Deep Cut Trading Company

What qualifies as an "Emo Anthem"? For the sake of argument, let’s focus on the more pop-punk side of the genre. So let’s set the scene, pun intended, you wake up, check your MySpace page, throw on a tight pair of jeans, Converse All-Stars, a studded belt, a dirty band t-shirt, and head off to class. Whether you had a Walkman or an iPod - it's likely one of these three songs were playing through your headphones.

Grand Theft Autumn - Fall Out Boy

An emphatic tattooed drum roll please for Grand Theft Autumn from Fall Out Boy. This song, released in the early 2000’s, represents the breakout of Fall Out Boy and is right next to all the other emo pop punk songs of the time, you know before we get too deep into the eyeliner, side hair, Pete Wentz of it all. Take This To Your Grave is nothing but bangers front to back and Grand Theft Autumn is arguably not even the best song on the album but with angsty undertones and overall jealous demeanor, this song latched on to the ears of heartsick high schoolers. A very strong case can be made for Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down but by then the legend of Fall Out Boy was already skipping in everybody’s Walkmans.

Cute Without the E - Taking Back Sunday

“Your lipstick, his collar...” is all that needs to be said for you to know who comes in at number two and that's Cute Without the E by Taking Back Sunday. Long Island, NY gets a lot of credit for being a major contributor to emo punk bands and justifiably so. The combination of John Nolan’s raspy screaming behind Adam Lazzara’s clean vocals was all kids in the early 2000’s needed to be convinced this song was written as a remedy for their sadness. While some would argue “mic’s are for singing not swinging”  this song will remain a staple of the emo punk genre forever.

Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

This may be a controversial choice but how many other songs do you know immediately off of a single piano key note? Put on your marching band outfit and a full face of makeup and get ready for Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. As a follow up to their absolutely fantastic album “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge” this song picks up right where the band left off. While this song is well passed the birth of emo punk it is arguably the one that sounds the most like an anthem with it’s hard rock undertones similar to “I’m Not Okay” which some may feel may be more deserving of spot number three.

This list could have been 25+ bands easily, we're missing bands like The Used, Thursday, AFI, Dashboard Confessional, Glassjaw, and countless other Warped Tour regulars who likely deserve a spot on this list but this felt like a great place to start and maybe there's a Part 02 in the works.