"The song that changed my life the first time I heard it, is a song my Nana wrote for me when my parents got a divorce. It is called "Pocket Full of Memories." The song is about how no matter what happens, or who you lose, you always have the memories to lean on. We all have good memories, and we all have bad ones. Either way, we always have something there to remind us of what we've been through and who we've known. The chorus of the song goes like this: "I've got a pocket full of memories. Something to always comfort me. When times are rough, or I'm feeling lonely, I'll call on my pocket full of memories." When my Nana sang it to me for the first time, I knew that my daddy was still there, he would never completely be gone. And now that I live with my dad, and left everyone back home behind, they are still with me through all the memories we made throughout the years." -- a girl, class of 2010
"I love songs that have meanings in them. When songs really make me take a step back and think about my life or just the world in general, then it's a good song. I love songs that cause me to connect to something in someway. There are a lot of songs that meaningful songs that I love, but Hawaiian songs in particular really make me appreciate my life, being a Hawaiian, living in Hawaii. The song "Couldn't Take The Mana" influences me every time that I listen it. I feel so empowered and proud and hopeful as a Hawaiian. This song talks about some history of Hawaii, and how, "they took the land, they took aloha, they took the queen even though they didn't know her." They being the white people of course. It tells of how everything is changing in Hawaii, with buildings, and highways, and even though a lot of things have changed in Hawaii, and people took a lot of things from the Hawaiians, "they couldn't take the mana", the power. Everything I listen to song I always think about something different. I think about my life, and how thankful and lucky I am to be a Hawaiian." -- a girl, class of 2010
"Many songs are special to me, but Gordon Lightfoot's, "The Watchman's Gone" has always been a song of inspiration to me.
It is the watchman that helps me to identify with the song. Probably all of us have a personal watchman who delights in "kickin' your dreams about". One "better beware, knowin' the watchman's always there". It is the certainty, though, that the watchman can sometimes be evaded that allows me to hope that tomorrow might be better than today. It allows me to think that maybe tomorrow I could "feel so good, knowin' the watchman's gone." -- a teacher
"I can't say that I have a song or album that has had a profound effect on my life as of yet. I am however an avid music listener. My favorite kind of music to listen to is Reggae. I feel very connected to the earth and the people around me. When I listen to Bob Marley sing "Everything’s Going to Be Alright" I feel as though I can actually get past any problems or troubles I am feeling or that are happening around me. Bob Marley is able to say in words what I feel and that is why I really relate to his music." -- a boy, class of 2009
"Music influenzes my mood termendously. Sometimes when I feel alone I pop in my earbuds and crank it up. Even just feeling peppy I turn on some music and dance in the mirror. Many songs remind me of times, places, the age I was, my eomtions and what was going on at that point in life. One song that really has been stuck on repeat in my life is "Leaving on a Jet Plane" by John Denver. I feel as if through out this time I've been on Earth moving was a big part of it. Not being a military brat but just moving, starting at a young age is tough. I like traveling and exploring new places, don't get me wrong but moving is different traveling. "All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...", feeling this is an exciting or sad feeling and I've felt both. This is one of the only songs that I have memorized on the guitar. Sitting in my room, slamming on the strings, singing my heart out to no one but me, this songs speaks to me. About 5 different artists verisons of John Denver's original sounds great in every voice that I've heard it in. Relating to songs comforts the listeners. It brings me to an optimistic mindset about leaving because we will see each other one day i believe, in heaven." -- a girl, class of 2009
"Ludacris’ “Runaway Love,” from his 2006 album, Realease Therapy, has influenced my life in so many ways. This song is about how tough life can be, and no matter how hard we think our lives are, there is always someone out there with a life that is worse than yours. There are so many young girls who are being raped and abused and getting into bad situations. Many young teenage girls get pregnant and the guys who are responsible for their child wants nothing to do with the baby or them. It just goes to show that, because our economy is so bad, parents are too worried about working and making money that they forget to be more involved in what their children are doing. Therefore, their children lack guidance and structure in their lives." -- a girl, class of 2009
"You pulled me through" by Jennifer Hudson, is a song that has touched my life. Although it is meant for a "lover", I associate it with my family. They have pulled me through a lot of ruts in my life. If there is anyone that has been there for me, even through my toughest times, it is definitely my family. They aren't perfect, but no one is, and they come closer than everyone I've met. If it wasn't for them, and their unconditional love, I would probably be dead or in jail. I've had more downs than ups, and without them I would still be down. " -- a girl, class of 2009
"A song that influenced me to pick up in singing was when my dad sung me the song from Land Before Time by Keali’i Reichel “if we hold on
together." My dad would sing it to me when I was a baby and when I would cry he would sing me this particular song and I would stop. Only my dad could make it work when my mom tried. I ended up crying even more. It’s so peaceful I could listen to it all day over and over again.
