Some buy merchandise, while others do intense social media stalking; I, on the other hand, made a playlist as soon as I accepted my admission to Colgate University in my senior year of high school as a way of visualizing myself at the school. As I desperately cling on to my final moments being a current student of this academic institution, I wanted to share 13 tracks from my aforementioned playlist, which has since grown during my time at Colgate. The playlist is aptly titled “upstate ny” on my Spotify and chronicles the prelude along with my journey as a college student at this small liberal arts college, which has now become my second home. This week, I’m sharing songs that have accompanied or remind me of memories I’ve made over the past four years that I will cherish forever, such as campus concerts, dancing with friends and studying abroad.
1. “Campus” — Vampire Weekend (2008)
A classic and cliche pick but for good reason; Vampire Weekend’s self-titled album feels like the quintessential college soundtrack. The band was formed while its members were studying at Columbia University, and this influence is extremely apparent on this track. From my bedroom in California, I imagined myself walking across the quad as the band sang: “Then I see you, you’re walking ’cross the campus / Cruel professor, studying romances.” After four years of people watching on the academic quad, it’s safe to say that this song does capture a particular energy about being a Colgate student and seeing a person of interest on campus.
2. “Expectations” — Belle and Sebastian (1996)
Freshly on my mind before heading to college was the television show “Normal People,” based on the novel by Sally Rooney. I discovered this song from a playlist the author had made of tracks that inspired the story. For better or for worse, the depiction of the story’s protagonists’, Connell and Marianne, experiences at Trinity College in Dublin influenced my expectations of college life. While Colgate is a far cry from Trinity, the song’s lyrics and folky instrumentation feel representative of the university grind and surrounding rural area.
3. “Young Folks” — Peter Bjorn and John (2006)
From the moment the track starts, there’s something catchy about the drum breakdown and steady maraca beat. Even before going to Colgate, I’ve associated this song with traveling, which I have done a lot since enrolling in the University. The trek back to Colgate from California during breaks is long and arduous, usually totaling around nine hours and including a transfer flight; as soon as I’m greeted by the chapel’s golden dome and the smiles of my friends, however, the journey feels worth it.
4. “Fallin’ For You” — Colbie Cailet (2009)
As cheesy as it sounds, what makes Colgate special is the people, and I feel so grateful to have met lifelong friends while studying here. This song reminds me of the close bonds I’ve formed here because it’s a top pick for our frequent car sing alongs. Whether we’re making the road trip to Target or doing a Price Chopper run, it’s not uncommon for our car rides to turn into Grammy-worthy performances.
5. “Unwritten” — Natasha Bedingfield (2004)
Another track that will always remind me of the wonderful friends I have made at Colgate. While Natasha Bedingfield’s songs are also a go-to for my crew’s car jam sessions, this song holds a special place in my heart because it was the tune we sang at karaoke after the traditional senior wine night event. The thought of graduating in May is bittersweet, but as the song says, I know that “the rest” of the memories my friends and I will make are “still unwritten.”
6. “Life Round Here” — James Blake (2013)
Hamilton’s unpredictable weather was one of the many signs that showed me that I was definitely not in California anymore. James Blake’s angelic voice and transportive beat is my classic pick for a song that can help romanticize rainy weather that I’ve learned to tolerate and even embrace at times since coming to Colgate.
7. “Santeria” — Sublime (1996)
It doesn’t take four years to realize that Colgate students are unique and one way this shines through is in their creativity and love of community. Some of my other favorite memories in college have been being able to watch my classmates perform in bands they have formed. Typically spanning across class year and social circle, these bands represent to me how passionate and outgoing our student body is. This track was sung at a performance I attended my sophomore year and I will always associate it with swaying with my friends outside on one of the first warm days of Spring semester.
8. “The Longest Time” — Billy Joel (1983)
This track entered my rotations after I found a 1985 promotional video for the school in the Colgate archives. My research was inspired by a clothing brand I launched with my best friend that is inspired by the University’s aesthetics, both new and old. Our brand is one of my proudest accomplishments to date and will always serve as a reminder of the amazing opportunities this school has given me.
9. “Down the Line” — Beach Fossils (2017)
During the Spring semester of my junior year, I studied abroad in Geneva, Switzerland as a part of Colgate’s study group program. I soon learned that Geneva had a quieter nightlife scene than I had expected, so I was shocked to see that one of my favorite American bands was coming to the sleepy city. Naturally, I convinced my newfound friends in the program to attend the show with me and we ended up having one of the best nights I had while studying overseas. From accompanying me in my childhood bedroom as I imagined what Colgate was like to rocking out to this tune in a Geneva venue with my Colgate pals, this song has shown me that the University’s community is not always tied to Hamilton.
10. “Pluto Projector” — Rex Orange County (2019)
Despite Colgate’s small size, you never know when you’re going to make a new friend on campus. Just as I had thought that I had met everyone in my class year, I chose to have a randomly selected roommate my sophomore year and was introduced to someone who is now one of my best friends. When I hear this song, I think about the lovely friendship we’ve built since she sang this song on one of our final nights rooming together sophomore year, and I know that she will continue to introduce me to many more songs after graduation.
11. “if jesus saves, she’s my type” — ROLE MODEL (2022)
If there’s anything else you should know about me it’s that I love a campus strut. This song became one of my most listened to songs of 2022 because of how frequently I played the track during my walks around campus. As an upperclassman living down the hill, I still walk to all of my classes as a way of getting outdoors and to give myself more time to listen to my favorite songs.
12. “Memory Box” — Peter Cat Recording Co. (2019)
Eight minutes and three seconds truly isn’t enough time for this masterpiece of a song. I discovered this song my sophomore year and it still remains in my regular rotations. The track’s unique, genre-bending sound made me an instant fan of the band behind the record. I will forever associate my discovery of Peter Cat Recording Co. to my time at Colgate. And yes, I have danced to this song with friends too.
13. “Ribs” — Lorde (2013)
This song captures the poignant nostalgia that I increasingly have for my numbered days at Colgate. Additionally, it has soundtracked many dance parties I’ve had with friends. Unlike Lorde, I never feel alone on this campus, but I agree with the track’s lyrics as I inch my way towards post-grad life that it “feels so scary getting old.”
