Once you’ve thought about some of your favorites, narrow it down to one or two and discuss the influence they had on you. This paper does need to be analytic in nature. It’s fine for you to tell me your experiences with songs, however, I want you also to be able to interpret and critique how the media has influenced you and consider how they have contributed to the overall development of your character.

Examining these favorites lets us examine, even define, ourselves to some extent. As you think about the songs that shaped you, you might want to ask yourself: How did the music help you understand yourself and perhaps the world around you? How have these songs fostered or restricted your knowledge of the world or a particular culture? Did these songs show you much of what your culture would expect, tolerate, or condemn in your behavior? 

• Is there a song that helped you through a terrible breakup? How did it help?
• A particular artist’s work may have helped you realize that you’re not interested in living a fast-paced city life – you prefer country living.
• Discuss how a particular band’s albums affected you through your middle school years. Explain how these songs helped you get through particularly tough times.
• A particular artist may have made it easier for you to find a connection with strangers – maybe knowing someone’s songs was how you were able to jumpstart friendships. Explain how that scenario played out.
• Music might help you get motivated for competition. What songs do you put on to pump yourself up? Why?
• There might be a song you hear that reminds you of someone or a particular experience every time you hear it. What is the connection?