Remember a few weeks ago when I talked about how I strongly connect certain songs with memories?
Well, I heard a song on the radio the other day that made me think of my freshman year in high school. This in turn led to remembering other songs (and some awkward teen moments) from that school year. And then I had enough for a blog post.
Bear with me. I’m dating myself. *Hides face*
Nostalgic Songs from the 1990s: Freshman Year
Gin Blossoms – Hey Jealousy
So I’m not sure why the freshman girls volleyball team had to climb aboard a school bus and drive to an elementary school to practice after school. Perhaps we had to stay separate from the much better JV and Varsity squads so we wouldn’t taint them with our suckiness. Perhaps we just had to suffer the humiliation of squatting down nearly to the floor to pee in the tiny children’s-size restrooms. Whatever the reason, every time I hear this song I can feel the hot air circulating around that yellow school bus, taking us to another torturous practice.
The Cranberries – Dreams
MTV was playing the video very late at night. I was writing in my diary. I jotted down the name of the band and song (I did this a lot in high school) and that weekend I went to the mall with some friends. I found the CD and bought it. One of my friends said, “The Cranberries. Who are they?” And I had the distinct pleasure of introducing them to a band they didn’t know. There’s also a kiss that’s attached to this song, but the song is a stronger memory than that boyfriend.
Ace of Base – The Sign
It’s my 14th birthday. My parents take me to a Mexican restaurant where I get free fried ice cream and a picture of myself wearing a sombrero. Later that night at a friend’s house we somehow procure cinnamon schnapps and my friends drink too much. They vomit. We all get in trouble. I somehow get roped into cleaning up a lot of vomit. Happy birthday to me!
Crash Test Dummies – Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm
The very first play I ever acted in was “Fiddler on the Roof.” I was a chorus member, and as such I didn’t have a lot to do during rehearsal but I had to stay nearby in case we ran through a scene. Us chorus member did a lot of giggling and singing and discreet cigarette smoking. This song became a running joke, as I’m sure it did for most kids our age.
Beck – Loser
Growing up in Kansas the best thing to do when it gets hot outside is wear cutoff shorts and go to the lake with your friends. This song was the soundtrack to one such weekend, and every time I hear it I’m reminded of the stifling humidity, an ugly plaid scrunchie I used to tie my hair back and the fact that neither of those things bothered me at the time. I was so young.
Tom Petty – Last Dance With Mary Jane
My first fall formal, I think it was homecoming. I was wearing a long, form-fitting wine-colored dress with a slit up the side. I met and danced with a boy who was a friend of a friend of a friend. We exchanged numbers. I never heard from him. There was a party later. It was awkward.
Counting Crows – Mr. Jones
Generic overcast, chilly autumn day in Kansas. The leaves are on the ground. My best friend and I hitch a ride home from school in an older boy’s pickup. We idle in front of my house for awhile, listening to music on his rigged-up Discman. We are all wearing flannel shirts.
Smashing Pumpkins – Today
The end of the school year. Time for summer. My friends and I go to Dairy Queen to see another friend who works there. We all order Mr. Mistys. One of my friends is hungry and orders a basket of chicken tenders and stupidly offers us all a piece. She ends up with one piece.
I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane.
Do you have specific memories with any of these songs? How about your freshman year in high school — any songs that stick out? Share in the comments so we can all reminisce!
