Today, we celebrate Patrick Stump, who’s the man, the myth, the voice behind Fall Out Boy. Born on April 27, 1984, Stump sang his way into every millennial’s emo heart. His signature vocals, packed with raw emotion and range that could make angels jealous, gave Fall Out Boy the edge that set them apart from the pop-punk crowd.
While Pete Wentz wrote the lyrics, Patrick brought them to life with unforgettable hooks and killer melodies. His musical instincts blended pop, rock, R&B, and everything in between, creating the Fall Out Boy sound we know and love.
During Fall Out Boy’s five-year hiatus, Patrick went solo and dropped Soul Punk in 2011. His project showed off his versatility and love for funk and soul. Even Billboard called him “one of the best voices in pop-punk.” But instead of channeling the usual angst and heartbreak, Patrick took a different route: his solo work was all about love and positivity. While it flew under the radar, it proved Patrick wasn’t afraid to experiment and push boundaries.
And he wasn’t just making music. During this time, he used social media and blogs (before it was trendy) to ask fans for input on his songs. He even dipped his toes into acting, landing guest spots on Law & Order and House and creating a short film. Patrick Stump was everywhere, just not where we expected.
However, things weren’t always easy for Patrick. In 2012, he wrote a heartbreaking blog post titled “We Liked You Better Fat,” and honestly? It’s upsetting. People who had nothing better to do attended his concerts just to boo him and his solo work, or blamed him for Folie à Deux “ruining” Fall Out Boy. Fans were mad that he wasn’t the same Patrick from the Take This To Your Grave era or that he had lost weight. Like, seriously? People grow up and change. Patrick didn’t owe anyone the past version of himself, and he sure as hell didn’t deserve that kind of treatment.
Anyway, when Fall Out Boy came back with Save Rock and Roll in 2013, that’s when the magic hit again. Patrick’s voice was sharper, bolder, and more confident than ever (and everyone else, too). Tracks like “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark” reminded everyone that FOB wasn’t just back—they were better.
(And yes, earlier this month, I dropped a blog post about Save Rock and Roll. Go check it out—it’s their best album, in my opinion.)
Over the years, Patrick has proven he’s a musical chameleon. Whether he’s belting out emo anthems, dabbling in soul, or composing scores for film and TV, he’s always pushing the envelope. And that’s what makes him a legend of this generation.
So today, we raise a glass (or a can of Monster, if we’re keeping it emo) to Patrick Stump. Thanks for giving us the soundtrack to our inner teenage rebellion and showing that rock stars can evolve and still stay true to their roots.
Happy Birthday, Patrick…You’re still lighting it up! 🔥🎉
Rock on,
Sam 🎸
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