Personal Reflection Playlist

Personal Reflection Playlist

• The one that got away 

Artist: Katy Perry

Album: Teenage dream

Released: August 24, 2010

https://genius.com/Katy-perry-the-one-that-got-away-lyrics

• We are young 

Artist: fun.

Album: Some Nights

Released: September 10, 2011

https://genius.com/Fun-we-are-young-lyrics

• Let's Get It Started 

Artist: Måneskin

Album: Chosen

Released: December 8, 2017

https://genius.com/Maneskin-lets-get-it-started-lyrics

• Brutal 

Artist: Olivia Rodrigo

Album: SOUR

Released: May 21, 2021

https://genius.com/Olivia-rodrigo-brutal-lyrics

• Doin Time 

Artist: Lana Del Rey

Album: Norman Fuckin Rockwell

Released: May 17, 2019

https://genius.com/Lana-del-rey-doin-time-lyrics

• Settembre 

Artist: Gazzelle

Album: Punk

Released: November 30, 2018

https://genius.com/Gazzelle-settembre-lyrics

Settembre (september) is an indie song that is not made for the complex rhythm but instead for the deep meaning of the lyrics. 

Settembre starts with a contempt for september “1. Settembre è un mese di merda per ricominciare” is the verse that best represents the song. But in the end he sings the same verse but quite different “2. Settembre è un mese perfetto per ricominciare”, this little difference changes all the meaning of the verse and it brings to a particular song reflection. 

We can see the huge difference between the two verses. In my opinion the message that he wants to communicate is that all the people think about September as a bad month, but it is actually the best month to start over, changing  routines, habits and patterns. 

This song fits well with the beginning of my year, because of the radical life change that I had at the beginning of september.

1: September is a bad month to start over

2: September is a perfect month to start over

• I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who loves me)

Artist: Whitney Houston

Album: Whitney

Released: June 2, 1987

https://genius.com/Whitney-houston-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-who-loves-me-lyrics

The intro of this disco song is about loneliness and how the artist feels “And when the night falls, loneliness calls”, moving up to the chorus, Whitney sings  “I wanna dance with somebody” , in this part of the song we can feel the desire of the singer to feel alive and full of energies “I wanna feel the heat with somebody” but mostly have a special person to dance with.

In this school year I want to feel like her, being alive and energetic. I’d like to spend a lot of time dancing and having fun with special people and make new memories with them.

• Never really over 

Artist: Katy Perry

Album: Smile

Released: May 31, 2020 

https://genius.com/Katy-perry-never-really-over-lyrics

In summer 2020 I was obsessed with this song. In the intro Katy talks about failing and not being able to make your dreams come true, “But I don't wanna fall down the rabbit hole”. But the chorus is the part that represents the most what i hope for the school ending:  “Just because it's over doesn't mean it's really over”, when i’ll come back in italy i won’t forget this amazing experience, and for me it’s never really ending because i’ll continue to think about it and carry all the things i’ve learned

• Successful 

Artist: Ariana Grande

Album: Sweetener

Released: August 17, 2018

https://genius.com/Ariana-grande-successful-lyrics

Successful by Ariana Grande fully represents my expectations from this school year. In the songs she says that can merge all the best parts of her life perfectly  

chorus:“it feels so good to be so young and have this fun and be successful”  

This is precisely what I hope to reach in these months and especially feeling good and successful.

• Witness 

Artist: Katy Perry

Album: Witness

Released: June 9, 2017

https://genius.com/Katy-perry-witness-lyrics

The intro of this song is made by many questions that the artist is asking to an unknown person.  However in the chorus she just talks about what she actually wants and asks herself some of the eligible answers. In the song Katy talks about a witness, she just wants someone that supports her “I'm just looking for a witness in all of this” and stands by her “Looking for a witness to get me through this”.

I think that this song could match my year because this school it’s all different for me and I would love to meet someone who leads and supports me.

Brian D’Arcy James, Daniel Breaker. “Who I'd be.” Shrek the Musical, Shrek the Musical,  

March 24, 2009. https://genius.com/Brian-darcy-james-who-id-be-lyrics

This song from Shrek the Musical, Shrek is telling Donkey all the hopes and dreams that he wants to do. But he doesn't feel like he can do them. As I start thinking about what I will do after high school, I start to feel anxious about what I will do the rest of my life. “So yes, I'd be a hero, and if my wish was granted Life would be enchanted, or so the stories say” (Brian D’ Arcy James 23-24). Like Shrek in this song, I am unsure about what the future holds and if I can accomplish the goals I’m setting. I also sometimes believe that I don’t deserve some of the good that I have done in life. This negativity affects how I do things. 

Chris McCarrell. "Drive.” The Lightning Thief, Theatreworks USA, July 7, 2017.

https://genius.com/Original-cast-of-the-lightning-thief-musical-drive-annotated

Drive from the Lightning thief Musical is about three characters Percy, Annabeth, Grover and all the events that happen to them on a quest. But no matter what happens to them they keep driving and keep going. Throughout this year it has been stressful but as the school year starts I want to persevere through those hard moments. Because “Look How far we’ve come we can’t give in, It's one foot forward at a time” (Chris McCarrell 8-9) and that's all I need to do. I try to do more than the minimum, even when life is hard. The satisfaction of getting work done drives me to work harder and push past my doubt. 

Chris McCarrell. “My Grand Plan.” The Lightning Thief, Theatreworks USA, July 7, 2017. 

https://genis.com/Original-cast-of-the-lightning-thief-musical-my-grand-plan-annotated  

Christina Perri. “Human.” Head or Hearts,  Martin Johnson, November 18, 2013.

https://genius.com/Christina-perri-human-lyrics  

Eltion John. “I am still standing” To low for zero, Chris Thomas, July 3, 1983.

https://genius.com/Elton-john-im-still-standing-lyrics  

Garth Brooks. “The River.” Ropin’ the Wind, Allen Reynolds, April 27, 1992.

https://genius.com/Garth-brooks-the-river-lyrics   

Jessica Darrow. “Surface pressure.” Encanto, Disney, November 19, 2021.  

https://genius.com/Jessica-darrow-surface-pressure-lyrics   

Miley Cyrus.“The climb.” Hannah Montana The Movie, John Shanks, March 12, 2009. 

https://genius.com/Miley-cyrus-the-climb-lyrics  

The climb by Miley Cyrus is about how hard life can get while you are trying to reach your goals. But when I persevere through that doubt and fear it is rewarding when I reach my goal.As the year goes on I feel anxious about what the future holds for me. As I start to think about life after high school and how I will be able to get there or what will happen when I get there. I know that I can get there if I keep trying and if I can push past the doubt in myself. In my two more years of high school I want to remember it “Ain't about how fast I get there Ain't about what's waiting on the other side It's the climb”(Miley Cyrus 14-16) I don't want to over worry about the events that won’t happen for a couple years, I want to enjoy life on my way to that. 

Shakira. “Try everything.” Zootopia, Disney, February 15, 2016

  https://genius.com/Shakira-try-everything-lyrics  

This song, Try Everything from Zootopia talks about perseverance & trying something new. Even when you fail you should still keep trying because “Nobody learns without getting it wrong” (Shakira 10). In this coming year I want to be more confident in my ability to do my work and less scared of failure. I also want to be more dedicated to activities that I enjoy without worrying. I hope to continue what I started last year by stepping outside of my comfort zone and trying something new. I would like to try for an Internship with LRTC & becoming more comfortable in my role in Drama, and even though I am scared “I wanna try even though I could fail” (Shakira 14).

The Struts. “Could have been me” Everybody wants, red triangle, January 1, 2013. 

https://genius.com/The-struts-could-have-been-me-lyrics

  Could have been me is about doing the things that you are scared about doing so you don't regret them in the future. Not letting fear control your actions and then regretting it later. In my life I have moments when I don't think I can do the things I want to do because I am anxious or don’t think I will be able to. This coming year I want to persevere through that fear so that I “Never look back and say could have been me” (The Struts 15-16). I want to try new things and not worry about failing. I don't want to let myself be the reason that I miss opportunities. 

Beastie Boys. “Sure Shot.” Ill Communication, Beastie Boys, Mario Caldato Jr., May 31, 1994
https://genius.com/Beastie-boys-sure-shot-lyrics
The song, “Sure Shot.” by Beastie Boys is a compilation of raps by 3 people. They all talk about different things, how good they rap, their love for things, their feelings on topics or options. Mike D wrote this line that really stuck out to me and I felt really related to me. I often give my love and support to people freely, I feel like people don't ever give back and steal. It seems like, “Everyone just takes and takes, takes, takes, takes/I'll have to step back, I gotta contemplate” (Beastie Boys, 37-38)

Gorillaz. “Tomorrow Comes Today.” Gorillaz, Jason Cox, November 27, 2000
https://genius.com/Gorillaz-tomorrow-comes-today-lyrics
In the song, “Tomorrow Comes Today.”, the singer 2-D (Real name Damon Albarn) is talking about having fun today, leaving everything behind for tomorrow. He becomes lost in the days of fun and keeps telling himself that it'll all happen tomorrow, day after day. As tomorrow comes, 2-D realizes that tomorrow is today as the day of fun has gone. I often find myself telling myself that, ``oh i’ll do this tomorrow, I want to do this instead.”. When that tomorrow comes for me, I think, “Don’t think I’m all in this world/ The digital won’t let me go.” (Gorillaz, 3-6). I procrastinate a lot of my chores, when I don’t do them I get overwhelmed. I also feel like I can't let go of my phone, hence the second line. I predict that I will continue to procrastinate and be addicted to my phone.

Pastel Ghost. “Dark Beach.” Abyss, Pastel Ghost, March 10, 2015
https://genius.com/Pastel-ghost-dark-beach-lyrics
The song, “Dark Beach.” by Pastel Ghost is a song about love. I have my boyfriend who I love so much. He is the best thing to happen to me. This song means a lot to us, as this was the first song we listened to as a couple. Since I moved, it’s been really hard because I can not spend time with him. All I want him to do is, “Talk to me as I am sleeping/Hold me while I'm dreaming” ( Pastel Ghost, 5-6)

Sex Pistols. “Silly Thing.” The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, Steve Jones, February 26,
1979 https://genius.com/Sex-pistols-silly-thing-lyrics
The song, “Silly Thing.”, sung by Steve Jones, is about naivety and teenage confusion. The song first talks about not believing in everything you see, read, or hear. Then it touches upon trying not to get into trouble and to not hang out with the wrong crowd and to just, “Leave them all behind.” (Steve Jones, 16). Then Steve talks about ‘your’ future with the life that you’ve wanted to live as a bad person, saying that you’re going to die and no one will really care because you’ve brought trouble around other people. I am a naive person, very gullible as well. I often search for something that is possibly never there. I’ve been told to, “Don't be fooled by the signs/Don't read in between the lines.” (Steve Jones, 4-5). I predict that I will continue to be native and insecure.

