Back to School/Sweater Weather Playlist

The beginning of the school year is often marked by high stress and a recurring crisis for the average high school or middle school student. “Why does this happen every year?” Some students may cry out in confused panic, as the terror of missing homework assignments and impending tests–hang in there–slowly tear away at your very consciousness. The Witherly Heights editorial staff has put together a list of songs to help assuage your pain. Staff members were asked to pick compositions of their favorite artists and explain a bit about what they find appealing about the song. The music can provide you an escape from the eternal suffering that is school, and we hope that this finds you in a much better place than we are in as this is being written–please send help. 

“Changes” – Mutemath

“It’s a unique song. A combination of some of my favorite genres and techniques in music. I know it’s good because everybody I have forced to listen to the song has liked it.”

-Siddarth Chavan

“Idle town” – Conan Grey

“I like this song because it’s very nostalgic and catchy. It sounds a lot like a throwback to the early 2010s and I enjoy the tune and lyrics.”

-Anya Patri

“Open Mic / Aquarius III” – Logic

“I have not been an incredibly loyal fan of Logic but I have been following his work since 2015. I was initially drawn to him as an artist because he was recreating the boom-bap rap sound of the 1990s which I personally love. In this song however, I liked his decision to make the first half a literal open mike event. It feels as if you are in the audience of a gathering where he decides to tell a story about his life. Once the song switches in the middle, it opens up to a small sci-fi story over some really nice soulful/gospel-like beats.”

-Ram Charan

“Potter Waltz” – Patrick Doyle

“Potter Waltz is the kind of song where you can listen to it on repeat and never get tired of it. With everything I have going on in my life right now, I need a song that will instantly bring up my mood much as Potter Waltz does. This song is played in Goblet of Fire during the Yule Ball, so I always associate it with my childhood and the happy memories that come along with it. This song isn’t too distracting so it is perfect for when you are doing homework or just reading a book.”

-Diana Barbacioru

“Brakelights” – Omar Apollo

“The song has a good range of vocals and instrumentals. As well, it’s a type of song I can listen to in whatever mood I am in. The melody of the song is relaxing, but I can play sports while listening to it or just listen to it while reading.”

-Luca Barbacioru

“Canada” – Lauv feat. Alessia Cara

“It’s really chill and makes you feel like you’re in a bubble. The song is about a romanticised world, far from our reality, where you can escape your worries just by taking what you need to be happy and driving away to a utopian country.”

-Varnika Dhandapani

“we fell in love in october” – girl in red

“Autumn is my favorite season, and this song reminds me of late 2019. Listening to it brings me back to one of the happiest times of my life. The song is meaningful without being dreary, and is the perfect soundtrack to the vibrant, dramatic east coast Autumn I mentally escape to.”   

-Anusha Sharangpani

“Daydreaming”- Marc Wavy

“Someone I know recommended it to me and then we started bonding over music so the song reminds me of them and it’s cool. It also has a really nice tune and beat and it’s catchy. When I listen to it, it puts me in a good mood and has nice vibes so I just really like it.”

-Avani Sethi

“If Only” – Raveena

“The song is really chill and slow, and it has a calming vibe. She also has a very angelic, dreamy voice, and it’s a really nice song to listen to.”

-Mallika Saoji:

“Location” – Khalid

“While this song is quite old, having come out in January 2017 as part of Khalid’s debut album Location I still find myself listening to it pretty often. I tried to find a song that wasn’t about relationships but failed and thought I would share Location as its calming chorus resonates with me.”

-Ayesha Ashraf

“We Didn’t Start the Fire” – Billy Joel

“It’s funky, man. Ok but I was reminded of it by that scene in The Boys S2. it’s a nice vibey song that I listen to a lot when I’m anxious”

-Kate Lamont

“40 Day Dream” – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero’s

“I like how this song feels like going on a road trip and the folk/country vibe of it. It’s pretty stripped down but has a lot of good harmonies and filled out vocals which makes it a dynamic and exciting song.”

-Nitya Sharma

“Cruel Summer” – Taylor Swift

“The lyrics. It’s a song that is simultaneously sad and meaningful while also having an uplifting vibe. It made summer quarantine a lot better :)”

-Nicole Adams