Commencement 2016

Riley: The soundtrack to the Class of 2016’s college career

Entering college as a freshman in 2012 meant the usual  — wanting the experience to be fun and fabulous, wanting your roommate to like you, wanting to be successful.

And you were successful. You figured stuff out, considering you changed your major three times and avoided those dreaded 8 a.m. classes. You passed Orgo, studied great English poets and conquered that hangover. Quite simply, you triumphed. In celebration of all your successes, graduating class of 2016, here’s a musical playlist in honor of your time at ‘Cuse.

 

 



Gotye – “Somebody That I Used To Know”

 

In 2012, the No. 1 song of the year was Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know.” While ironically Gotye is now someone we all used to know — it’s a good song to sing to classmates you’re glad you’re not seeing anymore.

 

Walk the Moon – “Anna Sun”

Walk the Moon played in Schine Underground in 2012 . The band’s big hit, “Anna Sun,” croons about sleeping on couches in broken and cruddy houses. If that doesn’t represent at least one of your apartments or dorms in the last four years, you were lucky.

 

Ke$ha – “TiK ToK

In 2013, Ke$ha played at Block Party which may have been a prelude to ‘Cuse taking the title of No. 1 party school the very next year. If “TiK ToK,” didn’t help us win, I don’t know what would.

 

Jukebox the Ghost – “Adulthood”

“Adulthood” from Jukebox the Ghost’s 2013 Bandersnatch performance might have seemed like a far off thing. But now it’s time to reach out and grasp it — you might even need to start paying taxes.

 

Coldplay – “The Scientist”

While technically Coldplay has never played at Syracuse, Chance The Rapper was the one of the acts playing for 2013 Bandersnatch, and he did cover them. “The Scientist” is a beautiful ballad about wanting to go back to the beginning. Listen to it, be nostalgic and cry.

 

Pizza Party – “Give It a Minute”

Pizza Party is a local band that won the Battle of the Bands last year. The band’s song “Give It a Minute” is rich with local flavor. The lyrics are reminiscent of every basement party you’ve ever been to, and there something incredibly inspiring about their honest loneliness.

 

Magic Man – “Tonight”

Magic Man kicked off Bandersnatch in 2015, and the song “Tonight” is one of sharing experiences with people for just one night only. Every event where you met someone briefly or shared an experience for only a few hours will remind you of this track.

 

Louis The Child – “It’s Strange”

Louis The Child played “It’s Strange” only a few weeks ago for a rainy Mayfest. It might have been your last one, but it was totally lit. Hopefully you’ll remember it forever.

 

The Chainsmokers – “Roses”

The Chainsmokers’ “Roses,” probably made your last Block Party. “Say You’ll Never Let Me Go,” the song croons. And honestly, class of 2016, you never want to.

 

Desiigner – “Panda”

For the week of May 14, 2016, Desiigner’s “Panda” is the No. 1 chart topper for Billboard. While not the most sentimental of songs, Desiigner at least raps about his success. And just like him, class of 2016, now that you’ve graduated, nothing can stop you. You got this. Go forth with all of these musical experiences, your own knowledge and absolutely conquer the world. Or, as Desiigner says, “We gone drill the bank, f*** we gone kill the bank, get it.”

 

 

Emera Riley is a sophomore magazine journalism major. Her column appears weekly in Pulp. You can email her at elril100@syr.edu or follow her on Twitter @emerariley.





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