1) For whatever reason, a highly controversial word in youth culture and popular culture circles. Probably the definition that can be the most agreed upon is that side of post-hardcore which is melodic and accessible enough for mainstream pop audiences to enjoy. It should be taken into account that most bands who play this type of music are divorced from the art punk tendencies of many of the pioneering post-hardcore bands from the 1980s and 1990s.
2) "Emo" can also refer to the youth subculture that is centered around this particular niche of post-hardcore described in definition 1, which, much like the punk, goth, and hippie subcultures that preceded it, is identifiable by a particular fashion sense (in this case often straight, dyed black hair combed to one side to the point of being asymmetrical in appearance, also horn-rimmed or rectangular eyewear). Unlike the punk and hippie subcultures, at least, there are really no identifiable political or ideological concerns of the Emo subculture, and it is primarily defined by music purchasing habits and outward appearance. However, many members of the Emo subculture, often referred to as emo kids, are often seen as suicidal or suffering from other psychological problems, regardless of whether or not they actually are.
3) Archaically at least to some degree, "emo" is sometimes used to describe nearly all post-hardcore, particularly that which derives stylistically from the sounds pioneered by a number of bands from Washington DC and Maryland in the mid-to-late 1980s. It should be noted, though, that "emo" (then "emocore") was a derogatory term applied to the earliest of these bands by their detractors.
2) "Emo" can also refer to the youth subculture that is centered around this particular niche of post-hardcore described in definition 1, which, much like the punk, goth, and hippie subcultures that preceded it, is identifiable by a particular fashion sense (in this case often straight, dyed black hair combed to one side to the point of being asymmetrical in appearance, also horn-rimmed or rectangular eyewear). Unlike the punk and hippie subcultures, at least, there are really no identifiable political or ideological concerns of the Emo subculture, and it is primarily defined by music purchasing habits and outward appearance. However, many members of the Emo subculture, often referred to as emo kids, are often seen as suicidal or suffering from other psychological problems, regardless of whether or not they actually are.
3) Archaically at least to some degree, "emo" is sometimes used to describe nearly all post-hardcore, particularly that which derives stylistically from the sounds pioneered by a number of bands from Washington DC and Maryland in the mid-to-late 1980s. It should be noted, though, that "emo" (then "emocore") was a derogatory term applied to the earliest of these bands by their detractors.
1) It is disputed by few that Jimmy Eat World and Braid are emo bands.
2) In some regions, the emo subculture is cause for moral panic.
3) Guy Picciotto, of pioneering post-hardcore groups Rites of Spring and Fugazi fame primarily, finds it upsetting that he is considered one of emo's founding fathers.
2) In some regions, the emo subculture is cause for moral panic.
3) Guy Picciotto, of pioneering post-hardcore groups Rites of Spring and Fugazi fame primarily, finds it upsetting that he is considered one of emo's founding fathers.
by Mmccormick88 May 4, 2008
Get the emomug. Life is either what you make of it or what you do not make of it. IF you're happy going thru life sad and that's your thing, OK...BUT there is a lot more out there if your attitude is that "the glass is half full" - be positive. Just cause bad stuff happened to you, don't internalize it to the point where you cannot see the good stuff all around you. Personally, I find most emo's a downer who work hard at exuding bad vibes.
emo - Trying to exude no perceptible positive emotion, trying to be sad, and internalizing their feelings. Spending time writing in a journal, creating poetry, etc. Not trying to make a contribution to the world, only themselves (ie: vanity and self-centered behavior). Ask a question - "Where does this get me...where does this help me grow as an individual?"
by Positive outlook guy July 21, 2009
Get the EMOmug. To me, emo is a word used inappropriately too much these days.
Everyone has their own definition on emo, but really emo can mean alot of different things.
Emo - A kind of music that originated from Hardcore Punk.
But what i think an emo PERSON is, it is someone who is emotional, someone who is emotional about what is happening and what they do, they are a person, not a creature from outta space. They use very touching and "emotional" words, and they care.
