“Sing it, Piano Man!” I yell as I fall back into the car seat, my eyes tearing up in laughter. Sitting next to me, my dad chuckles, steering the car toward the ultimate karaoke bar: my house.

My dad and I have a short history of enjoying oldies. I never got into contemporary pop in general, especially with today’s EDM or overt innuendos. Since freshman year, I’ve been interested on-and-off in music from the 1970s through the late ‘90s. With favorite groups like Queen and AC/DC all the way to Backstreet Boys, I’m well versed in in older music that’s more likely to be on the playlists of someone in their 50s or 60s.

My dad and I don’t always sing together as we listen to these classic hits. But sometimes, “Backstreet’s back, all right!” blares out of the car stereo and we tap along, my dad’s fingers drumming into the shifter and my foot tapping on the carpet floor of the car as we relish the lyrics “I would always Want It That Way”: a tacit acknowledgement of our common interests.

I’ve used my interest in older music to inspire me as well. Although this may sound laughable in comparison to the average upperclassman’s struggles, I was actually pretty stressed in sophomore year. While prepping for the SAT and an increased school workload, I didn’t have much time to hang out with my friends.

I found solace in an unexpected substitute: the song “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. When overburdened with school work, I wouldn’t go to my friends to complain; I’d play it and motivate myself back into action.

Now that I’m a senior, surviving first semester is proving to be the toughest challenge yet. So, when I’m overwhelmed with completing college apps or learning Homecoming dances, I’ll just remind myself that “I’m Halfway There — on a Highway to Hell.”