At Cypress High School, students and teachers each have their own favorite music artists that reflect their personal tastes and experiences.

   At Cypress High School, students connect with music in personal and meaningful ways. For junior Victor Gomez, Cuco stands out as a favorite. He discovered Cuco’s music in late 2018 through Spotify. “I was just listening to a song, and then Cuco popped up on the recommendation page,” Gomez says. “The song just connected with me, and it was so good.” His favorite songs are “Feelings” and “Ego Death in Thailand.” He explains that Cuco’s unique style, which mixes bedroom pop, indie, and rap, makes him different. “He mixes Spanish and English in his songs, and that makes him different,” Gomez shares. “His music is something you can enjoy no matter what your taste is.”

   Another junior, Roberto Cardenas, named Michael Jackson as his favorite artist. He first heard Jackson’s music at just three years old, “My dad introduced me to him, and I’ve loved his music ever since,” Cardenas says. His top three songs are “Will You Be There,” “Leave Me Alone,” and “Lady In My Life.” A lyric that stands out to him is: “I’ll be there, just call my name.” He says the song reminds him of the importance of being there for others, especially during hard times. “When I’m feeling sad, I put on a Michael Jackson song, and it always lifts my mood,” he adds. Cardenas listens to Jackson’s music while doing homework or walking between classes to stay motivated. He appreciates Jackson’s blend of R&B, pop, and soul, calling him “the king of pop” for his global impact and signature style—known for the moonwalk.

   For Ms. Montgomery a Cypress High student teacher in Mr. Taylor’s class, the best band is The Beatles, and her favorite song by them is Strawberry Fields Forever. Her favorite lyric is, “Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.” She says this line makes her feel like it’s okay not to have all the answers. For Ms. Montgomery, the song creates a calm space where she can just be herself without pressure or judgment. It reminds her that life doesn’t have to be perfect, but meaningful, in an experimental manner. 

   Music means something different to everyone, whether it’s helping them through tough times, making them feel understood, or just bringing joy. No matter the genre or generation, music connects people to their emotions and memories in unique ways.