Sneaker Pimps. “Low Place Like Home.” Becoming X, Line of Flight, Jim Abbiss, August 19, 1996
https://genius.com/Sneaker-pimps-low-place-like-home-lyrics
The song, “Low Place Like Home.” by Sneaker Pimps is about someone not knowing anything about themselves and copying other people/ characters to create themselves. I relate to this because I’m 16 and I still feel like I don’t know myself as much as I should. Even at my age I still find myself trying to find myself. I find myself sitting in my room, “Need some time and space/ Just to find yourself” (Sneaker Pimps, 4-5)

Beastie Boys. “Sure Shot.” Ill Communication, Beastie Boys, Mario Caldato Jr., May 31, 1994
Beastie Boys. “Super Disco Breakin’.” Hello Nasty, Beastie Boys, Mario Caldato Jr. , July 14, 1998
D.O.A.. “The Enemy.” Something Better Change, Richard Drake, 1980
Gorillaz. “Tomorrow Comes Today.” Gorillaz, Jason Cox, November 27, 2000
Pastel Ghost. “Dark Beach.” Abyss, Pastel Ghost, March 10, 2015
Playboi Carti. “Home.” Die Lit, Pi’erre Bourne, May 11, 2018
Sex Pistols. “Silly Thing.” The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, Steve Jones, February 26,
1979
Sex Pistols. “I Wanna Be Me.” The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, John Lydon, February 26, 1979
Sneaker Pimps. “Low Place Like Home.” Becoming X, Line of Flight, Jim Abbiss, August 19, 1996
Steve Lacy. “Bad Habit.” Gemini Rights, Steve Lacy, June 29, 2022

Personal Reflection Playlist

Adam Levine. “Lost Stars.” Begin Again, Nick Southwood, Nick Lashley, Danielle Brisebois & Gregg Alexander, June 2014

https://genius.com/Adam-levine-lost-stars-lyrics

It's about a man who's wandered off his path in life and is getting caught up in the fact that he hasn't accomplished the goals that he's been reaching for, and the illusion that they could still happen. He's coming to the realization that sometimes, your plans just fall through or are a "one night stand,” as he continues to question if his life had any meaning at all, and if he's accomplished anything or made anything of himself. I can’t help but find myself relating to this song on a deep level. My whole life defines this message, and I’m shocked I could even find a song that would describe it. I’ve always somehow found myself avoiding the smarter choices in my life, finding new interests for myself that would always seem impossible for me to reach for where I stand, yet I still go for it, thinking there’s still a chance for me to achieve it. I’ve never seen the gravity of any of my situations, as if I've been blinded by my dreams. I’ve noticed that my previous dreams such as becoming a worldwide singer have completely drifted away from my interests. “Best laid plans sometimes are just a one night stand.” (Adam Levine 7-8) This line really explains that situation, because singing would be the best option for me at the time, when I was at such a young age, yet that dream is nowhere to be found. Now I’m just stuck with my love and passion for figure skating. I think this shows that this school year would be no different than any other year, because my whole life I was always just a lost star. I never found my place that I belong in. Sure, figure skating feels like home, but do you know that saying where it goes, “met the right person at the wrong time?” That’s my situation except it’s with figure skating. I’ve developed the right dream for me but at the wrong time. I’m a bit too old to become a successful figure skater. An Olympic one at that. But I still believe that I would still enjoy this year although I may be lost in some parts. We all get a little lost at times. “But are we all lost stars?” (Adam Levine 16, 32, 43, 48, 50)

Bruno Mars. “Count On Me.” Doo-Wops & Hooligans, The Smeezingtons, November 2011

https://genius.com/Bruno-mars-count-on-me-lyrics

The words in the song define the meaning of a true friend. This song also tells us about friendship and more specifically, it tries to relate to what a true friend should do for their friends. Personally I would like to see this song as not only being about friendship, but Family too. My family has shown me that I don’t only have friends to count on, but them just as much as any of my friends would. They showed me that although friendships may not stay, family will always be there to stay. They give me a reason to keep pushing forward, because whatever happens in the end, they would still be there for me. Family is someone who I can count on, and that shows me that throughout the whole rest of the school year, throughout the rest of my life, they would still be there no matter what happens, no matter how many people I lose. Even if I somehow find myself losing them, they’re still my family, therefore, my family is someone I can count on.

Calum Scott. “You Are The Reason.” Only Human, Fraser T. Smith, November 2017

https://genius.com/Calum-scott-you-are-the-reason-lyrics

Coldplay. “Sparks.” Parachutes, Ken Nelson & Coldplay, July 2000

https://genius.com/Coldplay-sparks-lyrics

Flora Cash. “You’re Somebody Else.” Nothing Lasts Forever, Flora Cash, April 2017

https://genius.com/Flora-cash-youre-somebody-else-lyrics

This song is about a fear of losing a loved one. In a relationship, people grow together. Unfortunately, some people also grow apart. When you no longer know the person with whom you had created a strong bond with, there is a sense of insecurity that creeps in. I find myself relating to this a lot in my life, especially recently when I almost lost a close friend of mine that I had for around three years. Change can really affect people and their daily lives. I used to call her every second of the day every day. We used to laugh and cry together over the stupidest reasons, and now where did all of that go? Those are only memories now that I can only think of every night, wishing it could go back to how it used to be. It’s sad. But that’s what happens in life. People change. Sometimes you have to just accept that and move on with what you’ve learned from that. I still wish it could be like before, but I have no choice but to move on. That’s what life is all about, isn’t it? Meeting people and moving on? Because that’s what I learned. That showed me that no matter who I meet and what I experience with them, things will change. They will change. I may not meet a lot of people this year, but I will cherish my moments with them for I may lose them at some point.

Harry Styles. “Falling.” Fine Line, Tyler Johnson & Kid Harpoon, December 2019

https://genius.com/Harry-styles-falling-lyrics

Kina (ft. Snow). “Get You The Moon.” Things I Wanted To Tell You, Kina, March 2018

https://genius.com/Kina-get-you-the-moon-lyrics

Loren Allred. “Never Enough.” The Greatest Showman, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Joseph Trapanese & Alex Lacamoire, December 2017

https://genius.com/Loren-allred-never-enough-lyrics

The song heavily focuses on the need for more. More fame, more money, and more love. When one gets into this mindset, there is really no stopping them. I don’t think me and my love for figure skating relates to anything more than this song. I’ve always loved figure skating and the idea of ice skating in general. My dream is to become a figure skater. People may think I’m too old to start practicing to become a professional skater, but I’m stubborn. If I want something, I will get it. Everything I could get from becoming a figure skater, fame, money, love, etc. screams for me to keep trying. I need it. But the sad thing about all of this is, I don’t have the time. I need a job. I have to help my mom around the house. I have school to focus on and a college I need to get in eventually. I have my dad to take care of when he gets older and a brother. My life isn’t enough for me to achieve my dream. Plus not only that, but I’m too weak. How can I be able to pull off the big jumps figure skaters do when I’m now 16? Successful figure skaters start off at a really young age like how my friend’s friend’s mom started at 2. She even told me I was too old to start. They say I can still learn and ice skate for fun, but that’s Never Enough for me. I need the whole package. I want to go on the ice and perform in front of thousands of people. I want to pull off those big jumps I see people do on TV and listen to all the cheering in the background while also hearing the blades of my ice skates gliding against the ice. I want to feel it all. Yet, I can only dream. That shows that throughout the whole rest of this year, I’m probably not going to achieve my dream. I’ll just “Never be enough.” (Loren Allred 13, 16, 17, 32, 35 36)

Sia. “Unstoppable.” This Is Acting, Jesse Shatkin, January 2016

https://genius.com/Sia-unstoppable-lyrics

Two Feet. “I Feel Like I’m Drowning.” A 20 Something Fuck, Two Feet, November 2017

https://genius.com/Two-feet-i-feel-like-im-drowning-lyrics

Juice WRLD. “Bad energy” legends never die, Blake Slatkin & Take a Daytrip. 

July 10th, 2020

This song “Bad energy” by the artist Juice WRLD is in my opinion one of his greatest hits. In this song Juice WRLD talks about being positive and avoiding bad energy. He explains ways he copes with bad energy. This song relates to me because during school I get very stressed and it becomes hard to stay positive. The older I get the harder the work gets, this makes my anxiety increase. Every year I have to work harder to avoid the fear of not graduating. This year I will have a lot of work to do by the end of the year and it won’t be easy. “Drain out bad energy (Drain out bad energy)Forget the bad memories (Forget the bad memories)” (Juice wrld, 9) I'm going to have to work hard through the stress and fear in order to pass this school year.

Lil uzi vert, Erase your social, the perfect LUV tape, prod. Lyle Leduff, 

July, 31, 2016

In the song “Erase your social” by Lil Uzi Vert he speaks about how social media is a big issue nowadays. This song for me is very relatable because in our school social media, and socializing in general can become a huge problem. This song is relatable to me and many more because social media can create lots of drama. This drama from social media creates chaos and anger. This school year there will be lots of drama because of social media and I don’t think this will affect me as much as it has in the past. “Pull out the Snapchats on me I ain't got no Snapchat,homie I think it's too personal.” (Lil Uzi Vert, 6)  I'm going to work hard to avoid social media drama, and focus on passing this school year.

21 savage, Ball w/o you, I am > I was, Prod. BustDownBirdie, 

Dec, 21, 2018

In the song “Ball w/o you” by 21 savage he talks about his past relationships. He talks about how he would rather have loyalty than love, and how he would struggle having a relationship because his girlfriend wasn’t loyal. I can relate to this because as I get older in highschool I start to notice who is loyal and who isn’t loyal. Struggling with loyalty creates negativity and weakness. This school year I’ve realized that there are only certain people that are loyal, and I think that this year will be good for me because I have loyal friends. “I'd rather have loyalty than love'Cause love really don't mean jack (Straight up)See love is just a feelingYou can love somebody and still stab them in they back” (21 Savage, 6) This school year I won't have to deal with negativity because I will work hard to keep positive relationships. 

Juice WRLD, Fast, Death race for love, prod. Louis Bell, 

March 8th 2019

“Fast” by juice wrld is a great song in his album “deathrace for love.” In this song Juice wrld speaks about how it feels like his life is moving too fast. To me this is really relatable because It feels like school moves so fast, especially now that I'm in highschool. Moving fast in school makes me feel stressed and scared, because I don’t want to fail school. “I have been living fast, fast, fast, fast. Feeling really bad, bad, bad, bad.” (Juice wrld, 1)  I think This school year will pass but it will move very fast, and be very stressful at times.

