For anyone new to Tunes with Tate, my parents are both Ohio University alumni.
My mom started her college career at the Chillicothe branch campus in 1991 and transferred to the main campus her sophomore year. She was an elementary education major, and she graduated in 1995. My dad went to school in the Athens City School District from fifth grade through high school. He became a mechanical engineering major when he started college at OU in 1991, and he graduated in 1996.
As Homecoming week kicks off, it seems fitting to take a musical time machine back to their years at OU from 1991 to 1996.
As will be made clear after reading both of my parents’ rankings, Pearl Jam is a top favorite. Eddie Vedder can frequently be heard in the house, tracks from Ten in particular. My mom’s favorites stay within ‘90s grunge alternative rock for the most part: 10,000 Maniacs and Toad the Wet Sprocket for example, and she actually saw them both live at Memorial Auditorium. My dad’s favorites definitely don’t exclude the alternative rock genre, but they include more heavy metal and ‘80s rock and roll. Without further ado, here are my parents’ rankings of their favorite Homecoming tunes from their time at OU:
My mom's favorite tunes, in no particular order
Ten, Pearl Jam
Mama Said, Lenny Kravitz
“Give It Away,” The Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Jump Around,” House of Pain
“These Are Days,” 10,000 Maniacs (saw them at Mem Aud)
“State of Love and Trust,” Pearl Jam
“Walk on the Ocean,” Toad the Wet Sprocket (saw them at Mem Aud)
“Breath,” Pearl Jam
“Would?,” Alice in Chains
“Green Onions,” Booker T. and the M.G.’s
“Sabotage,” Beastie Boys
“When I Come Around,” Green Day
“But Anyway,” Blues Traveler
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I feel fine),” R.E.M.
My mom's Top 10 songs from the above list:
10. “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over,” Lenny Kravitz
9. “These Are Days,” 10,000 Maniacs
8. “Walk on the Ocean,” Toad the Wet Sprocket
7. “Jump Around,” House of Pain
6. “Green Onions,” Booker T. and the M.G.’s
5. “Give It Away,” Red Hot Chilli Peppers
4. “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (and I feel fine),” R.E.M.
3. “Even Flow,” Pearl Jam
2. “State of Love and Trust,” Pearl Jam
1. “Breath,” Pearl Jam
My dad's favorite tunes, in no particular order
“Nearly Lost You,” Screaming Trees
Temple of the Dog, Temple of the Dog (arguably my favorite album of all time, no pick)
“It Ain't Like That,” Alice in Chains
“Bad Luck,” Social Distortion
“Crackerman,” Stone Temple Pilots
“Fade to Black,” Metallica
“Alive,” Pearl Jam
“Slaves and Bulldozers,” Soundgarden
“Pretend We’re Dead,” L7
“All Over You,” Live
“Ramble On,” Led Zeppelin
“Give it Away,” Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Dip Dip Divin,” Justin Warfield
“Thunder Kiss ‘65,” White Zombie
“So What’cha Want,” Beastie Boys
It’s interesting to see how music has evolved since the 1990s, especially when it comes to the college experience. However, whether you’re blasting Mac Miller, Lil Nas X and Glass Animals, or Soundgarden, R.E.M. and Metallica, OU Homecoming weekends will still be among Bobcats’ most fond memories from their time on campus.
Tate Raub is a sophomore studying strategic communication at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Tate know by tweeting her @tatertot1310.