There's no one better in my mind, it's not even close. You just gotta be ready to be depressed as all hell if you decide to deep dive into his lyrics, lol.
Different genre but I highly recommend checking out Dan Campbells side project Aaron West and the Roaring 20s. It’s much folkier but each song and album tells a collective story. I was a wonder years fan for 10 years before I heard about and it’s all I’ve listened to for a few weeks
His solo stuff (he released the album “Other People’s Lives” as Dan Campbell in 2021) is also pretty incredible, and genre-wise somewhere between the melodic pop-punk of TWY and the quiet folk of Aaron West.
Maybe I’m biased since twy is my favorite band but soupy is truly amazing. There’s so many lyrics that hit fucking hard. I wanna get a tattoo of something but it’s hard to pick between all the bangers
You got to go back to it, it has so much going for it. I mean just look at the lyrics on She's My Winona, Headslide and Coffee's for Closers. I slept on this album for so long because of the album artwork (I thought it was too DeviantArt for me lol).
Update! I just listened to it on my commute in to work. The lyrics are definitely strong, but stylistically it’s just not my cup of tea. It’s a bit too theatrical and rock & roll for me. Something about Infinity on High worked for me where this isn’t hitting the same. Glad you enjoyed it!
I respect the decision! Most ppl won’t go back and listen so it’s definitely fair if your take is a bit different. I personally like the style of the album, they were all on cocaine at the time and it really shows lol. But tbf all FOB albums are a tad theatrical. It also surprises myself how seamless the Lil Wayne feature is haha
Hard disagree on Arm’s Length. Object Permanence is a great example. So many mixed metaphors that don’t make any sense or have any cohesion.
E: downvote all you want, doesn’t make the lyrics not suck.
i’d run forever if they let me
when i lose my legs
would you put me down?”
like taxidermy versions
of your dogs hung on the wall
Seriously, where the fuck does taxidermic dead dogs come from!?
I’ll let the lyrics speak for themselves.
i’d run forever if they let me
when i lose my legs
would you put me down?
like taxidermy versions
of your dogs hung on the wall
Carly Cosgrove not only paints a picture of how they’re feeling but you can feel them start to mature in their discography. Very excited for their new album in June
"I was ripping cliff's notes, and preaching like I wrote the book. At a cursory glance there's a lot to overlook. I was rushing through it, and telling my friends to stop. Untroubled by the trouble that I never knew I caused." Rue the Day is still the best song on that album and I'll die on that hill 😂
Hot Water Music (or Chuck Ragan’s solo work).
If you’re looking for the storytelling style that bands like the Wonder Years, Gaslight Anthem or The Menzingers, etc. use I would recommend checking out the album “Devour” by Dave Hause. I’m not familiar with his entire discography but that album in particular does a very good job of painting a picture of the subjects in the songs.
AJ Perdomo of the Dangerous Summer - one of my personal favorite songwriters of all time. All of Reach for the Sun is so well written, some of the stuff of their self titled really sticks out too like Color and Live Forever.
Andrew McMahon - both Jack’s Mannequin and Something Corporate; Down, Me and the Moon, and Into the Airwaves stand out.
Mat Kerekes of Citizen - Direction from his solo work, In the Middle of It All from the Citizen discography are favorites.
Michael Fiorentino of Somos - very politically charged, left-leaning, anti-capitalist sentiments in their music. Mediterranean is about how migrants are treated in Europe, sad but beautifully written.
Everything in Transit is still one of my favorite records of all time, makes me nostalgic for a SoCal youth that I never experienced lol. Highly recommend getting Andrew’s memoir if you haven’t already read it, his songwriting skills translate well to the book!
Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate are the same guy?!? I had no idea. Obviously now that I know it feels obvious. I felt the same way when I found out that Go Radio was founded by Jason Lancaster who used to be in Mayday Parade. I love finding out little things like this.
Not in the same vein but if you like random lil pop punk fun facts and since you mentioned Mayday, the guest vocalist on the outro of Jamie All Over is Jason’s brother Daniel who’s fronted Stages and Stereos, Select Start, Save It for Sunrise, and the Weathers!
