Like a time capsule, a song can hold memories of college long after we graduate. Songs that define our time in college might be something that we put on when walking from one class to another, hear at athletic events or ones that resonate with an exciting night out.
Here are some picks that remind our staff of their times at NIU.
Aidan Penca
- “New Town” by Life Without Buildings
- “Back and Forth” by the Dismemberment Plan
- “Ageless Beauty” by Stars
When you move to a new city or place there is an optimistic disposition that comes with it. It combines the anxiety and restlessness you gain with moving into a new part of life or an unfamiliar location. This song underpins those new relationships you gain and the slopes of emotions that come with that .
Have you ever made the rounds at a social event like a party and felt a disconnect with the experience? Have you ever had to hobble across campus drunk, still lonely? “Back and Forth” is the narrative lived-in experience of someone who’s going through that. The lyrics portray some kind of lively night life paired together with an energetic instrumental. This is contrasted with deadpan vocals that interject the narrator’s own thoughts that contradict the song’s atmosphere.
I remember waking in the middle of the night to this song playing, and it just evoked everything I had been feeling lately. There’s a rhythmic pulse that conjures emotions that can backdrop anything from the palette of experiences you’ll have. The song is very repetitive yet uplifting. The lyric “We will always be a light” is repeated in the song so many times it ends up becoming a mantra that’s able to get you through an experience.
Emily Beebe
1. “A Place In This World” by Taylor Swift
2.“Mr. Brightside” by The Killers
3. “Vienna” by Billy Joel
Starting college is a big step and may be something students are nervous about, especially if they are coming from a different state. Being a college student is also one step closer to adulthood. “A Place In This World” is the perfect song for students who may have anxiety about navigating college or may be unsure of what they want to do in life.
One of the best parts of college, when the weather gets a little warmer, is going for night drives with friends. “Mr. Brightside” is an anthem that students can drive to with the windows down on a cool fall evening and scream the lyrics. This is also a classic college party song that is frequently played.
Sometimes in college, students may be stressed or worried about what they want to do post graduation and figuring life out. “Vienna” is a song that reminds students to slow down and enjoy life instead of worrying about what is going to happen in the real world post-college. After all, we’re still figuring life out and that is OK.
Zach Mueller
1.“Kilby Girl” by the Backseat Lovers
- “Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- “Pyramids” by Frank Ocean
Whether you’re hanging out in a friend’s dorm or going to a small houseparty, “Kilby Girl” plays. With its lyrics, this song blends common themes among college students, such as brief romances and exploring one’s youth. Slowly, this song has become a crucial track for local college bands and students alike.
One popular event among college students is Halloweekend, an extended spooky weekend, the closest one to Halloween, filled with parties and fall activities. As you try to recall which party you’re at, the A-Trak remix of “Heads Will Roll” mixed by the DJ will come to mind; a staple song for a staple event at all colleges.
Beyond the usual routine of going to class and coming back to your dorm, sometimes you’ll spontaneously venture out at night with your friends. During these trips, “Pyramids” comes on in the rotation of songs, featuring a synth lead and a dream-like tempo change that capsulates an idea; you’re finally independent from your past and free to explore the world.
Totus Tuus Keely
- “Day and Age” by Julian Lage
- “Walking Song” by Birdtalker
- “Beauty of Gray” by Live
“Day and Age” acts as a metaphor for each day in college. The song is very repetitive, occasionally venturing on a different path, but eventually finding a way to return. Each path causes the listener to reminisce about previous adventures.
“Walking Song” runs on the idea of finding yourself in every environment. College offers an expansive amount of experiences that may not be offered elsewhere. The experiences can be nerve-wracking but sometimes you “can’t feel the breeze without taking off,” as mentioned in the song.
Everyone in college comes from a diverse background, but we are all united through the shared college experiences and want to graduate. This shared experience is what the gray is in “Beauty of Gray.” This song emphasizes how we should look for the beauty even within things that aren’t vibrant, and how the similarities in everyone need to be found and embraced.