Bruno mars, count on me, doo-wops and hooligans, prod. Smeezingtons, 

nov, 11, 2011

“Count on me” by Bruno Mars is a really sweet, loving song. In this song he talks about his relationships, and how people can count on him if they’re in need of help. This song relates to me because at school I have friends that help me through my days, or help me with homework. At school I can get stressed, but my friends make it better and help me stay positive. Being able to count on my friends help me feel happier. “And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me Every day, I will remind you,” (Bruno Mars, 8)  This school year will be good for me because when things get hard i’ll have friends to help me get through it.

Sam smith, Stay with me, In the lonely hour, prod. Steve Fitzmaurice, May, 26 2014

XXXTENTACIAN, Revenge, single, prod. XXXTENTACIAN, May, 18, 2017

Jack Harlow, What's poppin, sweet action, prod. LosTheProducer, Jan, 21, 2020

James Blunt, you’re beautiful, back to bedlum, prod. Tom rothrock, may,30, 2005

Pooh shiesty, black in blood, shiesty season, prod. YC, Nov, 5, 2020

Bruno Mars. “When I was your man” Unorthodox Jukebox. Smeezingtons, 

Dec. 2012 https://genius.com/Bruno-mars-when-i-was-your-man-lyrics  

This song by Bruno Mars is, in my opinion, one of his best and the best from this certain album. He starts by telling us how things are not the same and how hearing his ex’s name hurts him, after a recent breakup. He then sings about everything he should have done, how he regrets it, and how he was too dumb to realize he should have treated her better and done more for her. He goes on to say that his “baby” is with another man and that he can’t do anything to fix the mess he made; clearly, he is heartbroken. In the end, he is saying how he hopes the new guy treats her right and did all the things he didn’t do. “Do all the things I should have done/when I was your man.” (Bruno Mars, 47-48) I can relate to this song in the sense of feeling like once I lose someone there is no way I can fix it, and I realize that I might have not done enough to make them happy. 

Macklemore (feat. Kesha). “Good old days” Gemini. Budo, Sep. 2017

https://genius.com/Macklemore-good-old-days-lyrics  

Kesha starts off her song by saying how she wishes she would have known that her younger years were going to be the good old days. She also says how when you are young you are not going to forget the love and not going to regret the reckless nights. Macklemore then sings about how he would lie in bed thinking about his future when he was younger. However, now that he has grown up, he wishes he was back to those good old days. “Cause someday soon, your whole life’s gonna change/you’ll miss the magic of these good old days.” (Mackelmore, 6-7) I can tie this into my life right now because I am always thinking about what my future is going to look like. Sometimes I think I’m not enjoying the days right now by being stressed out for no reason.  

Sam Hunt. “Break up in a small town” Montevallo. Zach Crowell & Shane McAnally, Oct. 2014

https://genius.com/Sam-hunt-break-up-in-a-small-town-lyrics  

This song is absolutely amazing and, in my opinion, is his best song and the only right way to listen to it is to blast it to full volume. The storytelling in the lyrics is perfect and tells his situation perfectly. He starts off by saying how he sees his ex all around town, and that she looks like she’s moved on when he hasn’t. Then he says how she is now with someone he knows, which is common when you live in a small town. He also talks about how he sees her and her new guy together everywhere. He ends his song by saying how close she lives to him and how he just needs to get over her. “You gotta move or move on/When you break up in a small town” (Sam Hunt, 25-26) This song reminds me of how this year is going already. Even though you see that one person all the time it is not worth being heartbroken over someone who has already moved on. 

Cody Johnson. “Til you can’t” Human: The Double Album. Trent Willmon, June 2021

https://genius.com/Cody-johnson-til-you-cant-lyrics  

If you are a country fan, you need to listen to this song. It tells an amazing life lesson. He starts off by saying how you can tell your dad that you are too busy to fish with him. Then he talks about how you can keep putting off asking that special someone out until you can’t anymore. “If you got a chance take it/Take it while you got a chance” (Cody Johnson, 11-12) I can relate this to my school year because I just need to take chances while I still can and not give up on anything I am really trying to achieve. 

Bailey Zimmerman. “Where it ends” Where it ends. Austin Shawn, Aug. 2022

https://genius.com/Bailey-zimmerman-where-it-ends-lyrics  

Bailey Zimmerman is a relatively new artist and is an up-and-coming star, and that is a fact. He has many good songs but this one tells the story a little better than the others. He starts off by saying he’s tried to fix this relationship many different ways, but it has to end. He also talks about how he fought for her and tried everything but she broke him down. “Fought for you on your worst days/Then you told me that you don't love me no more” (Bailey Zimmerman, 9-10). He gave her a second chance but he still ended up being hurt. He says he has too much pride for this to ruin him a third time so he has to end it. Just like he is saying in this song, I have way too much pride in myself to let someone dictate the way I live my life and bring me down. 

Kid Cudi, MGMT, Ratatat. “Pursuit of happiness (Nightmare)” Man on the Moon: The End of

 Day. Ratatat, Sep. 2009   

https://genius.com/Kid-cudi-pursuit-of-happiness-nightmare-lyrics  

Lucas Graham. “7 Years” Lukas Graham (Blue Album). Morten “Pilo” Pilegaard & Future 

Animals, June 2015 https://genius.com/Lukas-graham-7-years-lyrics  

Morgan Wallen. “Wasted on you” Dangerous: The Double Album. Jacob Durrett & Joey Moi

, Jan 2021 https://genius.com/Morgan-wallen-wasted-on-you-lyrics  

Rhianna, Mikky Ekko. “Stay” Unapologetic. Justin Parker, Elof Loelv, Kuk Harrell & Mikky

 Ekko, Jan. 2013 https://genius.com/Rihanna-stay-lyrics  

21 Savage, Metro Boomin. “Rip Luv” SAVAGE MODE II. Peter lee Johnson, Zaytoven & Metro

 Boomin, Oct. 2020 https://genius.com/21-savage-and-metro-boomin-rip-luv-lyrics  

My life as a playlist

Eminem. “Beautiful.” Relapse, Interscope Records,2009

https://genius.com/Eminem-beautiful-lyrics

Eminem wrote the beginning of this song when he was in rehab. This song was the only one out of the whole album that didn’t bring up all the bad memories for him. The song is about dealing with depression and at the end of the song he showed hope for the future. This song is probably the best song to explain my life. I had to face reality and figure out who I really am and learn myself and things I do. I never had that support like other kids when I was younger, I have gone through things no child should ever have to go through. I was hurt by my parents before anyone could hurt me. “Nobody asked for life to deal us with these bullshit hands we’re dealt we gotta take those cards ourselves and flip em’, don’t expect no help.”(Eminem, 80-83) I can’t help with what happened in my life but I can use it as a learning experience. 

Jessie Murph. “I would’ve.” JM1, Columbia Records, 2022

https://genius.com/Jessie-murph-i-wouldve-lyrics

Jessie Murph wrote this song about the pain of loving someone with everything you have and not having the same energy back. I recently had a heartbreak, after a year of loving him and giving my all he broke my heart. I was hurt at first because I did everything for him and loved him with everything I had in me. Anger started to set in when I realized how badly he treated me. Manipulation and controlling of me he was. “Went through hell and back for you and this how you repay me.”(Jessie Murph,10) No matter what I was there, but now I realized I need to put myself first. I learned a lot about myself and how many people are snakes. 

Juice Wrld. “Hurt me.” Goodbye & Good Riddance, Grade A Productions,2017.

https://genius.com/Juice-wrld-hurt-me-lyrics

Juice Wrld wrote this song about his struggles with mental health and heartbreaks he has gone through. The songs he wrote were his way of expressing his feelings and struggles in life. I have struggled with my mental health for about 2 years now and his songs have always reminded me I'm not alone with the struggles I have. My family is complicated and I had to grow up and mature on my own. Yes my parents are in my life but when I was younger it was always going to court for custody and arguing with each other. My struggles with depression, I have dealt with on my own and nobody noticed for 3 months until I finally broke. “All alone, did it on my own so I show no mercy.”(Juice Wrld, 8-9) Throughout my whole life people have been in and out of my life, even when they say they will always be there for me and aren’t leaving my life. I learned to be independent when I was younger. 

Mac Miller. “Self Care.” Swimming, Warner Records, 2018

https://genius.com/Mac-miller-self-care-lyrics

Mac Miller wrote this song to send a message to the world about getting through those hard times having self control and being aware of yourself and actions. This song was him learning from his mistakes while dating Ariana. In the past four months life has thrown me some curve balls. After I worked through them I found myself and this time is my redemption no more hiding who I am. Finally I found my purpose and realized I need to focus on myself and keep finding more about myself. “Self care,i’m treatin me right yeah hell yeah, we gonna be alright.”(Mac Miller,23-24) I have overcome so much in the past few months, some of them that I thought I never would overcome. I love myself finally and I am learning who I am more and more everyday and I have become self aware of actions or talking that I do in situations and have fixed that. Im proud of myself. 

$uicideboy$. “THE_EVIL_THAT_MEN_DO.” Sing me a lullaby, My sweet temptation, G*59 Records, 2022.

https://genius.com/Uicideboy-the-evil-that-men-do-lyrics

Ruby and $crim, also known as $uicideboy$ wrote this song about what each are struggling with or feel like and express this through their songs. $crim tells that he doesn’t truly trust anybody close to him and feels as if most people are being fake to gain trust. There has been so many times that I have let someone gain my full trust to the point I trust them with my life and everytime they have left or betrayed me. I have always had trust issues but this last one, caused me to shut down and didn’t tell anyone anything. I felt as if I hated myself for ever letting anyone gain my full trust. “Liars all around me talkin’ hugs and love attaching kisses that come with wishes for death so they can touch my trust.”($uicideboy$,22-24) I can see right through people now ever since I stopped messing around and found myself again. Everyday I chose to fight, for myself.I have values now including you to earn my respect, and if you're loyal I will be loyal to you. I don’t put up with disrespecting me anymore. 

In Memory of ‘22-’23 School Year

Tears for Fears. “Everybody wants to Rule the world”. Songs from the Big Chair, Chris Hughes,

 March 15, 1985. 

This song was released in the 80’s, and in my opinion really makes me happy, feel free and think about how it would be like to live in the past. Going to school and living through the 80’s is honestly a dream for me. When I hear this song it puts an image in my head of me living life during the 80’s in my bathroom doing my hair and makeup for school, “while” dancing to this song. This song was written in the cold world era, and many of the lyrics written in it are referring to the tense situation. But the song is mostly about lust, power, control, and destructive consequences. These are also what the thematic topics are for this song. Although this song is about lust and power, I find this song to have helped me in school, and imagine something that won't happen but makes me feel free. In this school and state people are “All for freedom and for pleasure/Nothing ever lasts forever” (Tears for Fears 27-28). That's why you have to live your life, find things that inspire you, make you feel safe and happy. 

