`With Spotify Wrapped looming in the not-so-distant future, I decided to ask a few of my friends what their favorite song has been this year, as of November 2023. Keep in mind, that these are high school seniors whose current listening habits may be tinted by college application season. Without further ado… here are my thoughts on three songs hand-selected by Chatham High School students.
Song #1: “Northern Attitude” by Noah Kahan
It is safe to say that Noah Kahan is one of the biggest upcoming artists at the moment. He and Zach Bryan are single-handedly bringing folk country into the mainstream, and I am thrilled to see that CHS students are finally realizing how phenomenal this genre of music is. While “Northern Attitude” is not my favorite Noah Kahan song, I respect this choice. Kahan is the kind of artist you listen to while driving through Harding during the sunset or when attempting to transport into a different place while mulling over AP Literature homework. Shifting gears, I would like to give a tremendous shout-out to the fact that this song was written and produced by Noah Kahan and Gabe Simon. Two people alone made one of the best album openers I have ever heard. Northern Attitude pulls you into the vibe of the album through the fast-paced acoustic guitar, but it still leaves much to be explored through some of the subsequent tracks. Through the final chorus, you can feel the yearning for his childhood and the strong defense of his hometown; honestly, it gets me every time. I give “Northern Attitude” by Noah Kahan 4/5 stars.
Song #2: “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” by Taylor Swift
“Is It Over Now?” Is one of those songs that feels great in any context. Driving to school at 7:30 to make it to the J-Lot on time? Yes. On a low volume while trying to wrap your head around probability theory for Stat? Also yes. As you can see this is a rather versatile track, one that I believe to be an incredible closing to an iconic album. Jack Antonoff’s production kills on this song in a way that feels Midnights adjacent — in the sense that it sounds sparkly — while still maintaining that distinct 1989, 2014 pop vibe. In addition to the great production, the lyricism makes this song so hyper-specific in its storytelling that you almost get lost in it (in a good way). I would also like to give an honorable mention to the way the bridge scratches an itch in my brain: “At least I had the decency/To keep my nights out of sight/Only rumors ‘bout my hips and thighs/And my whispered sighs.” Songwriting gold right here. I give “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” by Taylor Swift 5/5 stars.
Song #3: “Back to the Old House” by The Smiths
Steering away from recent pop hits, and moving toward that “cool girl” feel, “Back to the Old House” is perfect for curling up with a cup of tea and a tattered copy of Franny and Zooey on a chilly November night. From the first verse, this song maintains a lingering sense of yearning for something that doesn’t exist anymore. For those of you who are moving away from home in a few months, this one is for you. The closing refrain states “I would love to go/ Back to the old house/But I never will”, and if that doesn’t sound like the grief of leaving your childhood house, I don’t know what does. This song is cozy and soothing while at the same time gut-wrenching. It is so devastatingly good, to the point where it rips me apart with every listen. At first, you think everything is going fine when the intro begins, but by the end of it, you’re reevaluating your entire past, present, and future. I give “Back to the Old House” by The Smiths 5/5 stars.