The clicking of keys and currents of conversation bounced around room 2158 this past Saturday, Jan. 10, during the elective workshops for incoming freshmen. During The Oracle’s workshop, eighth graders developed their writing skills, learned about the Journalism: Newspaper elective class, and produced song reviews.
The workshop consisted of two sessions: one at 9 a.m. and one at 10 a.m. Throughout the two sessions, 16 eighth graders attended in total. After a short introduction at the top of the hour, the students got to work.
First, came the selection of the songs. A variety of artists were represented from the jazzy Olivia Dean to a peppy Descendants track.Then, guided by current members of The Oracle staff, eighth graders worked through the highlights and downfalls of their songs, and expressed their thoughts on the page.
Afterwards, The Oracle editors polished the stories for publishing. Below is the collection of stories by the eighth graders.
“Same Person, Same Old Mistakes” by Tame Impala
Aaron Yoo, Attea Middle School
New person, same old mistakes. That feeling is, unfortunately, very real, especially when you are excited to meet new people, but end up encountering the same behaviours and actions. Is everyone the same? After going through the brusque personalities that are the same over and over again, you may think, maybe everyone is fake. A person who has experienced this is Tame Impala, and he explained this struggle in his song “New Person, Same Old Mistakes”. My personal experience with this song, sitting in the car in excruciating, long drives, I cannot help but listen to the chorus on repeat. Have you ever had an identity crisis or gone through a breakup? That feeling is projected in the lyric, “Feel like a brand new person, but you’ll make the same old mistakes.”
The shared realness and deep lyrics really mimic the feelings of people who are going through it all. The bridge of the song marks a shift in perspective, creating a feeling of acceptance of what already happened, and choosing to forget about it all and move on. When listening to “New Person, Same Old Mistakes”, you find that closing the past version of yourself to ring in a fresh start is not so bad after all.
“The Hardest Part” by Olivia Dean
Alisa Konchan, OLPH
A hard part of friendships is realizing it has been outgrown and the person has changed, but letting go is the hardest part. In Olivia Dean’s song “The Hardest Part,” she explores the toxicity of holding on to outgrown friendships and allowing another person’s opinions to define your values and identity. She writes that even if she could, she would not return to the past friendship. In the long term, it becomes clear that holding on through excuses is harder than moving forward.
Dean’s writing is soft yet powerful. After listening to “The Hardest Part” on repeat, I have come to understand that it’s okay not to let other people define what I think. This feeling is exemplified by the lyric, “Held you up so highly deep under your spell your opinions would define me this time I made some for myself.” It’s okay to let go of a friendship I’m still attached to, not because it’s the easier option, but because letting go allows room to grow and build healthier relationships in the future. When I come to realize this, the quiet dignity of letting go is no longer the hardest part, but the best part.
“Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s
Delilah Pachtman, Springman Middle School
“Have you ever heard the song ‘Hey There Delilah’ by the Plain White T’s?”
This is the line that everyone asks me when I meet them, since my name is Delilah. Ever since I heard this song, I’ve played it on repeat like it’s the soundtrack of my life. It follows me wherever I go, reminding me of happy times. The beat of the song makes me feel at home and all my worries can go away for three minutes and fifty two seconds.
The lyrics are beautiful, saying that even if you are lonely, you are never truly alone. The lyric, “I’m right there if you get lonely, give this song another listen,” emphasizes that even when you are lonely, you are never truly alone. The upbeat guitar in the background adds to the meaning, prompting the audience to really feel touched and connect with the lyrics. No matter where you are, this song will remind you that you are never alone; you always have someone somewhere in the world.
“Love Galore” by SZA and Travis Scott
Faith Kang, Field Middle School
Music is not just about how good the song sounds, but there is also meaning behind every song that the artist wants to express. Anyone who has experienced breakups and arguments with their partner will enjoy “Love Galore” by SZA and Travis Scott.
