The Emo and Goth movements are both based in the punk rock movement of the late 1970s that spread internationally and continues to influence art, culture and media around the world. Both subcultures are also forms of hardcore punk and experimental underground music.
Emo stands for “emotional hardcore,” a type of punk rock music that evolved out of Washington DCin the mid 1990’s. Emo or emotional hardcore was an attempt by a number of bands to experent with chaotic music patterns and personal expression in abstract and primal ways.
Goth is associated with Gothic rock, a musical genre that emerged in the late 1970s as an alternative music characterized by dark music, and introspective and romantic lyrics. The Goth musical genre evolved into a broader cultural movement in the early 1980s, with Goth clubs, fashion and publications. Both the emo and Goth movements relate art to being through personal expression methods.
They differ mostly in the sense of expression of music and emotions. Though they both belong to the same genre of music but their expressions and cultural inclinations set them apart. Their thinking and influences on music also differ.
Comparison chart
 | Emo | Goth |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A style of music which was originally a subgenre of punk rock and post-hardcore with emotionally charged lyrics. Originally short for emotional hardcore, it was remade in the 1990s with a more indie/pop punk style. | Early 80’s to present post-punk rock movement focus on dark themes & non-conformism through music, performance, etc. |
| Stands for | Emotional hardcore (origin) | Gothic Rock |
| Prominent in | Mostly USA and more prominent in states of Washington DC, NJ, Midwest, Long Island and the West Coast | Worldwide |
| Related to | Punk rock, indie rock | Post-Industrial Rock |
| Music | Emo, indie rock, post-hardcore, hardcore punk, punk rock, alternative, pop punk | Punk rock, post punk, glam rock, metal, rock, etc |
| Emotional perspective | Hate the human race but love nature | Hate the world as a whole |
| Typical Intsrument | all | Guitar, bass, drums |
| Style | Skinny Jeans (Black) Band Shirts Vans or converse | Punk rock, post punk, glam rock etc |
History
The first waves of Emo started in 1985 when veterans of the music scene in Washington decided to break away a form a new genre of music. Goth finds its origins in the 1970’s from English Punk rock.
Behavior
Emo rock is associated with being emotional, sensitive, shy, introverted, or angry. It is also associated with depression, self-injury, and suicide. Goths are associated with dressing all in black, being introverts, and preferring like to be secluded.
Music Genre
They both belong to the punk rock scene. Emo focuses on emotional expression, and abstract waves of sonic dissonance. Gothic rock as a genre of rock music involves expression of emotional themes through introverted/extroverted methods in music, art, media, literature, fashion, poetry, etc.
Style
Emo belongs to post-hardcore, pop punk and indie rock style while gothic rock is a form of punk rock, glam punk and post punk. Emo rockers preach release of primal energy with abstract and chaotic sub structures while Goth are recognized by emphasis on darkness in their tone, dress, hair dyes, make up, emotion, etc.Emo was originally a subgenre of post-hardcore in the 1980s. In the 1990s, it was reinvented and bands would sound more like indie rock (Weezer, Sunny Day Real Estate) or pop punk (The Get Up Kids, The Starting Line, Jimmy Eat World).
Expression
The emo hardcore focused on personal expression in a manner that also derives from poetry such as Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”. The Goth subculture is related often to black magic, witchcraft, and vampires popularly, though this may be more of a stereotype than fact, as evidenced by "Christian Goth". A good example of Gothic art and lifestyle is the UK punk and “Alien Sex Fiend”.
Culture Influences and thinking
Emo rockers are culturally critiques of society based on punk philosophy, post-punk, and other movements in art, music, literature, etc. Goth rockers, on the other hand, have a wide eyed and irrational approach and often are known for their inquiry into the nature of death, fantasy and fiction.
Prominent in
Emo originated from Washington DC and other parts of USA while Goth is followed in small pockets across the globe.
References
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emo
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goth_subculture
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Gothic_rock_bands
External Links
Emo 
AC/DC 
Art Garfunkel 
Pantera 
John Denver 
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Comments: Emo vs Goth
Anonymous comments (7)
May 29, 2012, 5:15pm
To whoever said Goth's don't exist anymore, they do. Why do you think Whitby host Goth weekends? It would be pointless if there were no Goths.
— 92.✗.✗.140
June 7, 2014, 1:29am
Creed? Creed is not Goth! Not even remotely. Try Siouxsie and the Banshees, Cure, Sisters of Mercy, Joy Division and Bauhuas. And throw in a little Dead Can Dance. There is some pro-emo slant in this article. Try actually learning something about Goth before commenting on it.
— 75.✗.✗.222
May 8, 2014, 10:08pm
For the record not all emos cut. Some goths do cut even scene and normal people cut so just because someone self harms dose not mean that their emo. Also some people are emo their entire life and some goths sent goths forever. Neither subculture is better then the other not everyone in the subculture that they themselves identify with dress like other in their subculture do or listen to the same music also not all goths hate the world and not all emos hate themselves people need to realize that you cant always identify people by how they look,the music they listen to, and by whether or not they self harm but that's just my opinion
— 50.✗.✗.49
April 2, 2013, 4:34am
Some comments to this article are simply silly. Someone commented that Goth do not really exist, however I re-assure you that Goths exists and unlike people who consider themselves as Emo, Goths stay Goths for very long time (if not always). When it comes to Emo people, I have seen from many examples now that it is usually teenagers who become Emo and they stop being one when they reach about 22-25 years. Whereas Goths just carry on staying Goths. Now tell me that Goths do not exist. I would say it other way round.
— 78.✗.✗.74
February 8, 2014, 10:32pm
Im emo n i dont understand why people say i slash my wrist or why people are so stereotypic of me and other emos
— 90.✗.✗.24
July 15, 2013, 8:05pm
ahahahahaha sorry but after reading some of the comments i couldn't help it. i mean seriously, people are getting all bent out of shape over nothing, but some stereotypical examples. if you have half a mind then you already know it is stereotype and that every person is different so the stereotype shouldn't really get under skin, but to each his own. thank you for the article though, it had some good insight to the differences between the two sub-genres.
— 66.✗.✗.126
September 19, 2012, 4:58pm
This article simply explains the differences of two related subcultures. Of course it generalizes and offers stereotypical examples. Of course every person is different and self-expression is highly personal. For someone to say that emo is associated with depression does not mean that every person who identifies as emo is also depressed. Thes are examples, ways to demonstrate similarities and differences so that people can understand the subcultures. So all of this arguing about what goth or emo individuals do or don't do is pointless. Accept the article for what it is and stop arguing about what it means to you, personally, to be goth or emo.
— 173.✗.✗.109
