LIFE

TBH, as much as people say "not everything is about you," you are the main character in your own life. So yes, everything is about you. But to be a true main character and star in your own coming-of-age movie, you absolutely *need* your very own playlist—the music that will play during all your adventures and perf plot. 

So, how do you start a Perfect Day? Our story starts here.

You take off your eye mask to the sound of your alarm clock screeching. Ugh, you're already running late to school. The truth is though, nothing is really gonna stay in your way—after all, school can't start without its main character, right?

Perfect Day - Hoku

On this perfect day
Nothing's standing in my way

We all remember the iconic Legally Blonde opening song, right? Blasting Perfect Day while brushing your teeth or picking out an outfit is guaranteed to make you feel like a 2000s princess, pop star or, you know, Harvard law student. It's the (Legally) best.

Kilby Girl - The Backseat Lovers

There's a place down the road where we can waste the whole afternoon

Okay, you're all prepped and ready to start your day—what's next? Maybe you'll meet the eponymous Kilby Girl (or guy) (or maybe you *are* the Kilby Girl) with whom you'll waste the whole afternoon to the catchy thrum of this song. We can already picture it—running down the empty road together while the bass and percussion crescendo.

Can I Call You Tonight? - Dayglow

So can I call you tonight?
I'm trying to make up my mind

Yes, you're the main character, but that doesn't mean you're the *only* character. Can I Call You Tonight? captures that weird, fuzzy feeling when you meet your person but don't exactly know it yet. If you call them, you might seem needy, but you really want to call them...except what if they don't want to talk to you—aghhhhh!

Like or Like Like - Miniature Tigers

Tell me how you feel about me
Do you like or like, like me?

We've all daydreamed about that cinematic romance and this song def delivers. Well, at least on the butterflies-in-your-stomach-I-hope-they-like-me part. You've talked, you've called, you've bonded, but is it friendship or something more?

Cigarette Daydreams - Cage The Elephant

You can drive all night
Looking for the answers in the pouring rain

Can there even be a list of main character songs without this one? Even the music video is a whole movie in itself. This coming-of-age classic is *sure* to bring out your inner seventeen-year-old, no matter the age. 

Freaks - Surf Curse

Don't cry, I am just a freak

There's nothing more authentically teenage than feeling like an outcast. So close—yet so far—from your dream life, with seemingly nothing to do about it except listen to this song on repeat while staring at your bedroom wall. I mean, cue the angst.

The Story of Us - Taylor Swift

And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now

There are yells, there are tears and there are heartbreaks. What better way to soundtrack the relationship climax with the cream of the crop of angsty Taylor Swift songs? Despite your make up or break up, this song will give you that dramatic tragedy in a library aesthetic she pulls off so well in her music video.

Crash My Car - COIN 

You can crash my car tonight

Sometimes, all you need in life is the recreation of that one tunnel scene from The Perks of Being a Wallflower where arms are up, hair is blowing, and music blasts as the wind whistles through the car. Crash My Car is that moment bottled up in a serotonin-boosting song.

these are my friends - lovelytheband 

These are my friends
I love them

If you're a teen movie main character, most likely you and your friends are considered weirdos (no offense). Maybe you left them along the way, or maybe they left you pressured by other people's opinions of you, but hey! Who said weird was a bad thing? You and your forevers will find a way back together and learn to stand behind each other, no matter what.

Where'd All The Time Go? - Dr. Dog

And you know I get so forgetful
When I look in your eyes

Would it really be a coming-of-age movie without a school dance? After you pick out your most gorgeous outfit and pretty yourself up, you hop into your bestie's car to drive to the formal, because who really needs a partner when you have a ride-or-die?

December 1963 (Oh, What a Night!) - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

What a very special time for me,
As I remember, what a night.

The dance is over, but the night has just begun. Giggling and giddy, you and your friends hop over to your local diner, still dolled up and your gowns and suits. As the orders of pancakes and waffles roll in, "December 1963" hums softly in the background in harmony with the cozy thrum of chatter that fills the booth.

Annnnnd roll credits...

Ready to listen? Find our playlist "POV: ur the main character" on Spotify:

What's your fave main character song? Tell us on Instagram @girlslifemag!

All GIFS via GIPHY. Slider image @Em. 

by Sophia Zhang and Zohar Peleg | 8/27/2021