Music can evoke emotion, conclude a scene without words or deliver the extra oomph that a moment was lacking otherwise. Below we have compiled some of our favorite scenes from movies where music did just that.

Read more: 10 song titles you didn’t realize are actually just movie quotes

Fight Club

The incredible Chuck Palahniuk novel turned movie, Fight Club, starred Edward Norton and Brad Pitt in 1999. The story that follows both the narrator (Norton) and Tyler Durden (Pitt) comes complete with a soundtrack composed by the Dust Brothers, save for the final song that wraps up the entire story: “Where Is My Mind?” by Pixies. Considering the dramatic turn of events and a mind-bending ending that we don’t want to fully spoil for you, Fight Club couldn’t have ended on a better track. 

Pulp Fiction

From “Cat People (Putting Out Fire)” by David Bowie in Inglourious Basterds to “Stuck In The Middle With You” during a violently brilliant scene in Reservoir Dogs, Quentin Tarantino films use music to embellish emotion well. There isn’t a more iconic scene than Uma Thurman and John Travolta showcasing their dance moves in the 1995 Oscars Best Picture nominee Pulp Fiction. This scene continues to live on through pop culture references, including the popular Fall Out Boy song “Uma Thurman,” where frontman Patrick Stump sings “She wants to dance like Uma Thurman” in the chorus. 

Baby Driver

The 2017 hit Baby Driver owes a lot of its success to its insanely good soundtrack rather than words spoken by the main character, Baby. The opening scene gives the audience a taste of what’s in store by playing “Bellbottoms” by the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion overtop a bank robbery and ensuing car chase, which catches the viewer’s attention right off the bat. Baby Driver is packed with incredible music-filled scenes that any fan of film and music shouldn’t miss out on. 

The Breakfast Club

This classic coming-of-age story follows five high schoolers in Illinois during a Saturday detention. Although the film is packed full of iconic moments, none were quite like the final scene where rebel John Bender (Judd Nelson) throws his fist in the air while the Simple Minds hit “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” plays. Nods to this classic film have appeared across TV and movies, such as in The Simpsons and One Tree Hill. 

Wayne’s World

The 1992 classic film Wayne’s World was made even better thanks to the singalong car scene, where the duo and their friends sing the larger-than-life Queen hit “Bohemian Rhapsody.” This scene has been recreated by teens across the world (don’t even try to deny it). What’s even better is that Mike Myers and Dana Carvey took the stage at the 2019 Oscars to introduce the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody—and to recreate a small scene from their comedic genius film, reminding fans that Wayne’s World lives on, dude. 

Say Anything

This Cameron Crowe romantic-comedy film that inspired the name of one of our favorite emo acts starred John Cusack and Ione Skye. The most iconic scene from the movie sees Cusack standing outside of Skye’s window holding a boombox over his head, blaring the Peter Gabriel hit “In Your Eyes.” This scene has been recreated multiple times in pop culture, including in the Menzingers’ music video for “I Don’t Wanna Be An Asshole Anymore.”   

Almost Famous

Another Crowe film, 2000’s Almost Famous focuses on William Miller (a young Crowe), the fictional Stillwater and Penny Lane while on tour throughout the United States has multiple iconic scenes. None are quite like the Elton John singalong that occurs while Stillwater guitarist Russell Hammond comes down from his most recent acid trip, though. 

American Psycho

The 2000 film that was based on the Bret Easton Ellis novel of the same name starred Christian Bale as the main character, Patrick Bateman. In this scene, Bateman begins discussing the latest Huey Lewis And The News album with his house guest, portrayed by Jared Leto. While Bateman continues to talk about the album, he begins to get dressed in his kill attire before laying an ax on Leto while “Hip To Be Square” plays. 

The Silence Of The Lambs

The Silence Of The Lambs was a 1991 hit film based on the Thomas Harris novel of the same name. The Hollywood adaptation won five of the seven Oscar categories that it was up for, including Best Picture. That could be thanks to the Tom Petty-backed scene that shows the last victim of Buffalo Bill (and the only one to survive the serial killer) jamming to “American Girl” before she’s kidnapped.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a masterpiece from the start, but Ferris Bueller’s best friend Cameron Frye makes it clear that the day of antics hadn’t shown him “anything good.” To improve Frye’s day, Bueller hijacks a float during a Chicago parade to perform the Wayne Newton hit “Danke Schoen.” If your best friend isn’t willing to take over a parade float and lip-sync publicly for you, are they really even your best friend?

What’s your favorite movie scene where music made it unforgettable? Let us know in the comments below!

Read more: 10 TV shows to watch until ‘American Horror Story’ returns

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

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Josh Malerman wrote 14 manuscripts before he released his breakthrough debut novel Bird Box in 2014. Malerman’s novel inspired the 2018 Netflix original film of the same name that took the world by storm. The sequel to Bird Box, Malorie, is currently set to release July 21, and Netflix already has a film follow-up in the works.

The Haunting Of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

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The Haunting Of Hill House has made its way around Hollywood a time or two. The 1959 novel has been credited as one of the scariest works of fiction of all time, and the horror king himself Stephen King detailed in his book Danse Macabre that The Haunting Of Hill House is one of the best genre novels of the late 20th century. Shirley Jackson’s novel inspired both the 1963 and 1999 film adaptations of The Haunting, as well as the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Haunting Of Hill House, which is a must-watch, thanks to its chilling tale originated by Jackson. 

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

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Bret Easton Ellis is quite familiar with the big screen. His famous works American Psycho and The Rules Of Attraction both became film adaptations, while a collection of his short stories became the 2008 film The Informers. Ellis’ great American Psycho introduced us to the household name Patrick Bateman, portrayed by Christian Bale, that we haven’t been able to escape since. The novel has been referenced by bands such as Fall Out Boy and the Front Bottoms, just to name a couple. This timeless tale pulled us in, forever reminding us and Thirty Seconds To Mars frontman Jared Leto that it’s “hip to be square.” 

Read more: 10 horror movies for people who hate horror movies

“The Forbidden” by Clive Barker

Books Of Blood was a series of horror fiction collections from Clive Barker, who became known for creating the famous Hellraiser throughout his works. The six volumes that made up Books Of Blood were published over a year timeframe between 1984 and 1985, and were referred to by Stephen King as the “future of horror.” The beginning of Volume Five contains “The Forbidden,” which tells the story of a university student who’s writing her thesis on graffiti when she notices disturbing work in an abandoned building, referencing the legend known as the Candyman. “The Forbidden” was later turned into the 1992 film Candyman, and Jordan Peele’s new adaptation will be hitting theaters Oct. 16.

The Silence Of The Lambs by Thomas Harris

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The Silence Of The Lambs is the second novel in Thomas Harris’ series that spawned the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The 1981 novel Red Dragon first introduced us to Lecter before the sequel, The Silence Of The Lambs, continued his story in 1988. The 1991 film adaptation saw Anthony Hopkins take on the role of Dr. Lecter, with Jodie Foster as FBI trainee Clarice Starling. The Silence Of The Lambs gave a new twist to horror with the famed cannibal buried in Lecter and the murderous Buffalo Bill, marking one of the best horror films of all time. 

QUIZ: Which classic Tim Burton character are you?

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark by Alvin Schwartz

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Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark is a collection of short horror stories for kids written by Alvin Schwartz and released between a 10-year span from 1981 to 1991. Accompanying the short scary stories was charcoal and ink artwork by Stephen Gammell that brought as much nail biting as the words that lay on the opposite page. Schwartz’s stories were turned into a film in 2019 by Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, who helped produce the project. The old but timeless stories from our childhood brought to life on the big screen gave a whole new meaning to the nostalgia that we just can’t get enough of.  

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

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The classic horror film The Exorcist was based on a 1971 novel of the same name. William Peter Blatty brought the story to life both on the page and for the film that was released two years after his incredible novel. The Exorcist follows 12-year-old Regan MacNeil and the demonic possession she experiences while two priests attempt to exorcise the demon within her. This famed horror story did paranormal scares right and was matched perfectly with the iconic film, which rarely happens in any genre. It remains an important piece of horror film history as it was the first of its genre to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. 

Read more: Here are 10 of the most cliche horror movie tropes

The Shining by Stephen King

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From the original IT to the remakes to Carrie and Misery, no one has tackled the horror genre quite like Mr. King. The 1977 novel The Shining sees aspiring writer Jack Torrance working as an off-season caretaker at the Overlook Hotel in Colorado, accompanied by his wife and son. A Clockwork Orange-famed director Stanley Kubrick captured the unsettling King tale perfectly through his directorial style, separating this famed film from countless others. 

Jaws by Peter Benchley

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The classic tale of a larger-than-life shark that gave a new spin to horror was originally introduced in novel form in 1974. Peter Benchley sold the film rights to his book Jaws before it was even published, giving Steven Spielberg the nod for directorial creative control for the blockbuster hit. Benchley’s version tells a more in-depth story, while the film adaptation focuses more on the three protagonists, so if you’re a fan of the movie but would like a little more detail, Benchley’s novel is the perfect fit. 

Psycho by Robert Bloch

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Before the Alfred Hitchcock film and the Bates Motel television series, there was the 1959 novel Psycho by Robert Bloch that changed the way most of us feel about taking showers while home alone. Bloch’s novel introduced us to the infamous Norman Bates and his unusual relationship with his mother. The two run a small motel together, which introduces Bates to several of his victims. Although Bloch wrote Psycho as a trilogy, the storylines from the second and third books aren’t visited in the film adaptation sequels that spewed from Hollywood. Regardless, the shower scene and final plot twist of the original remain two of the greatest and memorable horror scenes, labeling Psycho as an uncontested classic in horror film history. 

What’s your favorite horror novel turned movie? Let us know in the comments below!

Here are 10 solo project debuts that we just couldn’t get over. 

Read more: It’s unlikely concerts will be back to normal until at least early 2021

Gerard Way

My Chemical Romance announced their breakup in 2013, but that didn’t stop frontman Gerard Way from continuing to make music. Way released his debut solo album, Hesitant Alien, just a year later. The record hears a heavy David Bowie influence from front to back, and Way dips his toes into a sound unlike any he’s ever done before.

Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani started her track to fame as the lead singer of the ska-punk group No Doubt before releasing her 2004 debut solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Stefani jumped genres with a smooth and natural transition, as if she was made for a solo career. She helped pave the way for women in rock during her time spent in No Doubt. With her solo debut, Stefani’s solo debut encouraged other artists to embark on their own journeys, such as the Black Eyed Peas vocalist Fergie. 

Read more: Corey Taylor was secretly recording his debut solo album and it’s done

Patrick Stump

Following their fourth album, Folie À Deux, Fall Out Boy slipped into a hiatus, giving Patrick Stump time to work on his solo debut. Stump released Soul Punk in 2011 and completed the entire album on his own, from writing to production, minus the bonus version of the “This City” remix featuring rapper Lupe Fiasco. Soul Punk was able to showcase the Fall Out Boy frontman like never before, as it revealed his bare bones for the world to see and remains unforgettable. 

Anthony Green

Anthony Green began leaving his mark on the scene through his work with Saosin and Circa Survive. The frontman made his solo debut with the 2008 album, Avalon, through Photo Finish Records. His classic vocals are layered over a calmer sound than his previous works, with themes of love, forgiveness and redemption. This softer side of Green appealed to fans both new and old, which most solo debuts aren’t able to do.

Read more: Here’s how blink-182 and LANY inspired Jake Bundrick’s solo music

Tilian Pearson

Tilian Pearson formed Tides Of Man before he became known as the clean vocalist for Dance Gavin Dance following the departure of Jonny Craig in 2012. After years spent fronting bands, Pearson released his debut solo album, Material Me, in 2013 through Vital Records. As a man who’s fronted post-hardcore bands throughout his career, Material Me displayed a softer side to the high-pitched vocalist. Pearson has since released multiple solo records throughout the years while continuing to front Dance Gavin Dance. In turn, he’s reminded fans that juggling multiple projects is no problem for the multitalented vocalist. 

Dallas Green

Dallas Green rose to fame as the guitarist and singer for post-hardcore band Alexisonfire while occasionally releasing tracks under the name City And Colour. Green named the project after himself, his first name being a city and his last name being a color. He later rewrote some of those songs before sharing his debut, Sometimes, with the rest of the world in 2005. Sometimes reflected a side of the frontman unlike ever before, focusing on softer sounds. Green’s solo debut proves that stepping out, or finally into, one’s comfort zone can result in beautiful outcomes. 

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Frank Iero

Frank Iero became known as the guitarist for My Chemical Romance before, but their 2013 breakup didn’t slow him down. He released his debut solo record, Stomachaches, in 2014 under the name frnkiero andthe cellabration. The guitarist turned frontman played every instrument on the album, minus the drums, which were completed by former My Chemical Romance drummer Jarrod Alexander. Stomachaches gave Iero the ability to showcase both his vocal and lyrical ability layered on top of his punk roots while reminding us that you don’t have to be an already known frontman to create a record of your own. 

Laura Jane Grace

Laura Jane Grace rose to punk fame as the founder, lead singer and guitarist for Against Me! Grace made her solo debut Bought To Rot in 2018 under Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers. Atom Willard (Against Me! drummer) and Marc Hudson make up the Devouring Mothers, the backing band to Grace’s solo project. With the Devouring Mothers, Grace was able to create fresh songs without any Against Me! expectations on the line.

Read more: Man Overboard’s Nik Bruzzese didn’t think anyone would hear Casa Lom

Andy Biersack 

Andy Biersack is well known as the founder and lead singer of the glam-metal group Black Veil Brides. Taking on stage name Andy Black for his solo project, he released his debut album, The Shadow Side, in 2016. The Shadow Side is more poppy than his previous work with Black Veil Brides. It hears guest performances from Quinn Allman (formerly of the Used), Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio, blink-182), Gerard and Mikey Way (My Chemical Romance) and many other scene favorites.

Hayley Williams

While it might be the most recent debut on this list, Hayley Williams first project without Paramore has made one of the biggest splashes. The vocalist broke the internet as 2019 came to a close by announcing she was releasing some new music that she was “going to call [her] own.” Nearly a month later after numerous mysterious teasers, Williams announced her first solo album Petals For Armor with single “Simmer.” Released as three EPs over the following weeks, Williams let fans in with incredibly raw tracks such as “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris” featuring boygenius, “Over Yet” and “Dead Horse.” The album snagged No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums Chart earlier this month, making her the first woman to do so as a solo artist and with a group.

What’s your favorite solo project debut? Let us know in the comments below!

Check out our list below for some of our favorite literature references throughout the scene. 

Read more: 40 pop-punk albums from the 2000s that’ll make you grab your old Chucks

Panic! At The Disco – “Time To Dance”

“Give me envy, give me malice, give me your attention”

“Time To Dance” can be found on Panic! At The Disco’s debut, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. It was the first demo Panic! recorded and is based on the Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club) novel Invisible Monsters. There are lyrics throughout that line up with the novel, with the above line being exact prose from the book. Brendon Urie also references another Palahniuk novel, Survivor, in fellow album track “The Only Difference Between Martyrdom And Suicide Is Press Coverage,” noting just how much the singer loves the novelist.