Kat Dahlia. “I think i'm in Love”. My Garden, Jon Levine, January 13, 2015.

This song is a great way to show my feelings towards my boyfriend. I met him in this school and ever since I met him this song has drawn me to think of the love I have for him. This song is about tension and love. All relationships have their ups and downs, which is normal and we have definitely discovered that. Our relationship was very good at the start because we were friends for a while. People would ask if we were dating. I would say “We ain't got a label, we're just rollin’ with the punches” (Dahlia 40). Then of course he asked me out and our relationship was great. Then it kind of started to lack the Attention a person needs, which obviously caused a lot of tension, anger, and confusion. I decided to talk to him about what needs to change in order for this relationship to be healthy, and surprisingly he listened and our relationship has grown because of that. Loving someone is also wanting to make situations right with each other no matter what. 

Kelly Clarkson. “Since U Been Gone”. Breakaway, Max Martin, Dr. Luke, November 16, 2004. 

Since U been gone is an old song. It's about a girl who knows how to express her relief of getting out of a troubled relationship. This brings back some memories of school that us students had to go through. The year of covid was horrible for everyone, especially schools; Having to wear masks full time in school even in gym class; Having teachers yell at you for having your mask down but you're just trying to get so much air. School was miserable, and slow. All the things we missed out on because of covid angers me. All I have to say is that covid was an experience,“But since you been gone/I can breathe for the first time” (Clarkson 12-13). I am free from the masks, and I can breathe! Last year was somewhat good but this year is going to be better. We are able to do more things that we were not able to do before because of covid. You never know what is coming in the new year, could be worse, could be better. Just be ready for anything. 

Shinedown. “Bully”. Rob Cavallo, February 9, 2008.

Shinedown is one of my favorite hard rock bands. They became famous in the 2000’s and were atop the billboard charts into 2010. A lot of their songs are very real, very down to earth, and great. This song “Bully” is a great song but it hits home a little too hard. People get bullied everywhere and a lot in school, at work, in public, etc. I had a bad experience with bullying myself which was never fun nor pleasing, but I still had to go to school and deal with it. I realized at some point that they did this to me to make themselves feel better. I know there's more people who experienced some sort of bullying and “We all know life ain’t fair/But there is more of us/We’re everywhere” (Shinedown 10-12). We stick together and help each other out. This song sort of gives me a safe feeling, a feeling that gives me confidence to not deal with that crap anymore. It helped me grow mentally which is why I still listen to it to this day. Never allow someone to have power over you.

Bebe Rexha, G-Eazy. “Me, Myself, and I”. Michael Keenan, October 14, 2015.

This song is about independence and being ok with being alone. Over the past few school years I have been losing friends left and right due to arguments, drama, or just them being fake. I have a few friends, don't get me wrong but this song fits me very well. This song is about independence and being ok with being alone. A lot of the time during lunch I hide in the single bathrooms because I have no one to sit with, I don't mind being in the bathrooms because I'm alone and comfortable in my own space. Other times I wish I had more friends to sit with and talk to. A song like this showed me that I'm ok with being independent, and having my own back. When I listen to this song I make sure to sing this part confidently “Oh, it's just me, Myself, and I/Solo ride until I die/’Cause I got me for life” (Rexha 51-53). I have anxiety which makes it harder for me to make friends. People tell me to just go talk to someone but it's not that easy. I see my friends talking with their friends and it makes me think about how many friends I could have if I wasn't so weird and shy. My goal is to focus on myself and friends after that.

Then, Now, and Hope for the Future 

Aim Vision. “I CANT WAIT.” Single, Aim Vision, October 2020

https://genius.com/Aim-vision-i-cant-wait-lyrics

This specific song hypes anyone that can relate to its lyrics. This statement can be proven

by looking at the lyrics of the song. Focusing on that, the lyrics express the many positive

emotions that correlate with dreams and goals. This is shown immediately when the song begins by commenting on the the fire that burns within the dreamers of the world. Relating

to this information, a lot of high school students, such as myself, mainly run on the faint

hope and dreams that we have and focus on for the future while we are held down by the

monotonous every day life that is school. Putting all of this together, this directly connects with the thematic topics which can be stated with two short words. Dreams and hope. Getting more personal but staying on topic, for me personally, I dream about my goals of being financially stable in order to support my family and the nice house I want to live inside of. Another goal I hold onto dearly is my career goal. I desire to be the best vet in whatever state I choose to reside within, and with that experience, I want to open a shelter with a no kill policy. Instead of a kill policy, my goal includes to have an animal fostering system. Focusing on not just myself, many other high school students can relate to the frustratingly positive fire that both excites us and angers us due to the fact that we have to go through the basic education that is spread world wide as expressed in this song. To describe this in one short sentence, quoted by Aim Vision, “Lately my mind is racin'/I try so hard to tame my patience/But my dreams so close I almost taste it/And I can't wait” (Aim Vision 1-4). 

Bowling for Soup, “High School Never Ends.” The Great Burrito Extortion Case, Adam Schlesinger, Jaret Ray Reddick & Russ-T Cobb, September 2006. 

https://genius.com/Bowling-for-soup-high-school-never-ends-lyrics

High School Never Ends is a song that reminds me of the cringey, yet terrifyingly truthful high school movies. Getting into the nitty gritty of the details, the song starts out by throwing the listener into the deep end on how they view high school and the world after.  The group describes this as a bunch of cliques that are sprinkled off with immaturity, arrogance, and then the cherry on top being the ignorantly-corrupted minds of a few students students that cause them to nullify the high school experience and create this environment of a superficial world for their peers. This guides me to the thematic topic of  superficiality, which just so happens to be what high school movies focus on the most. From my viewpoint, I feel like what this song portrays about high school is heavily and bone-rattlingly true. Outside of class, I have personally seen and dealt with a variety of people who are so well-masked on the outside, that their manipulative behavior only shone through after I was already too involved. Leaving out specific details, I can only describe this as an experience in high school I have witnessed and noted a shocking amount of times. Due to this fact, I can now foresee this kind of behavior and I notice a lot of people who fit into this category. Some may not agree with this, and I can understand that, however, in my opinion, high school is like the cringey movies that nobody wants to watch. Expanding on this, in one simple sentence given to the world by Bowling for Soup, high school can be described as, “For years, you think, for sure/That’s all you’ve got to endure/All the total [jerks]/All the stuck-up chicks/So superficial, so immature” (Bowling for Soup 6-10). 

DNMO. “Sick of You.” Single, DNMO, February 2019

https://genius.com/Dnmo-sick-of-you-lyrics

Kelly Clarkson. “Breakaway.” Single, John Shanks, July 2004 

https://genius.com/Kelly-clarkson-breakaway-lyrics

This song narrates the experiences one goes through when growing up within a smaller town, specifically the little to no opportunities available for someone with a lot of big dreams and goals that they feel they could accomplish if they took a chance and spread their wings to someplace that has bigger and better things. In Maine, some, including myself, would agree that they can relate to the thematic topics this song is based around. Clarifying this, a smaller town such as Litchfield where I’ve grown up in does not offer a lot of golden opportunities for people like me. I have always dreamt of doing something big to leave my mark on the world, to be remembered for doing something that pushed humanity forward. Inspirations include George Stephenson who successfully created the world’s first locomotive, slavery and women’s rights progressives including but not limited to Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, and Susan B. Anthony. Looking at their amazing contributions to society, I have thought about doing something worthwhile, meaningful, and momentous with issues such as climate change, power reserve issues, pollution and etcetera. In short, I dream big and I crave to have a turning point in the betterment of our species. Concluding these statements, I and other hopeful and determined individuals relate to this spout of truth, specifically due to the following quote, “I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly/I'll do what it takes 'til I touch the sky/And I'll make a wish, take a

chance, make a change/And break away” (20-23). 

Nicky Youre & Dazy. “Sunroof.” Single, D-azy, November 2021

https://genius.com/Nicky-youre-and-dazy-sunroof-lyrics

One Direction. “Night Changes.” Four, John Ryan & Julian Bunetta, November 2014.

https://genius.com/One-direction-night-changes-lyrics

The song Night Changes by One Direction is a fountain of truth forgotten by many who remember life when the band thrived. In short, this song highlights perfectly, from my personal standpoint, how I think every high school student feels once they reach junior year. The song begins by describing the emotions involved around the changes in the life of the individual they are singing about. From that foundation, the song goes on to address how in these new and exciting moments, there’s still a voice or feeling that washes over you and how that can stir up a variety of emotions that feed on the anxiety created from the result of things changing in the blink of an eye. This covers the thematic topic of change, specifically how intimidating it can be. This is indeed very truthful and it hits hard to a student in junior year. I particularly have noticed how I have been getting filled with a lot more anxiety about how things have been changing so fast. I feel like I was twelve years old just a second ago, and now, I’m at that age where there are a lot more responsibilities and adult-related things I have to figure out. For example, I’m going to be driving soon, leading to a low-level job, which then leads to college and my life is right around the corner where I’ll eventually have a job that I’m going to have for basically my entire life. It’s stressful, and in the words of one direction, “We're only getting older, baby/And I've been thinking about it lately/Does it ever drive you crazy/Just how fast the night changes?” (One Direction 7-10). 

Sammy rash. “Summer&cigarettes.” Single, Sammy rash, March 2021

https://genius.com/Sammy-rash-summer-cigarettes-lyrics

Tai Verdes. “A-O-K.” Single, Adam Friedman, May 2021

https://genius.com/Tai-verdes-a-o-k-lyrics

Twenty One Pilots. “Stressed Out.” Blurryface, Mike Elizondo, April 2015

https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-stressed-out-lyrics

Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots is a sympathizable song for every high school student. The song describes the mundane every day life that comes along with adulthood. It

mentions the bliss of childhood that everyone misses once they reach the point that they are not considered a child anymore and have piles and masses of new responsibilities. All of this information ties into the song’s thematic topics, which can be expanded upon when comparing this song to real life while focusing on the song’s main ideas. The main thematic topics can be thought to be stress, anxiety, and change and past. To broaden this statement and relate to my reality, I personally remember how life used to be when I was a kid and I often compare that to how life is now. Back then, I could spend twenty to thirty minutes on my homework and then I’d have the rest of the day to play. Now, I need a job, I spend hours every week practicing piano for one class, it takes me at least two weeks to complete assignments for other classes, and I have a lot of chores I have to complete on top of my other responsibilities and my social life. Life becomes hectic, confusing, and frustrating as the years go by and this song perfectly executes how that feels. For example, a quote taken from Stressed Out that highlights the main aspects of my many points is, “Wish we could turn back time to the good old days/When our momma sang us to sleep, but now we're stressed out/Sometimes a certain smell will take me back to when I 

was young/I'd make a candle out of it, if I ever found it/Try to sell it,/I'd probably only sell 

one/It'd be to my brother, 'cause we have the same nose/ Same clothes/But it would remind us of when nothing really mattered” (Twenty One Pilots 9-22). 

