Childhood memories can stem from the sense of hearing. Unlike the previous stories within this series that explored childhood favorites through the sense of sight, taste, and touch, this one focuses on sound. Whether it’s the beat of a song or a tune that unexpectedly brought comfort, some students have a specific song from their early years that left a lasting impression. 

Layla Donovan:

For many kids, childhood was filled with playful tunes. One song stuck out to Layla Donovan, 10, as they recall it being their

favorite childhood song. 

“It was ‘Counting to 12.’ It was on the TV one day whenever I was watching some show, and it was really catchy to me. I was like, ‘oh my gosh, this is really awesome’ and then I forced my parents to play every single day. 

For Donovan, this song wasn’t just a background noise — it became a core memory.

“This just brings up the memory of me sitting in my living room, on the floor, listening to this and freaking out and also my dad because he would play it for me all the time on the TV.”

Looking back at their love for this song, they believe that this could have been an early sign of their interest in band. Donovan is now a part of the drum line at the high school. 

“It showed me [that] I like counting, and I like to listen to the beat of a song.”

Now, they say that they would share this song with others — not just for nostalgia, but because of its values as a learning tool. 

“I would share this song with them because I think that as a little kid, it’s a good way to memorize counting. It’s educational.”

Rylee Higgs:

For one student, the power of music revealed itself during an unexpected moment. Rylee Higgs, 11, shared a memory of how they

first discovered their favorite song as a child.

“I think it just came on the radio when I was crying, and then I just stopped crying.”

This song was called ‘Every Mile a Memory’ by Dierks Bentley and was used as a source of comfort for Higgs. 

“It was soothing and relaxing.”

Higgs shared that this song brought them feelings of happiness as a child and often reminds them of their family. 

Although they no longer listen to this song, Higgs acknowledges that their music taste started at a very young age. 

“I like country music now.”

Sebastian Fraley: 

Sebastian Fraley, 9, talked about how a popular song from Katy Perry became a part of their childhood soundtrack.

“[My favorite] was probably ‘Firework’ by Katy Perry.”

This became a family favorite as the enjoyment of the song was shared by Fraley’s siblings. 

“It was when it first came out because my family really liked Katy Perry. We were just driving and it came on. It was more because my sisters liked it. I have three sisters, and since they liked it, I liked it.”

The song holds special memories from Fraley’s childhood as they remember spending time with their sisters while listening to it. 

“[My favorite memory was] dancing in my living room as a little kid because we would play it on the TV.”

Fraley now listens to other songs, but they still think “Firework” is worth sharing. 

“Yes, I probably would [share it] because it made me really happy and so it would probably make them happy too.”