40 Songs About School, Intelligence, and Feeling Smart

FlourishAnyway believes there is a playlist for just about any situation and is on a mission to unite and entertain the world through song.

Never Stop Learning

Education can open so many doors of possibility, although not everyone appreciates its life-altering potential. As I watch soon-to-be minted high school graduates, I wonder if they understand the value of their schooling and how many people have supported them along their path to success? Just as importantly, do they realize that some of the most important lessons in life can never come from a classroom?

Perhaps you're celebrating the start or end of the school year or looking forward to graduation. If so, why not make a playlist to celebrate school and feeling smart? We've got a long list of pop, rock, and country songs reflecting a variety of angles on education, including:

• school spirit
• intelligence
• dropping out
• memories of classmates
• changes after high school
• joy of summer vacation and
• what was learned.

1. "We're Going to Be Friends" by The White Stripes

Remember the kids you once played tag with on the elementary school playground? It was a time when school was the center of your small universe. And making friends was your biggest priority. This delightful alternative rock song from 2001 describes childhood schoolmates as they embark upon a new school year of experiences together.

2. "Another Brick in the Wall" by Pink Floyd

One of Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time," this 1979 rock song protests overly restrictive schooling and boarding schools. According to the song, thought control and dark sarcasm are among the tactics that teachers use to control students, and students are better off without them. I've had teachers who name-called students and hated their jobs, and I sure remember them, but not in a good way. How about you?

3. "Good Girls" by 5 Seconds of Summer

This 2014 pop song describes a smart high school girl who is headed for Harvard. She's a straight-A student who has her parents convinced that she's spending all of her time with her nose buried in the books. However, she acknowledges that good girls are bad girls who haven't been caught.

4. "High School" by Kelsea Ballerini

The guy in this to-be-released country song is stuck in a time warp. He still drives the hand-me-down truck that he did back in high school. He lives for Friday night football games, still wears his football jersey, and calls the girl he dated back in high school.

But her heart has moved on and so has the rest of his life in the five years since he has graduated. The world can be cruel when you're stuck in an emotional vaccum, too immature to move forward.

Facts and Statistics About Education, Schools and Intelligence

5. "School's Out" by Alice Cooper

Woo-hoo! This celebratory 1972 hard rock song was named one of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Capturing the sheer elation of school vacation, it's become an anthem for the the best two and a half months of the year. (The song actually claims that there's no more school forever because the school has been blown up.)

The hit has been so widespread that Alice Cooper sang it with The Muppets and allowed it to be used by Staples office stores to promote back-to-school items.

6. "ABC" by Jackson 5

The narrator in this 1970 R&B pop song thinks he can teach his honey how to love, so he sits her down and explains how simple it is. He convinces her that it's as easy as learning the alphabet or counting to three.

7. "Fifteen" by Taylor Swift

The narrator in this 2008 country song describes life as a 15 year-old high school freshman. It provides perspective about false promises, changing priorities, and the process of discovering who one is.

All of this identity-searching happens during those four glorious (and sometimes terrible) years in high school. I'm so glad to be an adult!

8. "Beauty School Dropout" by Frankie Avalon

It's a sad situation when you have the dream but not the drive to finish beauty school. This 1978 pop song from the movie Grease makes light of Frenchy of the Pink Ladies who flunks beauty school. The narrator, her guardian angel, urges her to return to high school.

9. "The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades" by Timbuk3

In this 1986 pop song, a future nuclear scientist boasts that he's got a great future in front of him: a good-paying job lined up after graduation, good grades, and he loves his field of study. He's one of the in-demand STEM students who can just about name his price. What an enviable position to be in!

10. "High School Never Ends" by Bowling for Soup

This 2006 rock tune reveals the truth about high school: that it's a microcosm of the bigger world. People gossip about others' attire and sexual relationships, social connections and appearance, addictions and emotional disorders. Truly, high school never ends, and only the players change.

11. "(What a) Wonderful World" by Sam Cooke

The poor sorry sucker in this 1960 rock song admits that he is no A student, and he rattles off all the subjects he's performed poorly in: history, biology, science, French, geography, trig, and algebra.

However, he is certain that he loves the girl in his life, and it's his hope that if he tries hard enough to be an A student, maybe she will love him in return.

12. "School Days" by Chuck Berry

Long live rock and roll! The teeny boppers of the 1950s looked forward to heading to the juke joint to dance and cut loose with friends.

