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The Daily Tar Heel

Office DJ: 21 songs for my 21st birthday

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Photo Editor Helen McGinnis celebrates her 21st birthday for this week's office DJ.

Sept. 22 could not come any quicker. I have never been one to stay up until midnight on their birthday. After my 16th birthday, when I could finally drive, my birthdays haven’t really been that eventful. But being young for my grade and the last in my friend group to turn 21, I have never anticipated a birthday more than this one. The big 21. 

To celebrate I have created a playlist with 21 songs that will act as the soundtrack of my day. 

First, I have "September" by Earth, Wind and Fire. On the 21st night of September, I will be dancing the night away as I ring in my birthday at midnight. The second is the ultimate hype song if you are a UNC student, "Jump Around" by House of Pain. This song plays at all the basketball and football games and it will be playing as the clock turns to midnight and I finally turn 21. Next, I have "Takin’ Shots" by Post Malone as my friends and I will be celebrating all night but, as Post Malone says, “We ain’t done yet”. I apologize to my Monday Wednesday Friday professors in advance. Fourth on the list is "FaceTime" by 21 Savage, as I answer birthday calls from my faraway loved ones. 

After a plethora of party songs including "In da Club" by 50 Cent with its infamous hook “go shawty, it’s your birthday,” is "Rule the World" by 2 Chainz, featuring Ariana Grande — because this is probably the time of the night when I will feel like I “rule the world.” 

Right after the high of the night is "Pity Party" by Melanie Martinez because come on, is it really your birthday if you don’t cry? A few songs later is "4 AM" by 2 Chainz and Travis Scott. The lyrics “It’s 4 a.m., I’m just gettin’ started” have never hit harder. 

To close my playlist and the night is the ultimate closing song, "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers. Whenever it plays at a party, it’s time to gather up your friends and head home. And just like that, the highly anticipated night is over and I have been initiated into adulthood. 


@dthopinion