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?
Continue on to the next page for great ‘scene’ music videos from All Time Low, We The Kings, and more!
‘Dear Maria Count Me In’ by All Time Low
When it comes to music videos, this is definitely one of the most popular and most memorable among us scene kids. It’s super fun and really playful with a slightly risque premise. But it’s upbeat and fun to sing along to. Plus, the video is just so totally worth watching to see (baby-famced) lead singer Alex Gaskarth in a platinum blonde wig.
‘The Mixed Tape’ by Jack’s Mannequin
OTH FTW! Watching this video reminds us of one of our favorite dramas of all time, One Tree Hill. We miss the days where One Tree Hill helped us discover new bands. It’s just fun to watch our old friend Peyton Sawyer paint her room. The song itself is so catchy and hard to not sing along at the top of our lungs to.
‘MakeDamnSure’ by Taking Back Sunday
Ok, so the video doesn’t really have a narrative concept. However, it makes our list because who can’t help but scream out the lyrics “I JUST WANT TO BREAK YOU DOWN SO BADLY!” whenever they hear this song? Even after all this time, we can’t help it. Can you believe this song came out all the way back in 2006?!
‘The Middle’ by Jimmy Eat World
On those days when you’re just feeling down or a little lost, “The Middle” is the best medicine (both in audio and visual form). This music video matches the tone of the lyrics perfectly and, if possible, makes them seem even more hopeful. It’s just a great song to have stuck in your head all day long.
‘Check Yes Juliet’ by We The Kings
This is the ultimate “drop everything and come away with me” song. Like the video for “Punk Rock Princess,” this video shows what it’s like to be a scene kid (or just a teenager in general). It tells a relatable story of good friends and good music. Plus, it’s fun to see what happens between the band’s lead singer and the main video girl; well, that is when we’re not too preoccupied with singing along to the song.
‘Fatlip’ by Sum 41
“Fatlip” is one of those songs that feels like a very early anthem for scene kids. It’s about screwing up and having fun, and the video mirrors that perfectly. It’s entertaining to watch the band jump around and cause trouble. It’s one of the best videos to will put you in a good mood immediately after seeing it.
‘Face Down’ by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
The is one of the most gut-wrenching songs to ever be a part of the scene. While there is a pretty funny quip about the central character in the video having a pretty bad ghost problem, the video itself is an interesting look at the life of someone being domestically abused and how their world gets turned upside-down on a daily basis.
‘Hero/Heroine’ by Boys Like Girls
Boys Like Girls is one of those bands that feels like a one hit wonder but actually had quite a few popular songs, “Hero/Heroine” being one of them. We love this video because it’s about a long distance relationship and shows just how much these two mean to each other. It’s really sweet (and angsty of course).
‘I’m Not Okay’ by My Chemical Romance
This song is the epitome of teenage angst and longing. How could it not make our list? We especially love the messages included in the video because it makes it seem so much more personal. RIP MCR. We love you.