Personal Reflection Playlist

Beyoncé. “Sweet Dreams”. I Am... Sasha Fierce, 2008, Music World Music.

https://www.musixmatch.com/

This song, written from the point of view of the artist, speaks about a romantic partner, however, there are many messages that correlate with my feelings for the coming school year. In a famous and well-known line, Beyoncé sings “...could be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare/ Either way I don’t want to wake up from you.” (Beyoncé 9-10). Personally, these lyrics reside with me. School can sometimes be exciting and other times it can be frightening. I fear school because I fear failure, but at the same time, failure motivates me to work harder, making school a “...beautiful nightmare.” (Beyoncé 9). No matter how much fear is embedded inside me, I always have had a secret love for school, whether school is a “...sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare.” (Beyoncé, 9), I find myself yearning for more. The friendships I have made in school have given me hope for a successful school year, and the people in my life have pushed me to continue this trek toward the finish line. 

Snoop Dogg, Wiz Kahlifa. “Young, Wild &Free”. Mac & Devin Go to High School, 2011, Atlantic Records. 

https://www.musixmatch.com/

Freedom is something that teenagers always are seeking. In a life filled with rules and restrictions, everyone just wants to live their lives without being controlled. As an average teenager, I too seek to be free. Snoop Dogg sings what every high schooler is thinking: “So what we get drunk/ So what we don’t sleep/ We’re just having fun/ We don’t care who sees/ So what we go out/ That’s how it suppose to be/ Livin’ young and wild and free” (Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa 1-7). In accord with what Snoop Dogg sang, this school year, I look forward to having my freedom and living my best life at school before I turn the corner to Senior year. “Uh, and now I don’t even care/ Long as me and my team are here” (Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa 37-38). My athletics is another thing I look forward to this year, I know that my team is my family, and nothing can top my love for my teammates. I know that school can be hard, and I could be restricted in what I do, but I know that I am free when I am with my family.  

Keri Hilson, Kanye West, Ne-Yo. “Knock You Down”. In a Perfect World, 2009, Universal Music.

  https://www.musixmatch.com/

There are always obstacles in life, love is typically an obstacle that people most commonly face. Obstacles can deter people from moving forward, but when an obstacle hits, make it worth the fall. Although love isn’t always connected to relationships, love can be seen as things such as school. I love school, but school doesn’t always love me. Keri Hilson sings this feeling perfectly: “Sometimes love comes around/ And it knocks you down/ Just get back up/ When it knocks you down” (Keri Hilson et al 17-20). School has often been an obstacle for me, it has knocked me down, but this year, when I’m knocked down, I will get back up and make it worth my while. 

The Game. “Hate It Or Love It”. The Documentary, 2005, Mured Music Co. 

  https://www.musixmatch.com/

The walk of life is different for everyone. For some people, life starts out rough, they can’t pick or choose their lives as adolescents, but as young adults and adults, they can make the decision to climb to the top. The Game sings “Hate It or Love It, the underdog’s on top/ And I’m gon’ shine, homie, until my heart stops/ Go ‘head envy me…/ And I ain’t going nowhere, so you can get to know me” (The Game 14-17). A school is a place of growth. No matter how big or small, at school, anyone can go from being an underdog to being on top. Although, the only people who genuinely grow, are the ones that are open to change. Choosing a different path to walk on can be difficult for some, but school help push individuals in the right direction. This school year, I have many decisions to make, and I have a lot more to learn before I reach adulthood. I am going to have to grow, no matter if I’m hated or loved, I will continue to expand my knowledge and understanding for the betterment of my future. 

Sister Sledge. “We Are Family”. We Are Family, 1979, Cotillion Records

  https://www.musixmatch.com/   

Togetherness is a feeling that everyone should experience. A friend, a spouse, a parent, and a sibling are all people who create the feeling of togetherness. “We Are Family”, a song sung by Sister  Sledge, introduces camaraderie, a mutual feeling of friendship amongst people who spend quite a lot of time together. In graduating class of 2024, we learn to unite for the common purpose of succeeding in school. Sister Sledge sings a lesson for all: “Living life is fun and we’ve just begun/ To get a share of this world’s delights/ (High) high hopes we have for the future/ And out goal’s in sight” (Sister Sledge 25-28). Family, even ones that do not share blood, like my class, can bring hope towards a better future. School this year, will certainly emphasize hope, hope that can only be created through connections; family.

Lukas Graham. “7 years.” Blue Album, Copenhagen, Warner Bros, 9/18/15.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0bnAmfGQC8

https://www.musixmatch.com/  

“7 years”, Lukas Graham explains a kid going through life. It shows how the kid has grown into an adult and how life has changed. This song shows growth because of how his outlook on life changed as he grew up describing “Once, I was 20 years old, my story got told” (Lukas Graham, 22). His family helped him as he grew up because they were always telling him what he should do. But as he grew up he was fearful or apprehensive for his future and growing up. He was stressed about finding a partner and not being lonely. He is expected to find love and it creates a stress for him and that makes it unnatural and it makes it hard for him because he is not ready to grow up “Once, I was 11 years old, my daddy told me/"Go get yourself a wife, or you'll be lonely" (Lukas Graham 8-9). This lyric shows how he’s being exposed to love at a young age and isn’t able to be naturally exposed to it. This relates to my school year because it is hard for me to believe that I am already a junior and highschool and almost graduating.

Bruno Mars. “The Lazy Song.” Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Atlantic, Elektra, 2/15/11 

https://www.musixmatch.com/  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLexgOxsZu0  

“The Lazy” Song by Bruno Mars is about Bruno who is lazy and doesn’t want to do anything all day. He explains how he should probably be doing something but he only cares about doing nothing and wants to be lazy. This relates to me for the school year because at times I will get a little bit lazy and I need to learn to have discipline. Now, I believe that this song shows a lot of greed because he is someone that should be out doing stuff for his family but he’s choosing to take a lazy route which says “I might mess around and get my college degree/I bet my old man will be so proud of me/But sorry, pops, you'll just have to wait” (Bruno Mars 25-27) The quote shows how he is going against what his father wants. This song also shows freedom because of how he can do nothing, how he says “Today, I don't feel like doing anything” (Bruno Mars, 1)He has the option to sit around and do nothing and he has the freedom to do that. Not only that but he is sacrificing  his time that he could be doing something productive to do nothing and sit around all day. This relates to my school life because sometimes it’s really easy to get lazy and not wanna do anything and how I need to get out of that habit.

21 Pilots. “Stressed out.” Blurry Face, Fueled by Ramen, 11/10/15 

https://www.musixmatch.com/  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXRviuL6vMY  

“Stressed out”, 21 Pilots is about growing up and how it stresses the band out. It shows their parents telling them that they’ve grown up and they need to start making money. It also shows that they are overloaded with stress and don’t know how to manage it. This is relatable because at times school can be hard and it can overload me with stress. This song presents fear which is shown in “Wish we could turn back time/To the good old days” (21 Pilots, 9-10). They are nervous and scared about growing up and having careers. They are also being pushed by their family to start a job and make money which is what stresses them out, and he says “We used to play pretend, used to play pretend, money/We used to play pretend, wake up, you need the money” (21 Pilots 52-53). This shows how fast it felt like they grew up. It also shows growth because of how they grew up they weren’t prepared and that growth was really fast for them. Also knowledge because they do not know what to do and what they want.

Imagine Dragons. “Believer.” Evolve, Interscope, Kadinacorner, 2/1/17  

https://www.musixmatch.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wtfhZwyrcc  

Believer by Imagine Dragons is about how pain has made the band believe and how it developed them. The development helped them be a better person and has created tensions. I chose this because I think for the school year I need to believe that I can do it so I can stay motivated. This song shows growth because of how they grow off of the pain, which is shown when he says “Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer, believer Pain! You break me down and build me up, believer, believer” (Imagine Dragons 17-20). Pain is referring to the things that have hurt them in the past and they explain how they develop from it. It also shows hope because they believe they can get back up and they believe that they can make things right. It can also correlate with trust because they have trust that they can make it through the pain, when he says “I was broken from a young age…Seeing the beauty through the… Pain!” (Imagine Dragons, 9-16)

The Script. “Hall of Fame.” Hall of Fame, Epic, Phonogenic, 8/20/12

https://www.musixmatch.com/

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_FCVTJYF_k  

This song is very motivational and talks about being able to do anything you can. It shows a lot of great examples and it’s really uplifting. I chose this song because it makes me feel motivated and I think it explains what I wanna do with not only school but with my life. It shows great freedom because it tells you that you can do whatever you want when he says “You could beat the world, you could beat the war/You could talk to God, go banging on his door/You can throw your hands up, you can beat the clock (yeah)/You can move a mountain, you can break rocks/You could be a master, don't wait for luck/Dedicate yourself and you gon' find yourself” (The script 3-8). This also shows power because you have the power to do anything you want and you have the power to be the best which is shown when he says “You can go the distance, you can run the mile/You can walk straight through hell with a smile” (The Script 14-15). It also shows knowledge because if you have the knowledge you can do anything.

