We’ve been feeling super nostalgic lately, which has led us down the rabbit hole of watching ‘scene’ music videos that we used to love. So, we wanted to bring out the inner scene kid in you too!
A few weeks ago, Buzzfeed posted an article called “23 Songs Every Former Emo Kid Will Never Forget” and it reminded us how much we loved music from the “emo” scene (the video also made us do a bit of soul searching because we never really thought of ourselves as emo kids but we loved every song on that list).
Let’s back up a minute here. What exactly do we mean by “scene” music? Well, the “scene” we’re referring to encompasses a specific type of music. Most popular in the 2000s, “scene” music covers everything from punk to screamo to high-energy alternative. Essentially, any music that can be associated with the (problematic) adjective, “emo.”
While we have an immense amount of affection for all of the songs that were popular (and not-so-popular) during the “scene” dominance era, there’s just something extra special about the videos that accompany them. Most of them have such interesting high-concepts that they’re a completely different experience. And we can’t get enough of it.
From My Chemical Romance to The Academy Is…, We the Kings to Panic! At The Disco, here are all of our favorite music videos that we think will unlock the inner scene kid in every one. Watch them. Right now.
‘Misery Business’ by Paramore
Everyone can relate to the video for “Misery Business.” We’ve all been through it: Dealing with the mean girl in school who gets everything she wants and puts others down. That’s why it’s so fun to see Hayley Williams put her in her place. Aside from the narrative, it’s just so much fun to watch the band rock out to such a fun and energetic song. It’s just feels so good!
‘Sugar We’re Going Down’ by Fall Out Boy
Who didn’t have this song stuck in their head 24/7 when it first hit the airwaves? This video is so iconic in that it was, for a lot of us, our first introduction to Fall Out Boy. It’s a playful video with an intriguing twist on reality.
‘The Phrase That Pays’ by The Academy Is…
First, RIP The Academy Is… We miss them dearly. This is such a fun music video, partially because it stars Pitch Perfect sweetheart Brittany Snow as a nurse. We also love the concept for the video and how whitewashed everything it. It’s stunning.
‘Jesus of Suburbia’ by Green Day
Sure, Green Day has quite a few other videos that would make this list. Without a doubt. But “Jesus of Suburbia” is, without a doubt, the most epic. The video takes their most operatic song and gives it a visual narrative that’s impossible to forget. It grounds the lyrics in reality, making them so much more relatable.
‘Helena’ by My Chemical Romance
The video for “Helena” is honestly one of our favorite videos of all time. It’s aesthetically beautiful as the entire thing is saturated with red, black, and white. Plus, the choreographed dancing and atmosphere in the video is just perfect. We could (and do) watch this video over and over again.
‘Punk Rock Princess’ by Something Corporate
They may not have been a widely-known band, but Something Corporate definitely had an impact on the scene. This song is impossible not to sing along to at the top of your lungs. The video itself is really cool because it shows off the scene and how those who feel alone can find happiness at a concert and with music.
‘I Write Sins, Not Tragedies’ by Panic! At The Disco
This song was where it was AT for kids like us. It was so incredibly catchy and we couldn’t help but scream out the chorus whenever it came around because it made us feel so cool. The video is great fun, especially since the whole vaudeville circus isn’t something we had seen before. Plus, what scene kid didn’t love (/still loves) Brendon Urie?
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