So, the internet has been obsessed with reliving 2016, and we get it. First off, frozen yogurt shops were the hottest place to be on a Friday night, and chokers ripped skinny jeans were pure fashion. And we definitely can’t forget about the iconic alternative songs that defined the year. (Special shoutout to Death Of A Bachelor by Panic! At The Disco.) However, we think that this energy needs to be directed at 2006, too!
Not only was The Office taking over television screens, but aviator sunnies and trucker hats were closet staples. What a time to be alive. If you’re craving some delicious nostalgia, look no further than these 2006 emo and alternative hits that are still as iconic today as they were a whopping two decades ago.
“Lips Of An Angel” — Hinder
Your parents were automatically cool if they let you turn up this butt rock song while on a long car trip. Bonus points if they sang along to Hinder!
“Welcome To The Black Parade” — My Chemical Romance
I mean, what other song, let alone album, had us in a chokehold the back half of 2006 and all of 2007? And if we’re being honest with each other, My Chemical Romance is still on repeat after all these years. If you don’t have tickets for the upcoming Black Parade 20-year anniversary tour…sorry about the FOMO.
“Miss Murder” — AFI
Happy 20 years to the song that introduced a wave of new listeners to emo, goth, and hardcore sonics! Cheers to you, AFI!
“Face Down” — The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
This Red Jumpsuit Apparatus song had no business being so good and so poignant. And fortunately, for us, the band is still out here standing on business, making new music, speaking up for those who are oppressed.
“Braille (For Stevie Wonder’s Eyes Only)” — Bring Me The Horizon
Looking back at this Bring Me The Horizon debut brings tears to my eyes…we’ve watched them come so far! And yes, their first album still hits two decades later. P.S. Sorry to anyone who caught a snippet of me as a kid trying to scream like Oli Sykes.
“Here (In Your Arms)” — Hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye opened a can of worms with this banger because for years, we couldn’t get enough neon pop-punk. TBH, there’s no such thing as too much neon pop-punk. Give us more now!
“Send My Love to the Dancefloor, I’ll See You in Hell (Hey Mister DJ)” — Cobra Starship
Speaking of neon pop-punk, we can’t talk about that subgenre without mentioning the one and only Cobra Starship. Their October 2006 record, While The City Sleeps, We Rule The Streets, is 11/11 bangers. There will always be a special place in our hearts for their wacky “Send My Love To The Dancefloor…” music video. Lord…this makes us want to wear giant shades right now.
“Hero/Heroine” — Boys Like Girls
Boys Like Girls‘ self-titled debut LP dropped in August 2006 and was, perhaps, one of the top ten best debuts in the scene. Not only did they pop off with “Hero/Heroine,” they also dropped “The Great Escape” and “Thunder,” changing our brain chemistries forever.
“Cupid’s Chokehold” — Gym Class Heroes
Yes, yes, yes, we know this song originally came out in 2005 via The Papercut Chronicles, but it was re-released in 2006 via As Cruel As School Children. Plus, the band dropped the official music video in November 2006…so, for all accounts and purposes…this is an iconic 2006 track featuring Fall Out Boy‘s Patrick Stump. Honorable mention: Gym Class Heroes‘ “Clothes Off!!” featuring Patrick Stump.
“Call Me When You’re Sober” — Evanescence
Evanescence‘s “Call Me When You’re Sober” *might* be an even better single than “Bring Me To Life.” Come fight us about it!
“The Curse Of Curves” — Cute Is What We Aim For
Cute Is What We Aim For‘s debut album The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch went triple platinum on all of our iPods in 2006-2007, right?
“Monster” — Meg & Dia
Meg & Dia didn’t have to go so hard with this heartbreaking song…but they did, just for us!
“Chasing Cars” — Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol‘s emo love song that topped radio-play charts and was featured in Grey’s Anatomy…you will always be famous.
“High School Never Ends” — Bowling For Soup
This Bowling For Soup hit rang true in the mid-aughts and remains true now…and it still hits just as hard 20 years later.
“Love Addict” — Family Force 5
Family Force 5 may have been heavy-hitters in the Christian music scene, but the alternative world also claims them and their punk-rock tracks. Upon releasing Business Up Front/Party in the Back in March 2006, the group proved that religious-tinged tracks can be alternative AF.
