Looking back on Homecoming last year, I vividly remember two songs: “Silk Chiffon” by MUNA featuring Phoebe Bridgers and “All Too Well” by Taylor Swift. My friends and I were having so much fun, and the image of us borderline screaming the lyrics is always the first thing that comes to mind while reminiscing on Homecoming.
Sometimes, I avoid songs because hearing them makes me physically ill. Certain memories are actually haunting. Literally, as I wrote this column, “Clueless” by The Marías, a song I had completely forgotten about, started playing through my headphones and my entire body froze (don’t get me started on “Stop This Train” by John Mayer and “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron). But I’m not going to sit here and trauma dump. I would rather talk more about how music can be so strongly connected with some of our favorite memories. Homecoming at Ohio University is no exception.
This time last year, I wrote about the songs my parents listened to during their Homecomings in the ‘90s at OU. There’s a reason that the entirety of “Ten” by Pearl Jam, “Would?” by Alice in Chains, “When I Come Around” by Green Day and “Hunger Strike” by Temple of the Dog stick out to my parents when reminiscing on Homecoming. Beyond that, though, those songs were impactful enough that I remember them being played well into my childhood.
The core memories surrounding music can be formed in seconds. It’s the closest thing we have to time travel because, without thinking twice about it, a random song starts playing and suddenly you’re reliving a family member’s wedding or a fun night out with friends.
This Homecoming, I encourage you to take in everything you can. Make the core memories you look back on 20 years from now. The closest thing to relieving your college days may just be coming to Homecoming to reunite with your best friends. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being in Athens, but in the meantime, you can listen to your old playlists and let the memories come flooding back.
Tate Raub is a junior studying journalism 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.