Opinion | I’m self-conscious about my music.

If we’re in the car and you ask me to play music, the chances of you being stuck listening to Lady Gaga, musical theatre and vintage One Direction are extremely high.

I’m sorry about it. Trust me, I’m well aware that the songs I listen to while driving are embarrassingly mainstream and likely from the early 2000’s. But I don’t care. These are the songs that I like.

And yet, I feel a strange sense of guilt that the music I listen to isn’t “cool.” It isn’t the music that’s heard in the background of trendy teen coming-of-age films. It isn’t the music playing softly in the back of a coffee shop on a rainy day. And because it’s not considered “cool music,” I always feel embarrassed whenever someone asks me to DJ. What if they think my music choice is cringey? What if they judge me for not listening to underground indie music? I’m sorry that my recently played songs consist solely of 2010 Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, I am just as embarrassed as you are!

It could just be me, but I’ve felt this weird apprehension toward mainstream pop lately. It’s almost as if it’s “cool” to hate the songs that are on the radio. Why is this the case? They are on the radio for a reason – it probably means the songs are good. I’m not ashamed that I enjoy Gaga’s new song “Stupid Love.” I shouldn’t have to cringe at this fact.

If I’m at a party or a pregame and I don’t know any of the songs being played, I feel guilty that I’m failing to listen and enjoy the music that my peers are raving about. I’ve tried countless times to go home and listen to the songs that are favorites at parties, but no matter how hard I try, I still find myself pausing the “cool” songs and jamming to Nicki Minaj’s revolutionary hit “Roman Holiday” instead.

At the end of the day, I really don’t care. I don’t care that I’m stuck listening to the same music I did in middle school. I don’t mind being the only person at the pregame who doesn’t know the words. I shouldn’t feel like a loser for having a different taste in music than the people around me. And I shouldn’t force myself to like a song just because everyone else says it’s good. 

I’d rather be “boring” with my music choice than pretend to be someone I’m not. It’s just music. And honestly, my music is pretty rad.

So if you ever find yourself stuck driving with me, get ready to listen to my favorite music: be it the original Broadway cast recording of “Wicked” or “Nobody’s Perfect” by Hannah Montana. Just buckle up and enjoy it.