The Front Bottoms – “Laugh Till I Cry”

“You stretch the modifier, while I stretch the adjective”

The Front Bottoms began burying literary references in their music long ago, such as self-titled album track “The Boredom Is The Reason I Started Swimming. It’s Also The Reason I Started Sinking.” The obvious nod to Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho appears in the line “I want to read American Psycho again.” Like Panic!, the Front Bottoms also make a direct reference to Invisible Monsters on “Laugh Till I Cry.” The Back On Top track pays respect to the moment when a therapist describes the different ways men and women speak, stating that women stretch the modifier, while men stretch the adjective.

Taking Back Sunday – “Liar (It Takes One To Know One)”

“Liar, liar/If we’re keeping score, then we’re all choir boys at best (intrusive and arrogant)”

This Taking Back Sunday hit off Louder Now features a possible reference to William Golding’s Lord Of The Flies. Adam Lazzara sings about a lonely island, much like the one the Lord Of The Flies boys lived on. There are also choir boys throughout the song, such as the misleading ones from the Golding classic. Although TBS haven’t acknowledged this possible reference, it seems too on point to not be true.

Read more: 10 scene song lyrics that probably wouldn’t have been sung in 2020

Nirvana – “Scentless Apprentice”

“Like most babies smell like butter, his smell smelled like no other/He was born scentless and senseless/He was born a scentless apprentice”

This In Utero track was based on Perfume by Patrick Suskind, which is one of Kurt Cobain’s favorite novels. The story follows a perfume apprentice with a heightened sense of smell but is born without a body scent (“He was born scentless and senseless”). The apprentice was abandoned at birth and raised by a wet nurse, and one claims babies smell like fresh butter (“Like most babies smell like butter, his smell smelled like no other”). Therefore, the apprentice must be possessed by the devil because he lacks any body odor. He then proceeds to kill women in search of the perfect scent. 

My Chemical Romance – “To The End”

“If you marry me, would you bury me?/Would you carry me to the end?”

Considering MCR got their name from an Irvine Welsh novel (Ecstasy: Three Tales Of Chemical Romance), it makes sense that this track nods to another lit classic. My Chemical Romance’s Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, which is about two lovers separated by death, houses “To The End.” The track is based on William Faulkner’s short story A Rose for Emily. Emily falls in love with a man but then kills him because he wouldn’t marry her. She then keeps his dead body in her room and sleeps with it every night. 

Read more: Gerard Way recounts bizarre dream and what it means for MCR’s return

Circa Survive – “House Of Leaves”

This Juturna hidden track comes from a Mark Z. Danielewski novel of the same name. “House Of Leaves” is located at 8:56 following the silence after “Meet Me In Montauk” on Circa Survive’s debut album. The song is rumored to be in the perspective of the main character in House Of Leaves, Johnny Truant.

Green Day – “Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?”

“Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?” is a direct reference to the protagonist of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher In The Rye. This track from the 1991 Green Day album Kerplunk! follows the story of Caulfield. Screeching Weasel responded with “I Wrote Holden Caulfield” in 1994, giving a rare banter between two genre favorites.

Read more: 10 essential LGBTQ+ books to add to your collection

Ice Nine Kills – “The Nature Of The Beast”

“We are the beaten and the scorned/And now you’ve forced the beast to bare its teeth/We’ll come in droves like animals/Hungry to reclaim our control/As we fight to bite the bitter hand that feeds”

The first song off Ice Nine Kills’ Every Trick In The Book is just one of 10 inspired by a book, as the whole album is based on works of literature. “The Nature Of The Beast” tackles one of the famous works by George Orwell, Animal Farm, where the animals reclaim control. 

Anti-Flag – “Welcome To 1984”

“Hell yeah I’m confused for sure what I thought was the New Millennium is 1984/Mr. Orwell from the grave, adding fresh ink to the page/As the unpresident declares an endless war/Welcome to 1984”

Anti-Flag reference one of the greatest dystopian novels of all time in “Welcome To 1984.” Like Animal Farm, this other Orwell novel focuses on the man and their wrongdoings, which is one of Anti-Flag’s favorite topics to write about. The track remains as relevant today as it was in 2007 when Punk Goes Acoustic, Vol. 2 came out, much like how the Orwell novel 1984 is as relevant today as it was in 1949 when it was first published. Anti-Flag continues to speak politically throughout their craft at every given opportunity, and we can’t get enough.

Thrice – “Daedalus”

“Now safely away, I let out a cry/‘We’ll make the mainland by noon’/But Icarus climbs higher still in the sky, maybe I’ve spoken too soon”

Daedalus was a skillful craftsman in Greek mythology who fathered two sons, Icarus and Iapyx. Like most stories in mythology, Daedalus’ journey is different depending on whose story is being told. Thrice often write about literature and Greek mythology, such as in “Doublespeak” and “The Melting Point Of Wax.” 

What’s are your favorite literature references in music? Let us know in the comments below!

To celebrate the Hella Mega greatness approaching this summer, we’ve compiled a quiz for you to test your Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer knowledge. Take our lyrics quiz below!

Read more: Past Green Day songs get a modified sound with a freshly mixed EP

More on Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer

Green Day recently canceled their Asian headlining tour dates amid coronavirus concerns. The tour was set to kick off in March, preceding the Hella Mega tour dates with Weezer and Fall Out Boy.

