I’m officially back in school for my sophomore year!!  Although my first three days have been surprisingly fun, I know there will come a time in the year when I just want to plug in my headphones and forget about school.  Especially on days when I’m not feelin’ the whole extroverted lifestyle I’ve been leading and want to be trapped in my own little world for a bit.  That’s why today, I’m sharing my back-to-school playlist for when you don’t want to talk to people at school 🙂  So plug in your headphones, add these songs to your won playlists, and jam out while doing your homework in the back of class!

Make sure to check out my other back-to-school posts once you’re done reading this one!  Just click on the title of the post you wanna read and viola! you’re there!

The Myths of High School: What They Don’t Tell You About Freshman Year

4 COMFY First Week of School Outfits!!

Being Yourself + Staying Yourself As A Teen

Study Tips: How to Get A’s + A Back-to-School Look

Running Late: Makeup, Hair, and Outfit

How to Beat the Dress Code: Part 1

How to Beat the Dress Code: Part 2

Top 10 Ways to Make Your Uniform Stand Out: Rock the Hallways

“4EVER” by Clairo

Favorite Lyrics: I’m thinking about how we were on our first date // You understood the words I was saying // I knew I’d never let you get away

“4EVER” by Clairo has all the retro vibes of her other songs, but adds in some nostalgic vibes as well.  Her perfect voice sounds so graceful as she bounds through the lyrics, kinda like you’re traveling through rolling hills in the summer.  This is a great lil swaying song for when you need to move a little in class, but don’t want too many people to notice 🙂 If you love Rex Orange County or Billie Eilish, you’ll love Clairo.

“home” by morgxn

Favorite Lyrics: You were my vagabond // You swam across the devils pond // Let the comfort of your family // Deliver all your fantasies

Okay, “home” is the ultimate pump-up song for when you’re needing a mood booster at school.  The peppy, yet edgy beat can make you feel like you’re ready to take on the world, and I never get tired of this song no matter how many times I listen to it.  Highly recommend this song for before a test or when walking to a class you aren’t looking forward to!

“pete davidson” by Ariana Grande

Favorite Lyrics: Universe must have my back // Fell from the sky into my lap

THIS SONG! IS THE! CUTEST SONG EVER!  For those of you who don’t know, Ariana Grande’s fiancee is Pete Davidson (the guy the song is named after), and this ode to him is perfect.  Without ever saying his name in the actual song, Ariana Grande sings of happiness because of love in the sweetest way possible.  Her soothing voice mixes so beautifully with the words.  If this song doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will!

“god is a woman” by Ariana Grande

Favorite Lyrics: When you try to come for me, I keep on flourishing

Obviously Ariana Grande has been in my headphones a lot lately; there’s just something about her voice that just draws me in.  Out of all the songs on this back-to-school playlist, “god is a woman” is the masterpiece of them all.  The feeling of fierceness this song brings with it is incredible, and the sense of girl power flows through it.  The song is about resilience, and listening to it at school will make you feel like you can conquer anythinggg!!

“Natural” by Imagine Dragons

Favorite Lyrics: That’s the price you pay // Leave behind your heart and cast away // Just another product of today // Rather be the hunter than the prey

Ever since I saw Imagine Dragons in concert in July, I have a new-found appreciation for their music.  So, how could their new song, “Natural,” not make it into this post?  The slow build-up of this song is so cool and it explodes into a fit of excitement and anger during the chorus.  This is yet another great pump-up song for when you need a mood lift 🙂

“Hard Times” by Paramore

Favorite Lyrics: All that I want // Is to wake up fine // Tell me that I’m all right // That I ain’t gonna die

The cheery music in “Hard Times” by Paramore always gets me smiling (sometimes laughing, there’s just something so meme about this song haha), which is funny because the cheerfulness is a stark contrast to the actual lyrics about hitting rock bottom.  In a way, that kinda reminds me of school.  “It’s fine, I’m fine” is a popular laughable phrase at school and this song fits the cheery “I want to disappear” mood school can bring.  Definitely listen to this song when you’re annoyed with school 😉

“Too Good at Goodbyes” by Sam Smith

Favorite Lyrics: So I’m never gonna get too close to you // Even when I mean the most to you // In case you go and leave me in the dirt

Ooo, I don’t think another song exists that can get me in my feels like “Too Good at Goodbyes” does.  Every once in awhile, listening to music in class calls for more of a sad song, and this Sam Smith one is beyond perfect.  His voice matches so well with the lyrics, and listening to this song with headphones in is heavenly.  10/10 recommend for when something is getting you down and you feel like embracing that sadder mood.

“Youngblood” by 5 Seconds of Summer

Favorite Lyrics: Nobody could take my place // When you’re looking at those strangers // Hope to God you see my face

“Youngblood” has the remnants of summer that are important to include on every back-to-school playlist.  Its funky and fun beat is enough to get ya dancing, and the beginning of the song is so well done.  Just like a few of the other songs on this list, this one is a good mood-lifter, and in my opinion, the best mood-lifter song on here!

“Back to You” by Selena Gomez

Favorite Lyrics: Took you like a shot // Thought that I could chase you with a cold evenin’ // Let a couple years water down how I’m feelin’ about you

“Back to You” by Selena Gomez is the type of song I wouldn’t normally like, but there’s a certain je ne sais quois about it that gives it a special place in my heart.  The way I fall in love with songs is through the lyrics, and “Back to You”‘s lyrics are I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E!!  The poetic-ness of the song is amazing and the music reminds me of walking through my school’s courtyard in the best way possible, of course 🙂  Listen to this song to revel at the lyrics while nodding your head along to the beat.

“broken” by lovelytheband

Favorite Lyrics: Life is not a love song we can try // To fix our broken pieces one at a time

“broken” is one of those songs you can’t not love.  There’s a little something for anyone in this song, and it’s just a fun one to bop to.  “broken” is a catchy combo of retro feels and modern pop.  This is the perfect song to do some sporadic dancing to (my personal favorite type) or sing along to with friends in a free period 🙂

There you go, gals and guys!!  I hope you enjoyed this post and found some new, exciting songs to add to your own back-to-school playlists 🙂  Leave a comment below with your fav songs of the moment, I’m always looking for more.  Thanks so so much for reading!!

💜Love, Olivia

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