Graduation playlist

As graduation looms nearer and nearer, I have had this overwhelming sense of emptiness. I keep on going to these "last" things, special ceremonies for "seniors" and other opportunities for public tears.

This next week, weekend and summer are going to be a time for the Class of 2009 to look back, smile, get sad, and then shitfaced to deal with their sadness because let's face it, we're not in college anymore.

I've talked to my fellow graduates and put together the ULTIMATE mix to listen to while you're drinking a Keystone Light in nostalgia.

1) "Friends Forever" - Vitamin C: Staple. No words necessary.

(1a - in case you need another tear-jerking staple try "Good Riddance" by Green Day.)

2) "Graduate" - Third Eye Blind: "When the song lives on long after we do," will be our legacy at UAlbany. Or something profound like that. Honestly, this is just a freakin' amazing song, and the line about getting "my punk ass off the street" is an especially astute line for us English/Journalism majors.

Speaking of English/Journalism majors…

3) "What do you do with a B.A. in English?" - Avenue Q soundtrack

3a) For all other majors: "I Will not Take These Things for Granted" - Toad the Wet Sprocket: A heartwarming little diddy about, well, not taking things for granted. In this case, your college experience.

4) "Here's to the Night" - Eve 6: Here's to the nights on Hudson Ave., finally being old enough to venture to Lark and South Pearl Streets. Here's to discovering Empire Wine, here's to the best Fountain Day in all four years.

Here's to remaining friends with that dude across the hall from freshman year. "Here's to goodbye, tomorrow's gunna come too soon."

5) "I Hope You Dance" - Lee Ann Womack: This was my graduation song in 8th grade. It's had a special soft spot in my left ventricle ever since. I still get a little weepy.

6) "Sunscreen" - Baz Luhrman:

Can you believe this song was made 10 years ago? The advice Baz gives the Class of '99 is still the most valuable advice anyone can give anyone. Listen to the lyrics. Live it now and when you're a grown up.

7) "Today" - The Smashing Pumpkins: Now you loyal readers know how I feel about the Pumpkins. But this song is just a happy little diddy about just how awesome today is. Don't get sad, though! "Can't wait for tomorrow," Corgan wails nasally.

8) "Learning to Fly" - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

9) "My Way" - Frank Sinatra

10) "Closing Time" - Semisonic: Don't knock the late 90's genius; this album is probably in my top 15. And you all know that stupid line is in all of your AIM profiles: "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

Our UAlbany beginning has ended. I hope your new beginnings are just as wonderful as this one. Good luck, class of '09.

Other choices I heard/found:

"In My Life" - The Beatles

"Unwritten" - Natasha Bettingfield

"Circle of Friends" - Better than Ezra

"The Times they are A-Changin" - Bob Dylan

"Your New Twin Size Bed" - Death Cab for Cutie

"Philosophy" - Fenix TX

"Leave the Memories Alone" - Fuel

"Take a Picture" - Filter

"I Want Money" - Flying Lizzards

"The Best is Yet to Come" - Frank Sinatra

"I Hope Tomorrow is Like Today" - Guster

"Bigger than my Body" - John Mayer

"Hero" - Mariah Carey

"Colorful" - Mark Walhberg (not only is he smokin' hot and a wonderful actor, but a top notch singer)

"Across the Universe" - Rufus Wainwright

"Try to Remember, Forget" - Say Anything

"Walk On" - U2

Songs that will forever remind you of Chubby's:

"Livin' on a Prayer" - Bon Jovi

"Santaria" - Sublime

"Say it Ain't So" - Weezer

"Crazy Game of Poker" - O.A.R.

"Don't Stop Believing" - Journey

Songs that will forever remind you of Paulie's:

"You Can Do It" - Ice Cube

"So Seductive" - Tony Yayo

"Be Faithful" - Fatman Scoop

"You Shook Me All Night Long" - AC/DC

"Sweet Child O' Mine" - Guns N' Roses