The lyrics are very sad and are relatable when playing this song after experiencing a breakup. The beat drop of this song is very relaxing but also hurtful. If you’ve ever had an argument with your partner to the point of tears, this song connects to your emotions and makes you feel better. ‘Why you bother me when you know you don’t want me (Yeah, you know)? Why you bother me when you know you got a woman? (Know yeah)’ These lyrics are a great example of jealousy, overthinking, hurt, anger, and heartbreak. With this lyric, it’s easy to visualize the conflict in this song–cheating–and we could tell that SZA, the artist, might have gone through the similar things that we have probably gone through in a relationship. This song helps us to know that we were not the only ones that have gone through this alone. There are other people out there that might have listened to this meaningful song and experienced the same thing as SZA.
“Pretty isn’t Pretty” by Olivia Rodrigo
Izzy Janke, Springman Middle School
Confronting your insecurities is probably one of the most difficult things you can do. Olivia Rodrigo expresses hers perfectly in her song “Pretty Isn’t Pretty”. She expresses different problems girls might have with themselves in an empowering way.
The main reason I really like this song is the message Rodrigo is conveying. She believes that instead of hiding our insecurities, we should embrace them. This song makes me feel more confident and strong, especially when she says, “You can win the battle, but you’ll never win the war.” With this lyric, Rodrigo is basically saying no matter how hard you try, it’ll never be enough, so it’s better to accept yourself the way you are. Overall,anyone can relate to this song no matter how old they are, as anyone with insecurities can feel heard in this song.
“Something Wild” by Lindsey Stirling
Laura Lu, Attea Middle School
‘Something Wild’ by Lindsey Stirling is a song that’s relaxing yet can be played on repeat and one you will never get bored of.
When I first heard this song, it was in a Dragon Prince AMV (Anime Music Video). I liked how it fit all the scenes but was still its own song. The lines “You have a big heart; the way you see the world, it got you this far” were shown with the character Ezran, which seemed like it fit him perfectly, but also added to the song’s majesty. The violin in the song adds to the melody and song while fitting perfectly into its own category. Instead of taking away from the power of the lyrics, the violin complements the lyrics while simultaneously being entirely different.
The lyrics “You might have some bruises and a few scars; but you know you’re gonna be okay” feels like a fantasy but also like when life takes its own turn. It reminds you of all the bumps you’ve faced, but makes you realize that there is always tomorrow. Sometimes, especially for those who keep getting lost in their own world, the lyrics “If you’re lost out where the lights are blinding, caught in all the stars are hiding” makes them feel like that is their life. At the same time, it helps people realize that there is more than just them and their problems in life, and that there are others experiencing similar things as them.
This song is great for people who think that they are alone in the world, making people realize that there are others facing the same problems as them. The mix of vocals and instruments helps capture both sadness and hope at the same time for anyone who feels lost in life.
“Fight Song” by Rachel Patterson
Liliana Tenglin, Springman Middle School
“I only have one match, but I can make an explosion.” One line of powerful words. ‘Fight Song’, by Rachel Patterson is a song about independence and strength. She wrote this song to remind herself in hard times not to give up. The song is written with personal experiences and struggles she overcame through her music career.
Patterson put a lot of love and passion in the song. Rachel Patterson once said, “I wrote it cause I needed it.” Patterson believed that sometimes everyone needs a little reminder to stay strong and true. Many artists like Taylor Swift reacted positively to the song and the meaning behind it.
As I go through struggles in my life, this song helps me stay positive. I found the song on Spotify one day as I was randomly scrolling through songs. The first time I listened to it I immediately fell in love with the lyrics. My friends and I listened to it and realized that we relate to many of the lyrics. The relatability of the lyrics makes this song incredibly powerful.
“Did I Mention” by Jeff Lewis and Mitchell Hope
Lily Goldenberg, Springman Middle School
Music is something that defines everyone’s childhood. The song that perfectly encapsulates my youth is “Did I Mention” by Jeff Lewis and Mitchell Hope from the movie Descendants. I remember sitting on my living room floor with my friends hearing this song for the first time and ever since then, this song has followed me wherever I go. While the song is upbeat and energetic, it carries with it underlying themes of young love and breaking down barriers of societal expectations.
