Everyone has a favorite song — the one that they know every word to, that they constantly play on repeat and that feels like a part of who they are. But what is it about certain songs that resonates with people so deeply? Music has the power to evoke specific, intense emotions, even without using words.
“[I really like] ‘Adore’ by thekid.ACE,” Marcelo Andino (10) said. “It makes me feel very welcome and homey. The instrumental combined with what he’s saying form a harmony that helps convey those feelings.”
Music leaves a lasting impact. While memories fade and moments pass, songs can stay for a lifetime. They serve as a force of nostalgia taking listeners back to places, people or moments they had long forgotten about. For some, hearing an old hit song takes them back to being in the car with their mom, listening to the radio without a care in the world. For others, hearing the theme song to a TV show they used to watch takes them back to lazy childhood days, spent relaxing at home with their favorite show on.
“[I really like] ‘Dog Days are Over’ by Florence and The Machine,” Jacob Wilkerson (9) said. “It’s just been recurring over the past couple of years. It’s a song that I learned for choir … [and from] middle school … I associate it with the seventh grade and the choir room and the people that were there during that time.”
Beyond memories, songs can also serve as reminders of other people. If a friend or family member has a favorite song, that song’s melody, rhythm and lyrics can often shape their self-perception. The song becomes more than just music, it is their song — the song that sparks memories every time they hear it.
“I have fond memories of me and my family acting crazy while playing ‘Friends are Family’ from the Lego Batman Movie,” Aubrey Lewis (10) said. “[I first heard the song] from my mom. She used to play it every day … She mainly believes that found [families] are forever family, so it’s just one of those things that goes together with her beliefs.”
Music can also anchor itself to major life events. Whether it is the music playing during a graduation speech or the song playing during a pivotal moment, for many, these tracks can become inseparable from the memories they accompany.
“I was on a date and we were at a cafe and it was around sunset,” Andino said. “That song came into my ear because I had my earbuds in, and we kissed by the end of that song. [I feel] good feelings when I hear that song, reminiscing, thinking about the good times.”
So why do songs connect with people so strongly? Music can be a universal comfort. A single song can mean different things to different people, complementing their happiest moments or offering catharsis in times of struggle. To many, music can convey specific emotions in ways words cannot.
“Some people find comfort in songs,” Lewis said. “Some people find familiarity [and] some people just have songs that remind them of people they’ve lost.”
To many, music’s significance lies in its ability to bind itself to moments, people and feelings that words alone cannot capture. Whether a person’s favorite song provides them comfort, reminds them of a fond memory or allows them to express their emotions, music has the power to become the soundtrack of their lives.
“Songs can connect with people because of their accessibility,” Wilkerson said. “Even if you don’t know the language or if you don’t understand the words very well … music is just a common language that anybody can understand, no matter where you’re from.”
