UCSD - University of California - San Diego

10/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/15/2026 09:25

The Sounds of Coming Home

Published Date

October 15, 2026

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In the memories gathered here, music reverberates through residence hall walls and drifts across a quiet campus before sunrise. Sometimes it marks a moment as the "good old days" before anyone realizes that's what they're living.

UC San Diego Today asked alumni which songs take them back to their time on campus. Their answers span generations and reveal how music becomes entwined with a place - through concerts and campus traditions, but also by simply playing in the background of a moment that stays with you.

Car-karaoke rides down Scholars Drive. Late-night runs for carne asada fries. Favorite songs brought to life at Sun God Festival.

These memories form "The Sounds of Coming Home," a crowdsourced Spotify playlist that carries decades of Triton memories into Homecoming 2026.

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CELEBRATE HOMECOMING 2026

Homecoming returns Nov. 5-8, and the entire UC San Diego community is invited. Students, alumni, families, faculty, staff and friends can celebrate the grand opening of the Triton Alumni and Welcome Center, join the two-day Triton Center Block Party and cheer on the Tritons as men's basketball takes on Fresno State.

Discover five Homecoming events you won't want to miss, then explore the full schedule and register at homecoming.ucsd.edu.

"In My Life" by the Beatles

For Leena Khattat '25, "In My Life" recalls quiet 7 a.m. shifts as a barista at Fairbanks Coffee. With the Beatles playing over the speakers, Khattat would make a hot coffee and watch the rain fall across campus before the morning rush.

"Sell Out" by Reel Big Fish

Hanako Primer '24 arrived at UC San Diego believing that the band days of high school were over. After spotting the UC San Diego Pep Band on Library Walk, Primer attended a practice on a whim. Playing "Sell Out" that first night rekindled a love of performing as part of an ensemble - and led to four more years of music and lifelong friendships.

"A Million Miles Away" by the Plimsouls

"A Million Miles Away" takes Alan Wetti '86 back to a sunny TGIF gathering at the Hump just before final exams. The Plimsouls performed their hit twice that afternoon - once at the beginning of the set and again at the end.

"Yeah!" by Usher featuring Lil John and Ludacris

For UC San Diego men's basketball head coach Clint Allard '08, "Yeah!" brings back memories of hanging out with suitemates during his first year in Revelle College.

"Buscando América" by Rubén Blades

For Serge Dedina '87, "Buscando América" recalls a junior year abroad in Peru in 1985. A major hit in South America at the time, the song played on a Walkman and aboard buses while Dedina explored the coast and the Andes.

"Hey Ya!" by Outkast

For Macie Walker '07, Outkast's "Hey Ya!" is inseparable from college parties, nights out in Pacific Beach and the carefree good times shared with friends.

"Flash Light" by Parliament-Funkadelic

Karen Ramsey Lane '77 remembers "Flash Light" as the soundtrack to all-night Bid Whist tournaments during her Revelle College years.

"Mariposa" by Peach Tree Rascals

"Mariposa" brings Dante Hernandez '26 back to Sun God Festival in 2022. Experiencing the awe of the event as a new Triton made the day feel especially magical - and remains a favorite campus memory.

"Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode

Shoshana Chazan '93 remembers the bass from the "Violator" album crawling down the walls of Drake Hall in "Camp Snoopy," courtesy of the huge speakers belonging to her dear friend Jason in the room upstairs. Despite the noise, the two remained close - and "Personal Jesus" will forever bring Chazan back to Drake.

"Just Dance" by Lady Gaga

For Julie Choi '12, MPIA '15, "Just Dance" calls up memories of staying out late with friends and ending the night over carne asada fries from Rigoberto's at 3 a.m.

"Slow Dancing in the Dark" by Jo

"Slow Dancing in the Dark" accompanied Sayani Sarkar '21 through both difficult midterms and joyful nights with friends. The connection became even more meaningful when Joji performed at Sarkar's first - and only - Sun God Festival.

"American Pie" by Don McLean

"American Pie" takes Stan Sieler '76 back to an on-campus concert where Don McLean performed the song live.>

"Wannabe" by the Spice Girls

"Wannabe" transports Angie Tait '22 back to weekly drives with close friends, blasting the song and singing along as they traveled down Scholars Drive on the way to Mt. Soledad, La Jolla Shores for a beach day or Convoy for dinner. The car karaoke occasionally inspired students nearby to join in - and the song still reminds her of loud laughter and happy memories.

"Can't Stop" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

For Gary Lam '06, "Can't Stop" recalls shifts at Canyon Vista, where the song seemed to be playing in the kitchen every time Lam arrived for work.

"Freedom! '90" by George Michael

For Kimberly Miller '92, George Michael's "Freedom! '90" is the soundtrack to memories of playing intramural volleyball at UC San Diego.

"Feel Us Shaking" by The Samples

Brittany Stevens '97 remembers hearing The Samples perform "Feel Us Shaking" at Price Center while relaxing on the lawn with friends from sorority and fraternity life.

"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor

As a transfer student, Malinda Danziger '00 adopted "Eye of the Tiger" as a pump-up song at the suggestion of a friend already attending UC San Diego. The song became a reminder that every class and exam was something she could handle.

"Atlas Please" by Gengahr

For Daniel Sjoholm '24, "Atlas Please" brings back first-year memories of late-night events and dinners with friends while adjusting to college life.

"The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World

"The Middle" takes Jamie Zamora '09 back to Fall Fest 2004 and the excitement of watching rock and alternative bands perform on campus. The festival also built anticipation for the major artists who would later appear at Sun God, including Pitbull, Busta Rhymes, Ludacris and Damian Marley.

"Anticipation" by Carly Simon

One night, Lauri Reilly '78 and a group of friends sat in a Blake Hall dorm room listening to albums when a lyric near the end of "Anticipation" prompted Howard Baldini to observe that they were already living the good old days. Decades later, Reilly still considers those words truer than ever.

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