Bayside has the best lyrics in pop punk hands down. Ant is a wordsmith and really knows how to pull whatever emotion he is looking for out of the listener. Every album is good. A very rare band whose entire catalogue for me is listenable front to back.
A lot of the artists I’d name are already listed but I’m going to throw Waterparks in the ring. I’m impressed by a lot of their lyrics, especially in Watch What Happens Next.
Have you checked out Neck Deep? Their lyrics have a way of painting vivid pictures and telling emotional stories. It's definitely worth giving them a listen if you haven't already!
Not pop punk sure, although she has a couple songs that for sure are.
She’s an extremely talented lyricist and if you don’t think so it’s obvious you haven’t listened to any of her songs besides what they play on the radio (trouble and Me obviously aren’t particularly interesting). Lover and Folklore and Evermore and Midnights are masterclasses in lyricism.
‘Preciate the suggestion but she’s a no for me, as a general rule. I like a handful of her songs though. I’m not a hater, just not a lover.
Look what you made me do? Absolute banger. I do like some of the emo covers people have done of her songs. Lyrically she’s a yes, but in terms of the actual “sound” of her music? It just doesn’t hit the right way for me.
lol no. Not as a general rule, anyway. I said, I usually like music that is “dumb and loud and sounds like summer.” I was giving an example of the ~sound~ of the music I tend to like. I like the sound of blink 182. “It’s Christmas Eve and my grandpa just ate seven fucking hotdogs” doesn’t quite raise them to the status of lyrical gurus.
Jimmy eat world comes to mind
Jim Adkins is #1 no question
This is the best answer, but I’ve never felt like they really fit into the genre of pop punk imo
Motion city soundtrack. Justin courtney pierre is the best lyricist in the genre
There's no one better in my mind, it's not even close. You just gotta be ready to be depressed as all hell if you decide to deep dive into his lyrics, lol.
Justin is insane. I also love his lyrics.
Bayside and Jimmy Eat World
Came here looking for bayside.
Spanish love songs and Menzingers are great songwriters with strong lyrics
came to say Menzingers. IMO they don't get 1/2 the love they deserve. every time I leave MI I gotta throw on Midwestern States
Second Menzingers. They make you miss people and places you've never met or been to.
Soupy
Different genre but I highly recommend checking out Dan Campbells side project Aaron West and the Roaring 20s. It’s much folkier but each song and album tells a collective story. I was a wonder years fan for 10 years before I heard about and it’s all I’ve listened to for a few weeks
His solo stuff (he released the album “Other People’s Lives” as Dan Campbell in 2021) is also pretty incredible, and genre-wise somewhere between the melodic pop-punk of TWY and the quiet folk of Aaron West.
Yep the new album is great
Maybe I’m biased since twy is my favorite band but soupy is truly amazing. There’s so many lyrics that hit fucking hard. I wanna get a tattoo of something but it’s hard to pick between all the bangers
Is Pete Wentz still in the conversation? TTTYG through Infinity on High was a great lyrical run in the early 2000’s.
FOB has some unreal lyrics
“Let’s play this game called when you catch fire I wouldn’t piss to put you out” Even their angry fuck you lyrics were poetic.
"So wear me like a locket around your throat I'll weigh you down, I'll watch you choke You look so good in blue" Jesus 😅
You literally left out their best album. Folié takes the cake.
To each their own! They lost me at Folié.
You got to go back to it, it has so much going for it. I mean just look at the lyrics on She's My Winona, Headslide and Coffee's for Closers. I slept on this album for so long because of the album artwork (I thought it was too DeviantArt for me lol).
Update! I just listened to it on my commute in to work. The lyrics are definitely strong, but stylistically it’s just not my cup of tea. It’s a bit too theatrical and rock & roll for me. Something about Infinity on High worked for me where this isn’t hitting the same. Glad you enjoyed it!
