Rural Dictionary

emo

1. A subgenre of punk music. Originally it was called "emo" due to its lyrics, which were more emotional and confessive than typical punk songs. Some original emo bands are Rites of Spring, Taking Back Sunday, and Sunny Day Real Estate. Over the years, though, emo has become more diverse, and a very vague term. No one can agree exactly what it is. There are many kinds of emo music: emocore (emo post hard core), emo punk, emo alternative, and more. Emo bands can be anything from Paramore to Black Veil Brides.

2. A subculture of people who like emo music. Often emos have a certain fashion sense ("emo" hair cut, lots of black clothing, eyeliner, etc.), but not necessarily. Emo fashion is really quite varied and not limited to Hot Topic. Emos pride themselves on being in touch with their emotions and creative. Many write music or poetry.

---

Lastly-- I don't know how many times in my lifetime I will have to explain this, but cutting and depression are symptoms of being human, not being emo.

If you're emo-- just because someone isn't exactly like you doesn't make them a "poser." Emo music and fashion is extremely varied, and frankly pretty hard to define. Instead of arguing about what our culture is, let's use it as a tool to connect with others over a joint love of good music.

If you're not emo-- let me remind you that enforcing stereotypes, and then accusing the stereotyped group of being "all the same" is hypocritical.

1. I'm so obsessed with emo music right now! Especially All Time Low, Rites of Spring, and My Chemical Romance. Those bands are awesome.

2. Jeremy is an emo. He wears eyeliner and listens to Panic! At the Disco. Melissa is an emo. She's a cheerleader who loves Mineral.

by niq January 16, 2016

69👍 13👎

Emo

Please note that i'm referring to current emos.

Emo, emotional, "emotive" (emotive is no longer a current term though). I know many current emos who describe themselve as emotional- finding "emo" to be an incorrect term (seeing as "emo" is a music genre, not a subculture).

Clothes: Normally tight shirts and jeans, hoodies/jackets at any size (I prefer a mixture of tight and baggy hoodies), and Converse or Vans (I love my Converses). A lot of black and bright/light colors such as pinks, purples, and light blues.

Makeup: Heavy dark makeup. Your eyes must show how dark of a person you are...lol, don't take it too seriously. Dark makeup around the eyes, making the eyes stand out, but sometimes with a bit of color as well (color optional). Sometimes little shapes like hearts, stars, or even tear drops can be drawn near your eyes with eyeliner as well. Nails? Black is a given, but many people like to mix it up; 10 different finger nails, 10 possible colors. Facial piercings are optional by the way. Google "emo pics" or something for a better understanding on makeup.

Hair: Big bang swooped across the face. Again, goggling "emo pics" would give you a better understanding. Possibly a few spikes, lightly teased, and a little color, I believe it ends there. Too much further and you're in the scene territory. I love scene hairstyles, but i'm not scene so I shouldn't try and steal from them...even though they are a sub-sub culture of us.

By the way, emo styles WILL very. All of those things above? You don't have to do ANY of it to be emo. The reason why most real emos would rather be called "emotional" is because it's the feeling that counts. To be honest, if you follow this kind of "emo code" to much, you'll just look like a poser...emos hate posers. Me? I mess up my hair and a little eyeshadow in a funky color, but I don't even do the heavy black eyes thing; I don't have enough time in the morning to put on that much makeup, lol. And no, black isn't mandetory. I do wear a lot of dark colors, but I don't always wear black. Two weeks ago I wore a mixture of white and tan colors, and i'm not any less emo for it.

Mood/Style: While stereotypically, we are supposedly depressed, sucidal, cut/harm ourselves, write dark poetry, and cry 24/7, not exactly true. Maybe for some of us, but my emo friends and I certainly don't. I'm often depressed, rarely suicidal anymore (thank god), I have burst out in tears for no reason a few times but not regularly, and i've only thought about cutting; i've never done it. As for poetry, I write happy and gloomy poems, but most of the ones I write are love poems.

My point of view? Emos are indeed emotional, but many...or at least some of us, aren't just "whinny babys". We tend to be quiet, passionate, loving people who are just damaged or bruised.
More Mood/Style: Some of us tend to have a thing for stuffed animals/plushies/etc etc. Could be a dinosaur, hello kitty, anime plush, or a regular stuffed animal your aunt Lue sent you, lol. I don't carry stuffed animals around 24/7, but some days I can't help but take an anime plush to school with me.

Myspace: Having a Myspace page is currently one of the latest non-fading emo fads. Get a lot of members, take a lot of photos, have an emo/depressing/dark layout, and be on often.

Emo music: *sigh* I don't even really want to mention emo music. Too much controversy. "That's a emo band!" "No it's not!" "There's no such thing as emo music!" I've heard them all. But, i'll list a few bands that i'd put in the emo category. You don't have to agree with me.

Panic! at the Disco, Taking Back Sunday, Hawthorne Heights, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Head Automatica, Cartel, Fallout Boy (before they hit it big), 30 Seconds to Mars & many more.

By the way, many emos wouldn't be caught dead without their mp3 player/music device.

Conclusion:

"So whats emo really?" A music genre. Emotional, or Emotive is the subculture. We are dark people, but not as dark as goths. We are similar to punks mainly in style, but are attitudes tend to differ. We are dark people, but loving people, full of passionate emotions. We look sad on the outside, and feel better to be able to admit our pain to the world- making us feel better on the inside. We're not all sucidal or cutters; I know quite a few emos who think it's uncool to cut. We think it's dumb, just like you, to cut for no reason especially. We are full of emotion, we are emos.

"I show my dark emotions through my clothes, poetry, attitude, and the music I listen to. I'm not a bad person, i'm just darker and more in touch with my emotions than you."

by Inuoko November 30, 2008

324👍 103👎