This 1957 song became a rock anthem. It describes how after a stressful day of tests, dealing with teachers and trying to find a seat in the lunchroom, music provides a welcome release for students.

13. "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" by Cake

I like the narrator in this 2001 rock song because he sees intelligence as sexy. You have to love a man who can appreciate a woman's mind as much as her behind.

The guy describes his ideal woman. He's looking for one with a short skirt, but he also wants one

• with a mind like a diamond
• with the right allocations and good dividends
• who's fast and thorough
• and sharp as a tack.

14. "Don't Be a Dropout" by James Brown

The narrator in this 1967 rock song tries to convince the listener of the necessity of an education by relating a story about a friend. When he went to a job interview he was told that without an education, one might as well be dead. Seems like a harsh way to make a point, don't you think?

Even so, he's right that dropouts face an uphill battle in that they don't qualify for a majority of available jobs, earn substantially less in their lifespan than their more educated counterparts, and experience higher rates of unemployment. So as James Brown encourages, stay in school!

15. "Be True To Your School" by Beach Boys

There's a lot of "rah, rah, rah" and "sis, boom, bah" in this peppy pop song from 1963. It urges students to show some school spirit. The narrator defends his school's honor just as he would stick up for his girl. Do you show pride in your school?

16. "Too Cool For School" by Fountains Of Wayne

This 2000 rock song from the horror comedy Scary Movie describes a truant who is an instigator, eliminating his enemies when the lights go down:

He's got his own way of getting things done
He's always looking out for number one
Don't try to beat him cause he's already won
And he's too cool for school.

17. "No Such Thing" by John Mayer

In this 2002 rock song from John Mayer's early career, he speaks out against guidance counselors and others who advise students to embark on careful and sensible career paths. Instead, he'd rather follow a long shot dream, something that makes him completely happy, even if others consider it less practical:

They love to tell you
Stay inside the lines
But something's better
On the other side.

18. "School Is Out" by Regina Spektor

Empty schools can be lonely, reflective places. The narrator (a student? faculty or staff member?) walks the bare hallways of her school in this unreleased pop song. She makes note of the pennies that litter the floor, the bathroom graffiti, and items left behind, feeling disconnected and out of place without the crowd of people around her.

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19. "Don't Stay in School" by Boysinaband

The narrator in this 2015 rock song laments that he learned about isotopes, the American West, Shakespeare, physics, and the solar system. Instead, he wanted to learn more practical things in school, such as:

• how to vote
• how to look after his health
• the laws of the land
• how to budget his money
• what to do if he has a headache
• how to be a good parent

He comes to the senseless conclusion that his childhood was wasted inside those four walls. Hey, we can't be spoon fed all of the information we need in life, big guy. Express some curiosity and go get the practical information you need for yourself.

20. "Smarter Than You" by The Undertones

The know-it-all narrator in this 1979 rock song claims to be an intellectual. Within just a few minutes of meeting a girl, he claims that he is smarter.

Anyone who is this impressed with himself is probably hiding some monumental insecurities. He's a case in point for the old saying by Mark Twain: "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

Even More Songs About Education, School, Intelligence, and Feeling Smart

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: Can you give me the name of other female singers who have songs like Loretta Lynn and her song, "Coat of Many Colors," please?

Answer: The singer and songwriter of that tune is actually Dolly Parton rather than Loretta Lynn. Similar singers might include Reba McEntire, Barbara Mandrell, Tanya Tucker, The Judds, Lorrie Morgan, and Emmylou Harris to name a few.

© 2017 FlourishAnyway

Comments

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on April 19, 2020:

Peggy - Exactly. Is anything really 100%? There are always the unwell, unable, etc. who cannot be taught.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on April 19, 2020:

That is a pretty sad statistic regarding the percentage of Americans who can read above an 8th-grade level. I also found it fascinating that North Korea has a 100% literacy rate. I wonder who verifies that? It is not exactly an open environment.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 14, 2019:

Anonymous - Perhaps try "The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades" by Timbuk 3 or "Pi" by Kate Bush.

Anonymous on October 13, 2019:

I need a song about a boy that is smart in school?

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 09, 2019:

Nithya - I'm glad these songs bring back the memories. Have a wonderful week!

