Here is a non-exhaustive list of songs to get you through the left over feelings of ennui and angst from your four year sentence in the proverbial prison that was high school. (In a non-specific order).
This is a Spotify playlist for all of the people who have Spotify and don't want to click a lot.
Oxford Comma by Vampire Weekend
It's the beginning Autumn. The leaves are just starting to dust the sidewalks, you've got a book bag full of brand new school supplies, and you haven't been completely worn out by the day-to-day of high school hallways yet. You're excited, even.
It's the feeling of the first day of school, it's rare and illusive: pure excitement. This song pretty much captures that feeling, the feeling of fall... and school.
Young Folks by Peter, Bjorn, and John.
So, you know the feeling you get when you wake up one morning and the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and everything is good? You're awake, and well-rested, and ready for the day ahead of you. You just have a little bit more of a skip in your walk, everything is good.
Electric Feel by MGMT
It's late at night, you're up late working on that paper that's due tomorrow. It's that period of time where you're almost too tired to see straight, but not tired enough to stop working... The period of time when you're up dancing around your bedroom pretending that the paper you're supposed to be writing has completely written itself.
Chamber of Reflection by Mac Demarco
How many nights did you spend lying on your floor, just staring at the ceiling. I bet you felt horribly misunderstood. This song is the epitome of the feeling of getting dumped before prom night, but cooler.
Everything Is Embarassing by Sky Ferreria
Close your eyes and think about all of those times you got bad grades on quizzes/tests you studied really really hard for.
"...And now we're hanging on by a heartbeat
You know I'm trying, I was always trying..."
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard by Paul Simon
MONTAGE SONG. Just sit back, let the nostalgia kick in. Let it wash over you, appreciate the sweet feeling of knowing that high school is behind you. The wonder years, the awkward time, that four year feeling of “ugh”, it’s all over.
“I’m on my way, I don’t know where I’m goin’” Perfection.
Someday by The Strokes
Here's the song that's playing as you're getting your learner's permit. Waiting in the DMV, staring at the test... All of those signs... all of those signs... This is the song that's playing during the montage, you know the one that ends with you driving off into the sunset (accompanied by a licensed adult aged 21 or over).
Hey Hey Girl by The Virgins
Now, this song characterizes everything that your high school career (probably) wasn't. However, it's got the audible aesthetic of sitting outside a 7-11 at 11pm, waiting on your mother to come pick you up after a movie that was showing just late enough to feel cool, but not too late to break curfew.
We all expected for our high school years to be filled with partying and more experiences, and most of us (I assume).
Come on Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners
This is the song. The song we all wished we could've gotten a chance to dance to at one of those high school dances. You know the ones like in the movies? Where the gym is covered in streamers and balloons and it's nearly iridescent? Just sit back, and pretend like you had your moment.
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now by The Smiths
How can a song list of this nature be complete without Morrissey? I had to save the best for last. This song is the epitome of high school. This one goes out to all my misunderstood Lindsay Weir (from Freaks and Geeks) types. All of the people who felt miserable and confused by the state of their own teenage existence.
A few lyrics:
"...In my life, why do I smile at people who I'd much rather kick in the eye?..."
"...Two lovers entwined, pass me by, and Heaven knows I'm miserable now..."
Just golden.
Sometimes you just have to dive headfirst into the pool of angsty nostalgia, and that's okay.
