By now, we’ve all seen the viral TikTok trend capitalizing on our emo heart’s trigger of the infamous G-Note. It’s no secret that playing this simple note will reveal any and every Emo Kid—current and former—within a considerable distance. After all, “Welcome To The Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance can easily go down in history as the most recognizable song across a span of generations.
But how many more of these timeless classics can a true emo kid pick out before the lyrics even begin? Here’s our list of 10 songs true emo kids can recognize by the sound of that very first note—think you could name them all?
Chiodos — “Baby, You Wouldn’t Last A Minute On The Creek”
This emotional tug-of-war track has been on every emo kid’s playlist since its debut in 2005. Chiodos really nailed the emotional turmoil of holding on and letting go with this one, so it’s no surprise true emos can immediately recognize this track that resonates with so many of us.
From First To Last — “Note To Self”
Before Sonny Moore became EDM artist Skrillex, he fronted the post-hardcore band From First To Last. The band’s track “Note To Self” quickly became a favorite to many with its ability to capture the complexities of self-discovery and, in turn, became one of the more easily identifiable tracks to our generation.
Panic! At The Disco — “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”
I mean, come on. While Panic! At The Disco vocalist Brendon Urie may not be as fond of this timeless classic as the fans are, it doesn’t lessen its ability to appeal to the masses. Responsible for the production of endless memes and lyrical quotes for almost two decades now (seriously, when did we get so old?!), the sound of this song’s first note can trigger a plethora of emotions from pure glee to utter annoyance.
The Killers — “Mr. Brightside”
If I could give out song superlatives, The Killers would receive “Song most likely to be sung by an entire crowd before the band comes out” for this one. It’s pretty much an unwritten rule that this song be played at every Emo Nite, appealing to the masses for its nostalgia and immediately recognizable tune.
Paramore — “Misery Business”
Every once in a while, a song comes along with an opening so memorable that it can be recognized before the first note is even played. Paramore vocalist Hayley Williams set fans up for such a moment by saying her infamous line, “Hit that, hit that snare,” before the band’s iconic track “Misery Business.”
Fall Out Boy — “Sugar, We’re Goin Down”
Fall Out Boy, considered by many to be part of the Holy Emo Trinity, have produced hit after hit across a pretty impressive career. In the early days, donning the infamous emo swoop and the signature Pete Wentz black eyeliner, FOB gifted us with a track that can be quickly picked up by both emo and non-emo kids alike.
Pierce The Veil — “King For A Day” ft. Kellin Quinn
When Sleeping With Sirens vocalist Kellin Quinn teamed up with scene heavyweights Pierce The Veil in 2012, they gifted us with an iconic track that explored breaking free from societal norms. With a music video that has amassed over 173 MILLION views, it’s no wonder that this song can have just about anyone prepping their vocal chords for some high-pitched vox by the sound of that first note.
Thirty Seconds To Mars — “The Kill (Bury Me)”
In the early 2000s, before ever donning his Joker makeup, a photo of Jared Leto could be found alongside the definition of emo. While that may not be entirely true, the band’s second single from their second album arguably placed Thirty Seconds To Mars on the map and cemented them as Emo Icons.
Hawthorne Heights — “Ohio Is For Lovers”
Referred to by many as “The Emo Anthem,” Hawthorne Heights put Ohio on the musical map with their timeless track “Ohio Is For Lovers.” Few have ridden in a car without screaming these lyrics, and I can almost guarantee every true emo kid used at least one line for their AIM away message.
Story Of The Year — “Until The Day I Die”
The first few notes of this one just hit differently. Whether you feel transported back to the days of watching Story Of The Year, occupying the Warped Tour stage, or the aches of heartbreak from a first love, “Until The Day I Die” evokes a familiar emotion of connectivity from that very first note.
Whether you recognize these tracks by their very first note or not until their catchy choruses, one thing we have in common is the mutual understanding that these emo anthems unite us in a way only music can. So whether you’re a diehard or just now discovering that it was never a phase, welcome to the true emo kid family!
