Mixtape of Memories

Anabel Rios

2018- American Spirits

2020- Bad Romance
2014- Sunshine
2016- Somewhere over the Rainbow
2015- Baby Shark
 2018- American Spirits
My oldest sister is in the air force now but, when she was home, she would take care of me a
lot. She had a cheerful and happy personality, always making me laugh or smile wherever we
were. One night, she was driving us back home from the store while blasting her favorite
playlist in her car. As soon as this song started, I liked it. This song reminds me of our youth
together.

We can drive around, all around the town

So pointless, so pointless
That night was a night I would never forget. Although the both of us remained silent, I felt as if
our bond as sisters grew stronger within that second. It was an unexplainable feeling yet, it felt
like it made sense. In that moment, the both of us had no worries or stress; listening to the
song was the only thing we needed to care about while our rolled down windows brought a
fierce wind in the car, attacking our hair in the night sky.
 2020- Bad Romance
I have another sister, she’s older but not the oldest. I’m proud to have her as a sister as well. I
seem to have a thing for cars because this memory includes one, too. To me, this sister has
always been a symbol of beauty in my life. Although us sisters look alike, we hold different traits
that makes us look unique so, we don’t look completely identical. My sister is pretty on both
the inside and outside. Her voice has always been gorgeous, too. I love to listen to her sing
since she’s good at it.

One night, as we were driving home, my sister, mother, and I listened to the radio while this
song started to play. Near the end of the song, my sister was singing the part when Lady Gaga
sings the note at 4:09. When my sister sung that part, she let out so much emotion while
singing, as if it was a way to vent her stress. Recalling the hard months we had gone through
recently, I understood why she would sing so intensely. Singing was a way for her to forget her
problems and live in the moment. That night, her singing gave me chills.
 2014- Sunshine
Reach for the sky
Keep your eye on the prize
Forever in my mind
Be my golden sunshine
It's raining in your mind
So push them clouds aside
Forever by my side
You're my golden sunshine

This song is one of my dad’s favorite songs, he would play it at a loud volume in the living room all the
time. One afternoon, he made me watch this song’s music video with him and I did since I was easily
entertained. When I watched the music video, I knew the song must have had an uplifting message since
it sounded so cheerful to me. And throughout the music video, my dad would tell me life lessons and old
stories about our family.

Here’s how I interpret the lyrics I put above. I interpret them as if my dad was saying those lyrics to me,
he’s telling me to strive in life and achieve what I want to achieve, no matter what. No matter what, he’ll
stick with me and be by my side.
 2016- Somewhere over the Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of
Dreams really do come true

At my uncle’s funeral, this song was played and it immediately brought everyone to tears. My uncle was an
influential man who had many friends. As a niece, the only thing I could do was pray that he was in a better
place now, a place that could be described like the lyrics above. This song is a memory from my uncle’s
funeral because it could have a sad message with a happy smile covering it and that’s how I felt at the
funeral. Although the death of someone is meant to call for a celebration of that person’s life, everyone’s
only sad. We fake that feeling of celebration and happiness in order to derive us away from our sadness and
pain we feel from their death. But, over time I have been able to accept his death and actually celebrate the
good parts of his life rather than grieve over them.

2015- Baby Shark

It’s rather embarrassing but I included this song because of all the memories I have with my 4-
year-old brother. This song would calm him down whenever he was throwing a tantrum or was
too energetic throughout the day. I remember, how mesmerized he was while watching the
music video and how he would just jump up and start dancing. It reminds me how precious he
is and how much I love him and should take care of him. There’s not much to these memories
but I just know that they’re super important.