ICSA students are constantly seen around the campus with earphones in their ears. Music is a part of the daily lives of many. People listen to music while doing different activities, walking, studying, or cleaning their room. An average person usually spends 2-4 hours listening to music.
Nostalgia, which is a sentimental emotion wanting to return to the past, can play an important role in what we choose to listen to. Nostalgic music has the power to unlock deep feelings and remind us of memories. Individuals have sentimental attachment to certain songs; it could be about the lyrics or because it reminds them of an experience in their lives.
Tunes That Take Us Back:
“Sorry” – Justin Bieber
The ICSA nostalgic music playlist starts off strong, with the famous pop artist Justin Bieber. His famous hit “Sorry” is loved by many students of ICSA. The iconic song is about personal regret over a failed relationship. Students sometimes resonate with this song, while feeling regret over something from their past. The song also reminds them of the times they sang it with their family, which makes them feel nostalgic about their past.
Photo Credit: Zarwa Hammad
“Baby” – Justin Bieber
The list continues with another song from Justin Bieber. Our school really loves him! “Baby,” which was a collaboration with Ludacris, is another nostalgic tune of ICSA. The song is about young love and heartbreak, which is a universal teenage experience. The relatable lyrics and catchy beats create personal connections between the song and the listeners.
“Every time I sang them, I loved how my mum started singing them with me” – Anonymous US Student
“I Want It That Way” – Backstreet Boys
“I Want It That Way” by the famous band Backstreet Boys falls in third position from the votes of the ICSA community. Even after more than 25 years of its release, the classic hit is still a major part of pop music. The boys from the band mention how the song has no specific meaning, and it’s open to interpretation by the listeners. The song’s 90s vibes and catchy melodies make it a nostalgic song for people of all ages. “I Want It That Way” has also gained attention in recent years from a viral clip from Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
“I just like it, I don’t know how to explain it makes me feel calm I guess” – Kendall Fester
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” – Tears for Fears
Coming second only by a few votes, we have “Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears”. The beats and the melodies of this 1980s song make it a timeless tune, listened to by multiple age groups.
“It was very much the vibes in 2010s, it reminds me of that time which was free and innocent” – Elya Atchia
“Lucid Dreams” by Juice WRLD
The song with the most votes is…”Lucid Dreams” by Juice WRLD. The song is reflecting on a failed relationship and heartbreak. The lyrics make you look back at your past experiences. People at ICSA find it nostalgic connecting the lyrics to their own experiences. While others simply enjoy the song for its vibes.
“To me, Lucid Dreams represents the lockdown and all the vibes that came with it” – Anonymous student
Nostalgia in music can help create social connections by individuals sharing similar experiences and listening to music together. It can also create a sense of belonging and unity for people.
Podcast by Nihal Theodore:
Video Essay by Betselot Haile Alemayehu
Photo Essay by Julia Vo
Here is a playlist of all of ICSA’s nostalgic music.
