Not gonna lie, as a freshman, I walked on campus wondering where all the singing was. I wondered why people weren’t performing large choreographed numbers and why the basketball player wasn’t dating the school nerd superstar. As the wildly naive and innocent freshman, I wondered where the parties were, with all the beer and the drugs and the emotional roller coaster that was finding oneself. And throughout it all I expected to find the one, the high school sweetheart that I would marry and have 2.4 children with and buy 1.2 cars.
As you probably can tell, I would go on to be thoroughly disappointed at what was to come. But I’ve come to appreciate TCHS as it is: the show created and directed by Ms. King and her assistants, stage and lighting with the help of Dragonflicks and the cast—all of us here living our boring (or not, the choice is yours) daily lives.
The media paints a pretty picture of what high school is supposed to look like, and although the pictures are highly idealistic yet not realistic, we still try and achieve those #goals. What was to come is what I’d like to call my very own high school musical and this is my soundtrack:
High School Musical Cast – “Start of Something New”
I’m pretty sure I listened to this song at least five times the night before my first day of school. Actually I think I spent that time trying to color all my pictures for “Great Expectations” and glueing them into my notebook, which I think is an ironic book title for what my high school career was to be like. Anyway, the song depicts Troy and Gabriella’s first meeting and how their love was to blossom, but the song also encourages us to try something new and that “anything can happen if you take a chance.”
Porter Robinson – “Flicker”
Okay to be honest, I really only wanted to put this song here because I love it so much, but it won’t get published unless I justify it so here goes. This song is basically Japanese EDM made by an American DJ and to me it represents every foreign culture I’ve consumed these past years. From anime to Kpop to Spanish Disney songs, I’ve been really into pop culture around globe. I won’t be obsessive and put EXO, B.A.P. or Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in this playlist, but I’d like to think of it as beginning to appreciate what different people can bring to the table and letting everything become a global conversation.
Girls Generation – “Gee”
You know, I only briefly looked up the literal translation of this once and I vaguely remember it being about the girls’ first loves or like meeting someone for the first time or something. However in my mind, it’s about SNSD singing about the virtues of the letter G, much like Sesame Street. This fun and upbeat song is, as many of you might know, a throwback to Mr. TC. Mr. TC is something that freshman Andrew would have scoffed at, but something that senior Andrew has come to enjoy. I used to be a #hater but I’ve learned that it’s okay to make a fool of yourself, to be embarrassed and to let others laugh at your expense. It’s okay to look stupid sometimes and it’s definitely okay to not be perfect 24/7. As advice to everyone, no matter what grade, try something new, something you could never imagine yourself doing, and enjoy it, no matter if you succeed or not.
Owl City – “Verge” ft. Aloe Blacc
I wanted to feature this song because holy cow, Owl City has new music! This song tells us that “these are our hours / this is our time / out on the verge of the rest of our lives.” Although not exactly a “Young, Wild and Free,” the sentiment is still there. This is our year, our youth and our time to do what we want. Don’t forget to preorder “Mobile Orchestra,” available July 10th.
Taylor Swift – “Stay Beautiful”
As a Swiftie, I couldn’t /not/ put a Slaylor Swift song in my goodbye playlist. This song is for all the friends I’ve made these past 13 years. For those that have stayed with me since preschool to those I only met this year, I’m proud to call you all my #fam #squad #loml. The fact that I’ve gotten so close to so many of y’all makes me sad that I’ll be going to school so far away. However, that just makes me cherish each memory that much more. I want y’all to remember that “you’re beautiful, every little piece, love[s]”. I’ll miss you all and you better hit me up when I’m back for breaks. XOXO