From their 2002 self-titled debut to their 2012 file Youngsters within the Avenue, the All-American Rejects grew to become synonymous with pop-punk within the early 2000s. They managed to encapsulate being a chronically sarcastic, usually angsty teen completely — soundtracking each emo child’s past love in songs like “Soiled Little Secret” and finally their first heartbreak in songs like “Provides You Hell.”
Though they’ve a plethora of business hits from their tenure as a band (such because the aforementioned hits, in addition to “Transfer Alongside,” “Swing, Swing” and “It Ends Tonight”), they’ve fairly a couple of different songs which are simply nearly as good however tragically didn’t obtain the identical quantity of affection — or airplay. Because the All-American Rejects gear as much as go on their first headlining tour in a decade, we’re right here to make a couple of options for his or her setlist. Listed below are 10 criminally underrated the All-American Rejects songs, in no specific order.
Learn extra: Each All-American Rejects album ranked: From worst to greatest
“One Extra Unhappy Tune” – The All-American Rejects (2002)
Lead singer Tyson Ritter was simply 18-years-old when he wrote “One Extra Unhappy Tune,” drawing inspiration from a troublesome breakup. He touches on the interior turmoil felt when you need to let go of somebody you continue to love, singing, “My coronary heart is torn for all to see/Alone with you, alone with me.” Essentially the most attention-grabbing a part of the music is that it doesn’t sound like a tragic music in any respect, regardless of its title. The lyrics are melancholy, however they’re disguised by Ritter’s vibrant vocals and an upbeat guitar.
“Your Star” – The All-American Rejects (2002)
“Your Star” is among the least bitter songs a few dishonest girlfriend that has ever been written, together with the aforementioned “One Extra Unhappy Tune.” Ritter inserts a glimpse of his companion’s perspective within the lyrics, acknowledging that each events are feeling that post-breakup sting. That sensitiveness is carried all through the remainder of the group’s self-titled album, highlighted by the maturity in Ritter’s vocals. Plus, there’s a fairly good guitar solo about midway by the observe, and who doesn’t love that?
“Dance Inside” – Transfer Alongside (2005)
Transfer Alongside is filled with iconic songs, and “Dance Inside” is one in every of them — even when it didn’t obtain as a lot consideration as “Soiled Little Secret” or “It Ends Tonight.” Whereas love songs aren’t revolutionary for the All-American Rejects discography by any means, what makes “Dance Inside” particular is that they weren’t lamenting over one thing misplaced. “It’s about passionate love, on a deeper stage than I used to jot down about earlier than,” Ritter advised MTV in 2003.
“Can’t Take It” – Transfer Alongside (2005)
The All-American Rejects shut Transfer Alongside with the orchestral “Can’t Take It,” taking a bounce from the angsty sound they’d grow to be recognized for. The strings that perforate Ritter’s roaring within the music would make the right soundtrack to James Bond evident at somebody throughout a poker desk. Ritter additionally provides a dabble of falsetto in “Can’t Take It,” which units the music excessive — very similar to the skinny slice of a lemon peel in Bond’s Vesper martini.
“Actual World” – When the World Comes Down (2008)
“Actual World” comes off of the All-American Rejects’ most introspective album, When the World Comes Down. After focusing closely on teenage heartbreak for years, the band dove into extra existential waters. “Actual World” is a observe about rising up within the digital age the place “you’re fed from the TV display screen.” Very like the remainder of the album, that’s not the entire story: a determined sense of hope for the longer term is sprinkled all through the music.
“Rattling Lady” – When the World Comes Down (2008)
Now it’s time to overlook all the pieces we simply stated concerning the All-American Rejects switching up their material on When the World Comes Down. Sure, “Rattling Lady” is one other breakup music a few dishonest girlfriend. However the place “One Extra Unhappy Tune” and “Your Star” are pretty cordial responses to a cut up, Ritter is a little more bitter on “Rattling Lady.” Gone are the times of seeing the opposite individual’s aspect, which does make the music extra cathartic to sing alongside to.
“Sometime’s Gone” – Youngsters within the Avenue (2012)
To be honest, “Sometime’s Gone” was fairly standard when it was launched to advertise Youngsters within the Avenue in 2012. Nonetheless, it did not grow to be an immediate different rock basic — regardless that it actually ought to have. “Sometime’s Gone” is peak AAR. The lyrics are artistic (“I fall like a useless man out of the airplane,” for instance), the outrage in Ritter’s voice is palpable, and the instrumentation is dynamic. It’s all the pieces you need in an angsty breakup anthem.
“Beekeeper’s Daughter” – Youngsters within the Avenue (2012)
Very like “Sometime’s Gone,” this music was additionally acquired effectively when it first got here out because the lead single for a similar album. However once more, it solely obtained so far as turning into a prime 40 hit on the U.S. Billboard Pop charts, and I consider it deserved a lot extra. “Beekeeper’s Daughter” represented a shift to a extra lighthearted pop sound within the All-American Rejects’ discography. Plus, for those who look carefully you’ll see each YouTuber Trisha Paytas and the legendary “Mr. Leisure” Wayne Newton featured within the music video.
“There’s a Place” (2015)
After a three-year hiatus following the discharge of Youngsters within the Avenue in 2012, the All-American Rejects reemerged to drop the surprisingly soothing single “There’s a Place” in 2015. The observe is far more mellow than something they’d beforehand launched, and Ritter’s voice appeared to have developed one thing of a folksy allure, as in comparison with his typical sarcasm and angst. Although they’d accomplished it earlier than, “There’s a Place” is the simplest instance of the All-American Rejects experimenting with their sound.
“Me Vs. The World” (2020)
When the world wanted them probably the most, the All-American Rejects dropped the energetic “Me Vs. The World” throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The music brings again fond reminiscences of the introspective but energetic When the World Comes Down in each the lyrics and instrumentation. As an added perk, the All-American Rejects’ additionally introduced that proceeds from the music could be donated to MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s nonprofit that assists with the well being and well-being of these within the trade.