Zach Hood. “Main Character.” Single, Jayden Seeley, September 2021

https://genius.com/Zach-hood-main-character-lyrics

 “Billionaire.” Billionaire,The Smeezingtons, March 9, 2010

This song is going towards my life outside of school. My achievementI made during summer was to get my first job. That is a great accomplishment since I had trouble at first but I finally found one I like and will stick with. This job is something that is going to make me money and allow me to save a little. which is why bruno mars “billionaire” is a great song because it talks about how he is gonna rise to the stand and become rich like he wants to, it's not going to be so drastic with me butIwill hopefully save a lot. ¨I wanna be a billionaire so fucking bad Buy all of the things I never had I wanna be on the cover of Forbes magazine Smiling next to Oprah and the Queen¨(1-4)

“danger .” danger,JUDGE & Marshmello, December 7, 2017

“Dreams and nightmares.” Dreams and nightmares, The Beat Bully, October 30, 2012

“godzilla.” Godzilla, Alex Villasana & ​d.a. got that dope,January 17, 2020.

This song “godzilla” by eminem is something that I have picked to represent a hobby the hobbyIam picking is working out. I am planning on getting into shape so that I can perform better in lacrosse. That way Ican be the best I need to be and work my hardest without worrying about stuff holding me down. This song was chosen because it represents a lot of beat drops and can be taken as a hype song which is something you want when working out. ¨Monster, You get in my way, I'ma feed you to the monster (Yeah),I'm normal during the day, but at night, turn to a monster (Yeah)

When the moon shines like Ice Road Truckers, I look like a villain outta those blockbusters Godzilla, fire spitter, monster¨(18-23)

“Life goes on.” life goes on ,Daz, 2019

 “On top of the world.” On top of the world, Alex da Kid & Imagine Dragons, February 14, 2012. 

This song talks about being on top of the world like you're having a great achievement. That will be me this year.Iam setting high expectations for myself this year.Iam going to stay caught up all year and then I will be getting my license, a car, moving into our new house hopefully and I will be a starter on varsity lacrosse. This is all stuff I  expect to do and this song makes it feel like it's possible because when I accomplish this I will be “on top of the world” (11)

 “Ridin solo.” ridin solo, J.R. Rotem, May 2, 2010

This song represents one of my achievements which will be me getting my license and car. This year, which is something I am ecstatic for, it can almost not wait.  jason durulos song “ridin solo” represents it perfectly because this year I will be ¨I'm solo, I'm riding solo I'm riding solo, I'm riding solo, solo¨(5-6)

 “stronger.” stronger, The Heatmakerz, June 15, 2018

“Sum 2 Prove.”Sum 2 Prove, Twysted Genius, January 10, 2020

This song I chose because I believe I have a lot to prove this year. I'm not some quiet kid in school who doesn't do anything. I want people to see how great ¨I.am¨ I want to excel and continu too throughout the year . making sure to end with lacrosse which is my favorite thing in the world to do.I Expect my junior year to be a successful year. I'm gonna work my hardest in order to get to the top. This is why I chose “sum 2 prove” because I feel it represents how I feel about this year. ¨I got somethin' to prove (Somethin' to prove).Yeah, I'm young, but got somethin' to lose (Somethin' to lose)¨(51-52)

 “This Side Of Paradise.” This Side Of Paradise, Coyote Theory, June 11, 2011

Anonymous

Tom Petty. “A Face in the Crowd”. Full Moon Fever, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty & Mike W. Campbell, April 24, 1989.

     Tom Petty – A Face in the Crowd Lyrics

     This song by Tom Petty is an older song that goes underlooked. It starts off talking about a person's anonymity in another place. As the song progresses the person enters the singer's life but is still seen as an unknown part of the many. Basically the song details how even if you're unknown by the many doesn’t mean no one knows you. This relates to me in the sense that only those in my classes know of me. So personally I feel that the song is about anonymity. As for how it relates to anonymity as I stated earlier it talks about how a person is only known by them. The song tells this in the chorus by using words like “You were just a face in the crowd Out in the street, walking around A face in the crowd” (Tom Petty, chorus 1). This of course is saying that they are just a random unknown person. Now the best part of this is that the song keeps the identity of both the singers and the person described as a face in the crowd anonymous.

Growth

Youth Lagoon. “17”. The Year of Hibernation, Jeremy Park & Trevor Powers, September 27, 2011.

     Youth Lagoon – 17 Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

     17, an unusual name for a song as it’s a number but still good nonetheless. The song starts with the singer and their imaginary friends hunting for imaginary snakes in an imaginary campground in their room. As the song continues on the singer is 17 and has lost his imagination but his mother tells him to keep having dreams if he wants to live. Personally I feel that this song is about what happens when you grow up. One clear reason is the song goes from a young child to a 17 year old. The lyrics also illustrate how the person in the song has grown out of fantasy with, “Now I pull a one-ton carriage Instead of the horses, grazing the lawn” (Youth Lagoon, 6). More subtly noticed though is that in the beginning when he’s young the imagination seems more vast and realistic but as they grow up and they get less imaginative all they do is a simple comparison. The song also states that the reason they lost their imagination as they grew is since his mind got darker and such thoughts didn’t fade.

Yore

Weezer. “The British Are Coming”. Everything Will Be Alright in the End, Ric Ocasek, October 7, 2014.

     Weezer – The British Are Coming Lyrics

     The brits are coming, the brits are co… the non colonists are coming to kill us. This song is a tribute to the Sons of Liberty group in American history. The song is from the perspective of the group saying what they’ll do to fight against the crown. The song seems to be a peaceful resistance but if you know what things mean you see their violent actions. Now this song obviously relates to history as it's about the old group that fought against Britain. But as alluded to earlier the actions the Sons of Liberty were committing in the past “Smear on the soot Tear up an old deer skin shirt” (Weezer, verse 2) or assassinating officers was a very radical action. Going further in depth it’s a historic tale about achieving liberty from Britain. And probably most obvious the British are coming is what came from Paul Revere’s actions in the past of warning villages.

Wisdom

Paul Van Dyk. “Knowledge”. Reflections, Trooper Da Don & Atomek Dogg, 2003.

     Paul Van Dyk – Knowledge Lyrics

     Nasty, this song is one I don’t like as it uses quite crass language. The song starts off with the person rapping to start getting knowledge before devolving into nonsense and crass language. Regardless, after that the second half of the song is the same except for the difference of repetitively saying knowledge and that it’s something everyone should get. Knowledge, this is the evident topic of the song. This is clear just by skimming over the whole song as knowledge is part of the lyrics “Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge Get busy Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge Get busy Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge Knowledge, knowledge” (Paul Van Dyk, line 7-24). But if that’s not good enough at the end it says knowledge is something everyone should get. Additionally I see the nonsense and crass language as a hidden message telling people that the song writers are fools that need to get smarter. Taking this a step further it’s telling you to get smarter as you like this trash.

Vocab

Alain le Lait. “Bonjour”. Soyons Amis, yadeeda, 2000.

     Bonjour, bonjour ! Alain le Lait - Lawless French Listening Comprehension

     French, such an annoying language to learn. If I’m being quite honest this song is just for learning French greetings. I mean the majority of the song is just saying hello and thank you. Although as such the topic of the song is quite clearly language.  And when I said that that was the majority of this language learning song, I wasn’t joking just take a look, “Hello, hello! How are you? Hello, hello! Very well, thank you.”(Alain le Lait, verse 1). Moving on from that thought the song teaches mainly four different things about the French language, the first is to say you’re happy with your friends. The second is greeting someone and asking them how you are in the French language. Third, there's how to thank someone in the language. And finally how to ask if they like the song in the French language.

     The other five songs, the other half of the ten songs are the following: I Guess I Should Go to Sleep, Boy scout song, School Days, I Get Up Early in the Morning, and Human.

Work Cited

2022, https://genius.com/Youth-lagoon-17-lyrics.

2022, https://genius.com/Tom-petty-a-face-in-the-crowd-lyrics.

2022, https://genius.com/Weezer-the-british-are-coming-lyrics.

2022, https://genius.com/Paul-van-dyk-knowledge-lyrics.

Youtube.Com, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbGW9IEhsdk.

2022, https://genius.com/albums/Ragnbone-man/Human.

2022, https://genius.com/Jack-white-i-guess-i-should-go-to-sleep-lyrics.

"Chuck Berry - School Days Lyrics | Lyrics.Com". Lyrics.Com, 2022, https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/23447431/Chuck+Berry/School+Days.

"Roger Miller – I Get Up Early In The Morning Lyrics | Genius Lyrics". Genius, 2022, https://genius.com/Roger-miller-i-get-up-early-in-the-morning-lyrics.

Lawless, Laura. "Bonjour, Bonjour ! Alain Le Lait - Lawless French Listening Comprehension". Lawless French, 2022, https://www.lawlessfrench.com/listening/bonjour-bonjour/.

Survival of the Smartest

Prince Ea.“I Sued The School System.” I Sued The School System, Prince Ea, 2016.

In this informative song released independently by Prince Ea, Price Ea's character is holding a court case against the school system.  Prince Ea stays composed and uses logic and facts to share the issues plaguing schools, including issues facing students and teachers and how it connects to the world. This song makes me think of my own career as a student. I’ve always wondered why things are done the way they are, why schools use a cookie cutter method of learning or cut back the arts programs first. I’ve always struggled with school, and I know several others who do as well. Something I try to remind myself every time I struggle is that, "Everybody's a genius/But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree/It will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." (Prince Ea 3-5). Knowledge and survival is the basis of modern day schooling, it’s just not built for everyone's survival.

Boyinaband. “Don’t Stay In School.” Don’t Stay In School, David Brown, 2015.

“Weird Al” Yankovic. “Word Crimes.” Mandatory Fun,  EMI Music Publishing, 2014.

In this parody song by Weird Al, Weird Al is giving a grammar and spelling lesson to people with poor grammar and spelling skills. Weird Al goes over concepts like the difference between less and fewer and Irony versus coincidence. Weird Al also punctuates not using single letters to replace words and not writing with numbers. This song makes me laugh thinking of my own word crimes throughout my life. Knowledge is something that grows with us, but some concepts just stick with us, my big word crime tends to be run on sentences. 

Set It Off. “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead.” Cinematics, Equal Visions Records, 2012.

Elton John. “I’m Still Standing.” Too Low For Zero, Geffen Records, 1983. 

