A back-to-school playlist9 songs, 38 min 53 sec
Dear listeners,Though it’s been years (and years) since I’ve been in school, the first stirrings of autumn still fill me with that familiar feeling of back-to-school anticipation. What will I wear on the first day? Do I have all the school supplies I need? Who will I sit next to in class? I have no use for any of these questions anymore, and yet whenever that first autumnal chill hits, they start clanging around somewhere in my psyche, like the ache of a phantom limb. Judging by how many fully adult musicians have written and continue to write about school, I have a feeling I’m not alone. In honor of the first official day of fall (today!) and the arrival of a new school year, I’ve put together a playlist of some of my favorite scholastic-themed songs. In the interest of keeping things unexpected and eclectic, I decided to skip some of the most obvious ones, like “Another Brick in the Wall,” “ABC” and, well, a whole lot of songs by Taylor Swift. You will still probably hear some familiar tunes, though, from the likes of the White Stripes, Supertramp and Nada Surf, in addition to one of my favorites off Madonna’s latest album. Maybe you’ve recently begun a fresh school year, and if so, consider this playlist my way of welcoming you back. But even if it’s been years — or decades — since you’ve stepped foot inside a classroom, I hope these songs bring you right back to that first-day-of-school feeling. I’m not a teacher, babe, but I can teach you something, Lindsay
Listen along while you read.1. The White Stripes: “We’re Going to Be Friends”Let’s kick things off with this lilting folk ditty from the White Stripes’ 2001 breakout album, “White Blood Cells,” which sweetly chronicles the beginnings of both a school year and a fondly remembered childhood friendship. “We’re Going to Be Friends” is, to date, the only White Stripes song to have inspired an illustrated children’s book, though I’m still waiting for one about “Icky Thump.” ▶ Listen on Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube
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“A Back-to-School Playlist” track list
Track 1: The White Stripes, “We’re Going to Be Friends”
Track 2: Nada Surf, “Popular”
Track 3: Madonna, “School”
Track 4: Hot Chip, “Boy From School”
Track 5: Beyoncé, “Schoolin’ Life”
Track 6: Deftones, “Back to School (Mini Maggit)”
Track 7: Van Halen, “Hot for Teacher”
Track 8: Supertramp, “School”
Track 9: Wheatus, “Teenage Dirtbag”
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| Ella Langley Jason Kempin/Getty Images |
Ella Langley’s monster hit “Choosin’ Texas” just made history as the longest-running song ever to top Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart: This is its 23rd nonconsecutive week at No. 1. If you are still scratching your head over this song’s colossal impact, I highly recommend the latest episode of my colleague Wesley Morris’s podcast, “Cannonball.” He spoke about the success of “Choosin’ Texas” with the chart expert (and, I’m told, loyal Amplifier reader) Chris Molanphy, and their discussion is the most illuminating I’ve encountered yet about the whole phenomenon. Listen to it here.
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Have feedback? Ideas for a playlist? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at theamplifier@nytimes.com.
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