Songs That Take Me Back
Have you ever been driving when a song comes on that makes you smile before you even realize why? It’s like that one song pulls you right back into a moment—who you were with, what you were doing, or how you felt.
There’s something quite humbling (and honestly, hilarious) about scrolling through an unorganized playlist of “Liked Songs”—especially if you're like me and only organize playlists for special occasions. Earlier this week, I shuffled through this playlist of 1,300 songs I’ve saved since July of 2015.
Today, I’m sharing a few songs - in no particular order - with the memories they brought back.
“Keeping Your Head Up (Don Diablo Remix)” – Birdy
When I got accepted to the University of Georgia, I had no idea if I would rush or join a sorority. I wasn’t a “legacy,” meaning I didn’t have a sorority connection through family. So with a little bit of my own research and Youtube, I relied on Bid Day videos to get a feel for things (I was clueless). This song was the background to a Sigma Kappa video—the first time I heard it—and it stuck. Long story short: I ended up accepting a bid from Sigma Kappa, and this song has felt like a full-circle moment ever since.
“Slide Away” – Miley Cyrus
The June before I moved away to college in August of 2019, my family left the neighborhood and school district I had grown up in. We moved in with my now step dad and, at the time, my stepsister. I didn’t grow up with older siblings, but if I had, I always thought I’d want an older sister (no hate to the boys—I just wanted a second closet). I was thrilled to have Jessie around. We spent countless nights talking—about relationships, college majors, dorm essentials, and the day she would move out. I dreaded that day, but I’m so grateful for our honest conversations. We always had music playing in the background, and this song was one of them.
“I’m Not Pretty” – Megan Moroney
Middle Georgia will always have a special place in my heart. My grandparents live on a lake there, and my siblings and I spent many weekends visiting—mostly so we could drive the golf cart at age 10 (which felt like the height of freedom). At 22, I was back on that same golf cart when this song popped up on my “Release Radar” from Spotify. I immediately added the song to my random playlist. It feels like high school, and I genuinely loved those years.
“You Never Even Called Me by My Name” – David Allan Coe
Just after my 24th birthday, my friend Lauren came to visit me in Austin. In true Texas fashion, we took her to a line-dancing bar. I drove our group—Lauren, Talley, Drew, and Ian—to the Broken Spoke.
Now, Drew is obsessed with David Allan Coe. You could probably guess that by looking at him. But as we were driving, stuck at a random train crossing (yes, Austin has trains), these lyrics blasted through the speakers:
“Well, I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison
And I went to pick her up in the rain
But before I could get to the station in my pickup truck
She got run over by a damned old train.”
All five of us, from completely different backgrounds—two Georgia girls, a Texan, a Californian, and a Midwesterner—screamed the bridge while stuck at damned old train tracks. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so hard in a car from the irony.
“When Emma Falls in Love” – Taylor Swift
This song will always belong to the summer I moved to Texas. It isn’t even my favorite off Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), but it became the background music to my internship, the 110-degree heat, and my time living on West Campus at UT before starting grad school.
These lyrics still get me:
Emma met a boy with eyes like a man
Turns out her heart fits right in the palm of his hand
Now he'll be her shelter when it rains
Little does he know, his whole world's about to change
They’re soft and hopeful.
“The Gambler” – Kenny Rogers
I can’t remember the first time I heard this song, but every time it plays, I love it a little more. It doesn’t take me back to a memory, but rather a principle. It’s a reminder that we all have to play the hand we’re dealt; you’re never at a true crossroad.
“Upgrade U” – Beyoncé
This one is fresh, and I might’ve saved the best for last.
I’ve been part of fitness communities (like Orangetheory and Studio Three) for six years now. That means six years of relationships with instructors—but one stands out above the rest: Andrea Wright.
Yesterday, Andrea coached her 5,000th class. That’s not a typo. 5,000 classes. She shared that when she auditioned for Studio Three, she had never touched a bike. She auditioned to “Upgrade U,” and to honor that moment, we cycled to it during her milestone class.
That song now feels like a celebration of resilience and growth. Every time I hear it, I’ll think of that ride, that room, and the woman who made it unforgettable. She is the blueprint for all things we should strive to be.
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Music is such a creative way to connect with other people. It appears as memories for us while creating new ones for those we share it with. I look forward to new music and new memories.
