The Young and the Hopeless is the second studio album by American rock band Good Charlotte. Following the release of their self-titled debut album (2000), the band met producer Eric Valentine and engaged him for their next album. Sessions lasted from February to May 2002; Josh Freese of the Vandals served as a session drummer. Almost all of the songs on the album were written by Benji and Joel Madden but two tracks were co-written with Valentine and Goldfinger frontman John Feldmann. Drummer Chris Wilson joined the band, prior to the release of "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous" in September.
 
On October 1, 2002, The Young and the Hopeless was released by Epic and Daylight Records. It was promoted with a support slot for No Doubt before the group embarked on their own headlining US tour, with subsequent shows of Japan, Europe, Australia and New Zealand in the following months. "The Anthem" was released as a single in February 2003 prior to the band co-headlining the Honda Civic Tour with New Found Glory between April and June. "Girls & Boys" was released as a single in July. From September to November, the band embarked on a headlining US arena tour, during which they made music videos for "Hold On" and "The Young & the Hopeless", the former was first released to alternative rock radio, and later as a joint single, with "The Young & the Hopeless", in January 2004.