we all have those songs. those songs that cause a flood of memories. those songs that are so nostalgic they send you through every emotion. the songs that would be in the “coming of age” movie of your life. the songs that would cure my memory loss. when i get older, if i am unfortunate enough to get alzheimers, play me these songs. i promise it’ll be the scene at the end of the notebook where she remembers it all.

PARADISE – BAZZI

this song defines one of the happiest times of my life: summer 2019. i remember when i first listened to this song. there were only a few days left of school, and i had gotten in the car to go get a mcdonalds medium iced caramel coffee (if you know me, you know i use to live on these). from the very beginning of the song, i was flooded with happiness. i put on my favorite sunglasses and rolled down all the windows in my car. it officially felt like summer. flash forward to july 2019, and i still listened to this song religiously. every time bailey and i got in the car, this was the first song we played. it played as we drove up the canyon, went long boarding, went swimming, and it continued to play during every spontaneous moment we had that summer. i would give anything to go back and listen to this song for the first time. it was a straight shot of serotonin.

RIBS – LORDE

i can’t even explain what this song does to me. this song sends me through every emotion all at once. it even sends me through emotions i’ve never felt before. this song is angelic. seventh grade was my worst year. i had just moved, and i had the hardest time adjusting to my new school. i hated it. then i listened to this album, and it saved me. it showed me how to be okay with the loneliness i felt everyday. i can see little seventh grade iz staring at herself in the mirror every morning with this album playing. as i’ve gotten older, i play this album when the seasons change. my mom the other day in the car said “oh you’re playing lorde again… it must be winter”. these songs bring me an inner peace whenever things are changing. especially ribs. the slow subtle start, and the build up into the chorus send chills through my body every time i listen to it. the lyrics “and i’ve never felt more alone, it feels so scary getting old” make my heart skip a beat. i am not a person who does well with change. the older i get the more terrified i am of life. i’m scared to grow up. whenever i’m feeling that horrifying pressure of the future, this song is the hug around me that reassures everything will be okay.

HOME – EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS

this song has resonated with me ever since i was a little girl. i remember driving around with my mom while this song blasted through the speakers. if you’ve never heard this song, here’s a little back story: it’s about a boy and a girl who are madly in love. they can’t imagine not being together. through every crazy moment and exciting adventure in life, they want to be with each other. “home is wherever i’m with you”. this song sparked something in little iz. i have this vivid memory of looking over in the car to see my mom singing this song at the top of her lungs, smacking her hand on the steering wheel to the beat of the song. i wanted her to be that happy all the time. in that moment, this song gave me an image of the kind of love i wanted when i was older. it’s the kind of love i deeply wanted my mom to find. the spontaneous, crazy, unconditional love. a love that consumes me with so much happiness, i can’t even imagine living a life without them. i still listen to this song, and i’m still looking for that kind of love. i refuse to settle for anything less.

DOSES & MIMOSAS – CHERUB

i can never be in a bad mood while listening to this song. it genuinely cures my anger. the beat of the song is one of those that you have to listen to with all the windows down and the stereo turned all the way up. this song brings me a carefree attitude that sends my self confidence through the roof. it reminds me to never stay trapped in something i’m not. so what if people aren’t going to like you? you do you anyways! say what you want to say, do what you want to do, post that photo if you want to post it. and say screw it to everyone who doesn’t back you up.

STIR IT UP – BOB MARLEY

most of the memories from my childhood consist of summers on the boat. there was one rule on the boat: bob marley is the only thing we play. and nobody ever broke that rule. i don’t talk a lot about my dad or that side of the family, but these memories live with me everyday. little iz was so happy spending summers with my cousins and being flung around on the tube. i was a pro at tubing and it took a lot to buck me off, so all of my uncles never went easy on me. i miss the splashing of the water on my face and the little laughs that would burst out in between my screams. i miss riding on the front of the boat, when my grandpa would purposely make a big wave that would come right on top of me. i miss listening to bob marley on the boat.

SIT NEXT TO ME – FOSTER THE PEOPLE

remember how earlier i said that seventh grade was the worst year of my life? well this song came out when i finally felt happy again. when this song plays, i’m instantly sitting in rachels room. her room honestly had the best vibes, and i remember sitting there on her bed while she did little hand gestures to match the lyrics of the song. rachel is one of those friends that everyone needs in their life. i can’t even put her into words. she has one of the most beautiful souls out of anyone i’ve ever met. she was the person who brought me out of my funk. she was always making me laugh and forcing me to be outgoing. i don’t think i would’ve been able to be successful if i would’ve never met rachel. i genuinely believe the reason i was so social when i moved to my new school was because of rachel. i miss her, and her music. she always had the best songs, just like this one.

CONNECTION – ONEREPUBLIC

huge smile across my face every time i hear this song. the first time this song made a mark on me, lexy, bailey, and i were all smashed together in her brothers truck. this song was blasting so hard that you could feel the bass through your entire body. we were on our way to a bonfire, which ended up being super lame, so we went swimming at a friends house. we were out til 1, on a school night, which sophomore iz had never imagined doing. that night was such a defining moment in my life. the second time this song left a mark on me was when me and bailey were driving up the mountain to go swimming. i’m not really sure how to describe the place we went swimming. it was like this little built up area of water in the middle of this stream. this was also in summer 2019, and we did random spontaneous things like that on the daily. i am so grateful to that entire group we hung out with that summer for giving me the best memories.

FEELING WHITNEY – POST MALONE

i don’t have a specific memory tied to this song, only images. my mind is filled with all of the mountain drives i’ve taken. every single color of the trees fills my head, along with peace and serenity. the sun peaking through the trees sends warmth throughout the cells of my body. my mind is at ease with this song. all negative emotions are drowned out by the beauty of the nature around me. if you listen to this song and you feel the same way, text me. lets go on a mountain drive.