A Thousand Clever Lines: Tell All Your Friends Turns 20

The year was 2002. I was in eighth grade, dreading my freshman year to come. At 14 years old my musical tastes already seemed to take a melancholic turn, but nothing would compare to the impact that TAYF had on me. Sure I hadn’t experienced heartbreak or emotional turmoil at the capacity they were singing about. But that didn’t stop me from singing my heart out and relating to it on some crazy level. The album is filled with catchy gems through its entirety. 1000 clever lines, that to this day, still sting a bit when sung out loud. To celebrate its 20th birthday, I have compiled a list of the best, in my opinion, clever lines and lyrics from each track. So let’s take a trip down memory lane and reminisce on the songs that had a silly way of keeping us on the edge of our seats.

•You Know How I Do

Lyric: “We’re both such magnificent liars, so crush me baby I’m all ears”.

Now at the time of its release I most definitely did not have a “baby” to crush me and my 14 year old heart. But when I grew up I may have shamelessly said this to a boy or two who had no idea who this band was. Maybe that was my first mistake. Moving on…

•Bike Scene

Lyric: “You’ve got this  silly way of keeping me on the edge of my seat, but you’re only counting the clock against the train and I’m miserable”.

This song is honestly one of my favorites off this album. This lyric hits my heart like a bag of bricks and even though I smile as I sing it now, it definitely is one that will always hit a little close to home.

•Cute Without The ‘E’ (Cut from the team) Lyric: “She’ll destroy us all before she’s through and find a way to blame somebody else”.

Alright, now I know what you’re thinking, this line, why? Well in the midst of the chaotic ending to this track, you hear John Nolan scream this and for some reason I find it so empowering. Not that I wanted anyone to be destroyed, but the fact that some lady out there managed to crush someone’s emo heart enough that it gave us this anthem. It’s a classic.

•There’s No ‘I’ In Team

Lyric: “And I’ve got a $20 bill that says you’re up late night starting fistfights versus fences”.

So for those diehards, this lyric may sound a bit familiar. The start of “Mixtape” by Brand New ring a bell? Now we’ve all heard about the so-called feud between Adam and Jesse. But whatever the beef was, if there ever was any, they sure gave us some great tracks about feuding ex besties.

•Great Romances of The 20th Century

Lyric: “But I love the way you’d roll excuses off the tip of your tongue, as I slowly fall apart”.

This is another song that hit close to home for me when I got older. However, as a teen, I always thought it a bit strange when Adam sings “Am I turning you on? I’m in your room”. For the life of me I could never make sense of why this boy would want to turn on a gal that hurt him so badly. But, again, I sing it out loud with every feel I had in me.

•Ghost Man on Third

Lyric: “It’s times like these where silence means everything”.

I mean, enough said.

•Timberwolves at New Jersey

Lyric: “This is you trying hard to make sure that you’re seen, with a girl on your arm and your heart on your sleeve”.

Possibly more Lazzara/Lacey beef? Our emo hearts may never know.

•The Blue Channel

Lyric: “Regardless my pictures. Well, they don’t line your mirror”.

This song brings back freshman feels of when I found out my boyfriend at the time, we’ll call him Scotty, was cheating on me with a gal he had introduced me to as his “good friend”. Oh the sting of young love. Scotty most definitely didn’t know how cool this emo girl was and still is.

•You’re So Last Summer

Lyric: “Cause I’m a wishful thinker with the worst intentions”.

Now before you all come after me, this is probably my least favorite song off of this album. I know, I know. Lyrically it definitely does pack mean punch and let’s of course not forget that the music video featured Flava Flav.

•Head Club

Lyric: “I can’t say I blame you, but I wish that I could. I’m sick of writing every song about YOU”.

For me, this is my anthem off of this album. I remember seeing TBS in Minneapolis for their 20th anniversary as a band and they played TAYF and it’s entirety. When this lyric hit I had all the goosebumps and unknowingly emo tears begin to trickle down. They most definitely ended this album perfectly.

From beginning to end this album is one that we will sing along to for years to come. It got us through our teen years, our first loves, our heart breaks, our sadness and even our growth and good times. The love I have for this band and this album is one that will never fade. Music like this sticks with you forever. It’s not just the nostalgic aspect, it made us feel less alone in times when we were confused about why we felt that way. TBS expressed what we sometimes couldn’t and for that I am forever appreciative. Happy 20th TAYF, we will ALWAYS tell all our friends about you and be forever grateful for being such an influential album for future bands to come.