What makes an iPod so personal? Out of all the strangers on the street bobbing their heads and mouthing lyrics, which songs make their lists so special?

Junior chemistry major Robert Kern insists there is no real theme to the songs on his iPod. When asked to describe his tastes, the musician took a moment and confided the majority of his tunes belonged to the heavy metal/hard rock family. He was unable to commit to only one type.

“[I listen to] everything from hard core metal bands to John Mayer and The Killers,” Kern said. This list includes his favorites among the four days worth of music featured in his ultimate collection of portable entertainment.

1. “Memory” – Dead to Fall

“I can relate to the lyric ‘everything I touch falls to pieces.’”

2. “Forever” – As I Lay Dying

“It’s sort of like a metal love song. The ways they play the instruments are really good.”

3. “Cold” – At the Gates

“This is just an all around great song and the album’s like 10 years old.”

4. “Mad World” – Evergreen Terrace

“This is a Tears for Fears cover. It’s an interesting twist on the classic.”

5. “Setting Fire to Sleeping Giants” – The Dillinger Escape Plan

“I like the effects and overall feel of the song. [It’s like] schizophrenic but in a good way.”

6. “Three Point One Four” – Bloodhound Gang

“It’s just a really funny song. It’s a throw off from metal to fun. Kind of like eating ginger when you’re eating sushi.”

7. “Sell ‘Em All” – HeWhoCorrupts

“It’s a very fast and intense song. Very straight and to the point. It’s one minute and thirty seconds long. One of their longer tracks.”

8. “Maudlin” – A Life Once Lost

Kern has an appreciation for the bass and drum parts in this song. “They’re the instruments I play.”

9. “Miasma” – The Black Dahlia Murder

“Just a pure, straight-up metal song.”

10. “Zero” – The Smashing Pumpkins

This was an easy choice for this iPod user. “You can’t grow up in Chicago and not like The Smashing Pumpkins.”

11. “Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond

“It’s just a great karaoke song.”

12. “Layla” – Eric Clapton

“[Clapton is just a] great guitar player.”

13. “Until Morale Improves the Beatings Will Continue” – Murder By Death

“Despite the name, it’s just a mellow sounding band. Good music to relax to.”

14. “Hysteria” – Muse

“The whole bass part thing in that song. I really like that one.”

15. “Just Like Heaven” – Goldfinger

“It’s a cover of a Cure song. Thought they did a really good job with it.”

When asked to contribute one last title to his ultimate play list, Kern grinned. He asked if picking music from his own band, Fetal Yeast Infection (FYI), was okay. After all, there is nothing like seizing a moment with innocent self-promotion.

16. “I Ran Over Your Dog With My Big Wheel” – Fetal Yeast Infection