I Have A Ninth Grade Playlist

“So what type of music do you like?” Someone asked me.

I thought of the best way to phrase it, “I have a ninth grade playlist.” I then explained, “I listen to mostly boyband music, and hip hop.”

My favorite band since seventh grade is N SYNC. In high school I began listening to hip hop because I thought that’s what cool kids listened to, and I wanted to be cool. The cool part didn’t work out, but the hip hop remained. J In high school I loved Eminem, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, B2K, Dreamstreet, and I didn’t know who “The Doors” were until I was 18!

In college I (unsuccessfully) tried to broaden my music horizon. I went to Oasis a couple of times. Oasis is very relaxed, and mellow. Lots of unique bands. I loved the Oasis vibe, but I preferred P&G’s music. (They played a lot of hip-hop.)

I was introduced to Taylor Swift in college. She’s still one of my favorites. Over the past few years I decided I was going to embrace who I am, and stop trying to “fit in”. I thought my playlists would have a lot more Alanis Morissette and The Clash…

Ironically, I only have one Alanis Morissette song on my iPhone, and a whole playlist dedicated to N SYNC. One of my playlists is titled “Bubblegum”, and it contains One Direction, Cody Simpson, and Austin Mahone. I still find those songs catchy. And I can never get enough of throwback Britney Spears!

As a child I loved thinking. Thinking is still my favorite pastime. As a teenager I tended to over-think to the point of exhaustion. Music helped me forget. 

Now when I listen to music, I tend to listen to songs that don’t have a lot of meaning. It’s fun, catchy, and puts me in a good mood. I admit, I still occasionally listen to Eminem. I realized I don’t have to follow a straight line; I realized I don’t have to conform to self-imposed “Positivity Principles”. I don’t believe in perfectionism anymore. (French fries is my favorite food.) Perfectionism is tiring; as a teenager it wore me out.  I now accept the fact that I’m a unique individual who loves mainstream music.