Class Of 2007, Get Your Groove On

By: Stephen Ortiz

Posted: 5/6/07

Music. Is there something that it cannot do? It can enhance an occasion, spark a memory or ease a moment, especially a moment like saying goodbye. As we say goodbye to the class of 2007, they say goodbye to this wonderful university, the good times and the bad (but hopefully more good). How better than with a bit of music? You probably know most of these, you probably know how corny or cliché they can be, but you also know how spot-on they are. So here's to you, class of 2007 - a mixtape to remember all of those times.

"Graduation Song," Vitamin C - The title really says it all.
Key Lyric: "But when we leave this year we won't be coming back / No more hanging out cause we're on a different track."

"Back Home," Yellowcard - Sad, solemn and leaves you with a feeling of emptiness and resent, this tune finds Yellowcard lead singer Ryan Key going back home after some time and realizing he's confused and missing something.
Key Lyric: "Don't know what I was looking for when I went home, I found me alone / Sometimes I need someone to say, "You'll be all right. What's on your mind?'"

"Fast Car," Tracy Chapman - Two lovers decide to escape leave from their old lives in search of something better. The song follows a theme of moving on and becoming an adult.
Key Lyric: "You and I can both get jobs / And finally see what it means to be living."

"Good Riddance (Time of Our Lives)," Green Day - Actually about a relationship gone wrong, this huge Green Day hit can also be used as just a look back on the good and bad, and an everlasting hope that you "had the time of your life."
Key Lyric: "For what it's worth / It was worth all the while."

"Boston," Augustana - A song about a teary parting of ways, the song tells a tale of two lovers going their own paths and starting new lives, one of them going to, obviously, Boston. A piano happy backing really sets the mood to say "goodbye."
Key Lyric: "She said I think I'll go to Boston / I think I'll start a new life / I think I'll start it over."

"My Friends," Red Hot Chili Peppers - A downer delivered in a typical Chili Peppers feel-good way, this track is a great kick-back-and-relax with your friends song. Most certainly a song to take with you to the beach as you kick back a few drinks and remember those good times.
Key Lyric: "Confide 'cause I'll be on your side / You know I will, you know I will."

"School's Out," Alice Cooper - A classic when it comes to the winding down of the school year. The original Alice Cooper version takes the cake over the countless covers, with its killer guitar riffs, it still holds up as a rocking send off.
Key Lyric: "School's out forever."

"In My Life," The Beatles - A short and sweet Beatles track that reminisces about the past.
Key Lyric: "All these places have their moments / With lovers and friends I still can recall / Some are dead and some are living / In my life I've loved them all."

"Save Tonight," Eagle Eye Cherry - With its catchy sing-a-long hook, "Save Tonight" is a great song about savoring the night for what it's worth.
Key Lyric: "It ain't easy to say goodbye / darling please don't start to cry."

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," Elton John - A tale of goodbyes set to a "Wizard of Oz" theme, Elton John delivers a great farewell that just about everyone knows the lyrics to.
Key Lyric: "You know you can't hold me forever, I didn't sign up with you."

"I Hope You Dance," Lee Ann Womack - A great song that certainly sparks memories of all those high school dances we all went to, but also hopes that the listener never gives up in the face of new challenges in the future.
Key Lyric: "I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance / Never settle for the path of least resistance / Living might mean taking chances / But they're worth taking."

"Forever Young," Bob Dylan - Dylan reminds us all to stay young and gives us a life lesson along the way.
Key Lyric: "May you build a ladder to the stars / And climb on every rung / May you stay forever young."

"Photograph," Nickelback - Cheesy? Yes. Fitting? Absolutely. Chad Kroeger takes a trip down memory lane and the life that he used to have, all sparked by a photograph from the photo albums spread out on his bedroom floor.
Key Lyric: "Every memory of walking out the front door / I found the photo of the present I was lookingfor / It's hard to say it / time to say it / Goodbye, goodbye."

"Time After Time," Cindi Lauper - A slow paced, mid-80s, synthesized love song that works great on conjuring up memories of loved ones and memorable moments.
Key Lyric: "You said go slow / I fall behind / The second hand unwinds."

"Here's To the Night," Eve 6 - One of those perfect songs for that perfect moment, quoted in just about everyone's away message that night of graduation. From the moody and melodic beginning to the simple and sweet chorus, Eve 6 nailed the graduation song perfectly.
Key Lyric: "Here's to goodbye / Tomorrow's gonna come too soon".