about
Despite (because of?) being the child of a teacher and having done well in school, I have a pretty cynical view of achievement within the educational system--yes, I learned a lot of amazing stuff in school, but honestly, I feel like to most employers, the most valuable part of my degree is really that it shows I learned how to navigate a system, play well with others, and follow instructions from an authority figure. (And demonstrates I'm middle class enough to afford to go to college, but I won't go off on that tangent...) Occasionally at work I use stuff I learned in school, but mostly it's stuff I learned afterwards, or common sense, or things you can Google.
I know lots of brilliant, amazing people who didn't do well in school or dropped out and I don't think any less of them for not having succeeded in that situation, and I hope they don't feel bad about themselves because of it, either. I have a huge sense of gratitude towards everyone who fosters a growth mindset in kids--or anyone, really. We only have one life, and if you have the luxury to be able to do so, it's better to try new things and fail than to be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.
So even though I guess the person being addressed in this song did manage to make it to graduation, the important thing I wanted to convey in the lyrics is really that they're more than how they did in school, and they'll go on to greatness, or maybe abject failure or just boring mediocrity, but it doesn't matter, they're fantastic and valuable just for being alive and being themselves, and a difficult situation in the moment doesn't reflect how things will always be. So I wanted this to be realistic about all that stuff, but also uplifting and hopeful!
P.S. In my experience, junior high was a hellish nightmare full of hormone-soaked bullies with underdeveloped superegos. If you had a good time during those years, that's awesome, and I'm glad for you, but don't @ me.
lyrics
Here's what school is good for
Learning to do things the way someone else wants them
Learning that there's a single right answer
Solving for X when someone hands you a problem
What do they expect
When they throw you in the water and you don't know how to swim?
You can't solve for X
If nobody's taught you how to even ask a question
It's time to step out into the light
You might fall to earth or fly
It doesn't matter as long as you're trying
It's time to find a path to take
And I know you'll be OK
Can't wait to see you grow and change
On Graduation Day
It's Graduation Day
Grades K through 6 are mixed
Could be awesome, could be bad
But nobody likes junior high
Except for sycophants and psychopaths
The older you get
The more they want to tell you who they think you are
Don't listen to them, baby
Unless they tell you you're a shining star
It's time to step out into the light
You might fall to earth or fly
It doesn't matter as long as you're trying
It's time to find a path to take
And I know you'll be OK
Can't wait to see you grow and change
I won't lie to you, it's going to hurt sometimes
But no matter how hard it gets
Remember there's someone out there who loves you
And you haven't met everyone who will love you yet
It's time to step out into the light
You might fall to earth or fly
It doesn't matter as long as you're trying
It's time to find a path to take
And I know you'll be OK
Can't wait to see you grow and change
On Graduation Day
It's Graduation Day
It's Graduation Day
credits
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