Congratulations to our graduating Music Writers of the Class of 2024! In this article, we share music that was especially important to us in the past year and describe the meaning we’ve gotten from those pieces. From songs that relate to commencement/school experiences, personal growth, or our current and past work with UCI Music Writers, here are our send-off songs from some seniors in MWC.
A song that encapsulates having an optimistic outlook and how hard the journey could be in accomplishing your goals, “High Hopes” seems fitting for us graduates who have finally made it to the finish line. “High Hopes” is about pushing through even the lowest of failures and hardest struggles in order to fight for a better future. On a personal note, I feel as though my own mother’s advice rings through just like in the song, as she has always been my most avid supporter. Although “High Hopes” is bittersweet in context of the struggles with his music career, it is still a popular song for many schools to play during graduation.
- Melanie Sosa
One of the memes that ran rampant in the fall of 2023, “ALL MY FELLAS” is still one of my favorite songs to listen to, unironically. On its own, it's a silly, upbeat mix of electronic beats about just being with friends. The edits and memes which use the music are only a plus. From some being positive edits of franchises to animations of silly cats dressed as fruit chasing each other around, it’s one song I will go back to when thinking about the friends I’ve made during my time here at UCI and is the vibe I would like to take with me as the school year draws to an end.
- Melanie Sosa
One of my favorite experiences of working with UCI Music Writers was getting the opportunity to write about EVGE. Going to their concerts was one of the highlights of my year. I chose one of the songs that I found to be one of their most moving pieces of their Winter Concert. Although they started with memorable songs from very popular and iconic franchises, such as Kirby and Mario Bros., it was when this song played that I saw they really hit their stride. Although it is a much more intense tone than the other pieces, it was beautifully done by the ensemble, giving me chills as I felt their passion come through their playing. Being there with so many other students and sharing in our love for video games, music, and the community was a moment I am truly grateful for.
- Melanie Sosa
My first MWC article was a Fall Out Boy album review, so I had to include this classic from them as a full-circle moment. “Thnks fr th Mmrs” has stuck with me throughout high school, and back then it was also a part of my graduation playlist. The song’s upbeat and explosive nature is perfect for going out with a bang, leaving it all behind, and admitting to yourself that maybe not all the memories were perfect. However, throughout my time here, I’ve had a ton of great memories, and looking back at this time in my life I hope to “let the good times roll.”
- Katherine Llave
Scaling back the energy a bit, I wanted to include this tribute to long-lasting friendships and staying connected to your hometown no matter where you are and how far you’ve come. In Lyn Lapid’s signature dreamy vocals and ethereal instrumental landscape, she maps out how the relationships with her loved ones back home are uninterrupted by the distance between them: “‘Cause in the end we’re gonna be just fine / I'll catch you on the east side / I'll love you through the state lines / I'll keep you on the rewind.” She gives a shout-out to her east coast home in Columbia, Maryland, and just as Lyn Lapid now travels the world going on tour, we’re all going to part from UCI to wherever our lives take us. Hopefully, the relationships we make will remain for years to come.
- Katherine Llave
This upbeat college anthem arrived at the perfect time in my life. I’ve been a long-time fan of Twenty One Pilots (yes, since my middle school years) and seeing them end the narrative they’ve woven together over the years feels heavily relatable to this time in my life. There’s no better song on the album to encapsulate this than “Next Semester,” a crowd-heavy and energetic track that emulates anxiousness and anticipation, as well as the bittersweet revelation that you must keep moving forward: “Can’t change what you’ve done / Start fresh next semester.” Although there won’t be a next semester (or I guess quarter—curse the UC quarter system!) all we can do is look onwards to the next chapter in our life and start fresh there.
- Katherine Llave
A classic. You might not remember this song by name but remember high school graduation? That’s where most of us heard it for the first time. Every time you hear it you’ll think of moving on to the next stage of life. For both high schoolers and university graduates alike, it is a staple. Of course, since it is a classic, there are no lyrics. Just enjoy the music.
- Faith Neo
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