I’ll hop in the car with a group of friends and immediately get hit with the question, “do you want to go on aux?” Or, I’ll be getting to know someone for the first time and they’ll ask, “what is your favorite song?” Even after being asked these questions several times in the past, I still don’t have a straight answer. My favorite song changes every week. Last week, it was “No One Noticed” by The Marías, and this week it’s “Glue Song” by beabadoobee. My music taste is constantly changing, from rap and reggaeton to country and pop. On road trips, my mom always refers to my song choices as “music whiplash.” One moment, we’ll be listening to “With Or Without You,” by U2, tapping our feet to the soft beat, and next I’ll put on “so american,” by Olivia Rodrigo, and we’ll be screaming the lyrics. I’ll switch songs before they end, and pick new artists and genres. Tempo, beats, and lyrics change drastically as we fly down the road, adventures awaiting us. 

Sometimes I avoid answering the question and flip it back. I reply with, “what is your favorite song? Who do you like to listen to?” Maybe it’s annoying that I ask before providing my own answer, but I can’t help it – I love hearing about the music people like. Chances are, I’ll write down what you said and give it a listen later. Next thing you know, we’ll end up at a concert together listening to your – and now my – favorite artist. I don’t judge other people for what they listen to, but I’m always curious about their favorite songs. The music people listen to might provide me with an insight into their personality. Did they grow up listening to country or were they introduced to it by friends? Do they identify more with lyrics or enjoy a good beat? In my case, I’ve been surrounded by music all day, every day, for many years. I love many types of music – songs that make you want to dance, songs that make you want to cry, and everything in between. 

My obsession likely began when I got an iPod for Christmas when I was about 10 years old. I remember sharing my new favorite song, E.T., by Katy Perry, with a friend in the basement of my childhood home. She didn’t approve of Kanye West’s  rap at the beginning, but I continued to love the song and it will always take me back to that moment. I quickly fell in love with my iPod and I haven’t stopped listening to music since. Now, when I wake up in the morning, I immediately put on my headphones. I’ll have music playing by the time I’m brushing my teeth and washing my face, dancing in the mirror until I’m ready to go. When I’m walking to class, I’ll listen to something that will get me pumped up so I have confidence and energy. Eventually, when I get back to my dorm to study, I’ll play classical music that won’t distract me. 

After listening to so much music, its impact has gone beyond a simple tune here and there. Now, a quick listen will take me back to different events, people, and locations. I love long playlists because I can hit shuffle and skip through songs until I find one I haven’t heard in a long time. But don’t get it confused – the music has to fit the mood. If I’m feeling more chill, I might pull up nostalgic Taylor Swift songs. When I’m feeling energized, I might listen to Black Eyed Peas. One of my favorite ways to find an old, meaningful song is to scroll back on my Spotify Liked Songs and encounter a song I listened to in the winter of 2022 (“Confident,” by Justin Bieber, for example), that reminds me of playing squash for the first time at my new high school. “DÁKITI,” by Bad Bunny, transports me to spring drives to rowing practice with my best friend in 2024. With the windows rolled down, and the crisp spring air flowing, we celebrated the end of the school day and hyped ourselves up for practice.

Unfortunately, not all music brings me good memories. I remember being young and putting on music to drown out a fight between my sister and parents. I played “Stereo Hearts,” by Gym Class Heroes, on repeat at maximum volume in my headphones. The music helped drown out the yelling. I sang the song, while comforting my dog who seemed to be uncomfortable as well. Music was there for me when I needed to calm down and escape reality. 

While my music taste isn’t super niche (it’s typically whatever’s trending on TikTok if we’re being completely honest), it still has a significant influence on my daily experiences and mood. Throughout the years, music has been with me through tears of pain and tears of joy. Music lets you create memories, enables you to connect with others and explore, and is there to guide you through every moment in life. I am happy to go on aux and share my music with you, just don’t ask me which song is my favorite!