Enduring popularity! Classic emo songs in Western music

Ride The Wings Of PestilenceFrom First To Last

From First To Last – “Ride The Wings Of Pestilence”

In the mid-2000s screamo scene, From First to Last rose from the internet to immense popularity and became an iconic presence.

The track in question, included on their classic album “Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Bodycount,” distills their early impulse and appeal.

Fans around the world went wild for the intense interplay between the crystalline clean vocals of Sonny Moore—then just 16 and later globally famous as Skrillex—and his raw, emotionally charged screams.

The lyrics depict a dark tale of obsession so warped it borders on impersonation, yet the melodies are irresistibly catchy in contrast.

In 2004, the song was also featured on a well-known Epitaph compilation, cementing it as the band’s calling card.

It’s this precarious balance of sweetness and aggression that truly defines their value.

Love DrunkBoys Like Girls

Boys Like Girls – Love Drunk

A pop-punk classic that brilliantly captures the sweetness and bitterness of youth.

Upon its release in September 2009, it quickly dominated the charts.

It vividly portrays the shift from the intoxicating love of “Love Drunk” to the hangover-like anguish that follows.

As a signature work by Boys Like Girls, it resonated deeply with young listeners, and the music video featuring Ashley Tisdale also drew attention.

It’s a song that gives a powerful push to anyone trying to overcome the pain of a breakup.

Listen to it while talking with friends, and you’ll surely find the courage to face tomorrow.

That’s What You GetParamore

Paramore: That’s What You Get [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

A heart-stirring Paramore number that portrays the anguish that follows acting on pure emotion.

Featured on their 2007 album Riot! and released as a single the following year, it swept charts around the world.

With searing vocals and a driving sound, it lays bare the pain of heartbreak and self-loathing.

It gained even more attention when it was used in the 2011 film Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

Especially recommended for teens struggling with relationships—listen with friends and share the feelings.

This song will surely encourage you and make you feel, “I’m not alone.”

F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X.The Fall of Troy

The Fall of Troy “F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X.” (Official Music Video)

The Fall of Troy is a post-hardcore band known for virtuosic guitar work and complex song structures.

Here’s a signature track from their 2005 sophomore album, Doppelgänger, the record that put their name on the map.

It opens with breathless, high-speed tapping riffs, then throws you into a roller coaster where pristine, melodic cleans collide with searing screams.

The sound hammers you with extreme emotion, as if thrashing within an uncontrollable panic.

The torrent of noise is astounding—hard to believe it’s just a three-piece.

The track also appeared in the game Saints Row and the 2007 global hit Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, cementing its reputation.

It’s perfect when you want to be hit by technical prowess and raw emotional power all at once.

DeadboltThrice

Thrice – Deadbolt (Official Music Video)

Hailing from Irvine, California, Slice is an indispensable band when discussing the 2000s post-hardcore scene.

Here’s a look at their signature track from their second album, The Illusion of Safety, released in February 2002.

Kicking off with taut, call-and-response interplay between guitar and vocals, the song builds into a breathtaking surge where cathartic screams and gorgeous melodies crash over one another in turn.

The lyrics quote a passage from the Bible, powerfully portraying the folly of succumbing to forbidden temptation.

It’s also worth noting that a portion of the album’s proceeds was donated to a youth support organization—an episode that speaks to the depth of the message embedded in their music.

BoxcarJawbreaker

Jawbreaker – Boxcar (Official Music Video)

Jawbreaker is a band that represents the emo-punk scene of the ’90s.

Their 1992 track “Boxcar” delivers a raw, full-on punk sound whose rough edge feels exhilarating.

They’re known for having a huge influence on later emo scenes, and their 2017 reunion only added to their notoriety as a band with a large and devoted fanbase.

The Heart Is a Lonely HunterThe Anniversary

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

The Anniversary’s intro has a messy, charming feel that makes “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” so fun.

And above all, that opening—recorded like a youthful chorus—is fantastic and really defines the song’s identity.

It’s an emo number where you can vividly feel yourself getting high on the steadily intensifying beat.