When When We Were Young 2024 decided to piece something together with a gimmick; more so than just nostalgia, they decided that their third year in Las Vegas would be dedicated to some of the most important albums that were the soundtrack to Hot Topics around the US in the 2000s. Every band agreed (or maybe didn’t…scandalous) to perform one album in particular and while some snuck in a couple of other more signature tracks that lived on other albums, I wanted to pick not my favorite albums performed over the weekend, but my favorite lyrics from each…so enjoy these essential emo lyrics, according to me.
“The End.’ My Chemical Romance
“If you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see
You can find out first hand what it’s like to be me.”
In the episode, I admitted I thought that, in retrospect, I found My Chemical Romance to be a bit extra, but damn – this line still goes hard.
“A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White” Underoath
“Well, look who’s dying now
Slit wrists sleeping with the girl next door”
This is one of those instances where I just love how the line is delivered.
“Together We’ll Ring In The New Year” Motion City Soundtrack
“I’m trying to find out if my words have any meaning.”
As someone who writes a lot and is never sure any of it is ever read, this line is one I’ll forever appreciate.
“Given The Chance” The Starting Line
“I guess dreams do come true
This song itself is living proof”
This is like a pop-punk DCOM song.
“Long Live The Kids” We Are The In Crowd
“Hang on, be strong
Long live the kids in us all”
I’m against fully growing up and as former guest Mike Valdes would say, losing that childlike sense of wonder.
“The Story So Far” New Found Glory
“And everything else is irrelevant to the story so far”
The past is said and done, move on.
“You Know How I Do” Taking Back Sunday
“So obviously desperate, so desperately obvious”
Another instance of how a line is sung that makes my heart burst…except when it’s performed live nowadays. Listen to the review of the festival for more on that.
“I’m Just a Kid” Simple Plan
“I’ll try to think about the last time I had a good time”
There are times now that I feel this as much at 37 as I did at 17.
“Thriller” Fall Out Boy
“Every dot com’s refreshing for a journal update”
This is still a stellar song and line that made me perk up over the weekend.
“The Middle” Jimmy Eat World
“…don’t buy in”
I didn’t watch them, but I have this one tattooed so I didn’t want to leave it out.
Crushgasm 
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