The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Spoon University.
Two of my favorite things in life are music and food. When combined, they often tell such beautiful stories and spark a need for discussion. With so many songs referencing meals, specific cuisines, and associating them with particular memories, here is a comprehensive list of the eight song lyrics I associate with hyper-specific memories.
“Strawberry ice cream, one spoon for two” – Deja Vu by Olivia Rodrigo
There was something in the air when this song dropped in 2021. The opening notes, Olivia’s soft voice, and the laughs between certain verses created an aura that is so distinctly nostalgic every time I hear it. This simple line made me want to get into a top-down car, feel the wind blowing in my hair, and drive down to the Santa Monica pier for strawberry ice cream in the 90-degree weather. Unfortunately, I live in New Jersey, so I did not get to live out these fantasies, but the lyrics felt like a fresh summer breeze during Jersey’s rainy April weather.
“Help, I’m still at the restaurant” – right where you left me by Taylor Swift
2021 was truly a great year for music because it gave us this life-changing moment from evermore (deluxe version). Accompanied by a viral trend on TikTok, Taylor Swift taught us that sometimes we are left behind and frozen by a shattering glass that leaves us feeling empty. The girl I was three years ago thought life was ending when her world changed. The girl I am today has matured and grown into a new person, but still revisits those trying times. Everyone may have moved on, but I stayed there in my memories, reflecting on the metaphorical restaurant, it’s ever-changing menu, and the meal on the table that remains untouched.
“I’ll meet you for coffee, only for coffee” – Coffee by Chappell Roan
The pink pony princess reminisces a complicated love story and the struggle for closure in the song “Coffee.” She avoided the Italian place, the jazz bar, the park, and wine in hopes that grabbing coffee at a café would prevent her from falling back in love with her ex, unable to move on. I like the restrictions that coffee adds to the theme of concluding a story. With caffeine being a stimulant, it may only speed things up more. Love is a vicious cycle, and they could never make me hate you Chappell Roan.
“You used a fork once, turns out forks are f**cking everywhere” – how many things by Sabrina Carpenter
On my first listen to this song, this opening lyric caught me off guard. The melancholy vocals emphasize that memories can be tied to anything, whether as significant as a rooftop during sunrise or the cutlery used for every meal. Every time I use a fork to eat, I am immediately reminded of emails I can’t send. I’m glad Sabrina seemingly switched to espresso for breakfast instead of pancakes, forever preventing her from using the cursed utensil.
“Maple syrup, coffee, pancakes for two. Hash brown, egg yolk, I will always love you” – Keep Driving by Harry Styles
These lyrics always have me singing and smiling. Yet another perfect precursor to the summer months, “Keep Driving” is such a fun anthem for the sensation of butterflies in your stomach. With the quintessential breakfast items, a cute date, and good conversation, Harry Styles paints a lovely image of the perfect morning. The lyrics “Hash brown, egg yolk, I will always love you” propose an innocent love story that hopefully lasts forever. It’s unquestionably adorable.
“There’s your coffee cup, the lipstick stain fades with time” – Ghost of You by 5 Seconds of Summer
On the other end of the love spectrum is the gut-wrenching, heartbreaking song “Ghost of You” by my favorite band. The lipstick stain references the band’s 2014 song, “She Looks So Perfect,” with the lyrics, “Your lipstick stain is a work of art.” Four years later, in 2018, “Ghost of You” concludes the saga with a not-so-fairy-tale ending. Unable to come to terms with the ending of the relationship, the main protagonist lets his past love’s items to gather dust around the house, allowing his heart to continue beating, even if it’s just for the pieces of herself that she left behind. Their once vibrant memories together are slowly fading away. Who knew that an empty coffee cup would leave every listener in a puddle of tears?
“Sip a Capri Sun like it’s Dom Pérignon” – Lavish by Twenty One Pilots
As someone who doesn’t drink, let alone drink exclusive vintage champagne, I absolutely adore the silliness of this lyric. Twenty One Pilots played a huge part in my middle school years, a time ironically associated with having a stash of Capri Sun at every party. Back then, everyone fought over the best flavors (strawberry kiwi wins in my book) and felt like they were on top of the world. “Lavish” constantly repeats the phrase, “Welcome to the style you haven’t seen in a while.” I recently hopped back into my obsession with the Ohio-based duo that makes up this band, so they are definitely correct in mentioning that I haven’t seen them in a while. This song brings me nothing but joy, and a desire to reclaim my love for childhood snacks and drinks such as Sunny D and cosmic brownies.
“I wanna love you ’til we’re food for the worms to eat” – Everywhere, Everything by Noah Kahan
Concluding the list of food-related song lyrics is none other than Noah Kahan’s hopeless romantic verse from “Everywhere, Everything.” Although not exactly fit for human consumption, Noah depicts devotion and affection that lasts until one’s dying breath. His heartwarming folk-pop style brought Stick Season into the world and a longing to pinpoint the exact moment the leaves changed color in the northeast. Thanks to “Everywhere, Everything,” I can’t wait for the day I grow old alongside the person I love. As long as we’re together, I know everything will be okay.