H@rDc0R3 H@rDc0R3: The Chronicles of Emo Kids =)

'Emo', which is a short form for emotional, is a trend of rock music particularly distinguished to express a strong feeling sadness or unhappiness, pain, hurt, anger and disturbance, which are also known as 'emotional hardcore' or 'emotional active' and pioneered by bands like Rites of Spring and Embrace. The stylistic origins were hardcore punk and indie rock.

A couple of years ago, the word 'emo' has been put into criticism to various of artists such as Evanescence, Avril Lavigne, Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance. 'Emo' is usually used to emphasize a specific relationship between the fans and the artists and to portray fashion, culture and behaviour.

Let us put an example of a song named "Helena", sang by My Chemical Romance. The lyrics are as below followed by the meaning of each paragraph.

Helena

Long ago

Just like the hearse

you die to get in again

We are so far from you

And what's the worst you take

(Worst you take)

From every heart you break

(Heart you break)

And like a blade you stain

(Blade you stain)

Well, I've been holding on tonight

What's the worst that I could say?

Things are better if I stay

So long and goodnight

And what's the worst you take

(Worst you take)

From every heart you break

(Heart you break)

And like the blade you stain

(Blade you stain)

Well, I've been holding on tonight

Came a time

When every star falls

Brought you to tears again

We are the very hurt you sold

And what's the worst that I could say?

Things are better if I stay

So long and goodnight

Well, if you carry on this way

Things are better if I stay

So long and goodnight

So long not goodnight

Can you hear me?

Are you near me?

Can we pretend?

To leave and then

We'll meet again

When both our cars collide

What's the worst that I could say?

Things are better if I stay

So long and goodnight

So long not goodnight

Well, if you carry on this way

Things are better if I stay

So long and goodnight

Meaning of the song:

First paragraph>>> It means that the person's name is Helena and she is dead.

Second paragraph>>> Helena's death is like she took a part from the singer away and it hurts a

lot.

Third paragraph>>>The singer does not want to accept the fact that Helena's is dead but he

knows that he must forget about it and try to be calm because Helena is no

longer alive.

Forth paragraph>>> Same as paragraph 2.

Fifth paragraph>>>It means that Helena was once belonged to the singer and now she has gone

and it shatters the singer's heart and soul.

Sixth paragraph>>>Same as paragraph 3

Seventh paragraph>>>It is clear that the singer is trying to talk to her as if she was an angel and

he just wants to be with her again.

Eighth paragraph>>> The writer finally accepts the fact that Helena is dead and gone forever

and he will be okay.

Conclusion: From the lyrics above, it is clear that the singer is trying to express his deep sadness and he is mourning over Helena's death. The singer wants to see Helena so badly. This is an example of emo hardcore song. Every single word of the lyrics has sad and negative expression.

>>> An emo Hong Kong star, Daniel Wu in the making of Shinjuku Incident.

Nowadays, we can see 'emo' is related to music and fashion as well and is sometimes stereotyped with tight-fitting jeans on males and females, long fringes brushed to one side of one or two eyes exactly like those who have panda eyes or have taken drugs, dyed black and straight hair, tight shirts with colourful patterns or bear the names of famous emo bands, studded belts, belts buckles, canvas sneakers or black shoes.

A few years ago, fashion of emo was correlated with clean cut look, but as the styles spread to younger teenagers, the style has become darker, with long fringe. A popular media has characterized it as being related with depression, self-injury such as cutting oneself with blade and suicide due to extreme angst-ridden.