Emo, does not mean "wrist cutter" a wrist cutter is someone with problems, someone who has to figure out their life.
Most people judge others they have never met, rather it be they see them in the city or at school if they wear wrist bands, have a side fringe with black hair and they wear lots of black and make up they instantly think "Whoa look at that sad emo!" then go and tell their friends, without even knowing the person.
I know alot of people that dress like the above and they are the happiest people ever and i can not imagine them slitting their wrists to "hawthorn heights" or "Dashboard confessional", It's all just a big label.
If you wanna know what emo is, its basecly a word used too much to describe people that other people have never met.
Everyone has their own definition on emo, but really emo can mean alot of different things.
Emo - A kind of music that originated from Hardcore Punk.
But what i think an emo PERSON is, it is someone who is emotional, someone who is emotional about what is happening and what they do, they are a person, not a creature from outta space. They use very touching and "emotional" words, and they care.
Emo, does not mean "wrist cutter" a wrist cutter is someone with problems, someone who has to figure out their life.
Most people judge others they have never met, rather it be they see them in the city or at school if they wear wrist bands, have a side fringe with black hair and they wear lots of black and make up they instantly think "Whoa look at that sad emo!" then go and tell their friends, without even knowing the person.
I know alot of people that dress like the above and they are the happiest people ever and i can not imagine them slitting their wrists to "hawthorn heights" or "Dashboard confessional", It's all just a big label.
If you wanna know what emo is, its basecly a word used too much to describe people that other people have never met.
Judgmental person: "OH MY GOD!!! LOOK AT THAT EMO OVER THERE!!!"
Judgmental persons friend: "Do you even know them?"
Judgmental person: "No"
Judgmental persons friend: "Then how do u know their lifestyle?"
Judgmental person: "I don't"
Judgmental persons friend: "Then why did you call them emo?"
Judgmental person: "Because they are"
Judgmental persons friend: "Do you even know what emo exactly is?"
Judgmental person: "...No..."
Judgmental persons friend: "Do you even know them?"
Judgmental person: "No"
Judgmental persons friend: "Then how do u know their lifestyle?"
Judgmental person: "I don't"
Judgmental persons friend: "Then why did you call them emo?"
Judgmental person: "Because they are"
Judgmental persons friend: "Do you even know what emo exactly is?"
Judgmental person: "...No..."
by Jazzehhh :D January 16, 2009
Get the Emomug. People who follow the emotional hardcore music scene. Emo is a shortening of emotional and in most cases refers to the style of music. Many people beleive that all emos cut themselves, this is not true. Yes, some emos cut themselves but so do some goths, punks and people who don't follow a particukar trend. Admittedly self harmers do seem drawn to the emo scene but this doesn't mean all emos self harm, most just dress and listen to music to try to seperate themselves from the herd.
Self harming is an act commited by people who either beleive they need punishment, find some releif from emotion through physical pain or suffer from low self esteem. I used to be emo, I cut myself once or twice but only as a response to the constant ridiculing I was subject to.
Self harming is an act commited by people who either beleive they need punishment, find some releif from emotion through physical pain or suffer from low self esteem. I used to be emo, I cut myself once or twice but only as a response to the constant ridiculing I was subject to.
Chav: Hey, emo kid! Do you slit your wrists?
Emo: Not all emos do ya know *shows wrists with no
cuts* Do you see anything?
Chav: Yeah, I see you're an emo!
Chavs group: Emo! Emo!
*Chav and large group of friends laugh hysterically and emo leaves*
Emo: Not all emos do ya know *shows wrists with no
cuts* Do you see anything?
Chav: Yeah, I see you're an emo!
Chavs group: Emo! Emo!
*Chav and large group of friends laugh hysterically and emo leaves*
by Ex-emo July 7, 2009
Get the Emomug. Emo is linked to a various number of things......
However most of these aren't true. Emo is not a hairstyle, a clothes style or even a youngster cutting themselves.
