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Emo / ˈiːmoʊ / is a music genre characterized by emotional, often confessional lyrics. It emerged as a style of hardcore punk and post-hardcore from the mid-1980s Washington, D.C. hardcore scene, where it was known as emotional hardcore or emocore. The bands Rites of Spring and Embrace, among others, pioneered the genre.
- I’m Not Okay (I Promise)’ – My Chemical Romance. Maybe an obvious shout, but there is nothing that encapsulates mid-00s emo more than this song, Gerard Way’s ‘Revenge’-era make-up, and the vaguely Heathers inspired music video.
- Lover I Don’t Have to Love’ – Bright Eyes. All of Conor Oberst’s back catalogue is created purely to cry to, but ‘Lover I Don’t Have to Love’ wins for its breathy, overwrought storytelling and an iconic feature on The O.C.
- A Little Less Sixteen Candles – A Little More “Touch Me”‘, Fall Out Boy. It’s hard choosing a top 10 Fall Out Boy track, but ‘Sixteen Candles’ has all the tongue-in-cheek bitterness and an ambitious vampire-themed music video while going very hard.
- Emily’ – From First to Last. Unusually mellow for From First to Last, ‘Emily’ is a melodramatic, acoustic rumination on love and one that 90% of emo boys sent to girls who were not called Emily in the mid-00s.
- American Football — “Never Meant” Close your eyes and let “Never Meant’s” melodic guitar line transport you to a quiet Midwestern town where the fall leaves crunch beneath your Doc Martens and no one quite understands you.
- Blink-182 — “I Miss You” The mall punk trio went emo for this heart-wrenching ballad. The all-acoustic, melancholy song — inspired by the Cure’s “The Lovecats”— was a change of pace for the band best known for its irreverent humor.
- Brand New — "Sic Transit Gloria ... Glory Fades” Although the now-defunct band is mostly canceled thanks to dark allegations made against lead singer Jesse Lacey, Brand New’s influence on the scene is undeniable.
- Coheed and Cambria — “A Favor House Atlantic” Long-time Coheed and Cambria listeners know the band infamously doubles their albums as installations in a science fiction saga called “The Amory Wars,” a few of which have even been adapted into graphic novels by lead singer Claudio Sanchez.
This is a list composited of the 100 best emo songs, based on a mix of research including alternative rock charts, influence on the style, and band following...
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- Plain White T's - "Hey There Delilah" (Official Music Video)82.1M views
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Feb 13, 2020 · A comprehensive and controversial list of emo songs from the genre's origins in D.C. punk to its modern incarnations. Explore the history, evolution, and influence of emo music through waves, bands, and artists.
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Mar 30, 2022 · Emo music is a genre that combines punk rock elements with emotional and personal lyrics. Learn the characteristics, history, and top artists of Emo music, from My Chemical Romance to Panic! At The Disco.
Jun 7, 2021 · Learn about the origin, evolution and characteristics of emo music, a genre that expresses raw and emotional feelings. Discover some of the most influential emo bands and their styles, from punk to pop.
