Since the beginning of musical composition, artists have based their songs on a wide variety of themes ranging from romance to devastation and capturing emotions inimitable to the human spirit. Oftentimes, singers and songwriters tune into their feelings while they write, finding artistic inspiration from their personal relationships. Sometimes, these ideas can feel irrelevant and unrelatable, especially when, in many young adults’ lives, people are dealing with the stresses from school and academics more than any other factor.
Even though themes of love and loss are extremely present in pop culture today, over time artists have also been inspired by the classroom while writing their pieces, showing listeners how their school experiences have also shaped them as people after the fact. With the academic year at the University officially starting, below are four songs where artists felt inspired by their encounters at school to create music.
“Fifteen” by Taylor Swift
The second song on Taylor Swift’s 2008 album “Fearless,” “Fifteen” explores themes of love, growing up and change. On the track, Swift takes listeners through her first day of high school, sharing her own naivety while navigating high school relationships. Along with mentioning her trials and tribulations with romance in the song, Swift references meaningful moments in the classroom. The second verse begins with the words “You sit in class next to a redhead named Abigail / And soon enough, you're best friends.” Swift’s lyrics can relate to listeners in their teen years, showing how class can lead to unexpected friendships.
The track can also relate to students beginning their time at the University. Swift begins the song by singing “You take a deep breath and you walk through the doors / It's the morning of your very first day.” Walking into a giant lecture hall on the first day of classes can be overwhelming at first, similar to how Swift describes walking into her high school. As long as people take that deep breath — as Swift recommends — the fear can lessen, leaving room for new friendships and opportunities to be found.
“2 days into college” by Aimee Carty
As evident from the title, “2 days into college” is a perfect listen for students who want to enjoy a catchy, relatable song while heading to class. Written in 2023 by Irish singer-songwriter Aimee Carty at 19-years-old, the tune went viral on TikTok for its lyrics about the initial chaos that can occur when starting college.
The song begins with the lyrics “I'm two days into college / And I'm three lectures behind,” representing the stresses that may come with starting classes, especially for first-years at the University. At the beginning of the school year, many students find their rhythm, learn to adjust to the college workload, balance clubs and extracurriculars on top of a vigorous schedule and meet new people, which can be daunting. The song is also optimistic, though, with an upbeat, fast melody supported by a bouncy piano beat. Moreover, at the end of the song, Carty sings “I tend to forget / I'm still only quite young / In a way, this life of mine has only just begun.” Despite the initial worries and stressors, everyone eventually finds their place and people, even if it takes a little more than two days.
“We’re Going to Be Friends” by The White Stripes
This 2001 release by The White Stripes has a lighthearted, youthful tone, taking listeners on the journey of two friends meeting on the first day of school. The song begins with the lines “Fall is here, hear the yell / Back to school, ring the bell,” with the band establishing the elementary, academic environment and theme of friendship in the song. The White Stripes also reference basic lessons taught in school, along with activities like recess, which brings a sense of nostalgia to listeners, even those who are well past their elementary years. Jack White sings, “Numbers, letters, learn to spell / Nouns and books and show and tell / Playtime, we will throw the ball.” The idea of simply growing up, making friends and being in a typical school environment can elicit just as many emotions as a song about heartbreak or fear.
With classes starting back up, it is important for students to look at their surroundings and engage wholeheartedly in all that the University has to offer. As The White Stripes explain, the first few days of school are the perfect opportunities to meet new people and make new friends. The song ends with the lines, “And when I wake tomorrow / I’ll bet / That you and I will walk together again.” Students at the University have the opportunity to create friendships throughout their four years and to find the people — like The White Stripes explain — with whom they can walk around Grounds each day.
“Walk to Class” by Malcolm Todd
Differing from the three prior pieces, Todd’s 2025 song does not come from a first-person perspective as someone in school, but rather from the viewpoint of someone in love with a college student. Todd, a recent Charlottesville visitor, is able to reference feelings of jealousy and insecurity, singing, “Will you walk to class alone on Tuesday? / Are you choosing someone better?” By creating the setting of class and discussing his own typical teenage worries, Todd hooks his fans who are currently in school, and younger listeners may feel seen in their own experiences.
The song has a techno, slow beat, with the sound of drums standing out amidst each line Todd sings. These features create a melancholy, calm tone for listeners again emphasizing Todd’s emotions and uncertainty throughout the piece. The leisurely melody also makes the song a great choice to listen to when walking to class throughout the semester, especially during early mornings.
While writing about love and heartbreak allows artists to express their emotions, doing so can come at the cost of spending time with their own personal lived experiences, such as their time in school. Through these four songs, these musicians convey that a person’s time in the classroom can shape their relationships and emotions. As classes begin, these songs can accompany new experiences and interactions, reminding students of everything that can be gained by simply stepping into a room and talking to a new person on the first few days.
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