In 2001…things were different.
It was the same year 9/11 happened and it changed everything. Patriotism was strong and people were also trying to figure life out. Especially people who were still trying to grow up.
This little band called Jimmy Eat World dropped a song called “The Middle”, which was a great teen film compressed into an under-three-minute pop rock anthem. Lyrically, the songs message echoes what director John Hughes was telling teens in his heyday, “you don’t fit in with the cool kids and you don’t play their games, but why should you?”
Now the amazing Kaitlin Butts has gotten a hold of the song and it made it better in my humble opinion. She even got the chance to play her version of it at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado.
The best part about this short story is…is that Kaitlin will be dropping a recorded version of “The Middle” on Friday October 31, 2025.