Sugar, We're Goin Down...

Warning: this will be a very very long post.

It was 2004, I was 15 years old. I was a sophomore at Trinity High School, in some computer class. Rather than doing my assigned auto-cad assignment, I got distracted by this website called purevolume...and found something I'll never forget. It was a song, titled "Grand Theft Autumn", by a band known as Fall Out Boy. Just from the name of the song...I was hooked. I'm big on wordplay, and was entertained by the title. "Where is your boy tonight, I hope he is a gentleman, maybe he won't find out what I know: You were the last good thing about this part of town." Patrick's voice by itself singing those words, and I had this deep down feeling of a great discovery, something I couldn't quite explain.

This all happened before anyone I knew had even heard of the band, with the exception of my friend Jackie who was with me on finding bands before anyone else. I think my early discovery of this band is why I never developed the anti-fall out boy-syndrome that so many people caught. Say what you will, call them: talentless, horrible live, emo, punk, pop, fake, swooshy haired, ironic, attention whores, whatever. I care less about the image of FOB, and their current hairstyles, and more about their music.

Fall Out Boy became my guilty pleasure. The kind of band that I knew wasn't a bunch of musical geniuses, or that I couldn't defend to the death like I can for Lil Wayne. I just downright enjoyed listening to what they had to say, liked dancing around in my car with Crystal and Jackie like little girls...and I didn't care. I CAN argue that Patrick Stump's voice is like nothing I've ever heard before, hell even my uber musician dad agrees with that. And I CAN argue that their lyrics are some of the most clever, and catchiest, I've ever heard. The things these boys had to say, were what every kid my age was feeling at some point or another in their life. I can relate to 99% of their songs personally, and with some research, I'm sure everyone could claim the same.

From Under the Cork Tree and Dreaming, their first main stream success CD, is just plain excellent. There are only a handful of cds that I can name off the top of my head where I every single song is excellent: Incubus, SCIENCE. The Killers, Hot Fuss. John Mayer, Heavier Things. And, Fall Out Boy, From Under the Cork Tree and Dreaming. Every single song is quotable and catchy and wonderful.
"We're only liars, but we're the best. Besides we've got such good fashion sense."
"I used to waste my time dreaming of being alive, now I only waste it dreaming of you."
"And oh the way your makeup stains my pillowcase, like I'll never be the same."
"Why don't you show me a little bit of spine that you've been saving for his mattress."
"I'm just a notch on your bedpost, but you're just a line in a song."
"Can I lay in your bed all day? I'll be your best kept secret and your biggest mistake. The hand behind this pen relives a failure everyday."
"So wear me like a locket around your throat. I'll weigh you down, I'll watch you choke. You look so good in blue."
"I want to be known for my hits not just my misses"
"Trying to forget everything that isn't you, cuz I don't do too well on my own."
"The best part of 'Believe' is the 'lie'. I hope you sing along and steal a line"
"I'm sorry my conscience called in sick again, and I've got arrogance down to a science. I'm the first kid to write of hearts, lies, and friends."
Even one of my personal favorite lines from any song ever, comes from a song on that cd with the line: "If you are the shores, I am the waves begging for big moons."

After that cd, they came out with Infinity On High, which I personally loved because Patrick got to show everyone just how incredible and unique his voice really is. Along with great new lyrics, the music became more grown up, and not so poppy. Many hardcore fans of the band didn't like the disc because they said FOB was selling out, or becoming mainstream. Whatever. It's called growth. And I loved every song on that cd too.

Fall Out Boy kept consistently putting out songs that I enjoyed hearing, with witty lyrics and catchy music. Just when I thought I couldn't love them anymore, their newest cd titled Folie A Deux, featured a song called "Tiffany Blews" with...prepare yourself...LIL WAYNE SINGING ON THE TRACK. He may have also produced it. It was a glorious musical moment in my life.

In my opinion, Fall Out Boy began it all. The new generation of pop punk bands...they were the blink-182 of this day and age. All American Rejects, All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Cartel, Cute is What We Aim For, Cobra Starship, Forever the Sickest Kids, etc etc etc. They all launched to fame because of Fall Out Boy's success. None of them will have the impact that FOB did. The words of Pete sang by Patrick touched many young people's lives. It saddens me that they will be remembered by the masses for things like "Thnks 4 th Mmrs" and "Dance Dance", and Pete's hairstyle and nudie pics online. But their fans will always love them and be grateful for the wonderful memories associated with the band. So, thanks Fall Out Boy, for the music, the memories, the soundtrack to my teenage years.