Senior Soundtrack: Three seniors explain the song they submitted to the Legendary Senior Playlist

At the beginning of the school year, Senior Brennan Montalbano embarked on a mission to create a playlist that would encapsulate the spirit of the 2023 senior class. The result was the Legendary Playlist: a compilation of songs submitted by his peers that would serve as a lasting memory of their high school experience.

The idea behind the playlist was simple — each senior could submit one song to a Google Form as their contribution. The genres were open, and the only rules were that the song couldn’t be changed once submitted and no two songs could be the same.

131 seniors submitted to the playlist, but these three seniors submitted their song with a true purpose.

Despite being written over two decades ago, senior Delaney McDermed believes that  “Cherub Rock” by the Smashing Pumpkins has an energy and message that has stood the test of time.

This song is more than just a catchy tune. McDermed views it as a reflection of the challenges she faced throughout high school. The lyrics, although not written with her and other high schoolers in mind, describe her search for identity and a sense of belonging.

“I know that life can be tough, but ‘Cherub Rock’ reminds me to keep pushing forward,” McDermed said. “It’s a song that’s always been there for me, and I know it always will be.”

McDermed connects lyrics like “Freak out and give in” to the desire for high school students to follow the crowd and fit in. The driving guitar riffs and pounding drums create an energy that she finds infectious. 

“It’s amazing how a song written decades ago can still resonate with me so deeply,” McDermed said. “The themes of disillusionment and searching for meaning in life are universal and relatable.”

At first listen, “Alrighty Aphrodite” by Peach Pit might sound like just any other catchy indie-pop song, but for senior Ava Black, the track represents something much deeper.

“It’s the kind of song that just fits every moment,” Black said. “Whether I’m studying for exams or driving around town with my friends, it just works.”

The song is all about navigating the complexities of relationships and growing up, according to Black. She finds the song to be something all high schoolers can relate to.

She connects “Alrighty Aphrodite” to highs, her choir class, and lows — stress of AP and honors courses — throughout her high school experience. The song’s bittersweet lyrics serve as a reminder that youth is fleeting and life is full of surprises.

“I think we all have moments where we feel great and other moments where we feel like everything is falling apart,” Black said. “And this song just captures that rollercoaster of emotions.”

As she looks to the future, Black is both hopeful and apprehensive. For now, though, Black is content to listen to “Alrighty Aphrodite” on repeat, savoring every note and every lyric. 

“It’s a song that just makes me feel alive,” Black said. “I know I’ll always associate this song with this time in my life.”

Senior Tommy Marx was confident that his submission “Hearts Have Turned to Stone” by Leon Russell and Elton John is the song to perfectly depict being a high school senior.

The uncertainty, the fear, the search for identity — it was all there in the lyrics. As he listened to the song, he felt like someone else understood what he was going through. It gave him a sense of comfort and validation.

As college application season approached, he felt the weight of the real world bearing down on him. “Hearts Have Turned to Stone” became an anthem for Marx as he navigated through these questions. Whenever he felt lost or overwhelmed, the lyrics in this song reminded him that he wasn’t alone.

But as he listened to “Hearts Have Turned to Stone” on repeat, something shifted. He began to realize that uncertainty is a natural part of the journey, that it’s OK not to have all the answers. He started to embrace the idea of exploring different paths, of taking risks and seeing where they led.

“I think everyone can relate to feeling unsure,” Marx said. “This song made me realize it’s OK to be undecided about the future.”