Prior to the release of A Lesson in Romantics, "Black Cat", "When I Get Home, You're So Dead", and "Jamie All Over" were made available for streaming.
A Lesson in Romantics is the band's most commercially successful release, eventually being certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Mayday Parade was formed in the winter of 2005 following the merger of two local Tallahassee bands, Kid Named Chicago and Defining Moment.
[7] Fearless label president Bob Becker said the group: "were really believable, they were obviously good musicians, and they were really tight sounding.
"[3] Between late September and early November, the band went on the Text on the Dance Floor tour with Mêlée, Wheatus, Brandtson, Lakes, and Fall of Transition.
[11] According to Garcia, the final track was called "You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground, I'll Be the Wings That Keep Your Heart in the Clouds" because the band was "trying to be poetic".
[13] Mixing was done by Mark Needham, while Steve Hall mastered the album at Future Disc, located in McMinnville, Oregon.
[9] Garcia said this change made the guitars "sound more clear" and not "clutter[ed]"; on the other hand, the group found it hard working out who should sing Lancaster's parts.
[19] Between early May and late June, the band went on tour with support from Bedlight for Blue Eyes, Driver Side Impact, and Sick City.
[28] The music video for "When I Get Home, You're So Dead", directed by Marco de la Torre, was filmed in September.
[33] The band went on the Manwhores and Open Sores Tour alongside All Time Low, Every Avenue, and Just Surrender in January 2008.
[3] Sanders explained that the group "finally felt like one of the real bands" on Warped Tour; they "had a bus for the first time this year".
[3] Following this, Independent Label Group, who help promote and market Fearless releases, persuaded Target Corporation to sell A Lesson in Romantics in its stores.
[43] In October and November, the band supported All Time Low on the Compromising of Integrity, Morality, & Principles in Exchange for Money tour.
[46] A Lesson in Romantics was reissued on April 28, 2008,[47] featuring an acoustic version of "Three Cheers for Five Years", as well as "One Man Drinking Games".
[58] Daniel Thompson of Music Emissions wrote that: "every song is spectacular on this album and is a potential hit.
"[56] Despite its eventual success and acclaim, A Lesson In Romantics received little attention from professional music critics.
Reviewers noted the improved sound from the band's debut EP, Tales Told by Dead Friends.
Joe DeAndrea from AbsolutePunk.net wrote that: "after their unimpressive release of the EP Tales Told By Dead Friends in November, the band's back with their debut album that will surely become one of your most played of the Summer.
"[10] Sputnikmusic reviewer Adam Knott gave the album a score of 4.5 out of 5, calling it "a hell of a lot better" than most pop punk records.
[6] A Lesson in Romantics and "Miserable at Best" were certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in December 2017.