Some songs are more relatable than others. A lot of people, from what I have seen, mostly listen to music that just sounds appealing to them or fits with the times. Honestly, these people are probably just following the crowd; but that’s none of my business. There are a lot of older bands, however, that people may have heard of. It’s always, “Oh, yeah, I know who that is! I totally love blah blah.”

But do you really?

It’s probably something a lot of people have noticed by now, but a lot of people don’t actually know whatever band they’re talking about. They may know one or two songs, but that’s about it – and more often than not, these are the most popular songs the band happens to have recorded. When you claim to love a band, you should at least have bothered to actually listen to more songs than ones that just happened to be popular.

Songs like Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana and My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark by Fall Out Boy are perfect examples of such songs – a lot of people know them, but they don’t typically bother to actually listen to the band itself. I’m not saying everyone does that, of course, because that would not be at all true. There are still a lot of people who do happen to listen to the band. I, myself, am actually guilty of only knowing that one popular song by some bands.

One of said songs is The Middle by Jimmy Eat World. A very well known song, but the band is not especially listened to by teens. Jimmy Eat World is a band that our parents are more likely to know than we do, if only because that’s what was popular when they were younger. Most teenagers now may only know The Middle from hearing it on the radio or hearing their parents sing it.

Quite the pleasant song, The Middle deserves all the attention it receives. Between the relatable lyrics and the catchy tune, it’s one of those songs that ends up stuck in your head for days, whether you like it or not.

The Middle, in a brief description, is about ignoring what others say about you and appreciating you for yourself. It is a feel good song which encourages you to feel good about yourself, no matter what bad things people might say behind your back.

Hey, don’t write yourself off yet

It’s only in your head

You feel left out, or looked down on

Just try your best, try everything you can

And don’t you worry what they tell themselves

When you’re away

From the very beginning, the song jumps right into that general idea – what others say about you does not matter. It speaks of not writing yourself off – which means don’t hate yourself or decide you don’t need to be here any longer – and instead trying your best, because you’ll make it through the day. Do not worry about what others say behind your back, because their opinion really does not matter.

It just takes some time

Little girl, you’re in the middle of the ride

Everything, everything will be just fine

Everything, everything will be alright, alright

It may take some time for things to get better, but they always do. For now, as it says, “you’re in the middle of the ride,” but things will only get better. One day, everything will be just fine, and all you have to do is make it through the middle – the hard part.

Hey, you know they’re all the same

You know you’re doing better on your own (on your own)

So don’t buy in

Live right now, yeah, just be yourself

It doesn’t matter if it’s good enough (good enough)

For someone else

People who bully and talk behind your back are all the same – insecure themselves, and only trying to take it out on you to make themselves feel better. The first and second line, however, could also be referring to relationships – you’re better off on your own if they’re all the same and keep hurting you. Live for yourself, though, and be yourself no matter what anybody else says. You don’t have any sort of obligation to be someone you’re not.

Since I probably won’t ever go past the second verse on these, that’s where I’ll draw this to a close. The Middle is a very inspirational song that a lot of teens can relate to. All you have to do is listen to the words.