Welcome back to campus, everyone! As you all have been finalizing your fall semester classes, flipping coins with your roommates to see who gets the double, and saying goodbye to your friends and family, likely, many of you haven’t had the time to create a new playlist for the school year. Music will play a major role in making your transition back to Harvard that much better. This is especially important for you first-years, so open your Spotify or Apple Music and take notes. While my friends never let me have aux, as you’ll learn, Harvard is truly all about being open-minded and trying new things.
First, let’s recap the artist of the summer: Chappell Roan. The 26-year-old’s pop hits grew hot largely thanks to TikTok, landing her to play the largest crowd in music festival Lollapalooza’s history this past August. The redhead has been compared to Lady Gaga, with drag influences in her unique makeup, clothes, and overall music. My favorite moments of the summer were blasting “Femininomenon” with my girlfriends driving home from the beach or going on a run with “Pink Pony Club” pumping through my headphones. While I nominate Roan to be the artist of the summer, I know many of you would hand the title to Charli XCX. Although I like the brat aesthetic, the album didn’t quite do it for me. I’ll leave “360” on my playlist though.
A top-tier playlist must incorporate songs for all different moods. At Harvard, it’s crucial to start your mornings off happy and energized for the long day ahead. Here are some great waking-up songs to play when you’re getting up and ready in the morning, especially if you have a 9 a.m. GENED that will put you right back to sleep.
“Best Day Of My Life” by Jesse McCartney
“Waking Up in Vegas” by Katy Perry
“Makes Me Happy” by Drake Bell
“O-o-h Child” by The Five Stairsteps
Next up are songs to listen to while walking to class. Nothing gets you more amped up than putting on the perfect song to walk across the Yard, feeling as confident as ever as you walk past a hundred tourists. Whether you have AirPods, headphones, or good old wired earbuds, jam sessions while walking to class are an imperative component of being a college student. Here are some of my all-time favorites that give me an extra pep in my step.
“The Night Chicago Died” (Rerecorded Version) by Paper Lace
“Maggie May” by Rod Stewart
“Start All Over” by Miley Cyrus
“How Far We’ve Come” by Matchbox Twenty
“Forgot Your Name” by Bird3
“Nine In the Afternoon” by Panic! At the Disco
While it is unlikely that you’ll be sitting alone in Annenberg or any dining hall the first couple weeks of school, a solo lunch in between classes is bound to happen at some point. But these times are also great opportunities to look cool and mysterious, so listen to music that will help you play the part.
“Quiet, The Winter Harbor” by Mazzy Star
“Alone Again (Naturally)” by Gilbert O’Sullivan
“The Killing Moon” by Echo & The Bunnymen
“Between the Bars” by Elliot Smith
“The greatest” by Lana Del Rey
Although I’m not the type to go to the gym every day, it’s always nice to take a trip over to the MAC or Hemenway and get a good sweat in before hitting the books. Listening to good music is the only thing that can keep me on the treadmill for 30 minutes. These are my top songs to get my heart pumping.
“Miss Alissa” by Eagles of Death Metal
“The Drug in Me is You” by Falling in Reverse
“Pt. 2” by Kanye West
“Black Betty” by Ram Jam
“Wing$” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
When I’m studying, especially when I’m reading, I often can’t listen to music because it’s more difficult for me to focus. However, certain songs keep me in the zone rather than take me out of it.
“Going the Distance” by Bill Conti
“Don’t Let Me Get Me” by P!nk
“Easy” by The Commodores
“Renegade” by Styx
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” By Creedence Clearwater
“Chinatown” (feat. Bruce Springsteen) by Bleachers
“Music for a Found Harmonium” by Patrick Street
And if you’re specifically working on p-sets, here are a couple of good ones.
“Fire Water Burn” by Bloodhound Gang
“Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees
“I’m Not Okay (I Promise) by My Chemical Romance
“Work Bitch” by Britney Spears
Whether you’re planning on attending the First-Year Fling or not, it’s important that you have some sick pre-game songs ready to roll out. The energy needs to be high, and these songs will be sure to help you let loose and party.
“Sippin Yak’” (Morgan Seatree Remix) by Cloonee & Morgan Seatree
“Take Over Control” (feat. Eva Simons) [Radio Edit] by AFROJACK
“Take You There” by Sean Kingston
“Peanut Butter Jelly” by Galantis
“Stadium Rave” by Spongebob Squarepants
“Renaissance” by BUNT. & VisionV
Now, let’s say you find that special someone at Tasty Basty and you want to “hang out” after. But bad news—you BOTH live in prison cell-sized doubles. Looks like you’re all alone for the rest of the night. Here are a few bangers to help you do some creative daydreaming and make up delusional scenarios in your head before falling asleep.
“The Harold Song” by Kesha
“Fresh Out The Slammer” by Taylor Swift
“Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” by Jeff Buckley
“Won’t Go Home Without You” by Maroon Five
“Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon
“Lips of an Angel” by Hinder
“Thinking of You” by Katy Perry
Now, you and your ears are finally ready for the school year. Good luck!
Ilana Feder ’26 (ilanafeder@college.harvard.edu) writes Arts for the Independent.