This specific song made me pick up the skill in playing the uke to start
making my own music and look where I am now making music vids on the internet and I’m about to send a music video to brown bags to stardom featured on oc16. Thanks to this song I have another talent other than basketball!" -- a boy, class of 2010
"The song I can say most definitely influenced me in some profound way was indeed the song “Amber” by 311. It took me days, and I am not over exaggerating when I say days to choose a song that I felt would fit this assignment so perfectly. I came to my conclusion of “Amber”, my the suggestion of my boyfriend, whom I have been with for 1 year and ½. It came out of his mouth in one second flat when I described this assignment, perhaps because he thought it described me so well. This song, I found has calmed me no matter what the circumstances were at that time. The melody is so harmonic, the beat so angelic and the lyrics so soothing that I could listen on repeat for hours on end. Even in severe pain, I will listen to this song, and the dull aching will feel just a little bit better by this rhythmic beat. Perhaps, that is why I placed this song as my My Space profile song. Truly, it is a beauty. “And, amber is the color of your energy. Whoa.. shades of gold display naturally....”just the thought can get me lost in it for hours on end." -- a girl, class of 2010
"Many songs have shifted the way I view the world, but I think the most influential artist in my life has been Jimmy Buffett. His album, Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude, is the music of my childhood. My dad is borderline obsessed with "Mr. Buffett," and I unwittingly sing under my breath whenever I so much as hear the melodies. Despite my minor aversion after 17 years, I know that I can dig up some of his tunes on my iPod and take a trip down memory lane, when my life was less stressful and I seemed to have more fun. "Changes" is my one true connection to my dad, and because we haven't been close for years, it's a connection I cherish."-- a girl, class of 2010
"I have two songs that had changed my life. The first song, is a religous one that I had learned in Kindergarden; it is called "Jesus Loves Me." I could have the worst day of my life but by singing this song in my head, it gives me something to look forward to in life.
The second song is "Footprints" by the band T.O.K. This song talks about how your life would be if it was affected by guns, money, drugs, and no set plan in life. After listening to the lyrics, it made me realize how lucky I am that my life didn't go down the wrong path. I'm very fortunate to have some guidance in my life, especially someone to point and guide me into different directions whether I like it or not. I am also fortunate that I know there's someone there that'll be my backbone whenever I may need them the most:) Most of all, I'm happy that I know there's someone who cares about me!!!!" -- a girl, class of 2010
"Here In Your Arms" by Hellogoodbye influences me to dance. It makes me happy & it clears my head when I have a lot on my mind. It also reminds me of a friend that I don't really talk to anymore. We would have so much fun dancing to this song. We could listen to it over & over again & never get lick of it. We would listen to it until we couldn't dance any longer. This is one of my favorite songs & it inspires me." -- a girl, class of 2009
"The tracks still play in my head never forgetting a song, a lyric, or rhythm. One of my closest friends moved away in the middle of freshman year, which was the hard for both of us. Im the kind of person who waits for people to come to me and she did I've known her since kindergarten. Freshman year came around and she made me a c.d. with these roots reggae songs that changed my life forever.
That c.d. was all I listened to, 24/7; walking to school, during school, and after school. I was hooked the songs were unique to me like nothing I've heard before. It was an eye opener; I was let into this music world that was a secret to me for so long. When I first listened to it my ears were so excited they were dancing, and my mind was dancing. There wasn't one song on that c.d. I hated, which was weird because they were all new to me. Each song was different, it had a story behind it, meaning, and sound. It helped me remember her and get through my first year of high school which scares me because it was a short time ago. I remember the day she gave it to me, happiness surrounded me, I thought my life was finally completed i waited forever for her to make me that CD." -- -- a girl, class of 2009
"All Cause of You" by The 88 is one song that I will always remember. I really love this song because this is the song that I listened to constantly to on a trip to New York. It was so cold, it was winter time, and it was breathtakingly beautiful. It was the first time I ever saw snow and I found it to be very ungodly cold. But still, even the icy temperatures could not keep me from admiring the beautiful atmosphere of New York and Washington DC. Its mellow soothing gray landscape dotted with magnificent poppy red trees still holding on to their colorful leaves, were amazing and truly made me regret Hawaii's rather banal weather. Simply put this song has now been tagged with memories of this trip which I found both exhilaratingly cold while also profoundly warm with great people, and friends. Not to mention this song has great upbeat rhythm and lovely lyrics, with a burst of piano to add to the kind of happy themed: I love you, you are everything, and it you changed me, "all cause of you" message." -- a girl, class of 2010
"The song that has changed my life or influenced me in some way is'Hawaii 78' by Israel Kamakawiwaole. I chose this song because in his song he talks about how much the land has changed. He questions how the King and Queen would feel about all these changes being made to the land if they were to come back and see. He mentions some things in this song that are putting this island in danger. Some of those things are highways, traffic lights, railroad tracks, and buildings. Other than the meaning behind the song, i like it because he sings it in a very proud and strong way. It is by far one of my favorite songs." -- a girl, class of 2009
