Ever wonder what song perfectly captures the essence of your teenage experience—those years of emotional rollercoaster, self-discovery, and unforgettable songs?
We asked seven Nigerians about the songs that evoke memories of laughter, heartbreak, and pain and embody their adolescent years.
Rico*, 27
If my teenage years were a song, it’d be Jidenna’s Classic Man Remix with Kendrick Lamar. I see the song as a motivator to man-up fast after losing my dad in 2016. I listened to it a lot during that time, and it makes sense now. Music has helped me achieve most of what I do today creatively. For years, everything was dark, and I was plugged out from the world because of trauma — the song was all I had. It was originally released in 2015. I was 17.
Lola, 26
I was 17 when I first heard and fell in love with Hello by Adele. Its tempo, lyrical depth, and production are so deep to me. I was a teenager finding myself, having feelings, and understanding why I was having those feelings. Teenage boys were brutal, and I was a “learner” as a teenager. I was a yearner as a teen, and that’s what the song gives.
Also, it gave me a feeling of “I’m no longer a baby, but I’m not also a grown-up.” The song helped me navigate the period. Sometimes, I wish I was still the deep yearner that I was then. But omo, okunrin ya were gan.
David, 24
This takes me back to when I was 15 years old, and Yaadman FKA Yung L’s SOS was the most rinsed music on my phone. I loved everything about it from the song’s lyrics to its ambience. It sounded different from the dominant sound at that time too. I consider it the soundtrack to my teenage life because I was Yung L’s biggest fan at that point. People even called Marley till I entered 100 level. If I had money, I wouldn’t mind sending him money for the weekend, just to make him constantly drop gbedu for me.
Nma, 26
The perfect song that defines my teenage years would be Fela Kuti’s Shakara
Chioma, 23
It’s Meghan Trainor’s All About That Bass, and when I first heard it, I was 14. It was the first song I had heard where the plus-size babe was just feeling herself and doing her thing. I was a “fat-ish” kid, and it felt nice to hear her sing the lyrics.
I liked the words. Honestly speaking, I liked everything about the song, and I still do.
Back then, it just felt nice to hear her talk about loving her body, and how every inch of her was perfect. NGL, it still does. I think it lowkey taught me to love myself a little bit more. I played that song so much, I started believing what she said. My favourite part of the song: “Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top.”
Adeyinka, 31
It’d have to be Ebenezer Obey’s Anjade Loni Eledumare. I first heard it when I was maybe 15-ish? Can’t exactly remember now but I know it was a prominent song in our house during my secondary school days.
I loved how melodious it sounded and even more, how it made us bond as a family. It’s that song I could put on if I’ve offended my mum and I want to see her sing. I mean, who would listen to the powerful lyrics about getting protected as you go out in search of your daily bread, and wouldn’t sing along.
I’d say it’s pretty significant because even though I thought I knew how weighty the lyrics were back then, I have an even deeper context now as an adult. I like every part of the track, to be honest.
Zoey*, 22
It would be Vienna by Billy Joel. I was 17 when I first heard the song, and it really spoke to me. The opening line is, “Slow down, you crazy child! / You’re so ambitious for a juvenile.” I called it (still call it) the theme song of my life. It was a reminder to take things easy at that point.
I’ve always been super ambitious, and because I’m used to being the youngest in any room I find myself in, I hold myself to a very high standard. At that point in my life, I was trying to be the best at everything. I was obsessed with speed, and it started feeling dangerous at some point. I liked how the song calms me down and reminds me that I’m still a juvenile. There’s a part that says, “Slow down, you’re doing fine / You can’t be everything you wanna be before your time” or something like that. It also helps that it’s such a pretty song. I only share it with people I hold dear to my heart.