Brett Eldredge. “Somethin’ I’m Good At.” Brett Eldredge, Scott Johnson, February 23, 2017

Double A Ron. “Walk Around.” Commercial Break, DillyGotItBumpin, May 11, 2022 

This song by Double A Ron is all about bitches or girls and how stereotypes affects his relationship with them. Weather they are tricking you for money or for good looks. He expresses how he doesn’t care about them anymore but would rather be single. When he walks around he’s the center of attention from girls. I can relate to this besides the part that I get attention from girls. I know that having a relationship will be too time consuming and change my priorities in a negative way. Being in a relationship requires time spent away from meaningful studying time, time at work, and playing sports, which mean a lot to me. My priorities are much more important than trying to get a girlfriend just because others think it makes them look cool. Every day in the high school, “I've been walking 'round with zero bitches.” (Double A Ron, 1). I predict that this year will be the same as one prior, when I’m walking around with “zero bitches.” 

Jon Bellion. “All Time Low.” The Human Condition, Ojivolta & Jon Bellion, April 15, 2014

Jon Pardi. “Night Shift.” California Sunrise, Jon Pardi & Bart Butler, June 17, 2016

This country song by Jon Pardi is about working night shift away from his loved one which he can’t see. When he wakes up she's going to sleep and when he gets home she's leaving. A hard situation when in love. For me I relate to the night shift but not all night long. Working at Fielder's Choice in Sabattus has me working shifts from 5-8 after sports. Work at Feilder’s isn’t just for the money but for having the friendship of others to do it with. Working night shifts with my friends is something I love. Being able to make jokes and be social even at work is something I look forward to every night I work. Because I’ve been, “Working on the night shift, baby.” (Jon Pardi, 8). I can’t wait for the plenty of night shifts ahead making memories with all my friends. 

Kenney Chesney. “Get Along.” Songs for the Saints, Kenny Chesney & Buddy Cannon, July 27, 2018

Khalid. “8TEEN.” American Teen, Joel Little, March 3, 2017

Kid Cudi. “Day ‘N’ Nite.” A Kid Named Cudi, Kid Cudi & Dot Da Genius, February 5, 2008. 

In this song by Kid Cudi, he talks about the stress of society and struggles of drugs and addictions. He confesses his use of drugs and the endless time he spends in sorrow late at night. This song can touch upon many types of stress. Types of stress like relationships, jobs, bills, and schooling can all make you feel overwhelmed from stress. I get most of my stress from school and know it’ll follow this school year. The overload of assignments, social life, three sports, and staying healthy all at once make you go crazy at times. My mental health gets surged with thoughts of anger and sorrow because of the assignments and plays in sports I could have done better. Failure seems to grasp my mind to a point of giving up. At nights, “I toss and turn, I keep stress in my mind, mind/I look for peace, but see, I don't attain.” (Kid Cudi, 5-6). My mind creates a jail of its own that keeps my sanity locked up. I want freedom from my stress but I find no way out sometimes. Time is what saves me. Sport seasons end, and the world opens up with time to get anything done. Until the next sports season starts and I remember just how fun the last one was. 

Morgan Wallen. “Don’t Think Jesus.” MW3, Joey Moi, April 15, 2022

One Republic. “I Ain’t Worried.” Never Ending Summer*, Simon Oscroft, Tyler Spry, Brent Kutzle & Ryan Tedder, May 13, 2022

This song is about being free from stress, and not worrying. Sometimes life will figure itself out and there’s no need to worry. When I go to school, staying ahead is so important. If I don’t stay ahead, stress kicks in and assignments stay on my mind. This song gives lots of advice about relief. Not worrying about my schoolwork is a type of relief I use all the time. Come the end of the school year, I predict that I’ll have loads of work to catch up on before the school year ends. “But I ain't worried 'bout it right now.” That’s what I say to myself when I have loads of work and stress. Because stressing about work only makes it worse.  

Tech N9ne. “Face Off.” ASIN9NE, Seven, October 8, 2021.

In this high action song by Tech N9ne, featured rappers like Joey Cool, King ISO, and actor/retired WWE fighter Dwayne Johnson create raps about their envisioned face off battle. Each artist has their own verse with a true meaning of determination and battle. More specifically, looking at Dwayne's rap in verse four, he sings about owning the battle because of hard work and determination. Dwayne’s words reflect on my own school year when I’m playing sports, specifically soccer season at the beginning of the year. With the goal of Winning the MVC championship at the end of the season, our team has to have loads of determination and strength to pull it off. Playing opposing teams on the pitch can be a face-off of its own. Whether playing offense or defense, or taking shots and preventing goals, there is always a challenge to overcome. To overcome these obstacles our Oak Hill boys soccer team trains hard and strong to win games. Because during and before the season, “It's about drive, it's about power, we stay hungry, we devour/Put in the work, put in the hours and take what's ours.” (Dwayne Johnson & Tech N9ne, 107-108). If our mindsets stay strong, than success will come. And we will win the first MVC championship that Oak Hill boys soccer has ever received. The most important objective is leaving our classes mark at the school, and putting a banner on our gym wall.

Songs 

Alexandra Shipp, Vanessa Hudgens “Come to Your Senses”, Tick Tick BOOM Soundtrack, Alex Lacamoire, Bill Sherman, Kurt Crowley, Dominic Fallacaro. November 12, 2021  

The beginning of the song is A girl singing to her boyfriend saying how when she opened up to him but he shut out and wouldn't listen to her. The middle is how they loved each other so much but they aren't growing as a couple and how she wants him to come to his senses and open up to her. In the end, she is talking about how it was only her and him but now he's changed and she's confused and how the care he had for her was an illusion. I feel like 

I feel like when I like someone I have a wall around me because I don't trust people and then when I start talking to them for a while and start to open up to them they start to change and are not like they used to be and like how she feels they shut me out and don't listen to the way that I'm feeling and then they act differently around their friends vs when it's just me and them. “Defenses are not the way to go/or at least you knew” (10-12)  when I try to say what I'm feeling they get defensive and start to blame me 

Little Mix “Love Me or Leave Me”, `` Get Weird'', Joe Kearns, Matt Rad. November 6, 2015

The song talks about how a girl is telling someone that he used to love her but now he's changed he calling her crazy and she just wants to fix it the middle is her asking him and he hates her and she says he can have her heart or he can break and he can't love her or leave her but he can't have both the end she just wants him to love her and she just wants to be with him.

Clinton Kane “Fix It To Break It” Single, Steve Rusch. March 27, 2020

He talks about how he misses all the things that he loved and he hates that, he thinks he's just fixing it to break it. He talks about how he was pulling her close but he was also pushing him farther and he was holding back because he wanted to see her differently and he's sick of reminding her to love him. He says he's sick of hurting himself to keep her from leaving, he wishes that it could’ve worked but he needs more. He wished that he was a priority in his life, but she walked out. 

I relate to this so much because I feel like I’m the only one trying to fix everything so we can be happy but they don't try at all. Hence, it feels like I'm doing everything I can possibly do but yet it”s my fault when they leave and I’m the bad guy and then it just feels like it was a huge waste of my time and efforts. “Is it worth the pain if I should stick around?” (27) as I go through the pain over and over again I reflect if it’s really worth it even if I do care about them a lot.

James TW “When You Love Someone” Chapters, Nick Ruth. February 19, 2016

The song talks about how a boy had to come home early after class because his parents have to talk about him and fighting in school and that things have changed in the house that he doesn't know about he doesn't understand but his parents say it's for the best. His parents tell him that sometimes moms and dads fall out of love and that living in two homes is better than one and that he can't tell his sister because she's too young. Then his parents say that if there crying on the couch don’t let it freak him out bc it's been hard and that sometimes good intentions are not enough 

Lauren Spencer Smith “Narcissist” LSS1*Greg Kurstin.  July 29, 2022 

She talks about a past relationship and how he was charismatic, charming, and how he was really generous but after 6 months he completely changes and she feels stupid. She talks about how one fight breaks into a war, how you feel like you're dying, and how they'll say that it's your fault and how you feel like that's true and won't leave but you can't stay and it makes you feel like crap.

It feels like I always fall for the Boys that are all I want but after a couple of weeks or a couple of months it’s almost like they’ve completely changed and they do stuff that I don't appreciate and then they make me feel like the bad guy and when I try to bring it up and try to talk about why it hurts me they get so angry and I don't want to leave because I really care about them and I want it to work out but it makes me feel like im going crazy “after 6 months/I promise that it's not your fault you fell for it” (19-20) after that few months and when they’ve changed their personality almost completely you feel like you've been played and like you just want to do nothing forever.

Layton Greene “Myself”, G-Styles On The Track. May 11, 2018

She says how she remembers feeling like she was never good and how she was questioning herself and how he made her feel like she wasn't perfect and he wanted perfect and this made her criticize her body and how it was her fault that she fell in love too fast. She loved him when she didn't love herself and she felt he only acted like this when he didn't get his way and she couldn't believe he would act this way when he said he loved her. At the end of the song she said she learned her lesson she says that the experience was a blessing he taught her patience 

It sucks when you love someone else more than you love yourself and your question if you are good enough for that person and you overthink everything and you start to rely on that person to make you feel loved and happy “had me looking in the mirror/I ain’t perfect you want perfect.” (5-7) when people go out with you from my experience they only want you for your body but then they start to nitpick about the stuff that isn’t “perfect” and then you start looking in the mirror nitpicking everything that you find that people say isn’t perfect.

