“Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.”
–Aretha Franklin

Music is that rare art form that serves as a mirror and a balm to both troubled and joyous times. It is a lyrical and auditory art form. It can serve as a common bond that unites people across culture, race and language.

So here you have it – a suggested playlist of 125 songs, far from definitive and designed to evoke memories and discussions. These songs are representative of their times. Some, your grandparents would hum, and some you’d know every word.

We even included a couple recorded right here on campus (see: #123 and #124).

Don't see your favorite? Share it with us on Twitter or Facebook. Happy listening!

Open in Spotify for the full list of 125 songs.