Growing up in the 2000s, pop punk songs were a big part of my childhood. In fact, two of my favorite bands today are still Fall Out Boy and Panic! At the Disco (even though Brendon Urie is the only remaining original member!). I listen to the “Pop Punk Powerhouses” playlist on spotify at least once a week. So, if you want to be bit by the nostalgia bug, here are 10 pop punk classics from 10 different bands that will make you want to pull out some black eyeliner! (remember, Brendon Urie once said, “make up is … great for a guy, because it makes a guy look beautiful”)
1. Panic! at the Disco- “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”
This song definitely still gets played on the radio, making it a class pop punk song! It’s also the song that made me fall in love with the band!
2. My Chemical Romance- “Welcome to the Black Parade”
I’m still waiting for MCR to get back together.
3. The All-American Rejects- “Swing, Swing”
I love a lot of songs by The All-American Rejects (“Gives You Hell” and “Dirty Little Secret” are two of my favorites!) I felt like “Swing, Swing” is a better embodiment of punk pop though!
4. All Time Low- “Dear Maria, Count Me In”
This year, Hopeless Records announced that “Dear Maria, Count Me In,” is it’s best selling record of all time. I also like the cough at the beginning of the song.
Maybe this isn’t Green Day’s most famous song (“American Idiot,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “Wake Me Up When September Ends” are some songs that come to mind), but “Holiday” is personally my favorite Green Day song. Green Day’s lead singer has said that the song is meant to be “anti-war” as the song features a strong political agenda.
6. Paramore- “Misery Business”
Of course I have to include Paramore on the list! Hayley Williams is a pop punk queen! Williams has said before that “Misery Business” is about a girl who manipulated a friend of hers. Last year, she announced that Paramore will no longer be playing the controversial track during concerts because it is sexist and anti-feminist.
7. Good Charlotte- “Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous”
Good Charlotte is another band with lots of songs representative of pop punk but I really like “Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous” because of how self-conscious it is. Good Charlotte is not afraid to call out celebrities for not appreciating the fortune that comes with being rich and famous.
8. Story of the Year- “Until the Day I Die”
Talk about a pop punk love song!
9. Fall Out Boy- “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race”
I can probably make a whole list of top 10 Fall Out Boy punk pop songs but for now, here’s just one. Try to see if you can understand every lyric Patrick Stump sings in this song.
10. Taking Back Sunday- “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from the Team) “
The music video for this song is just as great as the lyrics. It’s “Fight Club” inspired!
If you’re looking for more ways to indulge in your pop punk love, check out these “Emo’s Not Dead” videos by Matt Cutshall!