things through his eyes. Life as a teen is hard, as you know. Try to remember how hard it is. He is still learning who he is everyday. I'm still learning who I am everyday. But end the who note to self thing. That's just self-pitty. Slef-pitty gets you nowhere in life but further down.

I hope this helps you some. I know when I was having a hard time when I was younger, I turned to music. The thing is turning to music the right way. Make music, express yourself and you will feel better. You can hurt, kill, love, hate, cry, etc. anyone you want in your music, and no physical harm can come out. When I was @#$@#&*ed at a girl who cheated on me, I wrote a song about how she hurt me. When I would play it live, people connected to it, thus linking me to others who were going through the same thing as me, creating new friends and support figures my own age.

Good luck. I hope this helps.



Respond to this comment

» left by A concered parent from Kentucky (1 year 166 days ago.)
Thank you. I am going to try and spend more time with him and do my best to realize his views on things. Maybe if we did have more time to bond, he will open up to me and let me know how he feels.

Respond to this comment

» left by Lindsay from CA (217 days 4 hours ago.)

I just wanted to let you know "note to self i miss you terribly" is from a song from the band From First To Last. You can look it up if you want. Most "emos" aren't suicidal, leave him alone and if you see anything going downhill talk to him again. Most "emos" want to be left alone, for it is just a phase.

Respond to this comment

» left by Anonymous (41 days ago.)

i dont at all mean this in a bad way but for starters if you want to talk to him dont stareotype his first. get to know him first. by already having your own ideas of his such as "a suicidal girl" you are definitly not going to get anywhere with him. and dont try to change him try to understand him. i mean as a teen that is something that i find just plain rude just because he wears skinny jeans doesnt mean he's going to kill himself. and music does not effect a teens thinking we listen to music that we already agree with. for example im a christian so i listen to music like mark schults and thousand foot krutch. im not emo but i speak for all teens when i say stop stereotyping us! and if you want to understand us, talk to us, ask us questions! other adults cant tell you what your kid is thinking only he can.

Respond to this comment

» left by Friend from Earth (12 days 13 hours ago.)

"Note to self I miss u terribly" is lyrics from a song

Respond to this comment

» left by Jeffy from Your Mom (1 year 168 days ago.)
I like eggs! :)

Respond to this comment

» left by Bobby from florida (1 year 114 days ago.)

the list of albums is like really bad. many of the albums are very bad examples of emo or not emo at all

Respond to this comment

» left by Olof Eriksen (1 year 65 days ago.)

Ryan Stroud,

Where is the music of yeasterday?

I cannot fault you and your music, and I beg you to understand me. I beg you. And If you cannot find a place in your heart to accept my appalogy, I am sorry. My daughter and her husband think Emo music and hard rock is the greatest music since applepie. While she lived at home and I was away, this music was blasting from her room. And so it was. When I was away she would blast the house with "your" music, and my wife did not dare tell her to turn it down.  

Then I came home, and my wife would call her: Daddy is home, and down came the volume. And so I end this rebuttal by saying; each to his own.

 

 

Respond to this comment

» left by Mike from Columbus, OH (1 year 54 days ago.)

The writer of this article is speaking from the roots point of view. Of what "emo" is about to the people who created it. The so called "culture" cannot be described as a whole. Many people claim to be emo. Some musicians that are labeled emo do not like being associated with it because of the stereotypes.

 

The fact is that every generation has their group of kids that are so depressed about their teenage existence and wanting to be praised and loved by everyone but not exactly getting those things. These are the kids that lock themselves away, these are the "cutters". There are cutters in every generation and they latch onto whatever "subculture" is relevant to the time.

 

Let's face it, if your kid is an emo cutter in today's America. He/she would have been a Goth cutter in yesterdays America. A cutter will be a cutter and a certain "subculture/community/music" is not to blame.

 

Like Mr. Stroud said, let the kids express themselves whether it's art, music, writing, whatever. Just make sure that if it's art you get them plastic safety scissors. ;P

 

I don't call myself an emo but I embrace the concept and listen to many bands labeled that genre. (Actually most of my library of music can be considered emo.)

 

I am a free-thinking, artistic, and creative mind.

 

Now I'll leave the professionalism to Mr. Stroud again and kindly tell you parents to please, get your heads out of your asses and instead of blaming the music, think deeper. Maybe your son cuts himself because he wants to get laid really bad, he can't talk to chicks to save his life, and he thinks he has a small penis?

Respond to this comment

» left by crap from toilet (213 days 20 hours ago.)

best comment here.


keep an eye on your own patterns of association, if there's a problem focus on the actual substance. blaming an expressive effect of a cause is like blaming a mirror for what's reflected in it.
and if you want bleak apocalyptic hate music to quench your misery, try black metal

Respond to this comment

» left by emodude from here (1 year 35 days ago.)