Madison Beer “ Say It to My Face” As She Pleases, Fred Ball. November 3, 2017

 She wants answers but he won’t tell her. She wants him to be honest but he's been running all over town making a fool of her he accusing her of something but he won't say it to her face and he's been bluffing and he can't look at her straight in the eyes she then goes to his location but doesn't like confrontation but she needs answers 

 Sam Smith “Love Me More” NOW that's what I call music!”, Jimmy Napes, StarGate. April 28, 2020

He starts the song by asking if we've ever wanted to be someone else and how he tries every day not to hate himself and how every day he is trying to love himself a little more he says it used to burn when people insulted him but it helped him learn self-worth and eventually it sent him free. He later says that it doesn't hurt as much anymore. Then he says maybe he's learning how to love himself more with love.

Sometimes you want to be someone else because you don't like something about yourself and the more people insult you and hurt you, but you try to make it look like it isn't affecting you but deep down it bothers you and sometimes you have to cry yourself to sleep. “Lately it’s not hurting like it did before” (16) after a while of people telling you stuff and you feeling like complete crap you start to not care anymore and just not listen to what people say about you.  

Sofia Carson “Come Back Home” Purple Hearts (Original Soundtrack), Eren Cannata, Dan Crean, Netflix. July 12, 2022 

Zendaya “Neverland” Finding Neverland: The Album (Songs from the Broadway Musical), Gray Barlow, Elliot Kennedy. May 26, 2015

She talks about how whenever she is frightened or falls alone she would turn to the night sky somewhere she could run to get away from it all. Through all her make beliefs there's a little reality and all that she hopes for is a love someone gives a person in an unconditional way. She says to picture a land you've never seen where everything is green and eternal and a future of happiness in all your hands.

control

Elton John. “I’m Still Standing.” Too Low for Zero, Chris Tomas, 1983.  

This is about moving on and being stronger for facing adversity and overcoming it. It's about getting away from the people who don’t care about you and learning from your mistakes.

Adversity is a very strong thing that pushes us down and prevents us from growing. when you do overcome adversity you are stronger for it. I picked this quote because there have been times in my life when I have to move on.“Pickin' up the pieces of my life without you on my mind” (John 13). When you accept that something bad has happened and that you can move on is when you overcome adversity. When you overcome adversity you learn what caused that problem or mistake and can avoid it in the future. I picked this song because when you have an event in your life you can’t dwell on your mistakes.  

Fall out boys, “The Phoenix.” Save Rock and Roll, Fall out boy and Butch Walker, 2013. 

The piece is about self-discovery and changing who you are, not letting others dictate what you can do. How you can take control of your life. Changing your life is important so that you don’t make the same mistakes. Change is the only way that you can improve yourself and your life so you need to take control of what is happening in your life so that you can get what you want, like a new job or new car. I picked this quote because I don’t do things that others expect me to do “So dance alone to the beat of your heart” you need to control your life so that others don’t make your choices for you because that is a horrible way to live. I picked this song because it is about remaking yourself and every year I seem to change. (fall out boys 14).

Miracle of sound “Another Day in Paradise.” Another Day in Paradice, Miracle of sound, 2021.

Mick Shames, Keenan Wynn, Mickey Rooney, “One Foot in Front of the Other.” 

Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Soundtrack), Maury laws, 1970.

Imagine Dragons, “Believer.” Eveolve, mattman and robin, 2017

Lincoln Park, “Somewhere I Belong.” Meteora, Lincoln Park, and Don Gilmore, 2003 

It's about moving on, Acceptance, and letting go of your mistakes. so that you can perform the best you can in the present and in the future. When you accept something in your life, you reason that now there is nothing you can do to change the past.  you have to enjoy what you have now and can’t dwell on the former actions. We all make mistakes and we have to accept them. I picked this quote because I can have a hard time letting things go. “I wanna let go of the pain I've held so long” then when we do the pain of our past disappears. (Lincoln park 11). To live a happy life we all must accept the mistakes we have made but we can’t forget or history will repeat itself. I picked this song because school is somewhere I belong.

 Imagine Dragons, “Demons.” Night Visions, Alex da Kid, 2012. 

Sometimes we feel like we have to hide who we are from others. sometimes we need to meet the expectation of society. Every day there are pressures from others to meet unrealistic expectations and we try to meet them because this is what we always have done. I picked this quote because I often see the people others idolize in a negative light. “And the saints we see are all made of gold” You can see that everyone does this even the people you admire do the thing that makes the admirable just to meet the expectation of society. (Imagine Dragons 2). The people around us can control you but only if you let them because if you don’t choose someone will for you. There is a strange expectation in society that you are meant to break the mold and not follow the expectations so if there's one expectation to meet let it be that one. I picked this song because I don’t have someone that I see as larger than life.

Billy Joel, “Big Shot.” 52nd Street, Phil Raymond, 1978.

Billy Joel,  “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Storm Front, Foreigner and Billy Joel, 1989.

There are some events in our lives that we can’t control and sometimes we have to let go and move on. We all try to know what is happening, where, and who it’s happening to but sometimes we can’t. I picked this quote because things often happen without me “We didn't start the fire/But when we are gone/It will still burn on, and on” the world is out of control and you don’t run the world, and when you are gone the person how The places you won't either. (Billy Joel 99-102). When you realize that you don’t control and can't control everything then you can live your life. You only get one life and it is the only thing that you can control. I picked this song because I and everyone else have to deal with things that others have done.

Louis Armstrong, “What a Wonderful world.” What a Wonderful World, Bob Thiele, 1967

Penelope Scott “Moonsickness” Public Void, 2020-9-25 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZUBD18g2pc","fple-mt":null,"type":"first-party-link" }">「Lyrics」Moonsickness - Penelope Scott

Penelope Scott's song Moonsickness is about late-stage capitalism and its effects on our current generation. More specifically the hopelessness of it. Our narrator describes how there's so much to do yet no time to do it, how the problem seems so large and difficult they can barely bring themself to try, and the fear of only making the problems worse but there would still be this bittersweetness if they were to succeed because of the grasp it has on the narrator. they know its bad. They need to break it before they let the cycle continue again. This is something a lot of people from my generation go through, because of technology we are hyper-aware of our situation and feel the need to fix it, The feeling of a problem is so big that we can begin to grasp it and feel burdened by the problem that was put onto us, the overwhelming feeling of dread and unfairness is nearly crippling. The song also describes feeling failed “All I wanted was a framework/ none of them can live here/There's nothing to believe in and their won’t be till we fall.” (Penelope Scott 54/55/56) They just want to live their life and yet because of the past generation's failures it is ours that need to fix it and the singer feels as if there's nothing to believe in, we already feel as if we failed in fixing the problem and so now we are the ones who are passing on the burden and restarting the cycle, a neverending motion that you can’t halt without serious consequences. This is why I think this song describes how this year is going to go, their are going to be problems too big for me to fix and the solutions will have consequences and I’m scared.

MARINA- “Oh No!’ The Family Jewels, WMG, 2010.

Marina And The Diamonds-Oh No! (Lyrics Video) 

Marina's song “Oh No!” is from the perspective of someone who grew up with modern social values and commercialism causing them to fixate on their superficial ideas on success.

Marina is adamant to get what she wants no matter what and she's pretty clear on what those wants are, she wants fame, money “success” this stems from her obsession with TV “TV taught me how to feel/ now real life has no appeal” (MARINA 24/25) the singer does not feel fulfilled until she achieves the “fame” she sees on TV. and she knows how to achieve it too “I know exactly what I want and who I want to be/ I know exactly why I walk and talk like a Machine (MARINA 13-14) She knows shes acting superficial but she doesn't care as long as she succeeded, this song is also an excellent example on how sometimes the “fake it till you make it” ideal can be toxic “Cause I feel like I'm the worst/ so I always act like I'm the best” (MARINA 20-21) because of her need for fame she isn't being genuine. Pretending that you are doing far better than you are in order to try and achieve more is something that a lot of people including myself struggle with, acting superficially to protect yourself from criticism and doing anything and everything to succeed in the way that we see online. Living life in pretense is how I think this year is going to go.

Smash Mouth- “All Star” All Star,Interscope records, 1999.

Smash Mouth - All Star (Official Music Video) 

Smash Mouth in the song All Star blatantly states how he's not smart, instead of throwing himself a pity party he accepts it and lives his life with the cards he has been dealt,  lives recklessly and wildly without care. Within the first moments of the song, we get the line “Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me/ I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed” (Smash Mouth 1/2) Whenever I brought up moving into Junior year people always said that I was screwed, I hadn't done well in my previous highschool years and a grade like 11th the hardest one was gonna suck, so this year I'm just going with the flow, a sentiment carried by the singer. The singer sees life as a fast and neverending with the people around them miserable and so they decide to live life for fun, they want to see and experience it even if it's not in their best interest, they simply don't care. This reflects my internal feeling when it comes to things like school, everyone around me is miserable so why would I want that for myself, the singer and I both see that we cant excel except they have the ignorance to do what I want to do. They delusioned themselves to live life for fun “Hey now, you're a rock star/Get the show on, get paid’/(And all that glitters is gold)/Only shootin' stars break the mold” (Smash Mouth 13-18) The thing is that shooting stars are dying and will burn out, much like this lifestyle, so this year I think that either I’m going to try and excel to avoid this fate and burn out or I'm going to participate in it, looking at the world around me and saying “oh well.”

Jack Stauber- “Coffee” Shop: A Pop Opera, 2020.

