Ask 5: Our Lives Through Music

Music is a large part of people’s lives. It is more than rhythms, beats and lyrics; it conjures emotions and memories. Teachers and students throughout UHS were asked what song they would play to describe their life and how that song reflected and affected their lives.

Here’s what they had to say:

“If I had to choose one song to describe my life, it would be ‘Red Balloon’ by Charli XCX. The song is about appreciating life and letting go of your worries and troubles; my life has been one big lesson in letting go of your worries, I think,” said sophomore Terrian McGhee.

School librarian Charles Atteberry said, “I have nearly an hour’s drive each way for work so listening to music is definitely important to me. I’ve always enjoyed reading and thinking about the lyrics of songs and trying to take away deeper meanings where they exist. I was thinking that since I’m a big fan of the band Switchfoot, I would say the song of theirs which best relates to my life is the song, ‘Live It Well.’ The song reminds the listener that when you look at the big picture of life, it’s relatively short and we need to let that truth guide our lives and our choices. Pretty profound to me!”

“My song would probably be ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ by John Denver. That song has a huge part of my childhood and family bonding up to this point in my life,” saidsenior Olivia Hayes.

“The song would have to be ‘How Can I Keep From Singing.’ It is a song that students and I sing together on the Habitat for Humanity Club trip to the Mississippi Delta, so the song brings back fond memories of wonderful trips I’ve had, and the lyrics describe the importance of community and thinking of others and how that brings happiness and fulfillment, which is a sentiment that I agree with and that I strive to live. Plus it is just a beautiful song,” said Spanish teacher Zachary Sutton.

“Probably ‘Good Days’ by SZA because we gotta stay positive and always think about the good aspects of life,” said junior Noah Polk.

Music has meaning; it offers connection and brings life and positivity check out some of the songs people at UHS uses to describe their lives!