September is almost here, which means back-to-school season is officially underway. In Iowa, everyone returns to the classroom in late August, but the point remains the same. Now is the time to revive one’s scholastic spirit, and what better way than with music! Below are five songs that equate to the five stages of school. One can easily find versions of them online to stream and get pumped for the academic year.
Kindergarten
The introduction to education begins with socialization. One learns to line up, obey the teacher, listen for the bell to ring, play nicely with others even when they are not nice to you, and so on. So let’s begin with a headbanger. Faith No More’s “Kindergarten” uses the lessons of the classroom as the source of future adult anxiety. The metal sounds of Faith No More suggest iron bars more than wooden blocks. Do we ever leave that environment, or are we doomed to remember and follow orders for the rest of our lives? The implication here is clear.
Inspirational lyric: “Rhymes and giggles muffle the dialogue / Carve my initials in a tree, I will never leave.”
Other notable songs: Chloe Moriondo’s “Kindergarten,” John McCutcheon’s “The Kindergarten Wall”
Elementary School
Putting cynicism aside, the White Stripes’ “We’re Going to Be Friends” points out the pleasures of learning how to spell, count, read books, and make pals. The lively and lilting acoustic guitar work reinforces the sunny lyrics about looking forward to spending time with others and acquiring knowledge along the way. Jack White sings glowingly about the positive side of growing up and going to school as a kid.
Inspirational lyric: “Numbers, letters, learn to spell / nouns and books and show and tell.”
Other notable songs: Harry Chapin’s “Flowers Are Red,” Justin Roberts’s “Recess.”
Junior High School
By the time one reaches middle school, one has matured enough to have real crushes and intense emotional experiences. Mariah Carey’s R&B-inflected “Eighth Grade” captures the pressure and insecurity one feels at that age, when a simple smile or snub can have profound consequences on one’s state of mind. Carey’s delivery offers a mixed message as she yearns for the passions she felt as a young teen but is glad she has matured and doesn’t let things affect her so deeply anymore.
Inspirational lyric: “I’m a confirmation, should you feel unsure / I’m that security when you’re insecure / I’ll be that baby girl when you’re immature.”
Other notable songs: Olivia Rodrigo’s “Brutal,” Grant-Lee Phillips’s album Nineteeneighties
High School
There are too many great high school songs to choose from, including classics by everyone from early rockers, such as Chuck Berry and the Beach Boys, to bangers by more contemporary artists like Taylor Swift (who has several that could apply). However, if I had to pick just one, it would be the punk anthem “Rock and Roll High School” by the Ramones. The song captures the humor and anarchy of teenage rebellion—when life is full of raging hormones, arbitrary authority, and the desire for independence. In the movie for which this served as the theme song, the students actually blow up the high school, the daydream of every kid in study hall.
Inspirational lyric: “I hate the teachers and the principal / Don’t wanna be taught to be no fool / Rock, rock, rock, rock, rock ’n’ roll high school.”
Other notable songs: Bowling For Soup’s “High School Never Ends”, Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me.”
College
Kanye West’s first three rap albums—The College Dropout, Late Registration, and Graduation—are quintessential records about the man and his experiences. However, the albums are more about him than school. His song “School Spirit” from the first disc, with its sarcastic humor, is the best at explaining why he didn’t stay in school. For those of us who did matriculate, there are a host of nostalgic odes to parties past, classes taken, and young love affairs. Frat boy Asher Roth’s “I Love College” has become an anthem for current enrollees in search of good times that the leisure of university life provides. Its silliness is part of its charm.
Inspirational lyric: “I wanna go to college for the rest of my life / Sip Bankers Club and drink Miller Lite / Time isn’t wasted when you’re getting wasted.”
Other notable songs: Steely Dan’s “My Old School”, Vampire Weekend’s “Campus”
There are plenty of cool songs about life right after graduation. A short list would include LCD Soundsystem’s “All My Friends,” Phoebe Bridgers’s “I Know the End,” Blink-182’s “What’s My Age Again?”, and too many others to name. For now, for those who find this relevant, welcome back to school. And keep on rockin’!