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on October 09, 2019:

A great selection of songs reflecting on school experiences. These songs brought back memories of school back in the good old days.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on September 30, 2019:

Marietta - This doesn't strike a chord with me, but I'm hoping a reader can offer some assistance.

marietta on September 30, 2019:

i'm looking for the name of a song writer. She sings about being poor, of not fitting in because of her clothes, her haircut, her lunches. can you help me?

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 18, 2017:

Suhail & K2 - Glad you enjoyed! Have a great week! Thanks for stopping by!

Suhail Zubaid aka Clark Kent from Mississauga, ON on May 18, 2017:

Great play list! Pink Floyd, Van Halen, and Alice Cooper featured, and Motley Crue, Pearl Jam and Nirvana also listed, this was perfect.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 15, 2017:

Genna - Thank you so much for the kind compliment. I believe so much in education. If I could have stayed in school forever, I would have. I love learning. Have a wonderful week ahead!

Genna East from Massachusetts, USA on May 14, 2017:

This is an interesting combination. "Education can open so many doors of possibility..." One of my favorite words is "possibilities..." You always create new ones with your song lists. I just love them.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 13, 2017:

Nell - Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

Nell Rose from England on May 13, 2017:

Awesome article and facts as always! And I remember most of these, and some I just didn't know. But now I have go another brick in the wall in my head! LOL!

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 12, 2017:

Rasma - Thank you for stopping by. Have a great weekend!

Gypsy Rose Lee from Daytona Beach, Florida on May 12, 2017:

Another awesome hub and fantastic music. Always really enjoyed Alice Cooper's School's Out.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 11, 2017:

Linda - I used to be an HR manager at a manufacturing plant where a lot of employees hadn't graduated from high school and were illiterate or read at very basic levels. We started a GED program. It was very humbling to think that they had gotten that far not knowing how to read but they'd come to me for help with reading their divorce or legal related papers, etc. Some went to great extents to hide it.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on May 11, 2017:

I found the news that 14% of Americans can't read at all both surprising and alarming. As I've said before, I appreciate the fact that you share educational information as well as music in your playlist articles.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 11, 2017:

Bill - They're both actually on there! Thanks for stopping by!

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on May 11, 2017:

I did better on this one. I got Pink Floyd right off, but then my mind went to "Smokin' in the Boys Room" LOL Not quite what you were after.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 10, 2017:

Martie - Censoring something is the quickest way to make it very, very popular! Thanks for stopping by.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 10, 2017:

MsDora - Glad you enjoyed this. Thanks as always for reading!

Martie Coetser from South Africa on May 10, 2017:

Lovely Playlist! Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd was banned in SA for years. And this has made the song even more popular among the kids.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on May 10, 2017:

Missed out on all these songs except the Jackson's ABC. Bet they influenced the school kids back then. I like the Learned, Mississippi address.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 10, 2017:

Heidi - That song sure does have endurance. I cannot imagine the Muppets being associated with school being out forever and being blown up! Thanks for stopping by!

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 10, 2017:

Linda - That's what I was thinking on North Korea. When you're starving, are you really motivated to learn to read? Hmm.

Linda Lum from Washington State, USA on May 10, 2017:

This must have been a tough one to put together; what an amazing list of songs on what I thought would be an impossible topic. I can't think of one that you missed (and you included a LOT that I had forgotten about).

But...I'm not sure I would believe any information (i.e. propaganda) that comes out of North Korea. 100 percent literacy rate? I sincerely doubt it.

Heidi Thorne from Chicago Area on May 10, 2017:

Alice Cooper's "School's Out" has got to be this month's theme song with the semester ending. And glad you added one of my fave Van Halen tracks. ;) Another fun playlist! Have a great day!

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on May 09, 2017:

Shyron - You are quite the musical and theatre library! Wow! These were actually pretty tough to find the lyrics for. You should consider doing some music hubs of your own!

Shyron E Shenko from Texas on May 09, 2017:

Don’t want to be Teacher’s Pet – Frankie Avelon

I want to be Teacher’s Pet – I have the song on one of Elvis’ albums

Teacher's Pet is a song for Teacher's Pet: The Movie. It was performed by Christy Carlson Romano of Kim Possible and Even Stevens. This version of the song is actually a remake of Doris Day's song "Teacher's Pet" from the 1958 film "Teacher's Pet" starring Clark Gable and Doris Day.

Blessings always