This famous song by world renowned Elton John, is about a lover after a break up. The song tells the story of someone having to be strong and grow as a person as they split from their previous lover and still manage to survive without them in their life. Taking the more literal approach of the lyrics it's like someone going through years of schooling, the growth one must make to be successful. Ask anyone in high school if they were the same kind of person they were the prior year, most people would say that they’re different. Once at a high school level many people have conflicts of interests, “Do I go to work or work on my homework?” So the ability to multitask and still manage to succeed in a way you never did before reflects the line  “Don't you know I'm still standin' better than I ever did?/Lookin' like a true survivor.” ( John 10-11). 

Three Days Grace, “I Hate Everything About you.” Three Days Grace, Jive Records, 2003.

Macklemore, Kesha. “Good Old Days.” Gemini, Bendo Records, 2017

The song “Good Old Days” is all about appreciating where you are in life, thinking about the good days in life you may never have thought of as an important event. Macklemore and Kesha reflect on growing as a person things that simply started as dreams and turned into a lifestyle and regrets of things of what could’ve been. Easily applied in anyone's life as I myself have grown up I know I’m very different from who used to be. Despite being a person who never liked school I wish I could go back to elementary school, I had a lot of fun in those days and wish life was simpler like it used to be. Many are eager to grow up and sometimes the best parts of life get passed by. This song reminds me that there will always be something good to look back on.

Bon Jovi. “Livin’ On Prayer.” Slippery When Wet, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 1986.

 Queen, David Bowie. “Under Pressure.” Under Pressure, Elektra Records, 1981.

Queen and David Bowie are probably some of the most famous singers on this list, so the collaboration on the song “Under Pressure” is rather important to many. This song can relate to nearly everybody, all about the stresses in life.  I am often reminded of the stress of trying to survive in life, everyone has an idea or expectation for something you’re supposed to do. Having to go to school for ten years, possibly college, to settle down. Life is all about finding what you can do and branching out from there. Life is all about pressure but perhaps that's the whole purpose of it.

R.E.M. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It.” Document, Universal, 1987.

The best way to live through the school year

ACDC. “Highway to Hell.” Highway to Hell, Robert John Lange, 1979.

It all starts when someone doesn’t care about anything in the world. They are going to a party and nobody is going to stop them. Freedom makes it possible for everyone to have friendships; friends make everyone's life so much better. Highway to Hell is all about wanting to go to the afterlife and they have the freedom to do so if they wish. They try hard to break all rules so they can get what they want. They do not care what will happen to them, “No stop signs, speed limit/Nobodys gonna slow me down.” (ACDC, 13, 14). This song also shows friendship; they want to go to the afterlife because they miss their friends and they want to be with them again. 

ACDC. “Shoot To Thrill.” Back In Black, Robert John Lange, 1980. 

Luke Combs. “Doin’ This”. Growing Up, Jonathan Singleton, Chip Mathews & Luke Combs,

This song is very unique in it makes you think a minute about your past and your future. What would you be doing if you were not doing what you were doing is the main idea of this song? The best part of this song is that the whole song is amazing and I really can reflect on this song about my future and what type of success I want in my life. Luke Combs does a great job with this song by making you think a lot about what you want to do in life. Your future is so important, no one wants to live a bad life and that is where success comes in. Success can mean many things, for me the first I want to be successful at is graduating high school. I know I do not know this question yet, "And what would you do if you weren't doin' this?" (Luke Combs, 44). I would hope that I passed High School, got a degree in something sports management-wise, and is living a successful life, and hopefully have season tickets for the Red Sox. 

Def Leppard. “Rocket.” Hysteria, Robert John Lange, 1987.

Def Leppard. “Rock Rock Til You Drop.” Pyromania, Robert John lange, 1983.

Make sure you are ready; do not stop until you are at the top. If nobody sees you do it, that means anything goes. This song encourages the listener to never stop until you're the best at what you do. Working a 9-to-5 job the rest of your life is not fun, you do not want to live paycheck to paycheck. That's why happiness and passion are great ways to think about what you want to do in life. The most important thing to me is I want to do something I desire to do and be happy with my career. Doing what you want in life makes it so that you won’t ever get burnt out in what you are doing, Rock rock 'til you drop/Come on, rock rock, never stop.” (Def Leppard, 26, 27) If you love what you do, that means you should never stop what you like doing most. 

Garth Brooks. “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” Garth Brooks, Allen Reynolds, 1989. 

Bon Jovi. “Livin’ On a Prayer.” Slippery When Wet, Bruce Fairbairn, 1986.

It starts with someone struggling to get by, but love keeps them motivated and they are guaranteed it can only get better from there. Never give up is what this song is about, if you are in a hard time in life this song is a great mental booster to keep you going. When listening to this song there is great love and with love, strength is made because two people build off each other to believe. The number one thing that I do in school is believe I can finish all of my work, and do that work to the best of my ability. Knowing I have to pass highschool to go to college makes this important. “Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear/Woah-oh, livin' on a prayer.” (Bon Jovi, 16, 17). When I believe I can do something I build strength to get through until I finish that work. Now I might finish that work a couple of days late but I'm just glad that I did it. This song does just that; I might not want to do something, but I eventually get it done. 

Halestorm. “I Am The Fire.” Into the Wild Life, Jay Joyce, 2015.

Garth Brooks. “Ain’t Going Down Til the Sun Comes Up.” In Pieces, Allen Reynolds, 1993.

 Alice Cooper. “Schools Out.” Schools Out, Bob Ezrin, 1972.

Every kid is excited, no more supplies because school is about to be done for summer. Then they find out school might not come back in the fall at all. Teachers might not like this song but I and probably a lot of other students find it exciting and they think freedom. The whole last week of school there is so much excitement when thinking, finally, the school year is almost over. The best part of not waking up in the morning is, “Well, we got no class/ and we got no principles.”The freedom part doesn't kick in until a couple of days after school is over and you realize you do not have to wake up every morning at 6 am. This song might be a little exaggerated with school never coming back, but it does show how exciting the end of school is. The best thing about it being summer is now I'm not restricted to only working 24 hours a week; now I can work as much as I want.

My New World

Donny Osmond. “I’ll Make A Man Out Of You.” Mulan, Disney, 1998. 

https://genius.com/Donny-osmond-ill-make-a-man-out-of-you-lyrics  

In the movie Mulan the song “I’ll Make A Man Out Of You” has a beautiful message behind it. The song is about how a group of men is going to train for the war that is coming very soon. The leader Shang sings about how even though the men aren’t very strong or have much agility he will work his hardest to make a real man out of all of them. In my personal life, I can relate to this song because of the determination that Shang had to make all of the warriors stronger. In the fight in Mulan Shang told the men, “Once you find your center, you are sure to win” and the same goes for in school. Being able to find the center is where I'll be able to do what I need to do and get the best benefits out of everything that I do in school and have success with it all as well (Donny Osmond 7). One of my goals this year during school is to have more determination to do my school work, get ahead in class, and get my grades higher than they have been before. This school year I am going to work harder on staying dedicated to my work to be able to stay on pace and not get behind. One of the things that occur the most in school and the song is change. This year I plan on being more flexible in the aspect of being able to change things when needed and pick up the new changes quickly. 

Simple Plan, Ft. Sean Paul. “Summer Paradise.” Get Your Heart On!, Itunes, 2011.

https://genius.com/Simple-plan-summer-paradise-lyrics  

This song is all about making memories and having a good time. As the song goes along the singer describes more of the memories that he is missing about summer and how it was such a fun time. I want to make more memories this school year along with hanging out with new people and making more friends. Making memories is a very important thing for me and in the song he says, “written in the sand (Stay in my brain)” which is what I plan on doing this year with both schools related and non-school-related things (Simple Plan 7). In the song, he is talking about meeting someone new and becoming close to them as time goes on and that is something I’m hoping for this year by meeting new people and becoming friends with others outside of my friend group. I feel that friends and memories are some of the most important things in life even if it's just a few friends they can make you so much happier. 

Post Malone. “Congratulations.” Stoney, Republic Records, 2016.

https://genius.com/Post-malone-congratulations-lyrics  

Congratulation is one of the best things that someone can say to you. In this song Post Malone is talking about the hard work and dedication it can take to get through things. Sometimes people work too hard. It explains in the song when it says, “Worked so hard, forgot how to vacation” which also reminds us that sometimes we may need a break or to relax for a second (Post Malone 6). I always feel the need to put a lot of hard work and dedication into my work no matter what it is but sometimes I just need to persevere and just get the things done that need to be done. Perseverance is one of the most important things when it comes to school. It can be very difficult at times for me to want to do school work instead of going and doing something else or it may even be me just stressing over the school work in general but I know with perseverance, dedication, and hard work anything is possible, and there are amazing rewards for trying your hardest.

Abba. “Dancing Queens.” Arrival, Polygram Music Publishing Ltd., 1976.

Bruno Mars. “Just The Way You Are.” Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Contemporary Hit Radio, 2010. 

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Alone in IZ World, Leo Feist, Inc. 

1990. https://genius.com/Israel-kamakawiwoole-somewhere-over-the-rainbow-lyrics

This song has a lot of beautiful and uplifting things within the lyrics. Israel talks about looking into the feature when he is telling the people where to find him over the rainbow with all of the beauty in nature. I find nature to be very peaceful and calming and the melody of the song paired up with the lyrics makes it a very calming but happy song all in one. Holding on to bad things no matter what they are can be like what Israel referred to as clouds. I can find it easy to get overwhelmed and hold onto things that aren’t really of much importance so by putting my, “clouds behind me” and by making sure my “trouble melts like a lemon drop” I’ll be able to let things go easier and move on (Israel Kamakawiwo’ole 10-11). 

Pitbull and Ne-Yo. “Time of Our Lives.” Globalization, RCA Records, 2014.

https://genius.com/Pitbull-and-ne-yo-time-of-our-lives-lyrics  

“Time of Our Lives'' is a fun song about living life to the fullest. Even though in the song Pitbull doesn’t have a lot of money it doesn’t matter to him. This also adds to the fact that he would rather have a good time than work and not be happy. In school, it's important to do the assignments and do well in classes but it's also important to have a good time. Being a junior already it's important to me too, “Have a good time, before my time is up '' (Pitbull 21). By doing well in school but also by being able to have fun it’ll allow me to stay happy and live my best life as he is doing in the song.

Pharrell Williams, Trey Parker. “Hug Me.” Despicable Me 3, Illumination, 2017. 

Randy Newman. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” Toy Story, Disney, 1995. 

Nathan Lane, Joseph Williams, Jason Weaver, Ernie Sabella. “Hakuna Matata.” The Lion King,

 Disney, 1994. 