I respect the decision! Most ppl won’t go back and listen so it’s definitely fair if your take is a bit different. I personally like the style of the album, they were all on cocaine at the time and it really shows lol. But tbf all FOB albums are a tad theatrical. It also surprises myself how seamless the Lil Wayne feature is haha
Ngl, kinda surprised to see him on this post
Relient K and Arm’s length stand out to me as having good lyrics.
Hard disagree on Arm’s Length. Object Permanence is a great example. So many mixed metaphors that don’t make any sense or have any cohesion. E: downvote all you want, doesn’t make the lyrics not suck. i’d run forever if they let me when i lose my legs would you put me down?” like taxidermy versions of your dogs hung on the wall Seriously, where the fuck does taxidermic dead dogs come from!?
Diss Arms Length here? That’s exactly how you’ll wind up dead… (a joke, not a threat)
I’ll let the lyrics speak for themselves. i’d run forever if they let me when i lose my legs would you put me down? like taxidermy versions of your dogs hung on the wall
The Dangerous Summer
I second this, especially Reach for the Sun through Mother Nature. Not that anything more recent is bad, just sort of different
Reach for the Sun has some of the best lyrics on any pop punk album, so definitely agree.
I've been listening to Gravity non-stop since it came out. As if it wasn't catchy enough, the lyrics flow so well
Bayside
Relient K, Trophy Eyes, and Movements all come to mind <3
Carly Cosgrove not only paints a picture of how they’re feeling but you can feel them start to mature in their discography. Very excited for their new album in June
"I was ripping cliff's notes, and preaching like I wrote the book. At a cursory glance there's a lot to overlook. I was rushing through it, and telling my friends to stop. Untroubled by the trouble that I never knew I caused." Rue the Day is still the best song on that album and I'll die on that hill 😂
Check out Driveways
Microwave. Although not completely pop punk
New album is 🤌
The Ataris
Yellowcard. Granted, Ryan Key has always had a way with words that resonates with me. So, ymmv
The Wonder Years
Brand new. The devil and god is lyrically one of their best albums imo.
Fantastic lyrics, but probably more emo than pop punk
Came here to say this
I agree but I’d argue that Deja Entendu is lyrically superior. I do love TDaGaRIM.
I’m heaven sent. Don’t you dare forget.
Hot Water Music (or Chuck Ragan’s solo work). If you’re looking for the storytelling style that bands like the Wonder Years, Gaslight Anthem or The Menzingers, etc. use I would recommend checking out the album “Devour” by Dave Hause. I’m not familiar with his entire discography but that album in particular does a very good job of painting a picture of the subjects in the songs.
AJ Perdomo of the Dangerous Summer - one of my personal favorite songwriters of all time. All of Reach for the Sun is so well written, some of the stuff of their self titled really sticks out too like Color and Live Forever. Andrew McMahon - both Jack’s Mannequin and Something Corporate; Down, Me and the Moon, and Into the Airwaves stand out. Mat Kerekes of Citizen - Direction from his solo work, In the Middle of It All from the Citizen discography are favorites. Michael Fiorentino of Somos - very politically charged, left-leaning, anti-capitalist sentiments in their music. Mediterranean is about how migrants are treated in Europe, sad but beautifully written.
I have no idea why I didn’t list Andrew McMahon🤦🏼♀️ Jack’s Mannequin is, without a doubt, one of the most influential bands from my early teen years.
Everything in Transit is still one of my favorite records of all time, makes me nostalgic for a SoCal youth that I never experienced lol. Highly recommend getting Andrew’s memoir if you haven’t already read it, his songwriting skills translate well to the book!
Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate are the same guy?!? I had no idea. Obviously now that I know it feels obvious. I felt the same way when I found out that Go Radio was founded by Jason Lancaster who used to be in Mayday Parade. I love finding out little things like this.
Yes! He also has a project called Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness.
Not in the same vein but if you like random lil pop punk fun facts and since you mentioned Mayday, the guest vocalist on the outro of Jamie All Over is Jason’s brother Daniel who’s fronted Stages and Stereos, Select Start, Save It for Sunrise, and the Weathers!
Love Direction by Matt Kerekes
Im also one for Andrew McMahon.