The trio’s summer tour will make stops in Europe and North America, with the veteran acts playing iconic songs both old and new on the same night. As of now, the summer dates are set to proceed as planned, and Green Day revealed their rescheduled Asia leg for 2021.

You can grab your ticket for the Hella Mega tour here, and you can see the full list of dates for the run below. 

Green Day solo dates:

05/27 – Helsinki, FI @ Suvilhati
05/29 – Stockholm, SE @ Tele2 Arena
05/31 – Alesund, NO @ Colorline Stadium
06/03 – Berlin, D E@ Wuhlheide (with Weezer)
06/10 – Milan, IT @ Ippodromo San Siro (with Weezer)

03/13/21 – Manila, PH @ Mall of Asia Arena
03/16/21 – Taipei, TW @ TBD
03/19/21 – Hong Kong, CN @ Asia World Expo Center
03/21/21 – Bangkok, TH @ Impact Arena
03/24/21 – Seoul, KR @ TBD
03/26/21 – Tokyo, JP @ Makuhari Messe
03/27/21 – Tokyo, JP @ Makuhari Messe
03/29/21 – Osaka, JP @ Intex
04/01/21 – Singapore, SG @ Singapore Indoor Stadium

Hella Mega tour with Weezer and Fall Out Boy:

06/13 – Paris, FR @ La Defense Arena
06/14 – Groningen, NL @ Tadspark
06/17 – Antwerp, BE @ Sportpaleis
06/21 – Vienna, AT @ Ernst Happel Stadium
06/24 – Glasgow, UK @ Bellahouston Park
06/26 – London, UK @ London Stadium
06/27 – Huddersfield, UK @ The John Smith’s Stadium
06/29 – Dublin, IE @ RDS Arena

07/17 – Seattle, WA @ T-Mobile Park
07/21 – San Francisco, CA @ Oracle Park
07/24 – San Diego, CA @ Petco Park
07/25 – Los Angeles, CA @ Dodger Stadium
07/28 – Commerce City, CO @ DICK’s Sporting Goods Park
07/31 – Arlington, TX @ Globe Life Field
08/01 – Houston, TX @ Minute Maid Park
08/05 – Miami, FL @ Hard Rock Stadium
08/06 – Jacksonville, FL @ TIAA Bank Field
08/08 – Atlanta, GA @ SunTrust Park
08/11 – Minneapolis, MN @ Target Field
08/13 – Chicago, IL @ Wrigley Field
08/15 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PNC Park
08/16 – Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium
08/19 – Detroit, MI @ Comerica Park
08/21 – Washington, DC @ Nationals Park
08/22 – New York, NY @ Citi Field
08/24 – Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre
08/27 – Boston, MA @ Fenway Park
08/29 – Philadelphia, PA @ Citizens Bank Park

As of late, we’ve seen that queer-focused writing often has the ability to confront certain ideas while extending empathy to certain groups outside of one’s own personal experiences, making them valuable to every bookworm. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite LGBTQ+ books across a mixture of genres.

Read more: ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ reportedly in talks to skip theatrical release

Tranny: Confessions Of Punk Rock’s Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout by Laura Jane Grace and Dan Ozzi

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You may know Laura Jane Grace as both the lead singer of Against Me! and one of the greatest voices of our time. Since coming out in 2012 as transgender in an interview with Rolling Stone, she’s become a public representative for transgender awareness and the gender revolution. Her heroic tale of her own inner struggles told through journal entries kept throughout her life give an inside glimpse of the creation of Against Me! while narrating her confrontations with gender identity. This unique story is a must-read for both music and queer-lit fans.

Beautiful Music For Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills

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Beautiful Music For Ugly Children was the 2014 Stonewall Book Award winner that tells the story of music-obsessed Gabe, who was born with the name Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the A side, the side that everybody sees, while Gabe is the B side, the equally good side who isn’t seen as often, showcasing an incredible story in a distinctive way that we can’t get enough of. 

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 

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You may have been living under a rock since 1999 if you haven’t read The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (or seen the movie), but it’s too fantastic and too important not to mention. Told through a series of letters, the Stephen Chbosky novel follows the narrator Charlie over multiple emotional hurdles in this tale about what it’s like to grow up in high school. This tale will leave the reader with a mixture of emotions and an undeniable love for the endearing protagonist. 

Read more: Matty Healy protests anti-LGBTQ laws in Dubai by kissing male fan at gig

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

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Alison Bechdel wrote and illustrated this graphic novel from memories of her childhood. The title comes from what she and her brothers called their third-generation funeral home that they lived in. Fun Home tells the story of Bechdel coming to terms with her sexuality while revealing a possible closeted adult in her life living a lie. Fun Home offers a literary experience for those who also enjoy visuals, with a sorrowful personal story that will leave readers feeling more than they bargained for.

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick 

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This Matthew Quick (Silver Linings Playbook) novel takes place all in one day and tells a dark story of secrets that are kept between “friends,” a possible school shooter and an unlikely ally. This pleasurable story follows a character you can’t help but wish to aid through the toughest day of his young life, making you tear through the pages just to find out what happens next. 

