If you grew up solely on a diet of pop-punk and emo music, wishing every day that you could "leave this town," and now you're a disillusioned adult with back pain, I've got just the thing for you. Ray Hawthorne creates pop-punk music for the "grown-up emos." It's raw and real and the perfect voice for anyone who is slightly falling apart in life...but doing it oh-so-well.
RAY'S LATEST SINGLE (AND ONE OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITES): "OVERWHELMED"
We asked Ray to curate a list of his ultimate "Mid-Life Crisis" soundtrack. These are the songs that defined his youth as well as a few that define him currently. From high-energy nostalgia to what keeps him grounded, here is Ray Hawthorne’s Soundtrack to a Mid-Life Crisis.
Disclaimer: The following playlist may cause sudden onset nostalgia, a desire to dye your hair a color that isn't found in nature, and the realization that 2004 was over twenty years ago. If you find yourself staring at a wall wondering where your youth went, please consult your favorite Muppet immediately for emotional support.
“White Houses" by Vanessa Carlton [2004]
Ya know, most people think Vanessa Carlton is a joke. They laugh about “1,000 Miles” (also a banger, by the way, unironically). But I’m here to tell you “White Houses” is her masterpiece, as well as the album it was released on, "Harmonium."
“Run-Around” by Blues Traveler [1994]
This was a song I loved before I was even aware that I loved music. I would sing it as loud as I could in the car with my mom. Had it on cassette and CD. Dedicated Blues Traveler fan over here.
“Sugar We’re Going Down” by Fallout Boy [2005]
Is this on everyone’s list? I’m assuming this is on everyone’s list. Am I losing street cred by picking a song like this? I don’t care. I fucking love this song. And so do you. Don’t act like you don’t.
“How You Remind Me” by Nickelback [2001]
Yeah. What? I said it. Silver Side Up is a great album, and I’m here to defend it. We all loved this before it became cool to hate on Nickelback. Well, guess what? I’m not cool. So deal with it.
“Papercut” by Linkin Park [2000]
I had no idea anyone was rapping in this group. I didn’t know rappers and singers were different. I just knew I loved this shit. It was like the heaviest music I’d ever heard that was still approved of by my mom.
“All My Friends Are in Bar Bands” by The Wonder Years [2010]
Damn, I wish I had written this song. It feels so fucking real, and the lyrics hit a little too close to home. Which makes me uncomfortable. I love songs that make me uncomfortable.
“Gnarly” by Katseye [2025]
I love this song in the most unironic way possible. If a dance video to “Gnarly” pops up on my feed, I’m watching the whole thing every time. The lyrics are fucking nonsense, and it’s so awesome. Like, I would never have the balls to write something so ridiculous; I would’ve been like, "This song won’t work," and I would’ve been wrong.
“Time Will Fly” by Sam Tompkins [2023]
This song actually makes me cry.
“Friends” by Farmer’s Son [2022]
I’ve never met anyone in my life who knows this song, and if one more person listens to it because of this list, I’ll be so happy. It was originally on Spotify under an artist named J Solomon, and then it went away one day. And I was so distraught that I DM’d this dude, a total stranger, to ask what happened to the song. He told me it’s up under the name "Farmer's Son" now.
“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield [2004]
Let it be known that my original idea for this article was to do “Unwritten” as all 10 songs and review it differently each time. I ultimately decided against it but am still giving it the recognition it deserves.
