Graduation season is charging towards all college seniors like a battering ram.
(Get it? Ram?) Anyway.
Four years does not feel as long as it should. It feels like last week when I was listening to “Rivers and Roads” the day before my high school graduation — now I am trying on commencement dresses for May.
When I started this column, I hoped that people would feel the same passion for music that I do. Music has gotten me through some of the toughest challenges of my life. And because I’m dramatic, I always feel the need to have a list of songs to soundtrack what I am going through. Meticulously made playlists for very niche feelings, places and people is my bread and butter. As my final chapter at Suffolk comes to a close and I say goodbye to my treasured column, I wanted to end things with my readers by giving some recommendations on some great chapter-closing songs. If you’re journaling about the impending doom or happiness about graduation and need a good cry, these recommendations might be perfect for you.
The most basic but still classic graduation song is “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. The intimate guitar picking pattern partnered with Stevie Nicks’ vocals makes this song so nostalgic. This song always reminds me of my relationship with my sister, Ava, and I cannot wait to see her face as I cross the commencement stage. “Landslide” is a simple reminder that change is scary, especially when you have been living somewhere for a long time in comfort. But getting older and moving on is a sign that you are living a life well lived, and there is still a whole bright future ahead.
Another classic is “Slipping Through My Fingers” by ABBA. This is a song for the people who are moving away from home after school and starting somewhere brand new. Life goes by fast, and sometimes you don’t realize that the last time you might live with your parents will be the day before you move to college. “Slipping Through My Fingers” always reminds me of my mom, and how no one can control how fast life is going. It’s also a reminder of how these past four years have absolutely flown by. The months, especially in the winter, feel long and dreadful. Countless assignments and projects have kept me up more nights than I can count. But that’s all ending before I fully accepted that it even started.
“Sometimes, I wish that I could freeze the picture / And save it from the funny tricks of time / Slipping through my fingers,” ABBA sings.
On a more positive note, “Good Days” by SZA makes me think of all of the wonderful memories Suffolk has given me: 10-hour scorching hot days during summer orientation, belly laughs in Smith Hall room 1132 and late-night dance rehearsals. In between all of the sad songs, “Good Days” sparks a slideshow in my head of all of the most cherished memories from the past four years.
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John is such a bittersweet goodbye song. John’s angelic vocals move me in a way that I can’t even comprehend. This song reminds me of my dad, who is just as big a Suffolk fan as I am. He is probably going to miss the Suffolk community more than I will.
For all of the people crossing state or country lines after college, listen to “You’re Gonna Go Far” by Noah Kahan. Extra points if it’s the one featuring Brandi Carlisle. And extra extra points if you are from New England moving somewhere far. When I see Kahan this upcoming July and he plays this song, I’m not entirely convinced I’m going to survive. He paints such a wonderful story about going far to achieve your dreams. No matter how far you go, your family, friends and hometown will stay the same. And it’ll all be waiting for you when you’re ready to go back.
“The birds will still sing, your folks will still fight / The boards will still creak, the leaves will still die / We ain’t angry at you, love / We’ll be waitin’ for you, love / And we’ll all be here forever,” Kahan sings.
And finally, the most classic and borderline cliché graduation song is “Vienna” by Billy Joel. This song has been a lovely reminder for me as graduation approaches. Trying to get ahead of myself in my plans and what the future holds for me is holding me back from living in the moment. I have less than a month left at Suffolk, and it’s hard not to spiral about post-graduation plans. But I have my whole life to live and work, but I only get this next month once. It’s OK to slow down and realize, life will wait for you once you’re ready.
“Slow down, you’re doin’ fine / You can’t be everything you wanna be before your time … / Too bad, but it’s the life you lead / You’re so ahead of yourself, that you forgot what you need,” Joel sings.
I hope some of these recommendations are helpful for my seniors, and congratulations! For all those who are graduating soon and are moving on to work, get another degree, or for the people like me who have no idea what is in store: You are exactly where you’re supposed to be. And you’re going to shine in whatever you choose to do.
Keep listening to music, playing instruments, spreading love and kindness. Dive too deep into lyrics, strumming patterns and production styles. Listen to new artists. You never know what kind of musicians you’ll find out there until you look. This column has been such a wonderful outlet for me to nerd out about music for the past two years, and I’ve loved every minute. It’s been a pleasure listening to music with you.