Read more: Marvel president confirms the first LGBTQ+ hero in the MCU

The Miseducation Of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

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The novel that inspired the Sundance film of the same name, The Miseducation Of Cameron Post, sees the main character moving into her conservative aunt Ruth’s house following the death of her parents. Cameron Post has long perfected the ability of blending in until she meets Coley Talor, making for a tale that’s all too relatable for those who aren’t ready to share their sexual identity yet.

The 57 Bus: A True Story Of Two Teenagers And The Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4tKDn9AWyd/

This New York Times best seller and Stonewall Book Award winner tells the true story of two high school students whose lives drastically change due to a hate crime and one’s gender identity. This book about the 2013 event explores race, class, gender and more in a unique and educational fashion. The 57 Bus is a heartbreaking account that deserves to be read. 

Read more: Halsey shuts down accusation of using LGBTQ community for marketing

Luna by Julie Anne Peters

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This 2004 fiction novel was ahead of its time, as it tells the title character’s story from their sister’s perspective. Luna follows the story of Liam, who hates themselves during the day but is able to be their true self at night, Luna. After carefully constructing the woman she was meant to be, Luna is ready to step into the light, but how will her friends and family accept her? This unique coming-of-age story gives readers a distinct perspective through the eyes of a sibling’s unconditional love.

They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera

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This New York Times best seller also takes place in one day, with a blatant spoiler in the title. When two people meet up to live their final day to the fullest, they might have signed up for more than they bargained for. They Both Die At The End is a heartfelt work of fiction that will have your emotions spinning and your cheeks drenched by the last page. 

Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

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Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe is a coming-of-age story about two high school boys who learn important truths about themselves. This gut-wrenching page-turner that reflects lovers so opposite, they balance each other out will leave you feeling angry that you finished a young-adult novel so quickly.

What’s your current LGBTQ+ book obsession? Let us know in the comments below!

From My Chemical Romance to Paramore, check out some of our favorite live albums from the 2000s below. 

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The Used – Berth

This certified gold release hears a set from the Used’s Vancouver performance on the Taste Of Chaos tour in 2005. Besides the show, the DVD includes footage about In Love And Death, their world tour and other footage while offering fans an exclusive preview of “Pretty Handsome Awkward” months before Lies For The Liars was released in 2007. With the original footage that was filmed for Berth going missing, the Used had to come up with fresh ideas that became the final product we all know and love, featuring futuristic looks inside their catalog. This alone makes Berth a rarity that most bands never offer their fans, making it one of our all-time favorite live albums.

Paramore – The Final Riot!

Paramore released two live albums in 2008, Live In The UK and The Final Riot! The former was a two-disc album featuring 14 songs from the band’s first two albums. The Final Riot!, on the other hand, was a CD/DVD combo, with the tracklist containing one more song than the former. The songs were recorded at their Congress Theater show in Chicago from Aug. 12, 2008 during their summer tour. The DVD portion sees the Congress Theater show as well as a documentary called 40 Days Of Riot and other clips of Paramore during the tour, highlighting the album that threw Paramore into both the mainstream light and our hearts forever.

Fall Out Boy – Live In Phoenix

Fall Out Boy dropped their first live album, Live In Phoenix, on April Fools’ Day in 2008. It could be purchased as a CD/DVD combo or bought individually. The set took place during their 2007 Honda Civic tour on the June 22 stop in Phoenix at the Cricket Pavilion. The CD contains 15 songs, while the DVD holds 22, with one being a drum solo from Andy Hurley. The Chicago pop-punk favorites threw in a handful of covers in their setlist, including ones of Panic! At The Disco, Akon, Timbaland and more. Live In Phoenix is a key reminder of why we love live albums so much, as it blends both covers and original favorites while showcasing a prehiatus Fall Out Boy. 

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My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade Is Dead! – 

Following 2006’s Life On The Murder Scene came another incredible live album from My Chemical Romance, The Black Parade Is Dead! The CD/DVD combo sees MCR’s final performance as “The Black Parade” Oct. 7, 2007 in Mexico City, while just the DVD sees an additional performance in their home state of New Jersey Oct. 24, 2007. The Black Parade Is Dead! highlighted one of the most important albums from MCR’s catalog in a light that had only been seen by a handful of fans, making The Black Parade Is Dead! a godsend to MCRmy soldiers around the globe.

Louder Now: PartTwo – Taking Back Sunday

Following their chart-topping record Louder Now, Taking Back Sunday dropped Louder Now: PartTwo, which came as a CD/DVD package. The CD hears eight tracks from their all-time greatest record Louder Now along with two bonus songs, “Sleep” and “Brooklyn (If You See Something, Say Something),” as well as a hidden track, “12 Days Of Christmas: Christmas Is For The Birds.” The DVD for PartTwo sees tour footage from the band during one of the many high points in their career along with multiple music videos and much more. This live album honors an important piece of Taking Back Sunday’s history while spotlighting a key chunk of the scene’s narrative.

Read more: Can you recognize the 2000s music video from an obscure screenshot?

