Words by Dina Barrish // @dinabarrish (she/her) and Julia Oppenheim // @joppenheim_ (she/her)

Graphic by Joanne Tsao // @jjjooannnee (she/her)

As the world around us changes, music keeps us grounded and encourages us to keep moving forward. Whether a new song or a classic, we can count on music to influence our reality. 

Queue 2020: Here are 10 songs that got UT Austin students and alumni through a year spent in quarantine. 

“Mr. Perfectly Fine” — Taylor Swift

Madeline Preston (UT ‘17) says, “I have loved Taylor since I was 12. She got me through sixth grade and is getting me through now, so I give her my life. We grew up as she grew up. ‘Mr. Perfectly Fine’ was released in an album from Taylor’s vault so it brought back so many memories from when I was younger.” 

“Leave the Door Open” — Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak

“This song has a really good beat and has fun ad-libs in the background, which make it great to sing along to,” biology senior Christy Cao says. “I love listening [to it] in the car, in the shower or even in bed.” 

“Dákiti” — Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez 

“I listen when I’m sad, and it always lifts my mood. I love Bad Bunny, and this song in particular makes me feel energized and motivated,” says applied learning and development sophomore Meilani Gracia. 

“The Ballad of Mack the Knife” — Jeff Shadley 

“It makes me feel like capitalism is bad. I like to blame someone for my current misfortune, and this song lets me do just that. I listened to this song in college so it will always be a favorite. I like the Greenwich Village sound it has. Lots of power comes from the acoustic sound,” says American studies PHD student Coyote Shook. 

“Blueberry Eyes” — MAX feat. SUGA of BTS

“This song is so upbeat and motivational, so I always listen to it while I work out,” says nutrition senior Cam Lao. “One of my favorite BTS members is in it so it makes me extra happy.” 

“Anyone” — Justin Bieber

“‘Anyone’ came out the week of my wedding and everything felt like it was meant to be. Justin Bieber [matched] my mood. We danced a lot to the song, and we all felt happy and grateful. It will always remind me of such a special time in my life,” says Debora Spradling (UT ‘17).

“Cigarette Daydreams” — Cage the Elephant

“I feel good when I’m listening, the song gives me a sense of meaning. I listen while walking to class,” says classical language junior Shane Bean. 

“She Used to Be Mine”— by Sara Barielles

“I [got] into baking during quarantine, so when I play this song as I bake I feel like I am playing a role in the musical ‘Waitress,’” says American studies PHD student Henrick Schneider. 

“Malibu Nights” — LANY 

“I discovered new artists [during] quarantine, which [led] me to LANY. ‘Malibu Nights’ in particular has helped me through some pretty hard times,” says accounting junior Lydia Thomas. 

“Motel 6” — River Whyless

“This song is so folksy, it really pulls on the heartstrings. During the pandemic, it’s been easy [to] not feel anything because things have been super boring. Listening to music has gotten me through that. When I get homesick, this song reminds me of seeing my friends back home [in Dallas]. I listen to ‘Motel 6’ everywhere,” says finance fifth-year Nahiyan Khan.