Every time I want to let go of everything that’s swirling in my head I turn on this song so I can jam out to my favorite beat. The lyrics, “And now I’m livin’ just for her and I won’t ever stop”, along with the catchy beat and brassy percussion, always bring me up. I grew up with this song and it will always have a special place in my heart- even if I’m not that same 8 year old girl I once was. I find it important to always go back to what made me who I am now. If you’ve ever been trapped in a melancholic mood, its cheerful energy is bound to lift you up. To feel like a kid again, listening to this song will be like a blast from the past.
“What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish
Maddie Chang, Springman Middle School
Everyone feels alone sometimes and questions their own self worth. “What Was I Made For” by Billie Eilish came out in 2023 and ever since then it has touched many people with this theme. The song portrays someone who feels like they do not belong. In the lyric, “Cause I, I don’t know how to feel, but I wanna try,” Eilish embodies someone hopeful for a better future.
Eilish sings in a breathy voice that makes it seem like she is talking to herself. The use of minimal instruments adds to this and helps it feel very personal. I listen to this song to feel comforted whenever I am sad. If you are looking for a song that is relatable and pure, “What Was I Made For” is the perfect song.
“Sports Car” by Tate McRae
Paloma Mauck, Springman Middle School
Driving in the car with my friends, I don’t even have to ask what song will play first. I know “Sports Car” by Tate McRae will come on as soon as the music starts. The familiar beat I have heard countless times begins to play. Everyone starts screaming as my mom plugs her ears, trying to block out what we consider Tate McRae’s best song yet.
By the time the song’s signature drumbeat blends with her vocals, we’re hit with a surge of confidence. When it ends, we’re left with an overwhelming sense of self-worth that only McRae can evoke. Now, whenever I get a bad grade, deal with a mean friend, or have a rough day, all I need to do is hear McRae say, “You don’t wanna waste my time,” and I feel instantly empowered.
“Opalite” by Taylor Swift
Pippa Richards, Attea Middle School
I was in the car with my mom, excited to hear “Opalite” by Taylor Swift. It was a nice, sunny morning on the way to school in early October. I had loved Swift ever since I was younger so when I got the chance to hear the song, I already knew it was going to be good. When Swift started singing, it felt like I knew all of the lyrics because it was such a good song.
“Opalite” gave me a different feeling than her other songs. The catchy, upbeat music made me feel eager to listen to the rest of the song. Her other songs are usually about boys and breakups but this one is just a catchy upbeat rhythm. All of the lyrics feel like they are made to be together unlike some songs that feel random. When the lyrics feel like they are made for each other, it helps the song feel more catchy. One lyric that stood out to me because of its message was “life is a song, it ends when it ends”. It means that whatever happened was not that big of a deal and you will be able to overcome it. However, “Opalite”s repetition made me feel less excited than I was at the beginning of the song. Swift could have included some new and different lyrics instead of using the same, repeated ones. By the end of the song, I still felt the excitement but a slight disappointment because of this repetition.
“Dancing Queen” by ABBA
Sophia Bayarjargal, Springman Middle School
“You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen.” This song of sweet innocence has lifted hearts in the opening glissando since its release on Aug. 15, 1976. The Swedish band ABBA laced the lyrics of “Dancing Queen” with buoyancy and happiness that lightens emotions at parties and gatherings all over the world. The background music incorporated into the song consists of the piano, guitars, and drums as ABBA shows that music can be more than just lyrics.
This song is more than just happiness for me; it’s proof that although your teenage years can be difficult when balancing extracurricular activities and school, those years will hold some of the sweetest moments in your life.
“Motion Sickness” by Phoebe Bridgers
Zoe Reynolds, Attea Middle School
“I hate you for what you did, and I miss you like a little kid.” Phoebe Bridgers’ “Motion Sickness” captures various emotions that are applicable all throughout life. Whether you’re dancing in the middle of the night, studying for a test, or sobbing into your pillow, Bridgers’ music is there.
When I heard it for the first time, I didn’t know what hit me. I was blown away at how Bridgers expressed finding joy in a time of sadness. Lyrics like, “I’ll be glad that I made it out, and sorry that it all went down like it did,” show the diverse, mixed emotions everyone faces. When listening to the carefully articulated lyrics in “Motion Sickness,” I truly understand the struggle of conflicting emotions that people struggle with on a daily basis.