Everyone has certain songs that perfectly describe events in their life and the many emotions, struggles, and joys of growing up. For me, almost all these songs are written by the same artist: an ex-high school teacher who attended the University of Georgia himself. I wouldn't exactly call him country, for there's a blend of blues, Americana, and indie that makes his sound unique from any artist I've found so far. Since he attended UGA, many of his songs have references to Athens, and a good number of people there already know who he is. In case you don't, though, or maybe you only know one or two songs, here's the lyrics that I relate to the most. These lyrics made Corey Smith such an important person to me throughout my high school years and as I continue college.
For every crush I've been too afraid to talk to...
Cause I loved her from a distance
Like an angel watching from afar
I never had the nerve to mention
The fire burning in my heart
I knew a boy like me never woulda stood a chance
So I did the best I could
And I loved her from a distance
He never gets the chance to dance with her at Homecoming, but in the end of "From A Distance" she ends up loving him too. This song always reminds me to not be such a baby, take chances, and not t0 leave myself with what-ifs.
For spring break...
Best friends in a pickup truck, we were Panama City bound
Eight hours in the back, wind blowin with the sun beatin down
Makin plans to raise some hell, celebratin our senior year
We had a trash bag full of cloths and a suitcase full of beers
A song about who you become on spring break. "If I Could Do it Again" was our theme song during high school spring breaks, and it always reminds me of the fun as well as some guilt, but never regrets.
For high school graduation...
This tassel is gonna turn
But when the moment passes by
We'll just walk away
Then slowly grow apart
"I'm Not Gonna Cry" captures my high school years like no other. It speaks of mountain roads, Friday night football, and first loves. It was my senior class song, and I've cried to it multiple times growing up: including on the way home from my last ballgame cheering and after we threw our caps on the big night.
For not acting my age...
When I was only seventeen, couldn't wait for twenty one
I'd hang around on Clayton Street in the bars there gettin' drunk
A baseball cap and a fake ID would get me in the clubs
Then I would dance with the college girls and lie about who I was
"Twenty-One" is a UGA student anthem. It's a song about the downtown scene and wishing we were older, and it even mentions Milledge and has a music video filmed in Athens. This one makes me love my college town even more and gets to me with a bittersweet ending.
For a great life motto...
Let's drink and be merry,
I'll laugh at you, you laugh at me,
Don't take it all so seriously,
It's only as bad as you think
Still my favorite lyrics of all time. I stress out about every little thing, and "8 Dollar Bottle of Wine" reminds me to calm down and enjoy the moment.
For knowing I eventually have to grow up...
Maybe next year, I'll start acting my age
Turn a new leaf over my wicked ways
Get a real job and start pullin' my weight
Only 365 days
Until I change my ways
This is almost everyone's plan. Sure, I know I have to settle down and grow up one day, but it's not necessary yet, so let's just wait a little while. "Maybe Next Year" is also a reminder that we can't be kids forever, and we have to be ready for the real world once it hits.
For knowing that your degree and job aren't the most important things in life..
Well I read a lot of books
You know I took a lot of class
Philosophy, Religion, Sociology
I'm a presidential scholar, I got a presidential seal
On the degree collecting dust down in the basement
"Silly" is about how wisdom doesn't come with age or even with a degree. We sometimes need to laugh at ourselves and enjoy life in the simplest way, as children do. Corey has a way of humanizing us all and looking at life from a very simple, laid-back perspective.
For UGA...
Just got my tickets in the mail
September's coming fast and I can hardly wait
They say these guys they might take us all the way
And if they do I'll be flying high
and there'll probably be a happy tear in my eye but rain or shine
I'll be yellin' go Dawgs from the 20 yard line
Just when he couldn't get any more relatable, there's a song about Georgia football. "Every Dawg" reminds me of how proud I am to be apart of the Dawg Nation, and he even sings "Glory, Glory" at the end. Perfection.
There are many more, but these are the lyrics that brought back the most memories and related to me the most. Anyone who grew up in the South should know Corey Smith's music and will probably feel the same way, especially UGA students. He captures the lifestyle perfectly and every time you listen to his songs, especially the ones that mention streets in Athens, the arches, or the Dawgs, it will keep bringing you back to the Classic City long after you graduate.