Emo is a lifstyle. Although some may cut themselves. More than likely they dont. Emo is a younger generation of not-so-understood teens that get noticed by dressing and actied differently. This has been around since the 80's but has not been recognized until the new millenium. We are not wanna be Japanease people and we are not pussies. Most of us are stronger than preps and jocks (emotionally of course). We don't like being targeted for who we are and certainly dont like being called obscene names such as earlier mentioned pussy.We want to be respected and left alone as you would want. We are not a style of music as many of you think. We are a society in ourselves, and if your nice we won't kick your ass and hook your intestines up to our car batteries and drag you behind our car!
However most of these aren't true. Emo is not a hairstyle, a clothes style or even a youngster cutting themselves.
Emo is a lifstyle. Although some may cut themselves. More than likely they dont. Emo is a younger generation of not-so-understood teens that get noticed by dressing and actied differently. This has been around since the 80's but has not been recognized until the new millenium. We are not wanna be Japanease people and we are not pussies. Most of us are stronger than preps and jocks (emotionally of course). We don't like being targeted for who we are and certainly dont like being called obscene names such as earlier mentioned pussy.We want to be respected and left alone as you would want. We are not a style of music as many of you think. We are a society in ourselves, and if your nice we won't kick your ass and hook your intestines up to our car batteries and drag you behind our car!
A true emo is very moody. They are happy one minute and suicidal the next. We are very quiet around new people and dont get along with preps or chavs very well.
We have a very wide range of music tastes. Most people think we like bands like Bullet For My Valentine and My Chemical Romance(FYI MCR IS NOT EMO!!!,THEY ARE ALTERNATIVE!!!) But we can listen to different music like Fegie, Jeffree Star, and Tupac Shakur (Who was emo)
We have a very wide range of music tastes. Most people think we like bands like Bullet For My Valentine and My Chemical Romance(FYI MCR IS NOT EMO!!!,THEY ARE ALTERNATIVE!!!) But we can listen to different music like Fegie, Jeffree Star, and Tupac Shakur (Who was emo)
by SuburbanBarbie February 6, 2008
Get the Emo mug. Emo is a type of music characterised by songs that are "emotional" and often dark. Emo also refers to a sort of subculture of teens and twentysomethings who listen to that type of music, and dress in a slightly dark, individualistic style. Emo is also associated with depression and self-injury, but to be emo you don't have to have experienced either of these. Emo kids are usually disliked by the popular crowd because they really don't want to fit in with them, but they don't care because the people who they do fit in with are a whole lot nicer in their opinion. Some people say that emo is stupid because a kid will try and be different and find friends who are also trying to be different, and they will be the same as their friends, but really, what alternative style hasn't that happened to? All the punk or gothic or metalhead kids have always stood out on their own and fit in with their friends, and really, that's better than fitting in with everyone. Emo is not really my thing, and I don't consider myself emo, but I'm proud of those who do.
"Jenny" likes Dashboard Confessional and Jimmy Eat World. She wears lots of eye makeup and is a good writer. she hates to fit in with the rest of the world. She considers herself to be emo.
by Meeka; proud to be a dabbler February 5, 2008
Get the emomug. ok listin all you stupid people out there.
emo is not peole who wear tight jeans, cut themslves, take anti depresssants or anything that you've put under this stereo type.
emo is someone who is to FREAKIN EMOTIONAL FOR THERE OWN GOOD. ok?
and the word originated from the emoative music
but thats not the point.
and if your gonna freakin put peole under these stupid labels...at least do it right!!!!
emo is not peole who wear tight jeans, cut themslves, take anti depresssants or anything that you've put under this stereo type.
emo is someone who is to FREAKIN EMOTIONAL FOR THERE OWN GOOD. ok?
and the word originated from the emoative music
but thats not the point.
and if your gonna freakin put peole under these stupid labels...at least do it right!!!!
by karaz!!!!world!!!!XxxroxiexxX April 1, 2008
Get the emomug.