Reflecting on Taking Back Sunday's Iconic Tunes and the Timeless Appeal of 'Cute Without The E'

Fans have been captivated by Taking Back Sunday's music for nearly three decades, and with the upcoming release of their eighth studio album, 152, frontman Adam Lazzara reflected on the band's most iconic songs in an interview with Us.

As devoted fans are well aware, Taking Back Sunday made a significant impact on the music scene with the release of Tell All Your Friends in 2002. Their debut album, consisting of 10 tracks, has stood the test of time. Whether or not you were an emo enthusiast, it's likely that the opening chords of "There's No 'I' In Team" still send shivers down your spine.

“We had this thing called the Long Island Band Pool, where if we had a line or something that didn't fit in our own songs, we would reach out to our buddies and offer it to them. Similarly, if we were stuck on a particular idea, we would call each other and share what we had, seeking feedback and collaboration." Lazzara, 42, reflects on those days. "In hindsight, it was like we were collectively workshopping ideas together.”

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He continues to explain, "The subject matter of that song was illuminated by it. When I reflect on it, there's a mesmerizing quality to the song - it's easy to become lost in it."

Another beloved song from the 2002 album is "‘Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut From the Team)", which derived its title from a spontaneous earworm. Lazzara elaborates, "We would have songs with temporary titles and wait until the last possible moment to assign them names. While hanging out with our friend Michael Duvan, he kept repeating, 'You're cut from the team.' He said it so frequently that eventually it became ingrained in my mind."

Over time, the song has developed a life of its own. "Cute Without the ‘E’" and "Great Romances [of the 20th Century]" were the initial two songs that surprised us with their significant sing-along moments," explains the singer. "Those moments are truly magical — when we perform them live, they become something entirely distinct. They no longer belong to us or anyone else. It's as if you're suspended 10 feet above the ground during those moments."

Ashley Osborn

The band's second album, Where You Want to Be, released in 2004, includes the track "A Decade Under the Influence." This song features a catchy lyric that was influenced by an iconic film. The lead singer, Lazzara, admits that he didn't realize until later that the line "I got a bad feeling about this" was taken from Star Wars. It was his friend Emma who pointed it out to him, and he jokingly hopes that George Lucas never finds out.

Another successful track from the band is "MakeDamnSure," released in 2006. Lazzara now finds the bridge of this song to be somewhat "stalker-y," despite it being a hit with both the group and their fans. He recalls that when the song came together, there was a rare moment of unanimous agreement among the band members. They all looked at each other and realized they had something special on their hands.

Taking Back Sunday — consisting of guitarist John Nolan, drummer Mark O’Connell, and bassist Shaun Cooper — has found success with 152, a song that pays tribute to their roots while also recognizing their growth as individuals.

DJay Brawner

"We approached the songs on this record in a reminiscent manner, reminiscent of our early days," Lazzara states. "During that time, Long Island played a significant role for us and the rest of the band members. It was where we honed our skills and wanted to pay tribute to that."

And what better way to celebrate the past than by returning to their roots? The group chose to film the music video for "S'old" in a friend's backyard on Long Island, in the very town where they first recorded their debut album. Lazzara confirms that the nostalgic atmosphere was purposeful and describes the experience as "truly special."

Though the lineup has evolved over time, Taking Back Sunday remains a band committed to pushing boundaries and creating genuine and captivating music. "One aspect I truly appreciate about the band is that each album encapsulates a moment in our journey," Lazzara reflects. "This is a testament to who we were back then and who we have become now."

Taking Back Sunday

152 will be accessible everywhere on Thursday, October 27th.

Watch the exclusive video above to delve into the stories behind Taking Back Sunday's greatest hits, the newest installment in We's "Anatomy of a Song" series.