The List

Five For Fighting. “Can one man save the world” Can one man save the world, Five for 

Fighting, 2022. https://genius.com/Five-for-fighting-can-one-man-save-the-world-lyrics

This song is about President Zelensky of the Ukraine and the weight on his shoulders in supporting the modern day conflicts. The part of the song that makes it powerful is how Five for Fighting gathered professional musicians from all around Ukraine to play the song. And they are what made up the strength and the emotion behind the song’s meaning. I think aspiration and Change are what make up the solidity in the message and how the question, “Can one man save the world?” (Five for Fighting 15) swarms our nation and others.

Frank Sinatra. “My Way (Remastered 2008).” Nothing But The Best, Reprise Records, 2008.

https://genius.com/Frank-sinatra-my-way-lyrics  

I compare the lyrics of “My Way” to what it will be like at the end of the school year. I will have “traveled each and every highway”(Frank Sinatra 6) to meet my end goal… graduate! The song is about a man who has traveled through life but he did it in the way he wanted to. There may have been times of trouble and had regrets but in the end he was happy. 

Jack Johnson. “One Step Ahead.” Meet The Moonlight, Brushfire/Republic Records, 2022.

Linkin Park. “What I’ve done.” Minutes to Midnight, Warner Bros/Machine Shop, 2007.

https://genius.com/Frank-sinatra-my-way-lyrics  

In this song Chester Bennington sings about how we’ve done what we regret but want to forget it all and move on. It is about how we should “cross out what we’ve become”(Linkin Park 8) and admitting our faults of the past and accepting them in order to move on from them. I compare this message to school in the way that I would make a mistake and should just fix them and keep going. 

Dispatch. “The General.” Bang Bang, Foundation/bomber records and Universal music group. 

1997.

Jack Johnson. “Staple It Together.” In Between Dreams, Brushfire, 2005.

https://genius.com/Jack-johnson-staple-it-together-lyrics  

“Staple It Together” is about a guy who keeps digging himself into a deeper hole in life and the chorus is saying that he should “Staple it together and call it bad weather” (Jack Johnson 10) meaning that you should pick up the pieces, move on and not dwell on the future to much. I correlate this message with school in the way that if I were to fall behind and catch back up again, I shouldn’t let that get in my head. Also, you staple papers together physically.

Gordon Lightfoot. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Summertime Dream, Reprise, 1976.

Jack Johnson. “Good People.” In Between Dreams, Brushfire, 2005

Five For Fighting. “Blood on My Hands.” Blood on My Hands, Five for Fighting, 2021

https://www.musixmatch.com/  

This song is one to have you really sit down and listen to the lyrics. It was released in 2021 after America pulled out of Afghanistan and tells the chilling story of the Americans and the allies that we left behind. It puts sadness and frustration into the listener, and if it's anything like when I listened to the real meaning it made me want to do something more but I can’t. There was an unofficial music video released on Twitter of Five for Fighting playing “Blood on my hands”(Five for Fighting 1)  with a montage of photos and videos which added to the overall feeling you get from the song. It’s not the same but I could compare the feeling to watching a news clip of 9/11. 

George Strait. “Write This Down.” Always Never The Same,  MCA Nashville, 1999.

https://genius.com/George-strait-write-this-down-lyrics

I chose “Write this Down” for the basic meaning of the song, “Take my words and read them every day, keep them close by, don't you let them fade away.” Simply saying write it down so you won't forget. In the song George sings to his wife to write down the amount of love he has for her so that she will never forget. I compared this song to school because you write things down and take notes in class so you don’t forget about things you hear.

The soundtrack to my life

The Game. “Hate it or Love it.”  The Documentary, Mured Music Co., 2005.
https://genius.com/The-game-hate-it-or-love-it-lyrics
In this hit song by The Game featuring 50 cent, the duo celebrates their come-up. They’ve come from nothing to being on the top of the world. I love the attitude and confidence to say “Hate it or love it, the underdogs on top” (50 Cent & The Game 10-11). And despite the fact that they have already made it and gotten to the top they are going to keep working hard and keep shining until their heart stops. The way I would like to apply this sentiment to my life this year is to keep being confident and stoic throughout this year and the situations it brings me, regardless of others' opinions or views about me or my actions, I will succeed.

Tame Impala. “Eventually.” Currents, Kevin Parker. 2015.
Rex Orange County. “Face to Face.” Pony, Rex Orange County. 2019.
Arctic Monkey. “Do I Wanna Know?” AM, Ross Orton, James Ford. 2013.
https://genius.com/Arctic-monkeys-do-i-wanna-know-lyrics
Alex Turner has become obsessed with his love interest, who is the one the song is addressed to. The message this song has to give is Alex’s uncertainty, he feels as though his feelings are not being reciprocated. In this case, they aren’t, yet he still comes back for more. This song always makes me think, no matter how hard I try in any type of relationship, unless it is reciprocated, the one-sidedness of the relationship means it will never truly flourish, it will always fall short and never truly come to fruition. Ignorance is bliss. Alex, much like myself, wants to continue living in his elated mind without the knowledge that the other party does not reciprocate their feelings or desire to say, “Do I wanna know?”.
Jack Harlow. “Churchill Downs.” Come Home The Kids Miss You, TT Audi, Ace G. 2022.
Joji. “Mr. Hollywood.” Nectar, Kenny Beats, West1ne. 2020.
Yung Lean. “Red Bottom Sky.” Stranger, Gud. 2017

2014. Cole. “Love Yourz.” 2014 Forest Hill Dr., !llmind, Cardiak, 2014.

https://genius.com/J-cole-love-yourz-lyrics
In “Love Yourz” J. Cole circles back to the beginning of his success story, bringing back with him the wisdom and knowledge he’s gained along the way. J. Cole states that he’s been mesmerized by the “Fast life” that rappers have, the cars, money, and clothes but now he realizes that the grass is always greener on the other side with the line “Think being broke was better.” (J. Cole 33) I like the sentiment Cole brings on this track, no matter how good or bad your life gets there is always going to be someone better, and worse off. “It’s beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success.” (J. Cole 16) This is a good outlook to have on life, you could have the quintessential, picture “perfect” life and there will still be flaws, so just enjoy your life and the people around you.

Rod Wave. “Chip On My Shoulder.” Ghetto Gospel. Iceberg Beatz, Blake Slatkin. 2019
https://genius.com/Rod-wave-chip-on-my-shoulder-lyrics
Having a chip on your shoulder means that throughout your life you have undergone hardship in some way, shape, or form. In this song, Rod Wave talks about his life while having this “Chip” on his shoulder.  Regardless of what happens or what you must go through during your life that chip will always be there and you will always be holding that burden. I love the message of this song because although this song talks about the pain that comes with having that burden it also accentuates the fact that even though Rod Wave has gone through things like his friends and family passing away or going to prison. “Seen them close the casket on Deja, we grew up together. Then Ace tole me play it safe, three days later he was murdered.”(Rod Wave 8-10)  after everything Rod Wave went through and continues to go through in his life he is still standing and the chip on his shoulder remains.
Joji. “Test Drive.” BALLADS 1. RL Grime. 2018.

https://genius.com/Joji-test-drive-lyrics
In this song Joji speaks about commitment by using cars and test drives as a metaphor, “I'm looking for a long ride. She just want a test drive.” (Joji 5-6) Joji wants a long ride, referring to a long-term healthy relationship while his partner is only looking for a test drive. I like this song's sentiment of wasted time, and potential, he talks about how she doesn’t want to lie but she still continues to, and how he made his wants and intentions clear from the start he didn’t want to waste his time. I live by this sentiment, my time is precious and I don’t waste it on people who are not just as committed as I am

ABBA.“Waterloo.” Waterloo, Polar Music International AB, 1974.

ABBA compares a woman deciding to stop resisting a man's advances to Napoleon surrendering at Waterloo. A song as catchy as this never fails to make me want to get up and do something. I could be having the worst day of my life and this song would turn it around completely. It reminds me how even small or inconsequential accomplishments are still accomplishments. Why belittle things that make you feel happiness even if they have little real-world value? Not everything has to have a meaning and not everything has to have a blue ribbon. This line I think personifies letting yourself have fun even if what you do doesn't have the intended outcome, “How could I ever Refuse, I feel like I win when I lose,” (ABBA 14-15). I want to do more things this year because they are entertaining and not because I'm afraid the outcome will be less than what I was hoping for, the journey is more important than the destination.

They Might Be Giants. “All The Lazy Boyfriends.” Glean, Idlewild Recordings, 2015.

This song is about people who are stuck in relationships with lazy boyfriends who always make plans to change but never do. I think procrastination can connect a lot of people to this song. Making plans is so simple but once it's time to follow through, the desire to do it is outweighed by other more interesting things. Sometimes there are no other plans but doing work is so easily pushed to the next day, “Got a brand new day planner, still snug in the wrapper, and the weekly to-do list as white as the snow.” (They Might Be Giants 7-8). Procrastination and time management are things that I desperately need to conquer this year. The longer I let work go the more I worried about it but the longer I went without consequences the drive to get it done was nearly nonexistent. I'm not making a good case for myself so far since this is going to be turned in like a week after the due date but, nonetheless, it's a work in progress. 

The Shins. “Australia.” Wincing the Pain Away, Sub Pop Records, 2007. 

My interpretation of this song is about working a 9-5 type job and getting caught up in a cycle of working toward the weekend. Only once the weekend comes, the week starts all over again. It's about falling into a routine of settling for average and no longer taking chances, wanting to dream for more but can't seem to get out of the pattern to try. One of the lines talks about the “Dodo's conundrum,” like being a bird but unable to fly. To relate to this school year, It's ingrained in people since childhood that school is the most important thing that will determine their entire future. While getting an education is important, it's very easy to obtain the mindset that grades and classes are an end all be all. With how often the importance of school and grades are pushed on students, it's not hard to unconsciously start to compare grades to what their future success or worth is. This summer I thought a lot about how every year I dig myself into a hole of letting school consume me and doubting my self-value. I don't want to feel weighed down and trapped by constant self-doubt and stress but being in that kind of mindset is hard to get over, "You try and make like this is so much fun, But we know it to be quite contrary,”(The Shins 39-40). Australia is one of my favorite songs and I never really thought about the meaning until I had to make a summary of the song. But now that I have a meaning to put toward the lyrics I enjoy the song even more than I did previously.

Simon & Garfunkel. “I Am a Rock.” Sounds of Silence, Columbia Records, 1966.

