Tuesday Tunesday: And This is Your Life

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While driving into work yesterday morning, I was listening to Chicago’s KISSFM with Fred and Angie–per usual–and they were playing a game where callers in their early 20s phoned in and tried to name 1980s and 1990s sitcom theme songs. As I listened to these “youngsters” try and fail to name these tunes, I couldn’t help but realize a few things: 1) Since I’m at the end of my 20s, I guess I’m now old; 2) Since I could name every single tune, I guess I’m now old; and 3) Since I refer to the 1980s and 1990s as the “good old days,” I guess I’m now old. I’ve never really thought about my age, at least not negatively, but since turning 29 a few weeks ago, I have been feeling pretty nostalgic lately, especially when it comes to high school.

“It’s the oldest story in the world. One day you’re 17 and planning for someday, and then quietly, and without you ever really noticing, someday is today. And then someday is yesterday. And this is your life.”- Nathan Scott, One Tree Hill

When I was a sophomore in high school, the WB (now CW) premiered it’s latest teen classic One Tree Hill, and I was obsessed! I would rush to complete my assignments so I wouldn’t miss an episode. Basketball, brothers, complicated relationships, and incredible music? What more could a high schooler want? In the series’ nine years, they played nearly 2,000 songs (wow)! In fact, a Buzzfeed article reports that “music was such a huge part of One Tree Hill that the fictional club Tric was written into the show in Season 2 so the writers could feature more bands and artists.” Each carefully selected and meaningful tune appealed to teenagers turned adults because the songs and episodes examined real issues, captured the essence of teenage and eventually adulthood, and encouraged us to just be our true, authentic selves. I grew up with One Tree Hill, and while each episode isn’t quite as fresh as it is for those youngsters now binge-watching it on Netflix, the songs themselves have stayed with me, and for that, I am grateful. Be still, my emo, angsty, teenage heart. Here are a few of my favorites from the series:

“I Don’t Wanna Be” by Gavin DeGraw (theme song)