Prologue: Middle School | “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga

Middle school me had no idea what he was doing, if I am being perfectly honest. However, I knew one thing for sure. I was a sucker for anything Lady Gaga related. I watched all of her performances, listened to all her songs, and then bought them all on my iPod nano. I also remember vividly that “Poker Face” was my definite favorite. I could somewhat get down to “Just Dance”, but it did not have the same effect on me that “Poker Face” had. Thirteen-year-old me thoroughly believed that “when it’s love, if it’s not rough, it isn't fun.”

Chapter One: Freshman Year (September - December) | “Popular” from Wicked

Freshman year was when I began my career as a musical theatre major. But before this, I had no experience in theatre and had hardly seen or listened to any musicals. With that on my conscience, my best friend at the time forced me to listen to several Broadway soundtracks, including the one of Wicked.For some reason, I instantly gravitated toward “Popular” which is one of G(a)linda’s solos in the show. Something about how upbeat and dainty it was just caught my interest. I have very much moved on from this song, but it still holds a bright pink place in my heart.

Chapter Two: Freshman Year (January - June) | “The Devil Within” by The Digital Daggers

All the while, I was (and still am) obsessed with the television show “Pretty Little Liars.” I loved everything from the characters, the plot, and the ships. When I started watching, seasons one and two were on Netflix, season three had just ended, and everyone was dying for season four. When season four was finally set to air, my mom and I were PUMPED. The end of season four episode one brought us this amazing song. The lyrics and melody of this song are just so haunting. It is probably the most “Pretty Little Liars” type of song besides the theme song. (Fun Fact: it also inspired all of my mystery stories at the time).

Chapter Three: Sophomore Year (September - December) | “Let It Go” from Frozen

For some reason, I felt a bit more isolated in my sophomore year. I would definitely say freshman year was a LOT worse, but the beginning of sophomore year had me resonating with Elsa from “Frozen”. I quickly fell in love with the melody and lyrics, and old me loved that Idina Menzel was behind the voice. Soon enough, I began to truly feel the lyrics of the song and thought that I was Elsa in real life. However, I soon learned to let it go.

Chapter Four: Sophomore Year (January - June) | “The Phantom of the Opera” from The Phantom of the Opera

At age seven, I first saw "The Phantom of the Opera." I was TERRIFIED. I hated everything about it, from the music, all the way to the Phantom himself. However, toward the middle of freshman year, I began to listen to the show again, in the hopes that I would soon get over this fear. I started to, but it took time. By sophomore year, I was a complete phan. I loved(and love) everything about this show, and sing it every day. The title song instantly had me hooked, and I would always find myself acting as Christine venturing into the Phantom’s lair. Do this day, "Phantom" still has a heavy influence on my life. (Just check my bio). (Or my Instagram bio). (And I’m seeing it for the eighth time in less than a week).

Chapter Five: Junior Year (September - December) | “Bang Bang” by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj

Junior year was when I finally, and fully, came into myself. I truly knew who I was, and what I wanted to do. This gave me a new sense of confidence that I did not have before. This confidence found it’s vocal manifestation in this popular 2014 hit. Junior year me would proudly belt, “she might’ve let you hold her hand in school, but I’mma show you how to graduate”. *shrugs*

Chapter Six: Junior Year (September - December) | “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis

The end of junior year and my jump into senior year, brought me into a state of nostalgia. Leona Lewis had been a queen back in the late 2000’s, and somehow she came right back into my life. Truthfully, I found no relation to the lyrics or meaning of the song, but everything about the melody and her voice was KILLING IT for me. (Not going to lie, this song is still on my driving and showering playlist).

Chapter Seven: Senior Year (September - December) | “Side to Side” by Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj

The beginning of senior year saw me driving to school and back every day with my friend. We had a bunch of playlists made for our different moods, but my personal favorite was title "B.A.B.," which gracefully stood for "Boss Ass Bitch." My favorite song on this playlist was very obvious, as my two queens at the time, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, had come together to create this beautiful masterpiece. To this day, I will still proudly sing this powerful anthem about riding a nice “dick bicycle.”

Chapter Eight: Senior Year (January - June) | “Think of Me” from The Phantom of the Opera

"The Phantom of the Opera," as mentioned before, never left my life. But senior year saw my focus shifting to Christine’s first solo in the show, which suddenly began to resonate heavily with me. Watching, and listening, to Christine blossom from the shy girl to the beautiful star that she was, is something that I just find so much beauty and joy in. I was even able to perform this song at my school’s showcase in January. I guess you can say that I’m Christine Daae af. To this day, "Think of Me" is my go to song for everything. (P.S. if anyone wants to hear me sing it, just search "Owen McGonigle" on YouTube).

So let this be a shoutout to all of these songs. Thank you for making me who I am now, and getting me through a red light every now and then. Thanks.