I am living with a music addiction, but I am a survivor. These are my confessions. Proceed with caution.

1. I base where I do my grocery shopping on the stores’ playlists. We all love target, but is it really worth a mediocre shopping experience bereft of any background music? Harvey’s might have the best prices, but do I really want to hear Reba McEntire whine about her broken heart while I decide between rocky road and mint chocolate chip? Sounded like she could definitely use a scoop or two… Publix usually had a mix of solid throwbacks. It was a pretty wide variety of the stuff you and your mom could probably jam to: The Cranberries, Goo Goo Dolls, maybe a little Michael Jackson or even Adele.
2. I’m always thinking, “what song would make this really cool moment even ~more~ cool?” Because a perfectionist is never content, I s’pose. I can’t even walk to class and soak in the perfect weather without thinking about U2’s “Beautiful Day” (Sturch’s cover wasn’t too shabby, either). When I’m adding another set of reps at the gym, I have to play “Eye of the Tiger”. I can almost hear you judging me for that one. “Teenage Dirtbag” would’ve been undeniably fitting after an attempt at a subtle jaywalk landed me in the wayward glare of a responsible adult or two this morning.
3. I’m borderline incapable of showering without queueing at least 15 songs on spotify. I probably won’t be in there for an hour, but, you know, just in case. Most of the songs have probably been stuck in my head all day, and more than likely will include some Red Hot Chili Peppers. Has there ever been a bassist as iconic as Flea? I usually shoot for an even ratio of throwbacks, rock, R&B, folk/Americana, and EDM. I can’t discriminate between genres! If you think jumping right into Breaking Benjamin after a couple Flume songs seems like a weird transition, you should stop thinking like that. If you’re already calling me mental, just wait.
4. Asking someone’s favorite music genre is mandatory small talk. Let’s not waste breath on the weather. If I had a dollar for every time someone struck up a conversation with a complaint about how humid or cloudy it is, I’d be at a House of Lions concert instead of writing this article. Hearing about someone’s music taste is pretty cool, because each person’s is a bit unique and could hint at characteristics or interests they might have. I am careful not to stereotype, though. Blake Shelton fans don’t always drive lifted trucks and go bogging every afternoon. Kids who love My Chemical Romance and Pierce the Veil aren’t always donning circulation-restricting ripped jeans or massive gauges.
5. I’m constantly scanning my surroundings for the aux chord. It might be a problem. After hopping into anyone’s car, I always find myself immediately trying to figure out if they use a chord, Bluetooth, or just the radio. If it’s the latter, I’ll either accept defeat after realizing it’s just local stations, or request the channel number of a certain station on sirius xm. My friends know exactly where I’ve disappeared to at the frat parties. Sometimes the guy in charge of the playlist will try and hide behind a banner or in some dark corner to avoid girls like me… Sorry, you’ve got to try a little harder! I just want to hear a little Bowling for Soup to break up all the Migos and Young Thug. If I’m feeling generous, I’ll ask for “Mr. Brightside”. After a couple drinks any girl there will happily belt out every word.

I would like to thank my friends for supporting me in the face of my addiction. I would also like to thank my parents for enabling me by asking for music recommendations, because not all junkies need to be fixed. ;)