Music has always been a huge part of the human experience. It is all around us, and what someone likes about music—or art in general—can reveal a lot about them. To our Wildcat musicians in particular, music is something that is held very dear.
Lily Keplinger, a senior at Ukiah High and the Ukiah High Band’s drum major, has been involved in Ukiah High’s music program since her freshman year. She emphasizes that for her, music has just kind of always been there. She adds, “There’s music that inspires nostalgia for me. There’s music that I have memories of in marching band, and I think now Dua Lipa will always have a special place in my heart because of the field show.”
Being involved in the music program at Ukiah High has given Keplinger a special appreciation for music, especially now that she’s the drum major. Keplinger explains, “I started playing music my freshman year, and I’ve been playing the trumpet ever since. I think I appreciate music more for what it is. I can tell when things are similar because maybe they’re in the same key. But I do think I have a special appreciation for what goes into music now.”
The specific music someone loves says a lot about them. Keplinger shared 10 of her favorite songs and why she loves them. She prefaces this by clarifying, “There’s no specific order in which I’ve chosen these songs.”
“Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac, to Keplinger was “the first song that I thought of when I was asked about this interview.” Keplinger explains, “It’s about this landslide that comes in and changes your life.” Since she is graduating in a couple of months, she explains, “I’m just sort of at this changing period of my life, so I think I’m really resonating with it right now.”
“Plastic Jesus” by Tia Blake is Keplinger’s next song. She describes it as a song that’s “just really fun to sing.” She adds, “When I see a little figurine of Jesus, I start singing it, and it’s a really easy song. I just like it.”
When In Rome – The Promise (Official Music Video)
“The Promise” by When In Rome is a song that Keplinger describes as “really romantic.” She explains, “I’m a hopeless romantic at heart. And I really love an eighties feel, like in classic eighties songs.”
God Only Knows (Remastered 1999)
“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys is, to Keplinger, “an underrated romantic song.” She explains, “They’re talking about how they love this girl and ‘I could live without you, but God only knows where I’d be,’” She then adds, “I just think it’s really romantic that he could be with anyone anywhere, but he doesn’t want to; he wants to be with this person. And I really like all the layers that the Beach Boys put in.”
“Simple Truth” by Tsunami Bomb is a song that Keplinger describes as “number one in my house.” She notes that it’s important in her house because it was her parents’ first dance song. She explains how it reminds her of the story of how her parents met, and all of the things that her parents went through together. She adds, “My parents are still together, and the simple truth is that they still love each other.”
Sufjan Stevens – “Mystery of Love (Demo)” (Official Lyric Video)
“Mystery of Love” by Sufjan Stevens, specifically the demo version, to Keplinger is “just really beautiful.” She emphasizes, “It’s just so methodical.” Keplinger notes, “When he came out with his album, I think two years ago, he announced it with the death of his partner that this song is about.” Lily emphasizes her love for Sufjan Stevens, stating, “He is a poet.”
Tin: Waloyo Yamoni – “We Overcome the Wind”
“Waloyo Yamoni” by Christopher Tin, which Keplinger notes that the title is in the African language, Lango. She explains, “It basically translates to ‘we overcome the wind.’” In her experience listening to the song, “It rains the day after, I’m not even kidding.” Keplinger elaborates on her thoughts regarding the song, stating, “I think it has a lot of care put into it. I mean, Christopher Tin isn’t African, but it’s such a unique sound. […] And I love orchestra pieces.”
Jeff Buckley – Lover, You Should’ve Come Over (Official Audio)
“Lover You Should’ve Come Over” by Jeff Buckley, another gorgeous song to Keplinger, and selected “mostly because of the beginning.” She explains, “That is the most beautiful, cold opening of a song I’ve ever heard.” Despite the song’s “simple opening,” Keplinger describes it as “hauntingly beautiful.”
Besame Mucho (June 1962 Version)
“Bésame Mucho” by The Beatles, which, according to Keplinger, is “a Beatles song that’s really underrated.” Keplinger notes, “It’s just Paul McCartney being kind of silly.” She adds, “I love that song. I just think it’s so beautiful, and it’s a fun song.”
Do I Wanna Know? (BBC Live Lounge)
“Do I Wanna Know” by Hozier (originally by Arctic Monkeys), which Keplinger describes as “another hauntingly beautiful song.” She explains, “It’s very ‘Do I wanna know if you love me back? Do I wanna know if you really like me?’’ She notes that she loves the lyric change from ‘baby’ to ‘darling.’ She adds, “I’m a hopeless romantic. I love it, and I love Hozier.”
Keplinger concludes, “I just feel like a lot of these songs are really methodical in what they do. It’s not just sound to make sound. It’s really planned out, and they all have deep meanings.”
Music is a core part of many Wildcat musicians, and it brings so much joy—not just to our musicians—but to the community as a whole. To Wildcat musicians, there are so many little intricacies in songs to appreciate.
Photo Credit: UUSD Instagram
