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The track was inspired by a real person - a stripper from the band's hometown in Baltimore. It represents themes of empowerment and following one's own path, regardless of societal expectations.

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From 'So Wrong, It's Right' (2007), the album art features bold typography and punk-inspired design elements, reflecting the band's energetic pop-punk style and youthful spirit.

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The song remains a fan favorite at concerts, creating electric moments of crowd participation. The live performances showcase the band's dynamic stage presence and connection with their audience.

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All Time Low - Dear Maria, Count Me In (Live from Straight To DVD)

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All Time Low Performing at UK Arena - Adam Elmakias

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Released during the height of pop-punk's mainstream success, the song emerged when the genre was dominating both alternative and mainstream charts. This period saw the rise of similar acts like Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco.

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The song has become a defining track of the late 2000s pop-punk scene. Its enduring popularity led to a revival on TikTok in 2020-2021, introducing it to a new generation of listeners.

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If you were a part of the punk pop revolution that was the mid-2000s, then you obviously know All Time Low's seminal anthem, "Dear Maria, Count Me In".

Well, my fellow emo and scene kids, meet THE Maria - A 35-year-old mother and yogi living in Austin, Texas, who recently revealed on TikTok that she was the inspiration behind the song that essentially made the band famous:

Maria told BuzzFeed that she and the band knew each other when they were younger and living in Baltimore, Maryland. "All of us were in this huge circle of friends, and every weekend there were shows. It didn't matter how many people or who was playing; the same groups always showed up, and All Time Low was part of that group."

In a 2020 interview with American Songwriter, ATL's lead singer Alex Gaskarth claimed that they were inspired to write the song after Maria told them she had decided to become a dancer at some of the the local clubs in the area, which Maria confirmed to BuzzFeed.

"I'm surprisingly a very introverted person. So, a year later, when I decided to dance and they found out when I disclosed it at a party, it just shocked everyone."

Maria also told BuzzFeed that the song wasn't a total surprise back in the day: "I did actually know about the song while it was being written. Matt Flyzik [All Time Low's former tour manager] texted me one evening and said, 'Hey, Alex is writing a song about you. There's not much, but...' and then disclosed the iconic intro and chorus."

"I honestly did not expect my post to go viral on TikTok. I've made posts [about this] before and they never got traction. This was purely a lighthearted moment that took off, and I'm in shock still."

It seems like Maria has an amazing sense of humor about everything, and I'm living for it!

But because the internet is the internet, there are still plenty of naysayers to Maria's story. To corroborate, she even reached out to Zack Merrick (aka ATL's bassist) for receipts, and he confirmed:

When asked how she feels about being the person behind such an iconic song for so many people, Maria told BuzzFeed, "I find it untimely. I think people will have this expectation and scroll through my social media and think, 'no way,' because I'm that person that just does the bare minimum for posts. I don't wear makeup, I'm home even pre-pandemic. I feel like they're expecting the scene queen I was when this all happened years ago."

And as for what she's up to today, "Life for me now is mostly mom stuff. I have two children. One is very medically needy, that's the main reason I'm a stay-at-home parent. Aside from that, a close friend runs a grassroots organization, Austin Yoga Meetup, that I managed with her before the pandemic. We did community yoga events with optional donations and then would gift all proceeds to Austin non-profits."

Maria, I for one am so happy to see you thriving! Thank you so much for giving us the song of a generation. I'll be patiently waiting for All Time Low to finally cut you that check (JK, but also not really).

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This Is The Actual Maria From All Time Low's "Dear Maria, Count Me In"

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If you were a part of the punk pop revolution that was the mid-2000s, then you obviously know All Time Low's seminal anthem, "Dear Maria, Count Me In".

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The song's driving drums, catchy guitar riffs, and dynamic vocal delivery exemplify the classic pop-punk sound. The structure follows a verse-chorus format with a bridge that builds to an explosive finale.

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"There’s a story at the bottom of this bottle, and I’m the pen."

This line feels like an invitation to see the speaker taking charge of Maria’s story, celebrating her unique journey. It’s about capturing her choices and highlighting the power in owning your path.

"I got your picture, I’m coming with you, dear Maria, count me in."

This line feels like the speaker is all in, ready to follow Maria on whatever wild path she chooses. It’s about standing by someone without hesitation—capturing that feeling of shared strength and adventure.

"You know you look so good / When you’re standing over me."

This lyric flips the typical narrative, celebrating Maria’s confidence and independence. It’s refreshing to see strength admired, showing how powerful it is to stand tall and embrace who you are.

"And I’m the kind of guy who needs to feel the rush."

This line captures the thrill of living boldly and being open to life’s risks. It’s like a shared spirit between the speaker and Maria, celebrating a fearless approach to whatever comes next.

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The narrative explores themes of ambition, unconventional career choices, and the courage to defy expectations. It's told through a lens of admiration rather than judgment, making it notably progressive for its time.

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The song's energy is represented through a vibrant color palette featuring yellow, red, and light blue - colors often associated with All Time Low's branding during this era.

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All Time Low Band Members: From left to right, Zack Merrick, Rian Dawson, Alex Gaskarth, and Jack Barakat

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Contemporary photos of All Time Low from 2007 show their signature style: side-swept hair, skinny jeans, and band tees - visual elements that defined the pop-punk aesthetic of the time.

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Works Cited

All Time Low. “Dear Maria, Count Me In.” So Wrong, It’s Right, Hopeless Records, 2007.

“All Time Low - Dear Maria, Count Me In (Live from Straight To DVD).” Performance by All Time Low, Youtube, 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcFmoZhtyR0&t=3s. Accessed 2024.

Bennett, Macie. “Alex Gaskarth Recalls All Time Low Smash ‘Dear Maria, Count Me In.’” American Songwriter, 2021. https://americansongwriter.com/dear-maria-count-me-in-all-time-low-behind-the-song/

Elmakias, Adam. "All Time Low UK Arena Tour." 2016. https://www.adamelmakias.com/music-photography/live/all-time-low-uk-arena-tour/

Heinrich, Shelby. "Apparently The 2008 Emo Anthem "Dear Maria, Count Me In" Is Based On An Actual Person, And This Is Her Story" Buzzfeed, 2021. https://www.buzzfeed.com/shelbyheinrich/real-maria-all-time-low

Kiac. "ATLmontage." Wikimedia, 2009. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ATLmontage.jpg