Album Anniversary: 10 Years of Fall Out Boy’s Legendary ‘Save Rock and Roll’

Fall Out Boy’s first post-hiatus album defines a pivotal moment in their career and remains their most complex release yet.

Written by Catalina Perez

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Weiner

Early on, Fall Out Boy’s career was defined by their pop-punk sound, with albums like Take This to Your Grave and From Under the Cork Tree. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, the band's well-established presence in the scene solidified through hits like “Sugar We’re Goin’ Down” and “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs.” Often compared to the likes of My Chemical Romance and Panic! At The Disco, the three groups together were labeled by fans as the “Emo Trinity.” Fall Out Boy seemed to be at the top of their game in the 2000s, with music award nominations and Billboard chart hits. It seemed nothing could stand in their way — and suddenly, they went on hiatus. From 2009-2013, Fall Out Boy members focused on their personal lives and solo project endeavors. Their subsequent return to the music scene was marked by Save Rock and Roll, a groundbreaking release which proclaims an ironic message through its juxtaposing title and pop-infused sound. 

Arguably Fall Out Boy’s most recognizable album cover, Save Rock and Roll is graced by a picture by Roger Stonehouse titled, “Punk and a Monk.” Originally submitted as an entry in National Geographic’s 2012 photo contest, the band stumbled upon the photo and thought it resonated with their concept for their upcoming album. As described in a Tumblr post written by Fall Out Boy, the image embodied “the idea of old and new clashing. tradition and change coming together.” This is evident sonically; their once pop-punk angsty spirit was now tinged with a fresh-faced pop sound, demonstrating their career was heading towards a new direction. Their previous discography did not include collaborations with major musicians, making features from Elton John, Big Sean and Courtney Love – just to name a few – markers of Fall Out Boy’s legitimacy as a band.

Image courtesy of Island Records

Save Rock and Roll opens with “The Phoenix,” a triumphant anthem inspired by Shostakovich’s 7th Symphony, nicknamed “Leningrad.” An intense swell of sound paves the way for thundering drums and racing strings as Patrick Stump cries out “Put on your war paint.” Similar to how a phoenix represents immortality and resurrection, this song represents the rebirth and resurrection of the band.The album’s most recognized song maintains their same power-charged energy and persevered spirit. “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)” is adaptable, and played in a variety of environments from sports stadiums to the trailer for Disney’s Big Hero Six. What many don’t know is that the album was essentially built around its heroic sound, as revealed in the track-by-track commentary. 

The next track, “Alone Together,” holds a light-hearted and amorous tone, standing out as Fall Out Boy’s first pop tune on the album. It strays away from the aggressiveness of the first two songs, interweaving the sound of kids chanting “yeah,” with intimate lyrics like “Let’s be alone together (yeah!) / We could stay young forever,” and “I’m outside the door, invite me in / So we can go back and play pretend.” Nonetheless, its youthful essence doesn’t distract from the overall message of renewal exuding from the album. Rather, it emphasizes the sonic drift that Fall Out Boy introduces as they inch away from their emo roots.

Driving drums, a catchy melody and distorted vocals start off the album’s eighth track, “Death Valley.” Guitarist Joe Trohman thought of this song inside of a closet at his in-laws house, according to the track-by-track commentary. It also features one of the first songwriting collaborations between Joe Trohman and lead singer Patrick Stump. Its composition is unique, combining a dance-y rock groove with splashes of toned down acoustic sections and even a short pop-techno break. The album closes with a piano-driven melody that nods to earlier Fall Out Boy songs, “Chicago Is So Two Years Ago,” and “Sugar We’re Goin’ Down.” Although not quite considered a ballad, this heartfelt piece featuring Elton John expresses both artists' desire to “save rock and roll” as they viewed music heading towards a less guitar-driven direction. 

The iconic comeback album came alongside a short film made up of music videos, titled “The Youngblood Chronicles.” The 50-minute artistic fever dream features cameos from 2 Chainz, Tommy Lee, Elton John, Courtney Love, Foxes, and Big Sean to tell the epic story of Fall Out Boy’s journey to save rock and roll. The heroic tale begins with the band peering into a presumably important briefcase, stolen from their grasp as they are kidnapped. Once under the kidnappers’ control, the band is tortured and Patrick is brainwashed. After a hectic series of events, the members end up in heaven with Elton John to finish off the battle and save rock and roll. 

While it’s debatable whether Save Rock and Roll chronicled as much of a heroic struggle as the video, the new, more pop-like sound of Fall Out Boy’s epic return introduced a new version of the band without ignoring their punky essence. Its multifaceted release also fostered enthusiasm for their monumental return to music through its numerous forms of artistic creations. Ultimately, Save Rock and Roll changed the trajectory of their sound in a memorably ambitious way, creating an album that remains their most elaborate work yet and encapsulates the true spirit of Fall Out Boy.