I Am a Rock is about feelings of isolation and loneliness. The fear of coming out of said isolation only to be rejected again. Feeling the pain of being forced back into your shell is better than taking a chance on meeting someone or becoming more. I've always been a quiet person but after being in cohort D for covid I had no interaction with anyone but my parents for months at a time. When I got back to school I started to lean on the side of unnaturally quiet. I stopped being able to find the words to express how I feel or carry on conversations. I usually just ended up embarrassing myself so it was easier to stop trying to interact at all, “I touch no one and no one touches me.” (Simon & Garfunkel 30). Getting out passable quick responses to questions was all I cared about. Last year was a wake-up call that if I want to get over myself and have meaningful relationships with people I need to at least try to put myself out there and go out of my comfort zone.

Jack Stauber. “Mirror Man.” Jack Stauber's OPAL, Adult Swim Smalls, 2020.

Mirror man is a short musical from Adult Swim that follows a little girl, Opal, who escapes her abusive family by imagining herself in the family pictured on a billboard across the street. Her father is very self-centered and narcissistic but refuses to see the damage he does because "he's growing as a person". He's obsessed with making himself perfect and likes to make Opal feel lesser to bring himself up. I've noticed that I've been obsessed with my self-image, how I look, and how I appear to others, not so much out of vanity but more so in self-consciousness, “They turned me down, now I live my nightmare.” (Jack Stauber 1) Something important to me is authenticity and originality, However, conformity has gotten in the way for most of my life. This year I want to make a point to care a little less about what people think of me, and accept that judgment is a part of life. 

Gorillaz, Little Dragon. “To Binge.” Plastic Beach, Parlophone Records Ltd, 2001.

Candy Claws. “Pangea Girls (Magic Feeling).'' Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time, Twosyllable Records, 2013.

The Shins. “New Slang.” Oh, Inverted World, Sub Pop Records, 2001.

TV Girl. “Taking What's Not Yours.” Who Really Cares, TV Girl, 2016. 

I Monster. “Everyone's A Loser.” Neveroddoreven, Dharma Records, 2004.

Five Finger Death Punch. “Wrong Side of Heaven.” The Wrong Side of Heaven and the

 Righteous Side of Hell, Vol. 1, Prospect Park, 2013.

“Wrong Side of Heaven” means exactly what it sounds like, it’s about how the lead singer feels about how he has done wrong and is in Hell rather than Heaven. About how he feels God is disappointed in him and how the Devil and he are similar, hence the lyrics “I’m on the wrong side of Heaven/and the righteous side of Hell” (Five Finger Death Punch 15-16). He also hates what he has become. I have similar feelings when it comes to school just because I have to just sit there in a classroom for 6 ½ hours listening to teachers talk and then, having to do work that goes along with what the teacher was talking about, and sometimes I don’t fully retain what the teacher said. Luckily, most teachers understand that and use visuals as well which is why I have been able to be successful in school the last 4 years of school and pass every year.

Metallica. “Sad But True.” Metallica, Blackend Recordings Inc., 1991.

Five Finger Death Punch. “Never Enough.” The Way of the Fist, Prospect Park, 2007.

Based on the title of this song it seems pretty self-explanatory. The song is about how the lead singer sings about how no matter what you do it will never be enough to make everyone happy. It talks about how everyone wants him to do one thing, or the other and he doesn’t want that. Even in the lyrics he sings, “It’s always ‘Do this,’ ‘Do that,’ everything they want to/I don’t want to live that way” (Five Finger Death Punch 5-6). I and everyone else has had that feeling before where you try to do something big and yet you can never do enough to actually achieve your goal, whether that be trying to get someone's approval in life, or you take on a task that might have been too much for you and now you're completely overwhelmed. An example of this I have is I got this junked Playstation 3 for $10 and was planning on fixing it, realized that it was too much work for me and it ended up sitting for a long time and then I eventually just threw it away.

Metallica. “Enter Sandman.” Metallica, Blackend Recordings Inc., 1991.

Korn. “Worst Is On Its Way.” Requiem, Loma Vista Recordings, 2022.

In “Worst Is On Its Way” the lead singer Jonathan Davis sings about how life keeps throwing things his way and even though he knows the worst is yet to come, he still has to power through it and keep going no matter what. How he sets the hurdles aside and he lets his confidence take over, “It makes me sick/but I deal with it/set it all aside/my confidence overrides” (Korn 24-27). I know that as well, I know that the worst of this school year is yet to come as far as work and possibly other things. I also know that I just have to push through it and try my hardest to keep pace and power through whatever is thrown at me. If I don’t then it will be a burden that I might carry through the whole year and I don't want that to happen again.

Metallica. “Master of Puppets.” Master of Puppets, Blackend Recordings, 1986.

Five Finger Death Punch. “The Pride.” American Capitalist, Prospect Park, 2011.

“The Pride” is the lead singer singing about his ideas about the “American dream” he sings about which companies have accomplished the “American dream” and also have entered “The Pride” of America. Basically, a lot of the companies have made it big in the American capitalist system. This reminds me of how people try to climb the social ladder in high school to try and become “popular” or well known for something and be part of “The Pride” of the school

Slipknot. “The Shape.” Iowa, Roadrunner Records, 2001.

Mudvayne. “Pushing Through.” Lost and Found, Epic Records, 2005.

“Pushing Through” is another pretty self-explanatory title as well. The song consists of the lead singer's grotesque vocabulary to describe how he feels. Basically, its how no matter what life throws at him he will not give up and he will push through all of life’s challenges even if others aren’t willing to do that. He kind of says how he deals with these challenges in the chorus, one step at a time, “Step by step, I’m pushing through this” (Mudvayne 9). I plan to do this during the school year. Doing everything one step at a time, making things manageable. That’s what has been my problem over the past few years taking in too much at one time rather than manageable pieces of work that I can do and that way too I am more likely to be proficient and successful

Shinedown. “Planet Zero.” Planet Zero, Atlantic Recording Corporation, 2022.

                                                                           Growing up is hard to do 

Lovejoy. “One Day.” Are you alright, Camron Nesbitt, 2021. 

This is a song that talks about how nothing in life is consistent or perfect. In the song he talks about how he is terrified, he also talks about how he wishes he could turn back time so that he could be back where things were normal. Another big thing he talks about is how life is so inconsistent,“isn’t life so fucking inconsistent” (Lovejoy 11). I feel like this represents how every year of high school has been different for me. For example freshman year we had Covid so we weren't in the school all week and then sophomore year we had masks. I feel like this year is going to be different because every year we have been in high school something has been different. Nothing has been consistent throughout the years I've been in high school so I think this year is going to be inconsistent and things are going to feel different to every other year. “Cause all I want to do is turn back time/At least a couple Tuesdays”(lovejoy 16-17) I feel like as the year goes on I'm going to wish it wasn't I'm going to wish I was still in the past where things were easier and they weren't as challenging. 

James Marriott. “Sleeping on trains.” Bitter Tongues, Psylla & James Marriott, 2022.

Alec Benjamin. “Older.” (Un)commentary, Jami arcio, 2021.

Alec Benjamin helps to remind us that we are getting older and things are changing. Alec also reminds us that just because we are getting older and further into our futures doesn't mean we are prepared for what's to come, “I'm not prepared for the future” (alec Benjamin 1). I feel like this year is going to show me how unprepared I am for the future and how unprepared for my last year of high school I am. I feel like another thing I'm going to learn this year is what I won't or don't want to do with my life in the future. People are always saying things like you're almost done with high school, you should know what you want to do with your life but I don't.  I think this song does a good job of saying you don’t have to know what you want to do in life even if you are an adult, “Never thought I'd be twenty/Now thirty don't seem so far away.”(alec Benjamin 28-29). Another thing that parents say is you're not a child anymore you need to grow up and I think this year is going to show us how close to adulthood we are and it's going to show us how far we are from are childhood. I feel like this year is going to be an eye-opener to just how far we are from childhood and how close we are to being 18.

Neena rose. “War zone.” Jovan jovanov, 2021 

Cg5. “I see a dreamer.” dream SMP songs, Max Cooper, RichaadEB, DHeusta & CG5, 2021 

Eddie Benjamin. “Weatherman.”  Now that’s what I call music! 82, kid kulter, 2022 

This song is about wanting to leave all bad things behind and wanting to start out fresh with this year. In the song he says he's tired of living in yesterday he wants to leave the past behind and start out fresh. I feel like this song does a good job representing how I want to leave all the negative things behind and start fresh. For example, “Go tell the weatherman I said/I want it sunny outside today/No darkness hinder my emotions/So tired of living in yesterday.” (Eddie Benjamin 1-4). I feel like this quoted represents how I want to leave things in the past I want to start over with this year and make life better. I want to stop worrying about what others think I want to do things for myself. This song also lets you know that just because you want to change things and for things to be better doesn't mean you know how to do it. and that's ok because there are always going to be people there to guide you just like when you are in school you have teachers there to guide you through the year.

Lovejoy. “Sex sells.” Are you alright, camron nesbitt, 2021. 

Anson seabrna. “Peter Pan was right.” sarcastic sounds, 2022 

This is a song that talks about the story of Peter Pan and how it is a story people can relate to. It also talks about how Peter Pan was right in the sense that people don't want to grow up, they want to stay young for as long as they can. Also growing up is a waste of time nothing good comes from it. people are always telling you to grow up and act your age but just because you are almost an adult doesn't mean you have to act like one you should stay young for as long as possible before you become an adult and you have responsibilities I want to pretend that I'm not almost an adult.“Wish that I was young, what have I become?” (Anson seabrna 12) For me I don't want to worry that in a little more than a year I'm going to be an adult I want to have fun and act like a kid for as long as I possibly can without being judged and told to grow up and act my age. “Just a lost boy in a small town.” (Anson seabrna 9) this quote is about how they are in a big place and feel lost in that place and I think that represents how I'm going to feel this year. I feel like I'm going to be lost with a lot of things and not know what to do and that's ok because you don't always have to know what you are doing or supposed to do you're supposed to learn these things as time goes on. no one knows how to do things without being taught them. 

Alec Benjamin. “Devil doesn't bargain.” (un)commentary, Aaron Zuckerman & Sir Nolan, 2022 

Panic at the disco. “House of memories.” death of bachelor, Jake Sinclair, 2016 

This song talks about memories and how you need to make things happen so that you can get those memories. It also talks about how you need to not be afraid to make memories or to do things. “Baby, we built this house on memories.” (panic at the disco 9) you should make memories because those are what your life is built on. I feel like you need to have at least a few good memories in high school so that when someone asks you what some of your favorite memories are you can think back to those from high school. “I think of you from time to time more than I thought I would.” (panic at the disco 13) Another reason you need to make good memories in high school is so you can remember the good friends you had and so you don’t forget the good things those friends did for you in those  times. When you get older you want to be able to think back on your times in high school and at least have a few happy things to think about when you do it. I've always wanted to have good memories of high school and I feel like this year I'm going to make that happen. My life is going to be built on the memories that I make in high school and I won't those to be good ones, to make that happen I'm going to make great memories this year that I can look back on in the future.