As is the case with many people, music made me who I am today. It’s made me laugh and cry, and sometimes both at once. It’s inspired me ever since I could pick up a tune. It’s helped me write. It’s been my friend more times than I can count. So here’s to the songs that will always have a special place in my heart.

10. "Leave Your Lover" – Sam Smith

This is a song that I fell in love with recently. Sam Smith is one of those singers that can immediately put me into a trance. This particular song I can relate to. Like him, I’ve pined after someone I couldn’t have – whether it be due to their relationship status, sexuality, or lack of interest in me – and it was agonizing. We’ve both struggled with telling the object of our affection how we feel. Also, Sam Smith just writes gorgeous lyrics and delivers them flawlessly, with a voice I can hardly believe comes from someone my age.

9. "Carolyn" – Black Veil Brides

I was introduced to this band by a high school orchestra friend some years ago. If I remember correctly, this was the second song of theirs I ever listened to (the first being “The Mortician’s Daughter”). The simple lyrics and melody so infected my ears that this song played on repeat for weeks, even in my head when I wasn’t actually listening to it.

8. "It’s Time" – Imagine Dragons

This song reminds me of my dad, who calls it his theme song. An incredibly unique person, he’s never been one to let people change him. It took him a while, and I’m immensely proud of him for staying exactly how he is, the way he wants to be.

7. "So Far Away" – Avenged Sevenfold

This song always ends with me breaking down in tears. I dedicate this song to the people and pets that I love dearly that are no longer with us, and whom I miss every day. Avenged Sevenfold’s drummer, Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan, passed away in December of 2010, and his close friend and bandmate penned this song to remember him by. (As a side note, hearing this song played live is an indescribable experience.)

6. "The A-Team" – Ed Sheeran

Many who know me know that Ed Sheeran is one of my absolute favorite musical artists. I heard this song on the radio a few years ago and was immediately captivated, which sparked my eventual adoration for his music. I loved this song so much that I purchased the album it was on (titled "+"), and the entire thing was pure gold.

5. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" – Billy Joel

I was raised on the music of Billy Joel, my mother’s favorite artist, and by now I know this song, along with many others, by heart and can sing it with passion whenever I hear it. This is just a fun song to jam to on road trips with my mom, a spectacular lady with a heart of gold. This song brings back a multitude of happy memories associated with her.

4. "Sunshine on My Shoulders" – John Denver

My parents dedicated this song to me when I was born, and they still maintain that this song is perfect for our relationship. They’ve always been, and still are, huge fans of John Denver’s music. Besides Billy Joel, his was the music I was raised on and will never forget. This is just a gorgeous song.

3. "She Will Be Loved" – Maroon 5

This song has very personal meaning to me. I spent some of my teenage years (not that it was that long ago) craving a relationship like the one that the singer is promising to this lonely girl. I would often put myself in her place; I identified with this unnamed girl. We both “had trouble with” ourselves and needed someone to help us up. Needless to say, this song has always held a special place in my heart.

2. "Move Along" – The All-American Rejects

This is another personal pick for me. I chose this song as my absolute favorite for a sixth-grade presentation. Some of the hardest years of my life occurred when I was in middle school, and this song was one of the only things (in addition to my spectacularly supportive family and friends) that could pick me up and feel like I meant something again.

1. "Never Too Late" – Three Days Grace

This is, without a doubt, my favorite song of all time. I never knew why until I had friends struggling with some of the same feelings expressed in this song, and I didn’t know how to help them. Then it just resonated with me, and it still does. My other favorite songs change by the day, but this one will always be at the top of the list.