Kate Casper
You are walking to fourth period with your friend–the hallways are bursting at the seams with students heading to class. You look around and realize that dozens of students have their earbuds in, and you begin to wonder, “what are they listening to?”
T.C. Williams has a diverse population of students. Last year, it was recorded that there were 120 different native languages at the school.
Due to the varying cultural backgrounds, people listen to all kinds of music–anything from latin pop to indie rock.
Some say playing music “blocks out” other people. Senior Dennis Mendoza said, “[Music] distracts you from the people around you.”
Some students do not even listen to music when they have their earbuds in. Junior Jaedyn Little said, “[I wear earbuds even when music isn’t playing]…so people don’t talk to me.”
Not only can music block out people and noise, but it is scientifically proven to influence your mood. Certain genres of music can help with stressful situations like walking down the crowded halls of T.C.
Senior Mo Williams said, “Music keeps me chill…It doesn’t matter what’s going on. It’s something to keep you calm with all these students in the hall.”
Williams was listening to “Remind Her” by Eric Bellinger ft. RJ, an R&B song featuring layered harmonies and a slow easy-going beat.
Sophomore Katherine Donnellan said, “I like listening to music in the hall. I can pick out different notes, chords, and intonations just listening to them. I like to pay attention to those when I listen to songs, and I escape into a musical world.” Donnellan was listening to “Everybody’s Got Something to Hide” by the Beatles. She said dissecting the mechanics of songs is a good distraction when she is walking to class. “It also gives me an excuse not to talk to people,” she said.
Junior Dean Gleason said, “I just don’t like hearing people that talk at this school.”
Sophomore Daniela Meaurio was listening to “New Patek” by Lil Uzi Vert while roaming the halls. She said, “It gives a background effect, and usually when I’m talking to people I pause it, but when I’m walking in the halls I just listen to it to block everything out.” Meaurio’s song of choice is currently sitting at 38 on the Billboard Hot 100.
These are the songs playing in the earbuds of your fellow T.C. Williams students:
Ricardo Galan, Junior: “Falling Down” by Lil Peep and XXXTentacion
Dean Gleason, Junior: “Movin Backwards” by A Tribe Called Quest
Jason Reyes, Senior: “Two Hands” by Youngboy Never Broke Again
Mo Williams, Senior: “Remind Her” by Eric Bellinger ft. RJ
Daniela Meaurio, Sophomore: “New Patek” by Lil Uzi Vert
Katherine Donnellan, Sophomore: “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey” by The Beatles
Kristen Mclennon, Junior: “Powerglide” by Rae Sremmurd
Yasmin Groehn, Sophomore: “Figures” by Jessie Reyez
Diana Gonzales, Junior: “Me Gusta” by Arcangel
Philip Dueñas, Junior: “Drella” by Pierce the Veil
Matthew Martinez, Sophomore: “Wya?” by wifisfuneral
Madi Skinner, Sophomore: “Let Me Love the Lonely” by James Arthur
Ivan Molina, Junior: “So Far Away” by Martin Garrix & David Guetta ft. Jamie Scott & Romy Dya
Anna Jerakis, Junior: “Streets of Philadelphia” by Bruce Springsteen
Khalil Boyd, Senior: “Win” by Jay Rock