Jack Stauber-Coffee ( fan extended version ) 

In this song, we follow a man shopping for groceries, when he's in the coffee section he comes across a woman and they chat, midway through she just stops, and freezes, when he gives her a sip of coffee she perks up again, chatting as if nothing happened. This causes the man to contemplate whether or not he needs it.  Without coffee, I also become a tired, frozen, void of life shell of a human being but I wonder if this I do is best, much like the man “I can make you feel alive/ I know, but do I need you to survive?” (8/9) he debates whether or not to quit and risk being off like the lady or to continue worsening the problem, he decides to quit but his addiction is telling him to drink “French vanilla I think I should sit this one out/ no, no, no/ Maybe a cup of self-control would be the rout/ But its the flavor/ its the flavor you want” (21-25) he’s making excuses for his addiction with the flavor something that I have done many, many, many, times. The song ends with “Maybe so, but its better to check than to reflect” (26) and he picks decaf instead, starting the journey of slowly weening themself off of his addiction and healing, it's going to be exhausting because of the lack of cafe but its a journey that needs to be made. A journey that I will be taking this year. Or I'll just turn into the woman.

Electric Light Orchestra “Mr. Blue Sky” Out of the Blue,1977.

Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Blue Sky (Official Video) - YouTube

Mr. Blue Sky is the simple joy and simplicity of a good day in dark times, it has been dark, rainy, and depressing and suddenly there's a good day. Sunny and clear and for the first time in a while their joy. In the modern day, there is a constant tragedy, with covid, politics, the climate, so many negative things surrounding us. but it cant linger forever, sooner or later we will get our sunny day “See how the sun shines brightly/in the city in the streets/where once was pity,”(Electric Light Orchestra 8-10). the thing is that we as a society need to reflect and question why Mr. Blue Sky went away “Mr. Blue sky, Please tell us why,/ you had to hide away/ For so long(so long) where did we go wrong” (Electric Light Orchestra 12-14). we need to think and ask these questions so that we can have more sunny days. Without reflection, we can't fix these things so that Mr blue sky can stay. This year I Believe that we can acknowledge and fix our problems so that it's all sunny moving forward

The Living Tombstone. “My Ordinary Life.” Interstreet Recordings, 2017.

“My Ordinary Life-The Living Tombstone 

CupcakKe/ Bruno Mars/ Kevin Miles(General Mills). “CPR x Misery x Resses Puffs.” February

 2022

Misery x CPR x Reese's Puffs (extended version) 

Mother Mother. “Verbatim.” Touch Up, 2007.

Mother Mother - Verbatim 

Queen. “Under Pressure.”  Under pressure, 1981.

Under Pressure 

Tom McFaul. “Meow Mix jingle.” McFaul-Meow Mix,1970.

Meow Mix song 

Genesis. “That’s All” Genesis, Hugh Padgham, October 3rd, 1983.

https://genius.com/Genesis-thats-all-lyrics

This song says to me that if something is upsetting or annoying or makes me angry just chill out. There’s nothing to worry about that’s all. There is nothing you can really do about someone being rude or being upset with something or something or someone being overly annoying.  “I found out I'm wrong, when I thought I was right It's always the same, it's just a shame, that's all” (2-3) It is just saying that even if you were confident you were right but you got it wrong it’s fine. You shouldn’t get mad about mistakes, just say what a shame and then you know that’s all. It helps me just leave all anger from messing up behind and pushing me on to go forward.

AC/DC. “Highway to Hell” Highway to Hell. Robert John Lange, July 27, 1979.

https://genius.com/Ac-dc-highway-to-hell-lyrics

This song is an absolute classic that almost everyone knows. It is one of the main songs that people listen to when driving somewhere. I genuinely listen to this song almost every day while heading to school. Not just because it’s a great song but because school can truly be a terrible place but it also gives some insight about some of the good parts in my opinion. “Goin' down, party time My friends are gonna be there too, yeah” (7-8)  In these lyrics with me thinking of the “Highway to Hell” as my route to school it also says some of the good parts. My friends are going to be there too so that is a good part. It could be worse, I could be alone. Then the lyric party time, sometimes it is a good place for that I mean the school has homecoming, after school clubs, or even classes when all the school work is done and it is just hanging out with people and talking is close enough and as close as it will get.

Hanoi Rocks. “11th Street Kids” Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks. 

1981. https://genius.com/Hanoi-rocks-11th-street-kids-lyrics

This is one of my favorite songs by an amazing band that I heard for the first time from an amazing show that had an amazing director. I remember hearing this song on peacemaker when they are all on a roadtrip of sorts. It reflects on the mistakes all of them have and helps bring them together. It makes me think of it this year because of what I make and I am sure I will make more mistakes and that's fine because it happens everyday. “Well accidents, happen about everyday And that day was special followed by a heat wave” (1-2)  Again another song saying that accidents are ok. Accidents happen everyday and you can’t do anything about it. Also almost everyday I come into class and make mistakes. It's hot in that classroom and I start to sweat hence the heat wave line. 

Styx “Come Sail Away” The Grand Illusion. Chuck Panozzo, John Panozzo, James Young, 

Tommy Shaw & Dennis DeYoung. July 7th, 1977. https://genius.com/Styx-come-sail-away-lyrics  

The song is about a man freeing himself from where he is. He sings about sailing away and going to the Virgin Sea. He sings and says that the waves spark his memories even though they are angry and sad. He then later invites the listener to come sail away with him. “We lived happily forever, so the story goes, But somehow we missed out on the pot of gold” (12-13) The singer sings this line and its meaning to me is you can go all through life happy and not need money. I see this as part of my year trying to get through school happy as I am broke as hell. 

The Chats “Smoko” Get This in Ya. Fin Wegener. July 31, 2017.

https://genius.com/The-chats-smoko-lyrics

This song is sung by an Australian shed rock band. It is a pretty simple song. It's a song about them just being on smoko, which is just a lunch break. It is a song that everyone can relate to when you hear the lyrics and the music is just fantastic in general. “I'm on smoko, so leave me alone, I'm on smoko, so leave me alone” (9,10) These lyrics explain every year of school for me pretty much. I am eating lunch not having to work or learn so just leave me alone. The only other difference is they use Smoko and not Lunch.

Ben E. King “Stand by Me” Don’t Play That Song. Mike Stoller. October 27, 1960.

https://genius.com/Ben-e-king-stand-by-me-lyrics  

Seether. “Leech” Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum [Deluxe Edition]. Shaun Morgan. May 27, 2022.

Johnny Cash “Hurt” American IV: The Man Comes Around. Rick Rubin. November 5, 2002.

Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive” Greatest. Bee Gees, Karl Richardson. December 13, 1977.

Electric Light Orchestra “Don’t Bring Me Down” Discovery. Jeff Lynne. June 1, 1979.

https://genius.com/Bobby-mcferrin-dont-worry-be-happy-lyrics

Don’t worry be happy is a song about being happy, even if you don't have much of something important such as money or a good place to live kind of  trivializing these things  so it can be a bit bad worrying about somethings can make so many things worse or better not worrying is a very important thing to learn, especially since school is full of things to worry about like math class or English class work both classes stress out a lot of people /”in your life expect some trouble when you worry you make it double”(Bobby McFerrin line 39 and 40) showing a theme especially with a past line in the song / “here’s a little song I wrote for you might want to sing it note for note”(Bobby McFerrin line 1 and 2) this line along with the last one shows that the song this goes to a friend or family member trying to help the person grow and live with the things that bring stress and be a better person because of it.

https://genius.com/Bee-gees-stayin-alive-lyrics

Stayin’ Alive is a song About living through ones hardships such as abuse or someone's life going nowhere and having no idea what they should do with their life something many people feel during their final years of high school  /“I've been kicked around since I was born and now it’s

alright, it’s okay and you may look the other way”(Bee Gees lines 3 through 6) showing a theme of being without own purpose while other parts of the song represent what other people will be telling themselves throughout the school year/“ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin alive Ah, ah ah ah stayin’ alive”(Bee Gees lines 13 and 14) showing a theme of survival and something someone might say to themselves as a student at school might think.

https://genius.com/Wiz-khalifa-see-you-again-lyrics

See You Again is a song made by the artist Wiz Khalifa. The song is about friendship and death and after a while he will meet his dead friend again someday in the future. with friendship and death, both ideas people in high school  might think about  especially more the friendship part, friendship is very important to the song as it helps the person who sings the song feel they will see their friend that they care so much about  again /“It’s been a long day without you, my friend And I will tell you all about it when I see you again We’ve come a long way from where we began Oh, I’ll tell you about it when I see you again”(Wiz Khalifa lines 1 through 4)  showing ing a big theme of friendship, death and a bit in the song it shows that he thought of this friend as family /“what’s small turned to friendship, a friendship turned to bond And that bond will never be broken, the love will never get lost”(25 and 26) showing how this person's bond made this friend be more like a brother, showing just how much more tragic of his friends passing.

https://genius.com/Electric-light-orchestra-mr-blue-sky-lyrics

Mr.blue Sky is a song about people who like the outdoors and the beautiful blue sky and how they when they can not be outside where they can feel alive or how a lot of people feel when it is cold, dreary and just very wet outside/“Mr.Blue Sky tell us why You had to hide away for so long(aolong)

where did we go”(Electric light orchestra lines 10 through 12)other then the theme of how bland the world is without the sunlight then that the song sings about how everyone likes or at least thinks the outdoors when there is a nice blue sky and nice weather it is a joyous time or at the very least calming to a person's nerves and sunlight makes a place more welcoming/ “See how the sun shines brightly in the city On the streets where once was pity Mr, Blue Sky is living here today, hey hey”(Electric light Orchestra lines 7 through 9)and showing that a once pitiable street could be seen at differently at times due to circumstances such as with the sunlight bringing joy  to some and brightening everyone live figuratively and physically.

https://genius.com/Ella-fitzgerald-blue-skies-lyrics

Blue Skies is a song about love,peace and the color blue, blue being a color that is afton associated with peace like water which can also represent peace and how love can make one's world so much happier/“I never  saw the sun shining so bright Never saw things going oh-so right Noticing the days hurrying by when you're in love, my how they fly”(Irving Berlin lines 17 to 20) something some people will feel one way or another in the future most of the other parts of the song is about the piece that comes from the love/ “Never saw the sun shining so bright Never saw things going so right Noticing the days hurrying by When you’re in love, my how they fly”(Elia fitz garalde )showing a theme of love and peace for the whole song  and how love can bring peace to  this person's life.

