Listen to this when
The Middle
If you feel like you're on the outside right now, this one's for you. You're just in the middle of it. 🎸 #TheMiddle
Who it's for
The song works like a big sibling's pep talk set to loud guitars: it speaks directly to someone who feels shut out and tells them it will be alright.
Feelings it meets
What it is
"The Middle" is a song by Jimmy Eat World, written by frontman Jim Adkins and released in October 2001 as the second single from the album Bleed American. Adkins wrote it after a message from a young listener who felt excluded by her peers despite sharing the band's musical tastes, which led him to reflect on punk's inclusive ideals.
Where to find it
Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music (widely available). The official music video (a pool party where the viewer's stand-in feels out of place) is widely available on YouTube.
Before you start
Age: Ages 9+
For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure.Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essays: First Series, “Self-Reliance”