Dashboard Confessional – MTV Unplugged 2.0

Dashboard Confessional released their first live album, MTV Unplugged 2.0, in late 2002. The live album comes packed with music from their two albums, The Swiss Army Romance and The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most, as well as their So Impossible EP, but MTV Unplugged 2.0’s version offers the listener a more upbeat experience of the classic emo tracks. This unique Dashboard experience will have you “Screaming Infidelities” while running through flashbacks of your favorite high school romance. This a must-listen for those who still appreciate the early 2000s emo scene. 

Panic At The Disco – Live In Chicago

Recorded at the Congress Theater in Chicago during two nights on their Honda Civic tour, Panic! At The Disco’s live album contains 17 songs from their first two albums. The DVD portion sees the live performance in Chicago, a documentary-like segment, several music videos and several “making-of” music videos. Although we didn’t know it at the time, Live In Chicago was the last Panic! product to see guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker before they stepped away. At the time of release, Panic! had dropped the exclamation mark from their name, which can be seen on Live In Chicago’s packaging, which adds another unique aspect to this insane live album. Live In Chicago offers a distinctive look inside the early years of one of the scene’s favorites, making it a must-have for fans of all ages. 

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Green Day – Bullet In A Bible

Recorded during their American Idiot world tour while in the U.K., Green Day released Bullet In A Bible in 2005. The songs heard on the album were performed in front of a crowd of over 130,000 people, which is a size most bands never even see in their career. It only makes sense that this larger-than-life live album emanated from Green Day, as no one could create such a must-have album like these genre icons. 

The Killers – Live From The Royal Albert Hall

The Killers released their first live album, Live From The Royal Albert Hall, in 2009 following two shows at that venue. The CD hears 17 tracks from the band’s catalog at that time, with one song being a Joy Division cover, while the DVD contains 29 songs with bonus tracks that were recorded at multiple festivals throughout Europe. Live From The Royal Albert Hall remains an essential record for any fan of live entertainment as it highlights some of the act’s incredible hits with raw, amazing vocals courtesy of frontman Brandon Flowers. 

Coheed And Cambria – Neverender: Children Of The Fence 

Coheed And Cambria’s live album Neverender: Children Of The Fence comes from a four-night concert series where the band played one of their four albums (at the time) each night in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and London. This Coheed experience is unlike any other, and it offers just a taste of the amazing storyteller that is frontman Claudio Sanchez. 

What’s your favorite live album from the 2000s? Let us know in the comments below!

From Fall Out Boy landing in Amish country to Billie Joe Armstrong yelling “Shut the fuck up,” we’ve gathered some of our favorite yet weird cameos featuring musicians. Check out the list below!

1. Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens – Corey Taylor 

Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor is no stranger to disguise. But he was hard to miss in his brief cameo in the sci-fi disaster film Sharknado 4. Taylor can be seen in the 2016 movie giving an urgent warning that demanded an immediate reaction. He deserves an Oscar for his overdramatic facial expression in his short moment of movie fame. 

2. Sex Drive – Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy end up in Amish country in the 2008 comedy film Sex Drive. The Chicago pop-punk favorites play a small set, including “Fame < Infamy” and “Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy” at a Rumspringa party. The band can also be seen during the credits (which hears “I Don’t Care”) arguing over a running gag that’s heard throughout the movie. 

3. This Is 40 – Billie Joe Armstrong 

Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong plays himself in the 2012 movie This Is 40.

He attends a show after being invited by Pete (Paul Rudd) but just wants to enjoy the gig rather than act as a marketing tool. Armstrong’s This Is 40 cameo comes just four years before his first starring role in the 2016 film Ordinary World, which was titled after the Green Day track of the same name from Revolution Radio. 

4. Boy Erased – Flea

From The Big Lebowski to Baby Driver, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea has had plenty of cameos. His role as a camp counselor at a conversion-therapy camp in the painfully true story of Boy Erased, though, is not one we saw coming. Flea has been a public ally to the LGBTQ+ community for years, so seeing him take on such a negative role was a plot twist for the ages. Nonetheless, his performance in the gut-wrenching film was phenomenal, showcasing a more serious side to the comedic bass player.

5. Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny – Dave Grohl

Dave Grohl has been referred to as a music god by many, but what about a music devil? Ironically, Grohl portrays Satan in Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny, who Tenacious D challenge to a rock off. Without completely spoiling the ending, Tenacious D turn one of Satan’s horns into a “Bong of Destiny” to end the movie and celebrate their satanic victory. Tenacious D and Grohl’s history goes back years, including Grohl’s assisted drumming on all of the duo’s albums and Tenacious D’s cameo in Foo Fighters’ music video “Learn To Fly.” 

6. American Pie – blink-182

blink-182 became a staple for every teenager and early 20-something in the ’90s, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they appeared in the 1999 classic movie American Pie. During one of the most famous scenes, blink-182 can be seen viewing in with the rest of the town to Jim Levenstein’s (Jason Biggs) embarrassing sexual encounter that was broadcast through the use of a webcam. Besides their brief cameo, “Mutt” from 1999’s Enema Of The State can be heard in the classic film. 

