I had another birthday yesterday (May 5), right on schedule. I spent most of the day writing papers and working on projects for school, but I got to do it while eating cake, so it was still an improved experience!

Anyways, for my past birthdays I’ve done posts with fun facts about myself, the things I want to do as I grow older, and the lessons I’ve learned throughout my life. They all sound very profound (though some are actually rather silly), so I wanted to shake it up a bit and do something that’s a little less words-focused. This is mostly because I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about how information and stories can be conveyed through other media like images and audio, but also because I have two days before exams begin and there is so much to be done.

So this year, as I turn 21 and become an actual adult (so I’m told), I’m sharing 21 songs that have been important to me over the years. I might write a sentence or two for each one, but for the most part, I hope they’ll speak for themselves.

1) “Those Nights” – Skillet

Thanks for introducing me to music.

2) “(*Fin)” – Anberlin

I’m pretty sure I cried the first time I listened to this song.

3) “Dear X” – Disciple

Many good concert memories attached to this one.

4) “Dead Man” – Wolves At The Gate

Thanks for making me fall in love with metalcore.

5) “Beautiful Bride” – Flyleaf

6) “Be My Escape” – Relient K

Not every pop-punk song from the mid-2000s has aged well, but I think this one has.

7) “Impossible” – Lacey Sturm

Thank you for not giving up on your music.

8) “When Everything Means Nothing” – Fit For A King

The most recent song on this list – Thanks for being written when I needed you the most.

9) “Therapy” – Relient K

10) “Moment to Moment” – Children 18:3

11) “Definitely Maybe” – FM Static

Example of a song that really hasn’t aged well, but is still somehow catchy.

12) “Love In Your Arms” – Eleventyseven

I’m really glad my friends introduced me to your dorky music video many years ago.

13) “So I Thought” – Flyleaf

I still don’t know what this song really makes me feel, but it sounds beautiful.

14) “Oh The Depths” – Wolves At The Gate

“There is love, here is love, this is love, there is love!”

15) “Modern Age” – Anberlin

16) “If” – House of Heroes

17) “Shut Up And Dance” – Walk The Moon

Good memories attached to this one too.

18) “New Horizons” – Flyleaf

The end of an era. But what a way to end.

19) “War of Change” – Thousand Foot Krutch

20) “Meaningless Names” – Phinehas

“Hold fast to the hope of another day.”

21) “College Kids” – Relient K

The older I get, the funnier this song is.

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What songs have been important to you over the course of your life? Are there specific artists or albums that stick out to you? I’d love to hear about your favorite music in the comments!

Until next time!