Students reflect on the power of a song.

Students in an Intro to Media and Communication class were studying the evolution of radio and recorded music and were asked to write about a song that had a truly special meaning to them. 

‘My hero’

Cranberry juice and ginger ale fill the shelves of our refrigerator. 

I’ve grown accustomed to the sticky residue from when the lid leaks because, for the past 1,622 days, the red-ringed stains have served as a reminder of resilience. 

I count in days because at any time preceding Oct. 3, 2020, I thought it could be the last day I’d be able to spend with my dad. 

Cranberry juice wasn’t always a staple in our house. 

Bulky 24-packs of whatever beer was on sale sat next to my Capri-suns on the bottom shelf. 

The turnaround time for 12 cans dwarfed my allotment of one pouch a day. I grew out of juice boxes, but the cases of Coors remained until I was in eighth grade. 

I still don’t know what the breaking point was for my dad, nor do I care. 

But I do remember riding shotgun in my dad’s truck while “My Hero” by the Foo Fighters blared out of the speakers. 

There wasn’t a beer in his cup holder. 

This time, a tumbler with ice, soda, and cranberry juice sat comfortably in his hand. 

“This song will always be about you and your sister,” he said in a wavering voice. 

Whenever I hear the beginning drum solo and accompanying guitar, I can immediately remember my hair battling the wind from the open windows of my dad’s truck. 

I can see his eyes glistening with pride. 

I can smell the now all-too-familiar cranberry juice in his cup. 

– Reilly Marsden

‘Persephone’

A song that means a lot to me is “Persephone” by The Tragic Thrills. This song really provokes my emotions. I started listening to this song when I was in middle school. At that time, I was going through a lot of emotional and physical trauma in my family. 

When I listen to this song it resurfaces some of those bad memories but also brings me a sense of comfort and closure. I used to listen to this song in hopes things would change. Even though the lyrics portray nothing of what was going on, it was a song that made me feel like I could feel something. 

Now when I listen to the song, I reflect on how far I’ve made it since then, all the things I’ve done with my life to benefit myself. It’s inspiring to see my perseverance through some of the worst events in my entire life.

“Persephone” is also a song that makes me feel pretty. Aside from all the negative emotions I tie to the song, I imagine myself as the subject of the song. From my understanding, this song was written about a girl who the writer really admires. He describes this person as beautiful, sweet, soft and cherished. I like to imagine myself as those things and I like to believe that I’ve evolved into that person since I started listening to this song.

– Ari Cartwright

‘Three Little Birds’

When I think of nostalgia, my mind always goes back to one song. 

That song is “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley and the Wailers. I think of this song because of my dad. 

When we would go on family vacations when I was young, my dad would force my siblings and I to listen to his music, and even though I tried hard not to enjoy it, I eventually knew every word. 

I liked to pretend I hated his music, but that was never the case. This song was one he played repeatedly, and it became tradition to listen to it as we drove around the towns of Maine.

In my dad’s car, he kept lots of CDs (probably still does) and I always secretly wanted him to play Bob Marley, and he always did. 

I now have a very fond love of Bob Marley’s music, especially in the summertime. Whenever I listen to “Three Little Birds,” a wave of nostalgia and core memories with my dad hit me.

-Renae Gamari

For me, like many others, music is a solitude of happiness, grief, anger, and any other emotion I may be feeling. Music represents so many memories in my life. I cannot put into words how important it is, especially individual songs. When I heard this was an assignment about music, I was extremely eager. 

‘Simple Man’ 

Growing up, this was a song my mom would play for me quite literally every single day. I hated this song with an absolute passion. It was like a cycle, and I couldn’t stand the song. But this all changed just this year. Being a senior in high school, my time with peers I’ve grown up with my entire life is winding down, and I will be an adult needing to pave my own path. 

The lyrics of this song resonate with me because they hold the expectations I have for myself. Specifically, the line, “be something you love and understand.” 

Whenever I hear this song, it never gets skipped. I always think about my mom and not disappointing her or myself. It also has a sweet guitar solo that always gives me butterflies for some reason. 

‘Cats in the Cradle’ 

I was debating on writing about this song. I felt the need to though because it represents the most difficult thing in my life. 

My parents have been divorced for quite some time now, and I missed out of growing up with my father in the house. I was around 10 or 11 when it happened, and at that age, I didn’t fully understand. My dad is still a huge piece of my life, but not the way I want him to be. 

This song is super difficult for me to listen to because it discusses the complex relationship between a father and son, but I always do listen. It not only represents the relationship I long for while my dad that I won’t ever get, but also highlights when I am a father, and the relationship I plan on having with my children. 

‘I’m Shipping Up to Boston’ 

This Dropkick Murpheys. song always ramps me up. 

My father and I have been season ticket members for the Boston Celtics for five years this season. My dad and I always joke about the miles we have done back and forth to Boston, but the time spent with him is something I will never forget. At first, the tickets were something I used for entertainment. 

I would always try to get autographs and see players and was just amazed by it all. Now, I still am amazed, but I now realize the time that I am spending with my dad is essential. The Celtics play this song before every game at tip-off. It was also played when the confetti fell when they won the championship last year, and experience I got to do with my dad-something I will never forget. 

This song represents happiness and a connection with my dad that may have been sacrificed when my parents split. 

Music is by far the most impactful piece of my life. There are so many songs and countless memories that I was forced to leave out of this paper. I recently have started to really appreciate music and tap into the emotions I feel listening. I think you can tell a lot about people listening to their playlist, and mine is decades long. 

-Ethan Haggerty