7. The Aviator – Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani made a brief cameo in the 2004 Martin Scorsese adaptation of Howard Hughes’ life that stars Leonardo DiCaprio. The No Doubt singer appeared as the 1930s actress Jean Harlow in an early scene next to DiCaprio. This Oscar-winning film isn’t the only on-camera experience she’s had. Stefani also appeared in Zoolander, King Of The Hill and Gossip Girl, to name a few. We have our fingers crossed for more from Stefani in the future. 

8. Dogma – Alanis Morissette 

The Jagged Little Pill queen can be seen in the 1999 Kevin Smith (Jay And Silent Bob series) star-packed, controversial comedy classic Dogma as Alanis Morissette takes on the role of God. The singer’s track “Still” appeared in Dogma as well. Morissette returned to her role of God in a post-credit scene in the 2001 Smith film Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back, giving us hope for another Morissette/Smith appearance in the future.

9. Zoolander – David Bowie

Having a known acting ability under his belt, David Bowie sat in as himself to judge the odd walk-off scene between Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and Hansel McDonald (Owen Wilson) in the 2001 comedy hit Zoolander. After a strange attempt at winning, Bowie disqualifies Zoolander, crowning McDonald the victor.

10. Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – Paul McCartney

The Beatles great Paul McCartney can be seen (and heard singing) in the fifth installment of the Pirates franchise as Jack Sparrow’s (Johnny Depp) Uncle Jack. McCartney isn’t the only famous musician to portray a relative of the well-known pirate. Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards can be seen in the third film as Sparrow’s father, Captain Teague. 

What’s your favorite cameo from an artist? Let us know in the comments below!

From Memphis May Fire to Machine Gun Kelly, Quinn has contributed vocals on many tracks throughout his career. Check out our banger-packed list below featuring 10 of the best Quinn collaborations. 

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Palaye Royale – “Ma Chérie”

This Quinn feature can be found on the debut full-length, Boom Boom Room (Side A), by Palaye Royale. Lead vocalist Remington Leith delivers his raspy voice when needed, with a more clear sound blending perfectly with the Sleeping With Sirens frontman’s vocals. 

Good Charlotte – “Keep Swingin’”

Good Charlotte took a six-year hiatus between their fifth album, Cardiology, in 2010 and the release of their sixth album, Youth Authority, in 2016. Quinn joined the pop-punk favorites on the latter with the song “Keep Swingin’,” which hears the classic Madden brothers sound that captured our hearts all those years ago with a perfect addition in Quinn. 

At The Skylines – “The Amazing Atom”

Quinn joined metalcore band At The Skylines on “The Amazing Atom” from their debut album, The Secrets To Life. The track hears both clean and dirty vocals from Quinn, which mixes perfectly with At The Skylines’ sound. 

Read more: 10 Machine Gun Kelly collabs we’d love to hear on his pop-punk album including Kellin Quinn, Fronz and more

Machine Gun Kelly – “Swing Life Away”

Shortly after appearing on SWS track “Alone” in 2013, Machine Gun Kelly released a 14-track mixtape titled Black Flag. The release featured Pusha T, Meek Mill, Quinn, French Montana, Wiz Khalifa and Dub-O. Kelly and Quinn teamed up on “Swing Life Away,” giving their own spin to the Rise Against-sampling single, with Quinn handling the chorus in between MGK’s rap verses.

Time Traveller – “500mL”

“500mL” can be found on 2013’s Morla And The Red Balloon and features an incredible guest spot with Quinn. His parts over Time Traveller’s heavy drums sound like a throwback to Saosin from the Cove Reber days. 

Read more: Kellin Quinn goes “Into The Dark” with Point North on vulnerable new song

ONE OK ROCK – “Paper Planes”

Quinn joined ONE OK ROCK on their seventh full-length, 35xxxv for “Paper Planes.” The collaboration gives a unique spin to Quinn’s vocal talents balanced over the repetitive synthesizer heard throughout the song. 

Pierce The Veil – “King For A Day”

Arguably Quinn’s most popular and best collaboration, “King For A Day” sees the Sleeping With Sirens frontman join forces with Pierce The Veil vocalist Vic Fuentes, which ended up going platinum at the end of last year. The duo bleed in and out of each other, delivering screamo harmonies that our ears just can’t get enough of. 

Read more: Vic Fuentes, Kellin Quinn on “King For A Day” and working together again

Too Close To Touch – “The Chase”

Too Close To Touch recruited Quinn for their track “The Chase” from their debut full-length, Nerve Endings. Lead singer Keaton Pierce delivers a higher voice as well. Blending two high voices at once when Quinn jumps in is basically a Sleeping With Sirens fan’s dream. 

Memphis May Fire – “Miles Away”

Metalcore favorites Memphis May Fire pulled Quinn in with their third full-length, Challenger, on the track “Miles Away.” The haunting track hears Quinn team up with Memphis May Fire frontman Matty Mullins, gifting us with a beautiful collab that we didn’t know we needed. Mullin later returned the favor by appearing on Sleeping With Sirens’ Feel for “Congratulations.”

Avion Roe – “Into The Rest”

“Into The Rest” can be found on 2016’s In Separation from now-defunct Dallas rockers Avion Roe. The song spotlights Quinn, who basically steals the show once he finally comes in halfway through the track. 

What’s your favorite Kellin Quinn collaboration? Let us know in the comments below!