Taking Back Sunday

Lyrics

[Intro]
Your lipstick, his collar
Don't bother, angel
I know exactly what goes on

[Verse 1]
When everything you'll get is everything that you've wanted, princess
(Well, which would you prefer?)
My finger on the trigger, or
(Me face down, down across your floor?)
Me face down, dead across your floor
(Me face down, down across your floor)
Well, just so long as this thing's loaded

[Chorus]
And will you tell all your friends
You've got your gun to my head?
This all was only wishful thinking
This all was only wishful thinking
And will you tell all your friends
You've got your gun to my head?
This all was only wishful thinking
This all was only wishful thinking
Let's go

[Verse 2]
Don't bother trying to explain, angel
I know exactly what goes on when you're on, and
How 'bout I'm outside of your window?
(Well, how 'bout I'm outside of your window)
Watching him keep the details covered?
You're such a sucker for a sweet talker, yeah
(You're such a sucker)
[Chorus]
And will you tell all your friends
You've got your gun to my head?
This all was only wishful thinking
This all was only wishful thinking
(The only thing I regret is that I
I never let you hold me back)
And will you tell all your friends
You've got your gun to my head?
This all was only wishful thinking
This all was only wishful thinking

[Bridge]
Hoping for the best just hoping nothing happens
A thousand clever lines unread on clever napkins
I will never ask if you don't ever tell me
I know you well enough to know you'll never love me
(Why can't I feel anything from anyone other than you?)
Hoping for the best just hoping nothing happens
A thousand clever lines unread on clever napkins
I will never ask if you don't ever tell me
I know you well enough to know you'll never love me
(Why can't I feel anything from anyone other than you?)
Hoping for the best just hoping nothing happens
A thousand clever lines unread on clever napkins
I will never ask if you don't ever tell me
I know you well enough to know you'll never love me
And all of this was all your fault
And all of this
(It makes things worse)
[Outro]
I stay wrecked and jealous for this
For this simple reason I
Just need to keep you in mind
As something larger than life
(She’ll destroy us all before she’s through
And find a way to blame somebody else)
I stay wrecked and jealous for this
For this simple reason I
Just need to keep you in mind
As something larger than life
(She’ll destroy us all before she’s through
And find a way to blame somebody else)
I stay wrecked and jealous for this
For this simple reason I
Just need to keep you in mind
As something larger than life

When it comes to post-hardcore and emo music, Taking Back Sunday is a name that cannot be ignored. Their single "Cute Without the 'E' (Cut from the Team)" released in 2002, broke down the barriers of the music industry and instantly became a fan favorite. In this song, Taking Back Sunday talks about the feeling of being used by a girl they care about and the pain that comes with it. The accompanying music video showcased the band's raw energy and dynamic stage presence, cementing their place as one of the most important bands of the genre.

About Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from the Team)

The song was produced by Sal Villanueva and is one of Taking Back Sunday's most popular tracks. It's the lead single from their debut album "Tell All Your Friends", which was released in 2002. The album went on to become a commercial success, ranking amongst the top 200 in the US Billboard charts at the time. "Cute Without the 'E' (Cut from the Team)" helped propel them into the mainstream and expand the horizons of the emo and post-hardcore genre.

The lyrics of the song describe the protagonist's attempts to deal with a failed relationship. The song, characterized by its catchy, guitar-heavy instrumental and a passionate vocal delivery, describes how he wanted to be with the girl he has been seeing, and he confesses that he thought he could treat her better than anyone else. He acknowledges that he was naive and never expected her to use him the way she did. She used him for her own benefit and left him broken-hearted. The lyrics explore the theme of betrayal, and how even the strongest of relationships can crumble with one dishonest action.

The song's iconic opening line, "Your lipstick, his collar, don't bother, angel, I know exactly what goes on" captures the song's essence - the girl he's seeing is cheating on him. She is wearing the evidence on her lips, and he is left with a broken heart and a sense of betrayal. He goes on to describe how she lied, manipulated and used him and ultimately left him with nothing but heartbreak.

The song's chorus is perhaps its most memorable moment, with the entire band coming together in a moment of emotional catharsis, screaming the lyrics "And will you tell all your friends you've got your gun to my head?" with a powerful intensity that has become a hallmark of the genre. The emotion behind the chorus gives the listener a glimpse of the pain and anguish the protagonist is feeling and relates to those who have gone through similar experiences.

The song's music video features the band playing in a dark, underground venue with a highly stylized and dramatic tone. The video fits the song perfectly, with the band members wearing their hearts on their sleeves during the performance. The song, as well as the video, leave a strong impact on the audience, making them feel the protagonist's heartbreak and sense of betrayal.

In the years since its release, "Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from the Team)" has become an evergreen emo classic, frequently played on rock radio stations and praised for its blistering instrumentals and emotional lyrics. It's a song about being used, abused, and ultimately left with nothing but memories, making it relatable to anyone who has gone through a broken relationship.

As one of the best emo songs of all time, "Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from the Team)" is a ballad to love, heartbreak, and betrayal that holds a special place in the hearts of taking back Sunday fans and emo music lovers alike.

• Release Date: December 10, 2002
• Artist: Taking Back Sunday