Launched in 2008 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon, Spotify began as a small Swedish startup before maturing into a global music streaming platform. Each year, the app garners a fresh wave of attention toward the end of the year with the release of Spotify Wrapped.
While the feature serves as a data compilation for the company, users view it as a personalized and shareable recap of their musical year. As a staple of the streaming era, Spotify is a fixture for the current generation of high schoolers, making Wrapped a highly anticipated annual event at Eureka High School.
Jordyn McDaniel, 11, said she has “been one of Taylor Swift’s top listeners since middle school.” However, this year the “Life of a Showgirl” soundtrack dominated her playlist. Alongside her pop favorites, McDaniel said she kept a heavy rotation of ’90s hits. This nostalgic turn earned her a “Spotify age” of 44, significantly older than her chronological age.
(Image credited to Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot.)
Connor Sullivan, 10, often seen with his signature over-the-ear headphones, said he enjoys the social aspect of the release.
“It’s cool to see what other people are listening to,” Sullivan said while scrolling through a playlist featuring his favorite artist, Green Day.
Teachers are also joining the trend. Stacey Watson, science teacher, said her most-listened-to album was “Bell Bottom Country” by Lainey Wilson.
“Spotify Wrapped is a fun way to look through and reflect back on what you did and what your habits were because sometimes you don’t really notice,” Watson said.
(Image credited to Rimas Entertainment.)
Math teacher Michael McDonald’s results consist primarily of movie soundtracks, a trend he attributes to his children.
“My top album of the year was ‘Hamilton,’ and my second-place spot went to a Disney punk rock album, ‘A Whole New Sound,'” McDonald said.
Language arts teacher Olivia Bauer has used the platform since her own high school days.
“My family has a tradition where every Christmas we airplay our phones onto a TV and we all look at each other’s Spotify Wraps,” Bauer said. “My whole family just loves music and so there’s no judgment. It’s always something I look forward to each year.”
