Soundtracking

When I was 16 and a college freshman, predictably, my favorite song was The Freshmen by The Verve Pipe. The song did not talk about living in a dorm, homesickness or studying your ass off for mediocre grades but still…

For the life of me I cannot remember
What made us think that we were wise and
We’d never compromise
For the life of me I cannot believe
We’d ever die for these sins
We were merely freshmen

On my 18th birthday, my friend, Job, sang Easy Tonight by Five For Fighting. It’s a dark song that talks about the pain of losing someone. Some say it is about death, specifically, suicide. An odd choice for my birthday at the very least. In fairness to him, he did not expect to be an acoustic performer that night.

You were dark.
As dark as night.
You were wrong.
Yeah, you were right.

When I was 20 and desperately working on my undergrad thesis, I kept All Apologies on a loop. Nothing could spell out the fledgling self-esteem of an overextended college student than this song.

What else should I be? All apologies
What else could I say? Everyone is gay
What else could I write? I don’t have the right
What else should I be? All apologies

You can watch the video here.

When I was 23, a friend told me that he thinks of me whenever he hears Rise by Samantha James. I am most flattered that he incorrectly associates me with empowered women.

Open your mind and see
We have everything we need
Dream or reality
Fulfill its destiny

You can listen to the song here.

When I get married, I want Better Days by Goo Goo Dolls to be my wedding song. It doesn’t have to be played though as I walk down the aisle.

I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days