As someone who was raised in a household with a family Apple Music membership and no restrictions on the songs I listened to, music has always been an essential part of my life and my identity. When I was young, I would listen to whatever songs my mom had saved to her playlists. Shake It Off by Taylor Swift and Truth Hurts by Lizzo were commonly on repeat in my bedroom. But as I got older, my taste in music changed and evolved. It was no longer connected to whatever songs were played in my mother’s workout class. It was connected to me and my personality.
The pandemic was rough for me; I struggled with isolation and its effects on my mental health. Despite this, I found comfort in the songs that I listened to. Songs with lyrics that described what I was feeling and artists who have backstories and struggles similar to mine. Through those artists, I found communities of people who listen to music for the same reasons as me, some of whom became my closest friends.
Music’s impact extends beyond its effects on me. Cleo Segall, an Evanston Township High School freshman, talks about her experience with music. She explains that her love for music stems from similarities between the songs and her feelings. Segall says, “I feel like for Olivia’s songs, she has songs for every mood, especially as a teenage girl.” Segall also mentions that she connects with many songs about not wanting to grow up and how frightening that can be, especially during the transition from middle school to high school.
Segall talks about the music she heard growing up and how they’ve become nostalgic and reminiscent of her relationships from her childhood. She states, “I just have a lot of memories of driving places with him. It didn’t matter if the car ride was five minutes or three hours, all he would play was The Beatles. So I have a lot of love for The Beatles because he loves them so much.”
But beyond personal experiences, music greatly impacts broader culture as well. The Grammys, also known as the yearly awards for music artists, get millions of American viewers yearly. According to Variety magazine, the 2024 Grammys had an average of 16.9 million viewers. Everyone remembers when the Swifties broke Ticketmaster. Most people pay attention to the songs at the top of the charts and the artists with the most streams on Spotify.
Music is as ubiquitous in my life as it is in society. It’s constantly in the background of my life. Whether I’m doing homework, sleeping, working out, studying, getting ready for the day, and more, music is playing. I also constantly hunt for concert tickets, whether it means I have to save for them or convince my parents to buy them for me instead. I see edits of my favorite artists on TikTok. I hear updates on them via Instagram. The lyrics I connect to are promptly screenshotted and saved to my camera roll. I recommend songs to my close friends frequently, then force them to listen if all else fails (sorry guys, thanks for putting up with me).
Music is integral to my life, and it is equally important for many other teenagers because we find ways to connect and associate with it. Whether you’re into pop, rap, alternative, classical, country, or any other genre, there is no doubt that music connects us all.
