Teachers spend all day teaching us, but we rarely think about what they listen to when the classroom door closes. I asked teachers to share their favorite songs and explain why those tracks are meaningful to them. Some of their picks caught me off guard, while others felt very fitting. Afterward, I listened to each song myself and wrote down my honest reactions: what I liked, what I didn’t, and what surprised me.
Teacher: Mrs. Thut
Song: “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
Reasoning: “I chose ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’ from the movie Dirty Dancing for my favorite song of all time because to be honest, I just like it. I think it’s a good song and it reminds me of my wedding because it was the last song that played that night.”
My Opinion: I’ll be honest, I’ve actually never seen Dirty Dancing before, but obviously it’s a classic, and I think when I do watch it, I’ll really enjoy it. I have of course heard this song before, and I think it’s pretty good. I think I would like it more if I watched it in the context of the movie, but it holds up on its own too. Overall I would give it a 7/10.
Teacher: Mr. Carroll
Song: “Bambi” by Hippo Campus
Reasoning: “This is such a hard question. Hippo Campus is my all time favorite band because they mix deep lyricism with fun and melodic beats. I really appreciate songs that are introspective because it feels more “real” than your typical love songs or music on the radio. This song does an excellent job at addressing issues that many people deal with (insecurities, mental health, complicated relationships, etc.) and shows self-awareness. The band demonstrates vulnerability and emotional maturity without feeling dramatic, over the top, or corny. Beyond the meaning, the song is veiled in an upbeat and gentle rhythm, making it great for car rides or just chilling out. The beat is super catchy and brings me back to some nostalgic times hanging out with friends and ‘vibing’ for lack of a better term.”
My Opinion: To be honest, I didn’t think I was going to like this song at all, but I actually really liked it. I could totally hear it in the background of a TV show or movie montage. I will say it was pretty repetitive though, but that’s kind of all music at this point. Overall, I would give it an 8/10 and would listen again.
Teacher: Mr. Polverari
Song: “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
Reasoning: “Way back in the day, Journey was the first of many concerts I went to see. It was up in Hartford, CT. A bunch of family and friends took a limo to the concert. They were one of the hottest bands of the 1980s, and I couldn’t wait to go and see them. It was a fantastic concert and memorable experience.”
My Opinion: Obviously, I already knew and loved this song; it’s honestly iconic. It reminds me of the Adam Sandler movie Bedtime Stories which was one of my sister’s and my favorite movie growing up. This song just has a really nostalgic, comforting vibe. It’s also super singable. Overall, it’s a classic and an easy 10/10.
Teacher: Ms. Pastore
Song: “How’s It Going to Be” by Third Eye Blind
Reasoning: “I’m a big fan of sad songs so it was a no brainer for me in that sense but choosing an ALL TIME favorite song was so hard — there are so many choices to choose from, and it changes a lot based on genre. But I found myself settling on this one because it reminds me of what it means to ‘feel the music.’ I remember finding this song in high school and feeling absolutely changed after. I had never listened to a song and had such a visceral reaction to it before. I remember feeling like my heart was bursting at the bridge of the song, at the height of what felt like such raw emotion, and feeling compelled to belt the lyrics out with everything in me — and that’s a feeling I find myself chasing in any music I listen to. So, in other words, this felt like a milestone song for me in the sense that it will always reflect my interest in music and what it means to understand, engage, and empathize with all kinds of art.”
My Opinion: I’d heard of Third Eye Blind before, but I don’t think I’d heard this song. It has a very 2000s soft indie rock sound that’s catchy, and I lowkey found myself singing it after listening. It would make great background music for studying or getting work done. Overall, I’d give it an 8/10.
Teacher: Mrs. Horn
Song: “Bye Bye Bye” by *NSYNC
Reasoning: “This boy band, *NSYNC, defined my childhood. Their concert was the first I ever attended, and I was old enough to fully absorb the magic of seeing my idols on stage. My parents even encouraged my imagination by shaping a wire hanger into a headset microphone, topping it with a cotton ball so I could perform my own shows and feel like a superstar. This song, in particular, is what first drew me to the group—complete with its own iconic choreography. When it was released in 2000, it reached the top five in the U.S. and hit number one on charts in several other countries. It brings me right back to those childhood moments, which is why it remains my favorite. Choosing just one song for this article was incredibly difficult; music tastes shift throughout different stages of life (as you’ll continue to experience). I could easily pick a favorite from nearly every genre tied to different memories, but this one ultimately stands out above the rest.”
My Opinion: I have a confession: *NSYNC was actually my top artist for a whole month this year. There’s just something about their music that makes me want to dance. This song is obviously iconic, and while my personal favorite of theirs is “Here We Go,” this one definitely has the best beat. It’s extremely catchy and super danceable, so I’d give it a 9/10.
Teacher: Mr. LoAlbo
Song: “You Really Got Me” by Van Halen
Reasoning: Full disclosure: I am a musical idiot. I don’t have many opportunities to listen to anything, so the majority of my music is what will get my pulse going when I’m running. And as a child of the 80s, most of my playlists tend to lean towards something with a rock guitar, hence why this song is in my continual rotation. Remade from the Kinks classic song, you’d probably think that it isn’t very good as remakes never are. I get it, and I don’t necessarily disagree with you, usually. However that is not the case here: the band manages to reinvent the song as evidenced by the opening riff that adds multiple layers of distortion to the original British banger. Throughout, the song leans heavily into lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s shredding guitar that seems to sing with his crazy solos, Dave bops and bounces through the lyrics like a stone skipping on the surface of a lake, and both are complimented by bassist Michael Anthony’s crazy high falsettos. Coming in at only 2:36, the group knows to hit hard, fast, and to not overstay their welcome. I may not know a lot about music, but I know what I like, and more than any other song, this one kicks in the adrenaline just when I need it the most.”
My Opinion: That guitar riff hits immediately and just grabs you. It’s loud, fun, and impossible not to get into. Honestly, it’s super catchy and has that kind of energy that makes you want to move along with it. I can totally see why it’s so iconic. Overall, I’d give it an 8/10.
Looking back, I was honestly surprised by how good the teachers’ music picks were this time. They spanned so many styles and decades, some songs I knew, some totally new to me. Picking my favorite is tough this round, but I’m going to go with my top song of 2025 “Different Kind Of Pain” by Sam Barber. There’s something about the raw honesty in the lyrics and the gentle, emotional melody that just hits. It talks about struggling with inner battles in a way that’s comforting rather than depressing, and listening to it feels like someone finally understands what you’re feeling. This whole experience was a reminder that good music really can come from anywhere…even from your teachers!