Word on the Street: Songs that feel like UNC

Music can be one of the most important things that connects someone to the places and experiences around them.

For The Daily Tar Heel’s 2024 Music Edition, staff writer Charlie Bagwell asked students and community members: "Which songs remind you the most of UNC and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area and why?"

Paige Gowdy, first-year environmental science major: I would say the song “August” by Flipturn, because it was just a really upbeat song that I played on repeat my first month here, so it was just a really positive experience coming to Carolina.

Finn Rehal, senior physics major: Probably, the song would be “Zombie” by Jamie T. I started listening to that song on repeat a lot when I came here.

Jacob Brown, junior computer science major: “I’m Only Sleeping” by the Beatles, because, last spring, I would listen to it all the time when I was walking around campus. The mixture of blasting that through my AirPods and walking through the spring vibe reminds me of campus.

Ian Mills, Chapel Hill resident: I’d have to say something by Neil Young. I used to really like Neil Young when I moved here. Probably “Heart of Gold.”

Ziyi Cai, Kenan-Flagler Business School MBA candidate: Now, all I can think of is the song “Sweet Home Alabama,” because it’s a really nice place to be, actually, in Chapel Hill, and I’ve come to appreciate a lot just in the year and a half I’ve had to be here. So, even though it’s not Alabama, it’s a sweet home to be in.

Holt Smith, musician: There's a lot of old bluegrass songs — I’d probably have to say “The Hills of Home” by Al Wood and the Smokey Ridge Boys.

Justin Rivera, junior computer science major: Something that reminds me of my time at Carolina would be “Last Night” by Diddy. It’s because one of my cousins showed it to me while I went to school here, and then, when I came back, I listened to it a lot and it always put me in a good mood.

Eleazar Yisrael, communications and journalism major, class of 2025: What’s that Drake song? “Headlines!”

Robin Clayton, retired nurse: “Carolina in My Mind” would be one that makes me think of the area, because it’s just so sweet. That depicts the area perfectly.

Karen Zhu, sophomore biology major: The most frequent song that I’ve listened to since coming to Carolina — it’s among my suitemates, we always have “Low” by SZA playing. So that’s, like, weekly. I hear that very often because I’m with my suitemates all the time, the song is just always there. My Carolina experience is very dominated by spending time with my suitemates so it's very personal.

Chris Sneed, junior English major: “Float On” by Modest Mouse was playing on my drive up here with my friend, and, now, I just associate that with the drive up here and the Town.

Luke Farinelli, senior biology major: I think the best vibe for campus has to be a James Taylor song. “Your Smiling Face” by James Taylor. Other than, you know, “Carolina in My Mind” is good, too, but I think the second best is “Your Smiling Face.”

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