Personal Reflection Playlist 

Toby Keith, “American Ride.” American Ride, Toby Keith, July 28, 2009

https://genius.com/Toby-keith-american-ride-lyrics

In this patriotic song from Toby Keith, I feel that this song best relates to me in the sense that I get great joy out of driving my american ride. When I’m cruising down the road that is when I feel at my best. As the song goes on he continues to sing about topics that are still relevant to today. Whether it be the ozone burning, or “ Plasma getting bigger, Jesus getting smaller”( Toby Keith, 27 ). This quote doesn’t necessarily have to be about religion either. It can mean that morals as a whole are almost non-existent in the world today. 

Alabama,  “I’m In A Hurry (And Don’t Know Why).” American Pride,  Josh Leo,  Larry Lee, and Alabama, August 11, 1992

https://genius.com/Alabama-im-in-a-hurry-and-dont-know-why-lyrics

This song best relates to me in the way that I’m in a hurry to be done with my highschool career. I sometimes feel like I don’t belong in school and that I’d  be better off in the workforce instead. I also feel like I would have a lot more freedom outside of school and in the workforce. I’d also start to achieve my goal because like any teenager I want to be a millionaire someday. But maybe, “ I'm in a hurry to get things done

Oh, I rush and rush until life's no fun

All I really gotta do is live and die

But I'm in a hurry and don't know why” ( Alabama, 1-4 ). 

Bobby McFerrin. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” Simple Pleasures, Bobby McFerrin and Linda Goldstein, August 5, 1988

https://genius.com/Bobby-mcferrin-dont-worry-be-happy-lyrics  

In this all time classic by Bobby McFerrin, he just sings about being happy. He sings about forgetting your struggles and to just be happy. “ In every life we have some trouble

But when you worry you make it double

Don’t worry, be happy

Don’t worry, be happy now” ( Bobby McFerrin 4-7 ).  Sometimes you just need to not worry about some things in life and just live and be happy.

Jerry Reed. “East Bound and Down.” Jerry Reed Visits Hit Row, Jerry Reed, August 1, 1977

https://genius.com/Jerry-reed-east-bound-and-down-lyrics  

For this song it’s not so much about the lyrics that resembles the way I feel this year will go. This song connects in a way deeper than that. This song was featured in the 1977 Hit movie Smokey And The Bandit. A movie that my step dad and I have watched for years together and it’s the movie that has really connected us. If it were not for this movie I don’t think our relationship would have been close to the same and I don’t think I would be trying to follow in his footsteps if I had not watched this movie 12 years ago. In a way this song resembles family to me. I don’t think the family my step dad and mom have built would be the same if not for this movie/song. 

Montgomery Gentry. “My Town.” My Town, Blake Chancey, June 3, 2002

https://genius.com/Montgomery-gentry-my-town-lyrics  

In the song My Town they sing about their small town in which they know everyone and everyone knows each other. Which kinda reminds me of my small town where I grew up and still live in. Everyone and I mean everyone knows who I am. Whether it be because of my step dad or my grandparents. But word gets around to them if I am doing anything stupid. That’s how it will always be it will always be “Where I was born

Where I was raised

Where I keep all my yesterdays

Where I ran off cause I got mad

And it came to blows with my old man

Well I came back and settled down

It's where they'll put me in the ground

Yeah this is My town” ( Montgomery Gentry 12-19).  This song has made me who I am in a certain way and I am thankful for that. Instead of growing up in the city I was born and raised in a small community where I know everyone.

Eric church, Drink in my hand, Chief, Jay joyce and august 15 2011

(Man I work work work but I don't climb climb climb boss man can shove that overtime up his can all I want to do is put a drink in my hand To fill it up or throw it down I got a 40 hour week worth of trouble to drown No need to complicate it I'm a simple man all you got to do is put a drink in my hand”)line# 3-13     this song quote shows how I work 2 jobs and all i do is work and play sports and do school and its really simple because all i got to do is stay busy and I will be fine. This relates to my thematic topic because it talks about working all the time. Thematic topic : work

David nail, What ever shes got, im a fire, frank liddel and glenn worf, may 28 2013

(“shes sunny one minute then she's pourin down rain” by david nail)line #21-22  this song is showing how it can be all sunshine and rainbows one minute and the next every thing falls apart. This relates to my thematic topic because it talks about how is can be good one minute and bad the other. Thematic topic: change

Lil baby & gunna ,Drip too hard, drip harder, turbo, sep 9 2018 

(“I know they hating on me, but I dont read comments.” line #21-22   this song shows how i know people talk behind my back and hate on me but I dont read into it or what they are saying I just focus on myself and keep moving forward. This relates to my thematic topic because some people are judging me behind my back but i dont read into it because they just jealous. Thematic topic: judgement

  Zach bryan,Something in the orange, american heart break, eddie spear, april 22 2022

(“ it'll be fine by dusk that I’m Telling you, baby These things eat at your bones And drive your young mind Crazy”) line #1-5   this song is when the little something may or can drive me crazy but just keep moving forward it will all work out. This relates to my thematic topic because it shows how he is telling her that its bad now but it will be fine later and not to think about the bad stuff because it can distract you and drive you crazy. Thematic topic: trust

Kygo & parson james ,Stole the show, cloud nine, kygo, march 23 2015

( “no heroes villains, ont to blame While wilted roses fill the stage And the thrill, is gone Our debut was a masterpiece But in the end for you and me Oh, the show, it cant go on We used to have it all, but nows our curtain call.” line # 8-17   this is when sometimes everyone will care and how one minute you might have it all but the next maybe not and how there is no one else to blame but your self. Witch i know sometimes I do. This relates to my thematic topic because is shows how you only have a certain amount of time why wast it because when it comes time to end it which could be any time you might not have done everything you wanted to do. Thematic topic: time 

Bailey zimmerman ,Where it ends, leave the light on, auston shaw, aug 19 2022

Bailey zimmerman,Fall in love, leave the light on, feb 11 2022

Dustin lynch,Where its at, where its at,mickey jack cones, march 31 2014

Eric church,Talladega, the outsiders, jay joyce, sep 15 2014

Jake owen, American country love song, american love, ross copperman & shane mcanally, april 2016

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.

Harry Styles. "As it Was." Harry's House, Columbia, 2022.
https://genius.com/Harry-styles-as-it-was-lyrics

“As it was” - by Harry styles explains how his spouse is irreplaceable and why it's not going to be the same as it was. Assuming that his old self was under the influence, it seems that he is trying to tell his spouse how he has changed in a good way. Overall the song is basically begging for forgiveness and a “please forgive me” letter. The song in my terms explains how everything is not the same as it was due to Covid, a sense of being careful or general Survival. When I go into school I get a sense of loneliness, Like the song describes in line 2 and 4 “gravity’s holding me back…Nothing to say”(Harry styles 2, 4). Looking at the overall aspect of the year using this song it explains how Change is possible and how I need to live life to its fullest.

Madonna. “Holiday.” Madonna, Sire Records, 1983.

https://genius.com/Madonna-holiday-lyrics

Holiday by Madonna is a song about celebration, and why if she took a holiday it would be so nice. What she is trying to influence is the fact that when there is a holiday, it's only one day out of life, and how it's a party. Overall, the song is self-explanatory when it comes to it stating what a holiday is and such. When I as a person go into a school dance, I feel very social or celebrative like any other human being. “It would be so nice”(Madonna 9) explains that it's good to take a holiday away, which gives a sense of Relaxation like playing outside. In a general matter, The song makes me feel Ecstatic over how the school year is going to go.

Enya. “Only Time” A Day Without Rain, WEA, 2000.
https://genius.com/Enya-only-time-lyrics

Only time by enya expresses how time Leads everything, by showing that time is how you are walking on . The song shows it in a way of emotion, through the overall beat of it making the listener pensive like for example why is water wet or what am I? Overall the song is very thoughtful and careful as it tells the listener to follow their heart. When I think of school, I wonder where the Time went as we got older. “And who can say when the day sleeps”(Enya 15) This is an example of me when I go to school and sleep during the day, which correlates to general laziness. This song in general makes me feel Curiosity about the school year and how i will absorb the information on what i've learned.

Lizzo. “ About Damn Time” Special, Nice Life/Atlantic, 2022
https://genius.com/Lizzo-about-damn-time-lyrics

It's about Damn Time by Lizzo explains Lizzo being in a stressed and sexy support group and how she prepared a poem that basically compares something that makes her stressed to something that makes her feel sexy. The song overall explains hows shes gonna be ok but shows how impatient she is by trying to sooth herself with drinks and how she's like “ok” and “alright” and then “IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME” Overall, the song is about how stress comes in many forms and how self esteem can be degraded with stress ( which explains why she is in a stressed and sexy support group). Correlating to school, it explains my Procrastination because I run on missing assignments as a planner.”I got a feelin' I'm gon' be alright”(Lizzo 12), is an example of my happiness when I finish an assignment and get a good grade. Overall, I feel a sense of hope from this song as I'm doing the assignment correlating to this school year.

The Cranberries. “Dreams” Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? Island Records, 1993
https://genius.com/The-cranberries-dreams-lyrics

The song explains how her love is basically a dream and how sudden a dream can be. For example, falling in a dream is not so pleasant as is a relationship falling apart. She goes on and in a basic manner explains “wow my head/brain is amazing” and how dreams are unpredictable, which basically sums up the song. The song in a school form would be for me to go for my dream Career to be an engineer (electrical and mechanical). “A totally amazing mind/ So understanding and so kind”(The Cranberries 26, 27) is an example of how I can use this totally amazing mind for Absorbing information or how I can process emotion; Diversity is what makes me a person. I also believe the song explains to have a sense of preparation as in this quote explains “The person falling here is me”(The Cranberries 11) as sometimes i feel like i'm not gonna make it, but i always have a backup plan.

Post Malone. “I Like You (A Happier Song)” Twelve Carat Toothache, Republic Records, 2022

Clean Bandit & Topic feat. Wes Nelson. “Drive” Drive, Atlantic Records UK, 2021

Ellie Goulding. “Lights” Lights, Polydor Records, 2010

Mr. Kitty. “After Dark” Time, Juggernaut Music Group, 2014

Dua Lipa. “Levitating” Future Nostalgia, Warner records, 2020

English III

9 September 2022 

Prison Sentence Prediction

Slipknot. “Before I Forget.” The Subliminal Verses, Rick Ruben, 2004.

 The song “Before I Forget” is about people trying to put you down and you have to stay positive before you forget. “Before I Forget” showing that I forget a lot of things and it's going to happen this school year. The thematic topic is forgetting . (Slipknot 1). 

Disturbed. “Down with the Sickness.” the sickness, Johnny K, 1999. 

The song “Down with the Sickness” is about accepting your negative side, “get up c’mon get down with the sickness” (dusturbed line 12) the song related to my school year because at the beginning of the everyone got sick hense “down with the sickness.”

Green day “Still Breathing  revolution radio  P.R brown 2017

I Prevail. “Breaking Down.” trauma, Tyler Smyth. 2019 

The song breaking down is about depression and obviously breaking down “ I think I'm Breaking down”(I prevail line 16 relates to my school year because everytime I boot up membean I break down and get frustrated. 

Green day. “Brain Stew.” jaded, Rob cavollo. 1995

Bachman-Turner Overdrive. “taking care of business, Bachman 1973

The song “Takin Care of Business” is about him as a songwriter waking up everyday and doing the things that he needs to do in order to do what he wants to do. “taking care of business every day” shows how it's going to relate to my school year because I’m going to have to take care of my business in order to pass.

The Beatles “Let it Be” Mal Evans 1970 

Linkin Park “In The End” Don Gilmore 2001

The song “In the End” by Linkin Park is about the song writer, Chester’s, lost time with a woman because the relationship didn't work out. “i tried so hard and got so far, in the end it doesn't even matter” it relates to my school year because when i try to do membean it doesn't matter cause i have to redo dubious minutes.

Queen. “Under Pressure.” Queen 1981

Fight the Flight. “June” fight the flight 2001

Billie Eilish. “idontwannabeyouanymore.” don’t smile at me, Interscope Records,

2017. https://genius.com/Billie-eilish-idontwannabeyouanymore-lyrics

In this song, Billie is looking at herself in a mirror saying “I don’t wanna be you anymore” (Billie Eilish 14-15). She’s telling herself how much she hates herself, how badly she wants to be someone else, and how she wants to be different. I relate to this song so much because I also go through times, pretty often, about how I want to be someone else. There’s a lot I don’t like about myself, but at the end of the day, there wouldn’t be anyone I could choose to switch with. No one is good enough that I would want to be me. Because I am good enough, and the things about me that I’m not happy with, can get fixed to be better. 

Khalid. “Young Dumb & Broke.” American Teen, Right Hand Music Group, 

2017. https://genius.com/Khalid-young-dumb-and-broke-lyrics

The Weeknd. “Ordinary Life.” Starboy, XO records, 2016.

https://genius.com/The-weeknd-ordinary-life-lyrics

XXXTENTACION. “Hope.” ?, Bad Vibes Forever, 2018.

https://genius.com/Xxxtentacion-hope-lyrics

I relate to a little bit of the lyrics, but I also really like the title. Hope is something I will strongly need this year in both school and in general. I will definitely need hope for this school year; well I already need it (haha). I am going to need hope for the main reason that I have such a hard time doing work. “Okay, she keep cryin’, she keep cryin’ every single night.” (XXXTENTACION 5). I just know that I will be up in the middle of the night crying about not having my work done and being overly stressed. The more the analyze these lyrics, the more I start to relate to them, “Oh no, I swear to God, I be in my mind.” (XXXTENTACION 7). The way I interpret this is overthinking. I am constantly overthinking to the point where it gets debilitating. I have very bad anxiety and I'm pretty sure that’s where my overthinking comes from. So I also need hope for my mental health, in that aspect. That’s how I interpret “I be in my mind.”

Steve Lacy. “Bad Habit.” Gemini Rights, RCA Records, 2022.

https://genius.com/Steve-lacy-bad-habit-lyrics

I have a lot of bad habits; I mean, who doesn’t? Like I’ve said in this reflection before, I have a pretty bad procrastination problem. “Is it too late to pursue” (Steve Lacy 8). I most of the turn things in that were due weeks or even months before, but I somehow always get it done. That’s one of the bad habits I will see this year. It’s very hard to handle. I get mad at myself, my mom gets mad at me, my teachers get mad at me even if they don’t show it. I have days where I am filled with motivation. I would do anything to have that everyday.

Chase Atlantic. “Friends.” Nostalgia, Christan Anthony, 2015.

https://genius.com/Chase-atlantic-friends-lyrics

Billie Eilish. “Getting Older.” Happier Than Ever,  Interscope Records, 2021

https://genius.com/Billie-eilish-getting-older-lyrics

We all get older. I mean, as soon as you’re born, you’re getting older by the second. Little kids fantasize about getting older. They think that you can do anything you want. You can drive, you have a job so you have money, boyfriends/girlfriends, what’s not to like? Little kids don’t understand that when you get older, so much changes…for the worse. Holidays feel different. Christmas is nothing like it used to be. Work is harder, you lose most of the friends you had, and most of all, mental health kicks in. But getting older isn’t just bad. Like I said before, you have a car, and a job! Hello?? We have so much more freedom. And in my experience, I’ve become more conscious; I’ve become a better person because of that. And because of consciousness, we experience loss, because we change. But that doesn’t have to be bad. We lose bad friends, bad habits, and..age. We’re all just, “Getting Older” (Billie Eilish 1). 

Olivia Rodrigo. “brutal.” SOUR, Geffen Records, 2021

https://genius.com/search?q=brutal

Billie Eilish. “Happier Than Ever.” Happier Than Ever, Interscope Records, 2021

https://genius.com/Billie-eilish-happier-than-ever-lyrics

The more I write, the more I realize that this essay is pretty negative. So I had to add this song to add some positivity. I think about the bad things about life a lot, but in reality, I’m the happiest I’ve been so far. And I’m only 16. I know for a fact that it can get a lot better, but for now,  “I’m Happier Than Ever” (Billie Eilish 3). I got my license in July and my first job in the beginning of September. Those are things I’ve been wanting for a while. Since I now have some money, I can buy as much food as a want. And food makes me happy. It makes me happier when I remember how lucky I am to have these things, because a lot of people don’t. Some people don’t even have the privilege to be writing an essay on a school provided laptop, like I do. I feel happier than I did even a few months ago. Of course, I have bad days. I have them more often than I prefer; but at the end of the day, I’m happier than ever. 

twenty one pilots. “Stressed Out.” Blurryface, Mike Elizondo

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

Roar. "I Can’t Handle Change." I Can’t Handle Change, Owen Evans, 2010.

Vaultboy. "Everything Sucks." Fast Friends, 2021.

The song "Everything Sucks" is about wanting to not have to deal with anxiety and to just be okay. I resonate with this song a lot because a lot of the time I wish I didn't have anxiety and that everything would just be okay, but the reality of it is that that's not how the world works. There will always be something that stresses you out or gives you anxiety, even if it's something like having to take a test the next day or struggling to do your morning routine. In his song, Vaultboy says, "I wanna forget my bad days, all my bad days/And be okay, and be okay" (Vaultboy 9–10). This resonates with me because most of the time I want to forget about all of the bad days I have had in the past and just be okay. I know that those bad days helped make me who I am today, so if I were to just forget about the "bad days", would that mean I would also lose a part of myself?

Gnash & Olivia O’Brien. "I Hate You, I Love You." Us, Atlantic Records, 2016.

"I hate you, I love you" is originally a love song about hating that she loves someone. She doesn't want to love them, but she does. I decided to perceive it as a love-hate relationship with the school, "I hate you, I love you/I hate that I love you" (Gnash & Olivia O’Brien 9-10). Although I want to hate school, I don't like doing school work and it stresses me out sometimes, I can't hate it. The school has become a place that I can use as an escape, a place to see friends, and somewhere I can socialize. Some of the teachers are "safe places" for me; I can talk to them and express myself to them in a way I can't with others.

