OHS staff’s Spotify Wrapped

By Averie Grace-Hayes

Photo of Mrs. Alexandria Meacham’s top songs this year taken by Averie Grace-Hayes

Every December, Spotify releases a data-filled slideshow to reveal a user's listening habits over the consecutive year. This slideshow is known as “Spotify Wrapped,” also referred to as “Wrapped.”

Wrapped is one of the biggest occasions for Spotify and overall allows a sense of commonality for Spotify users.

Many of the teachers and administrators at OHS have personal Spotify accounts. Whether it be because of a general love of music, playing background noise in class or being pressured by family to create an account, Spotify is commonly used by OHS staff.

I went around OHS and talked to several teachers about their Spotify Wrapped; this is what they had to show me.

Mrs. Copeland:

Photo of Michele Copeland’s Spotify Wrapped taken by Averie Grace-Hayes

Michele Copeland teaches Earth and Space Science at OHS and is an avid listener of the Harry Potter soundtrack, which is evident with John Williams (the main composer of the Harry Potter movies) being her top artist.

“When I am doing homework—I’m in my Master’s [program] right now—I can’t listen to songs that have lyrics or I get distracted, so I listen to the Harry Potter soundtrack,” exclaims Copeland.

However, appreciation for movies is obvious, there is also a love for mainstream pop music, such as Taylor Swift and Megan Trainor. Although pop music is easy to listen to, due to its catchiness, Copeland’s Wrapped shows us that the Harry Potter soundtrack will always come through to be a fan favorite.

Ms. Beck:

Photo of Shannon Beck’s Spotify Wrapped taken by Ms. Beck

Shannon Beck teaches Leadership and Biology and has a down-to-earth personality, which shines bright through her Spotify Wrapped. Beck is obviously a lover of new country and chill pop music.

“My favorite genre would probably have to be country or pop. Spotify says that my genre is ‘sad slow dance country music,’ whatever that means,” laughs Beck.

Spotify’s way of describing one’s music taste could be seen as confusing to any Spotify user. 

Kelsea Ballerini is Beck’s top artist this year. I was able to play Ballerini’s most popular song, which is “Cowboys Cry Too (with Noah Kahan).” This ballad is a bittersweet song that really gives insight to Beck’s personality and music taste.

Most of Ballerini’s discography is filled with both verbatim country songs and overt pop songs, so Ballerini as Beck’s top artist makes perfect sense in regards to her favorite music genres.

Ms. Miller:

Photo of Virginia Miller’s Spotify Wrapped taken by Virginia Miller

Virginia Miller teaches English IV and is a lover of music that is emotionally driven. Miller is also notably agitated by what Spotify spit out for her Wrapped.

“My favorite genre tends to be indie or folk, and my Spotify Wrapped only barely covered those in my breakdown. … Not much of my favorite genres were represented in my Wrapped this year!”

It is understandable that Miller is displeased with her Spotify Wrapped this time around, notably because Spotify didn’t bother to include key components, such as most listened to genres, or playlists. 

Mr. Higgs:

Photo of Austin Higgs’s Spotify Wrapped taken by Mr. Higgs

Austin Higgs is the junior principal at OHS and a very notorious music lover. This affinity for music is specifically tied to what he likes to call “Sad dad rock” as well as indie music.

“I am very happy with my top 5 artists. It's a great mix of me trying to keep up with the kids while also staying true to myself,” proclaims Higgs.

That being said, Higgs is also a lover of “epic cinematic orchestra,” which explains John Williams being Higgs’s 3rd most played artist.

“You guys may know me as Mr. Higgs, but my favorite role in life is Dad. When my 3 year old son asks to play Star Wars before bedtime, you can bet I’m going to blast John Williams and fight to the death with my pretend lightsaber!” declares Higgs.

Whether it be an obsession with John Williams, or mainstream melodious pop music, the OHS staff has an adoration for music and it’s shown in the eminent Spotify Wrapped.