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 and a dirty band t-shirt and head off to class… no need to do your hair it’s already greasy AF. Here are the deep cut trading co teams’ picks for top 3 emo anthems.

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 in their with 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. This entire album - Take This To Your Grave - is bangers front to back and Grand Theft Autumn is arguably not even close to the best song on it but with it’s angsty undertone and overall jealous demeanor, this song latched on to the ears of heartsick high schoolers. A very strong case was made by the Deep Cut team to make this selection “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” but by then the legend of Fall Out Boy was already skipping in everybody’s Discman so GTA it is.

Cute Without the E - Taking Back Sunday

“Your lipstick, his collar…” I shouldn’t have to say anything else after that 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” as a dig against TBS, this song will remain a staple of the emo punk genre forever… also, no one ever seemed to mind the swinging.

Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

OK. Before we get on with number three, the deep cut team would like to state for the record that we did not like this selection BUT how many other songs do you know immediately off of a single piano key note? That’s right, we’re in full blown makeup and band kid clothes now with 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, once you get past the annoyingly long but surprisingly effective intro, 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 team members argued should be at number three instead.

We know! What about The Used, Thursday, Dashboard Confessional, and the godfathers of post-hardcore emo, Glassjaw and all the other Warped Tour regulars who likely deserve a spot on this list. Maybe that’ll be a good post, Top 10 Warped Tour Bands… we digress. Reach out to us on Instagram at @deepcuttradingco and let us know what your emo anthems are!