Ugh, I hate people that misuses the term 'emo'

"OMG! This song is so emo!"
"This song by xxx is emo. I would listen to it when I'm down"
"That's emo? This is moooore emo! *recommends some RnB artists*"

Minus the good English and you will find these very familiar. ;-) Many people have been abusing this term ever since the explosion of pop punk with every single one of them labelled emo. Below is an example.

"Hey I started a pop punk band!"
"OMG, you're so emo!"

Many people wondered what does emo stands for and after realizing it's emotional, they came to an agreement that any song that makes you feel sad is emo. It's a big slap to any artist when they got this label as it really deteriorates their name.

Let get this straight. Emo is not songs which are sad. Let us begin our history class.

EMO IS A STYLE OF HARDCORE PUNK (yes, hardcore). I know many of you will be like "Wtf? How can hardcore be emo?". Well, early emo is actually screamo. The angsty lyrics with screaming vocals make them look emotional, thus the genre emo.

After a decade, emo's sound has change quite drastically with new wave of alternative rock bands that includes some emo characteristics. The angsty lyrics were still there BUT the vocals have been toned down and it's more melodic.
In this era, emo was like:
- Very personal lyrics with great metaphoric lines in them
- Loud but clean guitar riffs
- Melodic vocals (Little screaming some times)

This wave was the beginning of the evolution of pop punk. As the genre grew more popular, people began using the term more widely and thus folks are using this term mindlessly without actually knowing the origin of the term.



Sunny Day Real Estate - Tearing in my Heart
1:55~2:18
Tearing in my heart, a mistake from the start
And it's almost too hard
Tarry in my mind, I'll repay you another time
When it's all said and done

A great example of an emo-influenced indie rock band.



The Appleseed Cast - Fishing the Sky

Reaching ocean.
Walked for days.
Reaching ocean.
You were mine.
The falling skyline.
Is touching haze
This empty notions.
You were mine.

Fishing the sky
Fishing the sky

I love the lyrics in the song. One of the good examples of emo lyrics. Apparently, the lyrics is based on the motion of the waves. The band 'twisted' them and make it into a wonderful lyric.