When I was a teenager, life was confusing, scary and nothing seemed to make sense. That's why I would always turn to music. In this list, these are songs I remember listening to in my angst-ridden phases. Listen and get ready for the nostalgia kick.
1. Just So You Know - Jesse McCartney
This song was one of my biggest anthems when I was a kid. I remember using lyrics in this song as Facebook statuses and watching the music video countless times. Jesse McCartney knew how to portray teen angst.
2. Leave (Get Out) - Jojo
Jojo will be featured more than once on this list just because she was the queen of singing her soul out about the boys who didn't treat her right. I remember listening to this on Radio Disney and turning up the volume and belting to this song even though I was twelve and had zero relationship experience.
3. Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie
This was definitely an autoplay song on my Myspace page for a LONG time. I felt like this song really described my teen angst to a T. I definitely used some of these lyrics in a status or two.
4. Complicated - Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne was the QUEEN of teen angst. This song isn't even the tip of her repertoire of songs about relationships and broken family ties. She inspired my eyeliner looks and my dreams of having perfectly straight hair.
5. Teardrops On My Guitar - Taylor Swift
Of course, I had to add Taylor to this list. This song was probably dedicated to one of my many crushes who I never had the courage to talk to. I remember crying to the lyrics, "He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar, the only one who's got enough of me to break my heart" even when my crush probably had no idea I even existed.
Thank you, Taylor, for all of the lyrics I used to write in my journals and on my social media.
6. She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
Okay, this music video is WEIRD. But this song is one I would listen to non-stop. This song is still one that I will absolutely belt to no matter what the condition is.
7. I Miss You - Blink-182
Ah, the song that started my love for Blink-182. I remember listening to this on my iPod and staring out of the window in my most organic melancholic state.
8. Your Guardian Angel - Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Oh my gosh, this was the love ballad when I was in middle school. I remember posting lyrics to this song everywhere. I even wanted it played at my wedding someday. This song is still super sweet.
9. It Ends Tonight - The All-American Rejects
Give me a sad boy with a piano and I am a puddle of mush. This song also made me fall in love with fireworks.
10. Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
I remember my first-ever relationship. This song was one we would send back and forth to each other because we went to different schools. Young love at its finest, folks.
11. Who Knew - P!nk
I remember crying to this song after my grandpa passed away when I was in middle school. I didn't know him super well, but hearing this song made me feel like we had a better relationship.
12. Too Little Too Late - Jojo
Jojo is appearing once again. This song made me hate boys for the longest time. I thought they were all cheating scumbags and everything that Jojo said made sense. I still belt to this song once and awhile.
13. Mr. Brightside - The Killers
This song is the best ever. I think every word is somehow tattooed in my soul. Whenever this song plays on the radio, I have a wave of nostalgia hit. This song makes me want to put on a gallon of eyeliner and wear my worn out converses.
14. I Write Sins Not Tragedies - Panic! At The Disco
Because songs with extremely catchy lyrics and interesting music videos never grow old, right?
15. Sugar, We're Going Down - Fall Out Boy
Yes, give me this song at any time, any day and I will scream every word. I love the angst in this song.
16. Welcome To The Black Parade - Mayday Parade
And of course, this list wouldn't be complete without the anthem that brings all angst-filled kids together. This song is beautiful and emotional all at the same time.