"An album that definately changed my life is 'In Between Dreams' by Jack Johnson. His music speaks to me like no other. It's amazing how I can listen to him for hours and here his songs a million times and I never get bored of it. His voice and music is so smoothing. I wish I could just jump into a bathful of him. Yes, that sounds weird but its the perfect music to listen to when you've had a rough day and just wanna think, or go up to the North Shore and cruise at Waimea, it is always a good time to listen to Jack. He writes about true stuff, things that are deep and close to your heart. He is such a talented artist. It also helps that he is from Oahu. He grew up here and still calls North Shore his home town. He is really into taking care of our environment which is a total bonus! In Between Dreams is my favorite album ever." -- a girl, class of 2010
"Follow Me" By: Uncle Cracker Every time I hear this song I reminisce about driving “up north” in Wisconsin with my previous step-father singing word for word at the top of our lungs. For the 10 years of my childhood I spent with him this is the one memory I automatically think about. The memories of this song make me realize how much of an impact he had on my life as a father-figure. I remember all the smiles and the car full of laughter; I’d go back to be a kid again to sing that song with him." -- a girl, class of 2009
"Listening to a song called 'Warning Sign' written by Coldplay, helped me realize what type of relationship I have with my mom. In the song, I believe that the lyrics are describing the love/hate relationship between the singer and whom it was written for (maybe his girlfriend/friend/ or someone who had passed or disappeared from his live. Before my mom had been diagnosed with depression, I kept looking for more and more excuses to hate her, and when she was gone (into depression), I realized then, that “I should not have let you go… when the truth is, I miss you.” -- a girl, class of 2009
"The song that most influenced me must be 'Picture on the Wall' sung by the reggae band Groundation. This song is so soothing and calm. When I listen to this song, its my vacation. I play it and I just float away. It makes me think of a beautiful beach on a sunny wonderful day. This song can put me in the best mood on the worst of my days. There is just something about it. It flows through my body so spiritually. I would listen to this song almost every day before school. It would set my mood perfectly for a sunny walk to Kalaheo. While I'm walking I would just sing or whistle this song to myself. 'And this is all I’ve seen today. Yes this is all I’ve seen today.' The song ends magnificently with that last line. There is no other song like this that’s why it is not only the most influential song to me, but my most favorite." -- a boy, class of 2009
"I don’t really think any song has really changed my life but a song that has sort of opened my eyes is 'Stop and Stare' by OneRepublic. I can kind of understand what the song is saying. It says, 'Stop and stare. I think I’m moving but I go nowhere.' I can relate to this because sometimes I feel this way. I quite often feel like I’m not really getting anywhere. Every time I hear this song it makes me think about my life." -- a girl, class of 2010
It is the watchman that helps me to identify with the song. Probably all of us have a personal watchman who delights in "kickin' your dreams about". One "better beware, knowin' the watchman's always there". It is the certainty, though, that the watchman can sometimes be evaded that allows me to hope that tomorrow might be better than today. It allows me to think that maybe tomorrow I could "feel so good, knowin' the watchman's gone." -- a teacher
together." My dad would sing it to me when I was a baby and when I would cry he would sing me this particular song and I would stop. Only my dad could make it work when my mom tried. I ended up crying even more. It’s so peaceful I could listen to it all day over and over again.
This specific song made me pick up the skill in playing the uke to start
making my own music and look where I am now making music vids on the internet and I’m about to send a music video to brown bags to stardom featured on oc16. Thanks to this song I have another talent other than basketball!" -- a boy, class of 2010
The second song is "Footprints" by the band T.O.K. This song talks about how your life would be if it was affected by guns, money, drugs, and no set plan in life. After listening to the lyrics, it made me realize how lucky I am that my life didn't go down the wrong path. I'm very fortunate to have some guidance in my life, especially someone to point and guide me into different directions whether I like it or not. I am also fortunate that I know there's someone there that'll be my backbone whenever I may need them the most:) Most of all, I'm happy that I know there's someone who cares about me!!!!" -- a girl, class of 2010
That c.d. was all I listened to, 24/7; walking to school, during school, and after school. I was hooked the songs were unique to me like nothing I've heard before. It was an eye opener; I was let into this music world that was a secret to me for so long. When I first listened to it my ears were so excited they were dancing, and my mind was dancing. There wasn't one song on that c.d. I hated, which was weird because they were all new to me. Each song was different, it had a story behind it, meaning, and sound. It helped me remember her and get through my first year of high school which scares me because it was a short time ago. I remember the day she gave it to me, happiness surrounded me, I thought my life was finally completed i waited forever for her to make me that CD." -- -- a girl, class of 2009