Music has always been a big part of my life. From growing up listening to songs from my parents' generation, to being involved in band for over nine years and listening to pep band versions of songs by Lady Gaga or Bruno Mars. I'd like to say my music taste is very eclectic. I could go from having a jam out session listening to popular songs on the radio, and soon after, I'd start listening to the Twenty One Pilot's self-titled album (which are two very opposite things). Regardless of what kind of music it is, if I like a song I will listen to it on repeat for a long time. Although there are tons of songs that I could list as songs you need to listen to right now because they all seem worthy of recognition, here is a short list of my current favorite songs and why.

1. Live It Well by Switchfoot

This song is my current favorite, and it happens to be by my favorite band. Live It Well was one of two songs released early a couple weeks ago as a "sneak peek" of Switchfoot's new 10th album, coming out July 8th (and I may be a little excited about it). There are so many things to this song that make it my favorite, but what I enjoy most about it is the message it brings. Live It Well happens to be about living the life you have as best as you can, and that even though life is short, there is so much you can do with it. I could go on and on about why this song is great, but I'll just end this with a strong recommendation to listen to it yourself.

2. YOUTH by Troye Sivan

This artist was just recently brought to my attention by a couple of my friends. Even though I've just now started listening to his songs, I am a fan. Troye Sivan performed this song at the Billboard Music Awards last weekend, and since seeing that I've looked into more songs on his latest album, Blue Neighborhood. He also is a famous YouTuber with over four million subscribers. Seeing someone start out by filming videos for a small audience merely for fun to seeing where they are now is incredible. His music is great, and I can tell he sings with a passion.

3. Second Chances by Imagine Dragons

If we are in the car together and you hand me the AUX Cord, there is a 110% chance I will be playing this song instantly. I love this band and this song a lot. Compared to a lot of the popular Imagine Dragons songs that are played on the radio, this song is more laid back, and the message is great as well. Out of the entire Smoke + Mirrors deluxe album, this song is the one that I can relate to the most. The lyrics are some that have really made me think, and when a song makes someone think about something life-like, like giving second chances for instance, you know that's a good song.

4. Here by Alessia Cara

This song may be pretty overplayed on the radio, but I can't help but jam out whenever it comes on. I also relate to this song a great amount. I've never heard a song about not wanting to be at a party before, and that in itself seemed interesting to me. Whether the artist chooses not to be at a party because she isn't having fun, she's too introverted for a scene such as this, or for some other reason I personally don't know, the lyrics to this song are sometimes what I've found myself thinking in similar atmospheres. With only knowing a couple of her songs, I'm interested in what else she has to say in future songs. So far, her songs seem pretty great to me.

5. Come Home by Jon Foreman

I don't mean to have another song by Jon Foreman (lead singer of Switchfoot) on the list, but I couldn't help bring attention to this song. This final song was something I listened to a lot in college this last year. The name itself, "Come Home", makes me think about going home, which is always something that I look forward to. However, the lyrics offer a different message. He sings about someone who has lost hope, or perhaps more than that. Lyrics in this song explain that there will be hard times in life, but that doesn't mean you should give up. To me this song seems like it could represent more than one message, and it's up to the listener's own interpretation of it. I recommend listening to it if you're wanting to listen to a calm, uplifting song.