Emo Syntax

One of the most important devices in emo songwriting is that of emo syntax. Sure, saying outright that your girlfriend dumped you is awesome. But... what if you can convey your pain to the listener outside of the restrictions of single gestures? Make the listener think about it, make the emo connection, stretch out their understanding like your ex stretched out your heart and hung it to rot on the clothesline of rejection, slowly festering in the setting sunlight of her abandoned love?

Example: 'Ten Minutes' by the Get-Up Kids:
"Sometimes I miss you more... whenever I'm at home.
I've been home all summer."

See how he doesn't just say he misses his ex, but he sets up being at home as an emo quantifier :'(, and then later tells us just how long he's been heartbroken e. Because the e is communicated by an indirect, familiar variable connected only by prior quantifier association, the impact is increased tenfold.

emo = e + :'(e + k

k = ex-girlfriend's phone number.

That's emo syntax in work!

Another example: 'Neighborhood #2 (Laika)' by the Arcade Fire:
"When daddy comes home you always start a fight, so the neighbors can dance...
Now the neighbors can dance!"