Rockin’ in the pharm world: Songs of hope and resilience
Noah Sutliff is a second-year PharmD candidate at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy.
Being a student pharmacist is difficult, and there’s no denying that. You all have your own ways to deal with the stresses of pharmacy school. Mine involves turning on the radio and listening to some old-time rock and roll.
I admittedly get my musical taste from my father, but there’s nothing better after a long day on the grind than cracking open a cold jewel case and popping in a good CD packed with the songs of yesteryear. In light of my personal hobby (and ever-expanding music collection), I’d like to take a moment to share some of the greatest rock tunes that any student pharmacist can instantly take to heart.
“Live Forever” by Oasis
While the ‘90s were vastly dominated by the grunge era and its recurring theme of negativity, “Live Forever” challenged that notion with an upbeat outlook on how amazing life can be if one decides to make it that way. Lead guitarist Noel Gallagher has stated that the song was inspired by how great it was simply waking up in the morning, because “you didn’t know where you’d end up at night.”
“Jump” by Van Halen
A quintessential gem of the ‘80s, Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth wrote the lyrics to this song after seeing a live news report of a man standing atop a building and threatening to jump off. The finished product, however, is not about suicide. “Jump” is instead about taking a leap of faith for what you love or believe in, regardless of any fear or doubt that one has.
“I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty
What would you do if an arsonist burned down your house and tried to wipe out your whole family in the process? If you’re Tom Petty, the answer to that question would be to make one of the greatest power anthems known to mankind. Even with how simplistic the song is, “I Won’t Back Down” is an extremely powerful reminder to never give up, no matter how challenging your situation may be.
“Vienna” by Billy Joel
“Vienna” is not grandiose, nor was it a smash hit like other songs on this list. It’s an emotional tune about slowing down and smelling the roses that most of us run past due to how busy we are. Joel happened to find himself in the same predicament many years ago, where a trip to Vienna and time with his father revealed to the young musician that he was burning himself out. Sound familiar?
“Man Against the World” by Survivor
Originally produced for the Rocky IV soundtrack, “Man Against the World” is a ballad detailing the journey student pharmacists currently undergo. Life has a way of knocking you to your knees, sometimes breaking your faith beyond what feels repairable. Yet you can always find a way to rise whenever you fall, your spirits stronger every time you do so. The reason may vary between individuals, but there’s no denying student pharmacists share that same fire, still burning deep within.
And that is your greatest feat, among everything else you do.