Ghostemane. "Fed Up." ANTI-ICON, Blackmage, 2020.

Ghostemane wrote this song to express his discomfort with people not understanding his music, art, and lyrics, which is something he has always struggled with, "Wind up in the wrong mindset/Might've wound up with the wrong set of friends" (Ghostemane 33-34) This quote correlates with me because during the school year I lose some of what I value in a friendship or I'm in a different mindset and I don't think about what friends should be like, so sometimes I end up with the wrong friends or I lose friends that I should have cherished more. This year I want to drop the drama and bad friendships and just focus on friendships that matter and do better in school.

Wallows & Clairo. "Are You Bored Yet." Nothing Happens, John Congleton, 2019.

Taylor Swift. " It's time to go." Evermore (deluxe version), Aaron Dessner, 2021.

Taylor wrote this song about relationships that have turned sour. She mainly wrote it about her very public legal battle with her formal label. Something that scares me is growing up and having to do "adult things". I have always struggled with the thought of growing up and graduating from high school, "Twenty years at your job/Then the son of the boss gets the spot that was yours" ( Taylor Swift 12-13). Having to go through the anxiety of leaving school and doing something that I have grown so used to is something that I'm not ready for. This song helps me get through the fact that change and disappointment are inevitable and that I just have to get through it and accept it.

5 Seconds of Summer. "Complete Mess." BMG, 2022.

Julia Michaels & Niall Horan. "What a Time." Inner Monologue Part 1, Republic Records, 2019.

Jaymes Young. "I’ll be good." Feel Something, Jaymes Young, 2014

BTS. "Life Goes On." BE, BIGHIT MUSIC, 2020

Having strength during difficult times is what BTS wrote the song "Life Goes On" about. They wrote this during the pandemic when everyone was on lockdown. Even though I wish time would just stop sometimes so life could be a little easier, "Time goes by on its own/Without a single apology, yeah"(BTS 10-11), sometimes it feels like life is going by so fast that I cannot comprehend anything that is going on around me. Even though time goes by and without an apology, there are things I can do to help time "slow down" and give myself a break from reality and come back better than I was before.

• Diamonds & Gold

Artist: Mac Miller

Album: Blue Slide Park

Released: November 8th, 2011

Mac Miller – Diamonds & Gold Lyrics - Genius

This song just makes me think part of how my school year will go, the lyrics “Trying to be on top alone, she don’t keep them close” (14-15) because throughout my last couple of years of high school I feel like I’ve worried so much about holding down friendships and relationships but this year I finally feel good on my own and don’t feel the need to focus on that. 

• We Are Young

Artist: Fun. 

Album: Some Nights
Released: February 21, 2012

fun. – We Are Young Lyrics - Genius

The reason I chose this song is that I feel as if it’s very nostalgic, I listened to it a lot growing up so when I hear it I usually get happy and look back on all the years. The lyrics “We are young, so we’ll set the world on fire, and we can burn brighter than the sun” (17-18-19) I think these lyrics just pertain to becoming something and pursuing your goals and making them happen. It says brighter than the sun, which to me says shining and doing your best to be on top. 

• Pursuit Of Happiness

Artist: Kid Cudi

Album: Man On The Moon: The End Of Day

Released: September 15, 2009

Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) Lyrics - Genius

Most of the lyrics in this song feel like it was just written by a teenager. The lyrics I chose are “If I fall if I die, know I lived it to the fullest, if I fall, if I die, know I lived and missed some bullets. I’m on the pursuit of happiness” (16-17-18-19-20) because It’s just real. I am on the pursuit of happiness, I’m trying to better myself as a person and get better grades. Also just knowing that I have mostly lived my life to the fullest, or have tried to make the most out of it whenever I can. Life will get stressful and I just have to remember that right now is good and it’ll have its ups and down but I am very lucky for the life I live. 

• Keep Ya Head Up

Artist: Tupac

Album: Greatest Hits

Released: October 29th, 1981

Keep Ya Head Up - 2Pac - Lyrics.com

The main reason I picked this song was that there’s a lot of controversy in the world right now and this song definitely talks about and addresses the issues. Another reason is the lyrics “Ooh, child, things will get brighter” (23-24) Just mainly because I love this lyric and the entire song for just being so real and even if it was made before I was born I think it relates to the world I live in right now and just how sometimes things aren’t as we want them to be but it can get brighter and easier. 

• Stressed Out

Artist: Twenty One Pilots

Album: Blurryface

Released: May 17th, 2015

twenty one pilots – Stressed Out Lyrics - Genius

I mostly chose this song because I mean, look at the title. In the song, just sings about being stressed out and not feeling like there is much time and that’s how I feel since I’m already a junior and do graduate somewhat soon. The specific lyrics I chose were “Wish we could turn back time, to the good ol’ days, when our momma sang us to sleep, but now we’re stressed out” (9-10-11-12) I can’t begin to explain how much stress school brings me and how much I wish I could back to when I was younger and said everything was “so hard” because I genuinely had it so easy. 

Year of tune

 Zach Bryan.“Come as You Are”  Elisabeth, Waren Records, 2020.

  The song “Come As You Are” reminds me of the Friendships I have going on into this year that I didn’t have last year. Friends that I am comfortable with more than I ever have in any other friendships. The title “Come As You Are”(Zach Byan 1) This song is about accepting people for who they are and trying to help them through whatever they are going through, that Friendships are found everywhere. This song is a reminder to me that my group of friends is different and we will always be understanding of each other. 

Rodney Atkins. “Take a Back Road.” Take a Back Road, Curb Records, 2011.

The next song I chose is also just the title “Take a Back Road '' (Rodney Atkins 1). This song is about having good and bad days, there is always Hope. The reason I chose this song as my second song is that everyone has good days and everyone has bad days. Having my license gives me the privilege of driving where I need to go mainly back and forth from school. After a rough day sometimes you just want to drive to relax hence the “Take a Back Road”. 

 Bailey Zimmerman.“Never Coming Home” Nashville, Warner Music, 2021.

 Another song is “Heavy Eyes”(Zach Bryan 23) this song is about the youth and having Fun that nothing could ruin. The lyric “But there ain't no grave deep enough” reminds me of being Young and considered unbreakable. Zach Bryan. “Heavy eyes” American heartbreak waren records 2022

Joe Nichols.“Good day for Living.” Quartz Hill Records, 2021.

“Good Day for Living” (Joe Nichols 1)is a song just about loving Life and being Thankful for everything that's in it. This is a song title and the whole song reminds me of the good feelings you get through the school year. Like when you get done with all your homework or did great on a test even winning a sports game. The feeling you get is like no other and even knowing there are bad times, the good times are the ones that matter, the ones that remain when you think back.

  Zach Bryan.“Late July .'' American Heartbreak, Warner records, 2022.

 This song is about friendships and the good times that come along with them. The lyric “Another good time I’ll regret” (Zach Bryan  23) reminds me of summers when the school year is done hanging out with friends. Things we do may be fun but are not always the smartest or safest things.

 Riley Green “I wish grandpas never died” Different round here, BMLG Records 2019

 Jelly Roll.“Son of a Sinner.” Broken Bow Records, 2021. 

Bailey Zimmerman.“Where it Ends” Warner Music, 2022.

Zach Bryan. “Burn, Burn, Burn” Warner Records, 2022

Country On Luke Bryan “Country on” Country on  Jody Stevens ,Jeff Stevens July 1, 2022 https://genius.com/Luke-bryan-country-on-lyrics . 

This song by Luke Bryan talks about  people doing their job and getting things done. It does thank them for doing their job so we can keep on living with the luxuries that we have. Also go into saying in  a way that he thanks people for doing their jobs  so we can have Freedom. “Hey soldier, wherever you might bе, Hats off to keepin' us free”( Luke Bryan 4,5).  This Shows that We Can have freedom if we help each other. 

Avicii “ Hey Brother” True, Arash Pournouri, and Avicii, October 9, 2013 https://genius.com/Avicii-hey-brother-lyrics  

This song by Avicii talks about Family and  friendship. In  most of the song it talks about someone coming to help out their family even if they're far from home they still would come to help. “What if I'm far from home? Oh brother, I will hear you call”(Avicii 13,14). The way I see this is a friend that is coming to help even if he has to travel far. 

Graffiti Ghosts, “This Is What I live for” Graffiti Ghosts https://genius.com/Graffiti-ghosts-this-is-what-i-live-for-lyrics  

The song This Is What I Live for  by  Graffiti Ghosts talks about Someone talking about what they live for.  They go on to say that they never quit because it's what they live for.  This song can be seen as talking about dedication. When the song says “I don't want to see that white flag waving. This is to the bitter end” ( Graffiti Ghosts 9,10).  The song says it doesn't want someone waving the white flag like surrendering in a war.  Even if they're just working on getting something you want that you've been working for.

 The Score, “ Born For This” Carry on, Eddie Anthony & Edan Dover, Feb. 1, 2019 https://genius.com/The-score-born-for-this-lyrics  

  This song talks about how someone is born for what they believe they were born for and will to work towards their job/task to work towards success.  Even though they worked hard to get where they are working through tears. “We are the broken ones who chose to spark a flame”(Score 35).  This show created the spark that allowed them to get successful. 