Whoever created this is soooo stereotypical. Seriously, our music rocks, regardless of wut anyone says. the list is bogus anyway. our music is way totally rad and we have new favorites! So, before you start to hate on us, and think we just have problems! try being one of us and see. *sticks out tongue*

Respond to this comment

» left by Anonymous (297 days 16 hours ago.)

Wow. I think the whole point of this site is to  show stereotypical emo music, not your personal favorites, but I guess you missed that. I think you are trying to be a non conformist... you want to go against the crowd try being a geek, a guy who does ballet, or an atheist in the south. Or maybe you can just try to be yourself and express yourself. I have no problem with emo music I don't understand screamo but who cares they are expressing themselves. 
Respond to this comment

» left by alex from doesnt (268 days 7 hours ago.)

You can't just lump a group of people together and expect them to like it.

Respond to this comment

» left by Lauraa (241 days 13 hours ago.)

That music sucks, and I'm a 14 year old girl, by the way. Everybody calls me 'emo'. And I listen more to screamo. Well, anywyas, the person who wrote this is very stereotypical. You might as well say that everybody who listens to your albums cut themselves, are depressed and consult a psychologist. Even though I do cut myself, i am depressed, please don't generalize.

Respond to this comment

» left by Storm (208 days 23 hours ago.)

OK seriously to solve this emo problem (this goes out to all you emo parentals) Try TALKING to your son or daughter let them know that you want to try and understand them dont send them to a therapist it willl just make it worse believe me i know this cause that is what my parents did for or to me know i am 10 times worse just try and talk to them dont write them off as freaks they (we) get that enough from teachers, other kids who are too good for us and hell we even get dirty looks from random people we dont know just because we dress different listen to music that isnt about having sex or seducing someone and we create or own style yes we create our own style yet we all get thrwon into a cliche known as emo yes we are different yes we see things different from " normal" (well there is no such thing as normal) but that DOES NOT MAKE US FREAKS it makes us who we are we dont go around saying that " omg look hes wearing pants that fit him he is such a average person " basically when you have a "emo" child try talking to them dont judge or label them until you atleast try to see where they are coming from

Respond to this comment

» left by iknowemo from esdfg (203 days 18 hours ago.)

omg you people have no background you all say awwww why is my son suisidal well mabye hes mad and those jeans arnt just for gurls you are dumb if you say that they are jeans and they are cool and just cuz that music is labled emo dosnt mean emos like that music god !!!! let us be ok just let us be ur not helping by sending us to a thereapist its dumb and think about this... are we telling the truth? huh!

Respond to this comment

» left by Anonymous (182 days 17 hours ago.)

i think parents area just too touchy bout this kinda stuff. if your like me, you will practically listen to anything, dont get freaked out if your kid is listening to "the best day ever" and then going for disturbed (its a band) the next day. its not that unusual.

Respond to this comment

» left by Dominique from North Carolina (162 days ago.)

This is sorta helpful i mean i dont realy know.i am 'emo' but that's only if you belive in tittles.but all 'we' no all i want is to be left alone. if i am sad let me be sad. i dont need any meds i am just plan and simple sad.yes emotional people are more pron to fall in love ALOT easyer than others but that is us! not you so please just let it be. and not all emo kid's cut! good goodness i am emo and do not cut! i mean i may have thought about it but i have never done it so please stop saying that stuff about how emo kids cut. and i'm sorry if i come off as mean with this letter but i am not trying to be i just feel very strongly about this.and on a happy note. 'emo' boy's with 'emo' hair are very smexy!oh and about 'emo music' it is just screamo ok so maybe they scream the words but we like it so leave us be! i realy enjoy them and if your not afraid you could check out some underoath. there a realy awsome band and there "the devil wears prada" another awsome band. so um there, those are just a few awsome bands of 'emo' music. yea well that's my input of the whole thing.

Respond to this comment

» left by Brandon Greene from Connecitcut (3 hours 27 minutes ago.)
   New Comment!   

this article does not help at all.just because kids like me listen to music like this dosent mean we are "emo" or suicidal or anything like that. we may just like the music. its just what we like, we dont always have a reason for liking it, we just do. so dont go around ranting about how we need help or critisize us for wearing differnt clothes. so what? we like music that sounds angry? or sad? it keeps us entertained and dosent always have some deep meaning as to why we listen to it. you know you all say you want to "understand us" its not that hard, were the same as everyone else, just different views, all we want is to be loved like every other normal kid.. asking us all the time "are you okay?" just pisses us off. theres nothing "wrong" with us. so dont try anf fix us or make us better. let us be ourselves.

Respond to this comment