photo by Adam Elmakias (@elmakias on Instagram)
Despite the fact that we all may try to hide it, most kids born in the late 90s went through an angsty pop-punk phase. For those who did not (or for those who don't really know what I'm talking about), this phase can be characterized by frequent visits to Hot Topic, graphic tees, skater shoes, and an obsession with bands.
My angsty pop-punk phase came during middle school, during which time, tracks from bands like All Time Low, Fall Out Boy, Boys Like Girls, and many others could be heard blaring through the terrible Apple headphones that came with my iPod nano (2nd generation).
As an ode to my middle school days, I made a playlist with some of my favorite songs from that era.
Below are the twenty songs that defined my early teens and solidified my love for music:
1. "The Beach" - All Time Low
"The Beach" was my ringtone for six months...I regret nothing.
2. "Misery Business" - Paramore
3. "Thnks fr th Mmrs" - Fall Out Boy
4. "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" - Panic! At The Disco
5. "Shake It" - Metro Station
A staple at every middle school dance in the United States during 2008 and 2009.
6. "Dirty Little Secret" - The All-American Rejects
7. "Dear Maria, Count Me In" - All Time Low
A staple at every middle school dance in the United States during 2008 and 2009.
6. "Dirty Little Secret" - The All-American Rejects
7. "Dear Maria, Count Me In" - All Time Low
8. "Love Like Woe" - The Ready Set
9. "Check Yes, Juliet" - We The Kings
10. "Everything I Ask For" - The Maine
10. "Everything I Ask For" - The Maine
11. "DONTTRUSTME" - 3OH!3
"DONTTRUSTME" was probably the first truly "explicit" song I downloaded on iTunes.
12. "The Great Escape" - Boys Like Girls
13. "I Wanna" - The All-American Rejects
14. "Welcome To The Black Parade" - My Chemical Romance
15. "About A Girl" - The Academy Is...
16. "She's A Lady" - Forever the Sickest Kids
Six years later and I still break out into song every time I hear the words "backseat driver."
17. "Punch-Drunk Love" - The Summer Set
18. "Nine In The Afternoon" - Panic! At The Disco
19. "Hello, Brooklyn" - All Time Low
20. "That's What You Get" - Paramore
20. "That's What You Get" - Paramore
Oddly enough, I heard "That's What You Get" for the first time when my dad's iPod was on shuffle.
Even though I call it my "Middle School" playlist, I still listen to it once a week and whenever I'm at parties, I play it just to see who will sing along with me...I guess some things will never change.
Happy Listening,
Robert
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