Movements
Tony Sly (RIP) and Greg Graffin
+44
Bayside, The Dangerous Summer, Trophy Eyes
Motion City Soundtrack
The Front Bottoms. Really clever and fun.
Spanish Love Songs
Bayside has the best lyrics in pop punk hands down. Ant is a wordsmith and really knows how to pull whatever emotion he is looking for out of the listener. Every album is good. A very rare band whose entire catalogue for me is listenable front to back.
Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties. The new album is outstanding. The Menzingers are a favorite as well.
Motion City Soundtrack has some of my favourite lyrics of all time.
Same. Came here to say this and set your goals.
Parker Cannon The Story So Far
Jawbreaker.
You Me And Everyone We Know
Green Day, especially on Warning, American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown
Spanish Love Songs, Arm’s Length, Movements, Trophy Eyes, Hot Mulligan, Free Throw, Youth Fountain, Origami Angel, Palate Knife, Dad Hats.
Alkaline Trio, both Matt's lyrics and Dan's
Did you guys already forget about Fireworks?
Teenage Wrist has some great lyrics imo. Marshall Gallagher is full of big ideas.
The Hotelier, Arm's Length, Carly Cosgrove, Hot Mulligan
Both Dan and Matt from alkaline trio in their own ways
DRIVEWAYS
Stand Atlantic has the best lyrics in my opinion.
Me
Senses Fail
Listen to Nothing, Nowhere
Marianas Trench - Josh Ramsay is a musical genius and needs to be regarded as such.
The Matches
Signals Midwest have the best pop punk lyrics in the game for the past 15 years. Max also has great solo stuff and stuff with his brother in Meridian.
A lot of the artists I’d name are already listed but I’m going to throw Waterparks in the ring. I’m impressed by a lot of their lyrics, especially in Watch What Happens Next.
Have you checked out Neck Deep? Their lyrics have a way of painting vivid pictures and telling emotional stories. It's definitely worth giving them a listen if you haven't already!
If we count Jimmy Eat World as pop punk, Jim Adkins is at the top unquestionably
Lgfuad by motion City soundtrack. Say it like you mean it album by starting line.
you might really like the menzingers. all of their music is good, but i personally think the album after the party is their best release
Matt Skiba is very good, Alkaline trio and The Sekrets are top level lyrically.
Hot Mulligan
Oh word, a Hot Mulligan thread
naw
Not reading all that
Taylor Swift
I have zero ill-will towards TSwift but it's this sort of response in a pop-punk subreddit that makes people sick of her fanbase.
Neither pop punk nor a strong lyricist.
Not pop punk sure, although she has a couple songs that for sure are. She’s an extremely talented lyricist and if you don’t think so it’s obvious you haven’t listened to any of her songs besides what they play on the radio (trouble and Me obviously aren’t particularly interesting). Lover and Folklore and Evermore and Midnights are masterclasses in lyricism.
Pop punk subreddit dude
I’m aware. A lot of people here like her anyways, there’s crossover.
‘Preciate the suggestion but she’s a no for me, as a general rule. I like a handful of her songs though. I’m not a hater, just not a lover. Look what you made me do? Absolute banger. I do like some of the emo covers people have done of her songs. Lyrically she’s a yes, but in terms of the actual “sound” of her music? It just doesn’t hit the right way for me.
Fair enough. You asked about lyricism so I provided.
I agree with you. My wife introduced me to her and was actually really impressed by her songs, but particularly the deeper cuts
Fr the line "Touch me while your bros play Grand Theft Auto" made me cry
I cry everytime
The Home Team cuts deep. Also just listen to Aaron West. That’s prime Soupy.
You really think blink 182 have good lyrics?
lol no. Not as a general rule, anyway. I said, I usually like music that is “dumb and loud and sounds like summer.” I was giving an example of the ~sound~ of the music I tend to like. I like the sound of blink 182. “It’s Christmas Eve and my grandpa just ate seven fucking hotdogs” doesn’t quite raise them to the status of lyrical gurus.
Agree. Just blunt and not clever.
Yes I do. Not all of their songs are jokes songs