Top 5 Most Nostalgic Songs | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Top 5 Most Nostalgic Songs

Was the past a thing to remember?

409
Top 5 Most Nostalgic Songs

Ah, memories. We create moments in our lives that will mean much more in the future than when they happened. Sometimes these memories are remembered so fondly that they seem more valuable than the present. Today we'll explore a series of nostalgic songs. Not songs that we grew up listening to, but songs that dwell on the past more than the present. But perhaps you did listen to them when you were younger.

5. Bell Boy - The Who

Quadrophenia, the second rock opera by The Who in 1973, still makes my head spin with its story. But one thing is clear: no one can stay young forever. In the second half of the album, the protagonist Jimmy meets up with a member from a gang he grew up with. And not just any member, but his idol, now dressed as a bellhop at a local hotel. The member, known back when as Ace Face, has learned to make up for the mistakes in his youth, and live in the modern age with a full-time job. While Jimmy still pursues what keeps him young, Ace Face learned to grow up and abandon his thug life.

4. Tender Years - John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band

Even if you haven't seen the film Eddie and the Cruisers, this song still carries out its meaning. The past carries on with the singer, to the point of not letting it go. In the film, the memory of the band Eddie and the Cruisers almost "haunts" the remaining band members, as the mystery of Eddie's disappearance was never solved. And with that, the good times shared in relationships also carry with them. The song may be short, but the memories were long lasting.

3. Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams

This song works for the end of August, every year. Missing the good summer that passed by. They were "the best days of my life", according to Adams in this hit. The song focuses on the aspirations of the singer's youth, and even though he went through a few fads, the time spent with his friends and date were remarkable in the long run. That's the spirit of the past we all hope for, that our memories mean more now than when they started.

2. Glory Days - Bruce Springsteen

Such a cheerful song for a harsh story. Bruce meets up with people of his past, who used to hit it big when they were young. The only thing he finds in common is that the past was their best, and not much happens in their life nowadays. Let's hope the irony of getting old and thinking back doesn't get to The Boss. Although in the same album, "Born in the U.S.A.", he does recall his childhood and friends from yesteryear in the title track.


1. 1985 - Bowling for Soup

If name dropping was a phrase in 2004, this song would have invented it. The song tells of a young mother who lost her dreams. Since then, her whole world seems different, and she cannot comprehend the changes in pop culture, especially in her idols as a teenager. This song refers to many 80's bands, as the name suggests, from Madonna to Van Halen, as well as a few movies like "Breakfast Club" and "St. Elmo's Fire" (or does it mean the song? Both were around that time period). The song demonstrates Debbie's dreams being long gone, as well the good music she grew up with, and can only remember what she once wanted from life: to be the ultimate groupie.

Time changes, and so does our perspective. The past may be another part of our life, or the culmination of the best things we've ever done. Many remember the past with fondness, while others live in the past and can't see the here and now. In fact, the past was once a here and now. But what happens when you live in the past and miss the present? Only time will tell.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

7 Jobs Your Roommate Has

She's got your back with everything that college throws at you.

65
Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey in scrubs sit against a wall, smiling and enjoying a break.

If you are anything like my roommate and I, you have a friendship with your roomie. You’re lucky to have gotten a roommate that is easy to get along with and more importantly cool to live with. Whether you found her on Facebook or went random, a roommate is a big part of life in college. This list goes through some of the jobs that a roommate has that help you get through college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

35 Things I Wish I Learned In My Freshman Year Of College

Just some relatable college student advice! Yes, you aren’t the only one!

388
Towson University
YouTube

Freshman year can either be the greatest year, or the roughest year. It depends on your transition and how you adjust. For me, freshman year in college was one of the best years of my life. However, looking back, there are a few things that I wish I learned.

Now that I am a sophomore, I can finally do things a little differently. Here are a few things that I wish I learned my freshman year of college!

Keep Reading...Show less
Woman in field with a red heart-shaped balloon under a colorful sky.

Being single can be great and awful at the same time. Yeah, it's awesome to have time to yourself to figure out who you are and make your own decisions. It would also be nice to have someone to go through life with, but it needs to be the right person. I haven't found that person yet and here's a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

15 Times "Parks and Recreation" Summed Up Your Library Experience

"I've only slept nine hours over the past four days, so I'm right on the verge of a nervous breakdown." - Leslie Knope

5451
Parks and Recreation excitedly gathered around a laptop at a table in an office setting.

The library. Club lib. The place every college student goes when they want to try and be a productive member of society. Who better to explain your experience than Parks and Rec?

1. When you've finally found the energy to leave your dorm room and walk into the lib like

Keep Reading...Show less
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments