A Hangover You Don't Deserve cover

A Hangover You Don't Deserve

Bowling for Soup · 2004

74 min · 45 tracks · punk rock

Energetic pop-punk anthems collide with clever storytelling, capturing the youthful essence of the mid-2000s.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Almost Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    1985 — '1985' embodies the album's nostalgia-driven ethos, telling a story that connects listeners through shared cultural references and humor. Its catchy chorus made it a defining track of the era.
  • →
    Ohio (Come Back to Texas) — This track highlights the band's signature blend of humor and emotion, as it reflects on longing for home while delivering upbeat melodies that resonate with many fans.
  • →
    Trucker Hat — 'Trucker Hat' showcases the band's playful side, using clever wordplay to capture youth culture while maintaining a high-energy sound that's emblematic of their style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100
Foothills
Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album balances energetic pop-punk with clever storytelling but lacks depth for lasting engagement.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent mid-tempo pace across its first ten tracks, with '1985' serving as a standout single that encapsulates the album's nostalgic theme.
  • Several tracks employ a call-and-response vocal style, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the anthemic quality of the songs.
  • The last five tracks shift towards more introspective lyrics and slower tempos, creating a noticeable contrast with the earlier energetic songs.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • catchy melodies for sing-alongs
  • light-hearted storytelling vibes
  • short bursts of energy
  • fun background for gatherings
  • nostalgic reflections on youth

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This album solidified their commercial success post 'Girl All the Bad Guys Want'.
Themes
mid-2000s nostalgia· youth culture humor· Texas longing
Career context
Released in 2004, A Hangover You Don't Deserve was Bowling for Soup's sixth studio album, following their breakthrough success with 'Girl All the Bad Guys Want' in 2002. By this time, they had solidified their position within the pop-punk scene, appealing to a growing fanbase with catchy hooks and relatable lyrics.
Stylistic neighbors
Weezer· Simple Plan· Good Charlotte
New to Bowling for Soup? Find your way in →

Tracklist

  • 1 Almost Start here 3:26
  • 2 Trucker Hat 3:01
  • 3 1985 3:13
  • 4 Get Happy 2:57
  • 5 Ohio (Come Back to Texas) 3:51
  • 6 Ridiculous 3:58
  • 7 Shut-Up and Smile 4:03
  • 8 Last Call Casualty 3:32
  • 9 Next Ex-Girlfriend 3:26
  • 10 A-Hole 3:57
  • 11 My Hometown 3:02
  • 12 Smoothie King 4:02
  • 13 Sad Sad Situation 2:26
  • 14 Really Might Be Gone 3:43
  • 15 Down for the Count 3:37
  • 16 Two-Seater 3:55
  • 17 Friends o' Mine 2:18
  • 18 Somebody Get My Mum 3:20
  • 19 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 20 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 21 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 22 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 23 Ohio (reprise) 0:16
  • 24 Ohio (reprise) 0:16
  • 25 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 26 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 27 Ohio (reprise) 0:16
  • 28 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 29 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 30 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 31 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 32 Ohio (reprise) 0:16
  • 33 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 34 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 35 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 36 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 37 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 38 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 39 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 40 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 41 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 42 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 43 Ohio (reprise) 0:17
  • 44 Ohio (reprise) 0:16
  • 45 Belgium (Boy Band mix) 5:17

What to play next

Bowling for Soup Goes to the Movies
Listen next

Bowling for Soup Goes to the Movies

2005

Continues the energetic vibe with fun storytelling and covers, keeping the mood lively.
Drunk Enough to Dance
Go back to

Drunk Enough to Dance

2002

Precedes the current album with a similar pop-punk sound and engaging lyrics.
Full Bowling for Soup discography Where to start with Bowling for Soup Artists like Bowling for Soup
pop-punk

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls

No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls

Simple Plan

Shares youthful angst and catchy hooks, reflecting mid-2000s pop-punk storytelling.

From Under the Cork Tree

From Under the Cork Tree

Fall Out Boy

Combines clever lyrics with anthemic choruses, capturing similar nostalgic youth themes.

Futures

Futures

Jimmy Eat World

Features emotive narratives and infectious melodies, resonating with a youthful longing vibe.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata