The final stretch of the spring semester can be both an exciting and stressful period, especially for soon-to-be-graduating fourth-year students. With final exercises rapidly approaching, some graduates may find themselves heading towards an uncertain future as they leave the place they have called home and enter the so-called “real world.” These final weeks may be difficult to process, but these four songs can provide an outlet for those complicated emotions. Together, they speak to the importance of cherishing past memories while preparing for what lies ahead.
“Ribs” by Lorde
“This dream isn’t feeling sweet / We’re reeling through the midnight streets / And I’ve never felt more alone / It feels so scary getting old.” Perhaps no other song in history has so succinctly captured the anxieties of aging as Lorde’s indie pop anthem “Ribs,” which she wrote when she was just 16. Backed by ethereal synths and hard hitting percussion, “Ribs” perfectly conjures the fleeting nature of youth. Lorde chants that her teenage years will be the best years of her life, but laments that they still come to an end eventually. “Ribs” does not provide a clear resolution to this anxiety, but that lack of a remedy is exactly what makes the song compelling. Her musings on the track prove that almost nobody is prepared to grow old, but they can still appreciate their budding years for as long as possible.
“Change” by Big Thief
If “Ribs” represents a teenage angst of change, then Big Thief’s “Change,” the opening track of the band’s 2022 album “Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You,” represents a mature acceptance of it. The song’s brilliance lies in its simplicity, with its sparse acoustic instrumental allowing frontwoman Adrianne Lenker’s songwriting to shine. “Would you live forever, never die / While everything around passes?” she asks in the chorus. It may be tempting to stay in one way forever, but Lenker understands that the only path to go is forward, lest the world leaves her behind. In times marked by unpredictability, such as the end of the spring semester, the message of the song can be a powerful mantra to repeat.
“In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” by Neutral Milk Hotel
The eponymous track on indie rock band Neutral Milk Hotel’s acclaimed 1998 album is a reflective masterpiece about finding beauty in even the simplest parts of life. Featuring eclectic instrumentation, including trumpets and a singing saw, “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” also features a somewhat morbid tone in certain lyrics. “And one day we will die / And our ashes will fly / From the aeroplane over the sea,” sings frontman Jeff Mangum. The song speaks about the inevitability of death, but it also emphasizes the value of appreciating life. “But for now we are young / Let us lay in the sun / And count every beautiful thing we can see,” he sings in the very next line. Mangum’s lyrics, poetic in nature, are open to a myriad of interpretations. Before “death” — in this case, perhaps someone graduating and departing from Grounds — arrives, one can spend their time treasuring the memories they have made, whether it’s picnics on the Lawn, sunsets at Carter Mountain or football games at Scott Stadium.
“All My Friends” by LCD Soundsystem
“All My Friends” is a compelling testament to friendship and life’s highs and lows. Beginning with a restless piano riff, the song gradually crescendos into a pulse-pounding dance rock production. The lyrics, written by LCD Soundsystem members Pat Mahoney, James Murphy and Tyler Pope, tell the story of someone who finds themselves growing old. As the song’s narrator reckons with their new place in the world, they find themselves yearning for the emancipatory life and friendships they used to have. “I wouldn’t trade one stupid decision / For another five years of life,” sings Murphy. While the song is undeniably bittersweet, there’s also an oddly reassuring aspect to it. Even when the times have changed and old friends seem like foggy recollections, the experiences of the past will carry on.
The notion that nothing lasts forever is evident in each song — which may not be a comforting idea to think about. Still, these tracks prove that memories of before will continue to live on, providing comfort for whatever comes next. In the meantime, these songs can act as a beacon, a reminder of the power in cherishing the present while embracing the uncertainty of the future. Students’ four years spent at the University will ultimately become a short episode in a longer life, but their impact will continue to be felt well beyond the last time one walks the Lawn.
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