`Rise Against, “ Zero Visibility”  The Black Market. Jason Livermore & Bill Stevenson Jul. 15, 2014 https://genius.com/Rise-against-zero-visibility-lyrics  

  This song Rise Against  talks about people coming together to get through bad times  and and in the end be back with the same people. You could say the thematic topics are Family, Friendship, and Survival. In the song it says “We are not brave, we are not wise,We stand at the end of the longest lines, But we stand here all together ,We have been damned, we have survived We came back to homes we don't recognize.But we return here all together”(Zero). This song talks about how people go through some bad things but they come back together in the end to be with their friends or family. 

Changing and Growing Up

Taurus Tremani Bartlett. “Finer things.” Die A Legend. dj l beats and dj ayo. August, 2018.

https://genius.com/Polo-g-finer-things-lyrics

In this song he talks a lot about his rough gang and violence associated with life growing up, he encourages getting out of it and not to do what everyone else is, but to pave your own path. He talks about how he made it out and he's gonna use all of his gains and wealth to help where he came from and help kids who were just like him. This song's thematic topic to me is growth, he grew from the gangs and violence to a multi millionaire helping and inspiring millions,“From all this pain, all this pain, all this pain/ turned that pain into passion and made it happen. “ (Polo g 40-41) when he said this it made me think of myself in terms of school. My freshman and sophomore year I did nothing, sat there and kept failing harder and harder more and more. At the end of the year when I sat in the stands feeling like a bum watching everyone pass and succeed and I was there after failing horribly. I'm tired of it. I don't want to be that kid anymore, so this year I'm taking what I've learned the last couple of years and changing it. I want to be successful and I will and I want to stay on top of it this year, and my ultimate goal is honor roll. This is why the growth theme in this song stuck out to me.

Zach Bryan. “burn, burn, burn.” American Heartbreak, Zach Bryan and Eddie Spear, September 

2022. https://genius.com/Zach-bryan-burn-burn-burn-lyrics

This is one of my favorite songs, the lyrics have so much meaning behind them and I will give some examples. The main thematic topic that pops out to me would be happiness. He talks a lot about what true happiness is compared to what people to believe to be happiness, for example “ we get dressed up to go downtown,/ in some ego filled late night crowd,/ seems to be where I feel the most alone/ I'd like to get lost on some old back road,/ find a shade tree in a honey hole,/ and talk to my grandpa again.” (Zach Bryan 4-8) I love this line personally because I relate so much.  I could never live in a city or an insanely populous area. It's not for me, a simple life out west in the mountains in a log cabin with my forever and after and my beautiful family. It sounds much more suitable than a 1,000 square foot apartment surrounded by the same thing around me, it scares me in fact. Another set of lyrics that hit me are as follows. “ I know I'm bound to die one day, so when I reach those golden gates one day, I pray to say I did the best I can.” (Zach Bryan 31-33) When my time comes I want to look back not saying I wish, or I’d hope to do this. I want to look back on my life and make my young self proud and be happy and live the life I've always wanted. Not the life I always wished for. One last thing about this song is that the lyrics are very awesome and I highly recommend you, Mrs. Chick, click the link and read it as the poem. It is, not a song, it is lovely. ( the song is lovely as well)

Benjamin Hagerty (Macklemore). “good old days.” Gemini, Budo, September 2018.

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

I love this song so much because even being this young I still relate to it so much. It's about reminiscing on the past. I remember being a little me thinking how awesome it would be to be in highschool with my license being older with my friends thinking it would be awesome. “ I couldn't wait to get older, couldn't wait to be some/ Now that I'm here, wishing I was still young.” (Macklemore 17-18)  I realize now that I should have enjoyed those times a lot more than I did instead of waiting to be older.  Now that I am the older I wished to be, I would do everything to go back and enjoy the times where I didn't have to worry about having a job, difficult school, and the constant worry of my future. But I know my journey is just beginning, I am still only a junior and try to enjoy every moment I can because I know people would give a lot to come back to where I am now like myself wants to go back. We all grow and we can't stop or slow time so we have to make the best of every moment we can and we have to grow as a person and accept that.

Zach Bryan. “Oklahoma Smokeshow.” Summertime Blues, Zach Bryan and Eddie Spear, July 

2022. https://genius.com/Zach-bryan-oklahoma-smoke-show-lyrics

One line in this song sticks out to me like a sore thumb and it's “ where small vices kill your big dreams' ' (Zach Bryan line 17) this sticks out to me because it is very relevant to today's world specifically in high school. People care about other people's opinions way way too much. This world has 8 billion people, 196 million square miles, 7 continents, and 196 countries. Be yourself. What that one or two people in high school tell you does not matter, there is a whole world and endless opportunities to get out and explore, the world is not just where you are now. They do not control you or your future, that is you and they have no part in your life because it is yours. Especially in high school you are so unlikely to see a large majority of the people you go to school with when out of high school. Don't let other people define you, no matter how many times they try to bring you down and tell you this and that, is motivation to prove them wrong and wrong. Whilst being humble and understanding they dont matter because you are you.

Coldplay. “Fix You.” X and R, Coldplay and Danton Supple, June 2005.

https://genius.com/Coldplay-fix-you-lyrics  

The line that sticks out to me is the first line, “when you try your best, and you don't succeed” (Coldplay 1) it describes this school year pretty well. It feels that no matter how much you do, how much you have done, it's not enough. There's always more and more and better and better you could do. Although it is tough it teaches perseverance, and to not stop and keep going no matter how much there is in front of you. Because the journey to success is the best part, and the journey is not easy if you want the best outcome. Simple and easy things come easy but are the least rewarding. It's what's the most rewarding that is the toughest journey with the best success and rewarding. 

Akon. “Lonely.” trouble. Akon and Disco D, June 2004. https://genius.com/Akon-lonely-lyrics  

A$ap Ferg. “Dreams, Fairy Tales, and Fantasies.” floor seats, Salaam Remi and Brent Fiaz,

 August 2019. https://genius.com/A-ap-ferg-dreams-fairytales-fantasies-lyrics  

The Lumineers. “Cleopatra.” Cleopatra, Simone Felice, March 2016. 

https://genius.com/The-lumineers-cleopatra-lyrics  

Steve Lacy. “Bad Habit.” Gemini Rights, Steve Lacy, June 2022.

  https://genius.com/Steve-lacy-bad-habit-lyrics  

The Lumineers. “Ho Hey.” The Lumineers, Ryan Hadlock, April 2012.

  https://genius.com/The-lumineers-ho-hey-lyrics

Goals for junior year 

Blackeyed Peas. “I Got A Feeling.” The E.N.D., “square prod,” 2009.

Marshmello & Bastille. “happier.”  happier , 2018.

Kelly Clarkson “Since You Been Gone.” “Breakaway” , “ Dr. Dukes “ 2004.

Justin Timberlake “mirrors” “The 20/20 Experience”, “larrabee” 2013.

BTS “Dynamite” Single”, “Dogg Bounce” 2020

Chris Brown. “Look at Me Now.” F.A.M.E., The Record Plant, 2011. 

https://genius.com/Chris-brown-look-at-me-now-lyrics  

This song is about the success of you now and comparing yourself to your past and how far you've come. This song means something to me and makes me think about my school year because of the positive attitude it has. The quote that means the most to me in this song is “you ain't never gonna stop me” (Chris Brown 48)  because it makes me think about how far I can go for school . This song shows me that I can do anything to improve myself and prove to me and my family that nobody can stop me from doing what I need to do to accomplish my goals.

Zac Effron. Vanessa Hudgens. “Gotta Go My Own Way.” Walt Disney Records, 2007.

https://genius.com/High-school-musical-cast-gotta-go-my-own-way-lyrics  

This song is about leaving the bad people and negative in the past even if it hurts or you'll miss them. This song sticks out to me because of the deep meaning behind it . It can be hard to leave those people you called your friends or others behind but sometimes they're not good for you. Already this year I've let go of some people I didn't want to so I could improve myself and focus on me and my schooling and sports .  “but I gotta do what's best for me” ( Zac Effron. Vanessa Hudgens 9 )  shows how you should always put yourself first.

Will.i.am. “Scream and Shout.”  #Willpower, The Record Plant , 2012.

https://genius.com/William-scream-and-shout-hit-boy-remix-lyrics  

The meaning of the song scream and shout is having a good time. “I wanna scream and shout and let it all out!”(Will.i.am. 33)   shows that you can have a good time with anything you do. You can always turn your happiness into excitement and scream and shout to show your true happiness. Sometimes it's okay to go out of your comfort zone to show your happiness. This song relates to me because it makes me feel like me and that i can be myself and it shows me its okay to be more out there.

Imagine Dragons. “On Top Of The World.”  Continued Silence Ep And Night Visions  

Westlake Recording Studios, 2013.

https://genius.com/Imagine-dragons-on-top-of-the-world-lyrics  

This song shows that with school,friends,family,sports,etc. You can always find happiness in everything you do to make the best of it. “I've traveled all this way for something” (Imagine Dragons 28) . I look at that quote and think about school and my future. It helps me realize that I've come this far and I can push through and do it if I try.

Maroon 5. “Memories.” Jordi, 2019.

https://genius.com/Maroon-5-memories-lyrics  

“Everybody hurts sometimes” (Maroon 5.  21)  shows that everyone goes through things either at home ,school and more . It's okay to go through these things because everyone has stress and feelings . It's a sweet song to just remind you that you're not alone. This song also relates to me because everyone goes through things and it shows ,me i'm not alone.