What Music Plays in Harrison Students’ Headphones?

Music is a powerful force that impacts so many people around the globe. The music we listen to is the soundtrack to our lives, so what would we hear if a WHHHS student handed us one of their earbuds? What is playing in the headphones of Harrison High School students? Music is clearly a big part of student life here: 97% of those who took a survey reported that they listen to music every single day. Whether it’s to relax, focus, or hype themselves up for the day, music is a staple in our students’ lives. Let’s dive a little deeper into what type of music they’re listening to.

From hip-hop to indie, students at Harrison listen to various genres of music. The most listened to genre at our school is rap/hip-hop with 16.4% of students picking this; this isn’t surprising as it’s also the most popular genre among teens in general, according to Xsnoize. Hip-Hop and Rap “Account for more than 40% of all musical activity among students.” Hip-hop/Rap is a genre that has been thriving for decades, with artists such as Drake, Travis Scott, and Kendrick Lamar topping the music charts.

In second place, Rock and Pop music are tied with 15.8% of students choosing these as their preferred genres. Pop an amazing genre that has consistently been at the top of the charts for years. Some popular artists that belong in this genre include Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Taylor Swift, and Ariana Grande. Rock is another great genre that includes popular artists such as Queen, Aerosmith, and Guns N’ Roses.

With all of these popular genres captivating students, there’s bound to be a popular artist in the school, right? Well, actually it’s the opposite. There wasn’t a definitive artist that students chose when asked who their favorite artist is. Some answers included artists such as Lana Del Rey, Sabrina Carpenter, Fleetwood Mac, Radiohead, and Korn.

But how does music really impact Harrison students? One student, senior Chloe Eiler, shared, “Music gives me an emotion that nothing else does. It’s so flexible and could be anything the listener enjoys.” Her response highlights how music’s flexibility allows students to find something that resonates with them, no matter what their mood or preference is. Sophomore Isabella Haug says, “Music just makes me feel understood. I could be in a million different moods, but there will always be a song for those moods.” She further proves that music can conform to the various moods and feelings students have throughout the day.