Mrs. Lapsley is a math teacher at BHS, and an assistant coach for our champion girls’ track team. Her students describe her as “just straight awesome.” This is what she was listening to when she was sixteen.
1. Dave Matthews Band – Before These Crowded Streets, Favorite Song: “Pig”
I was listening to Crash for a good two years of my life nonstop, so I would say that this album was the most highly anticipated album of my entire life and it lived up to most of its expectations. “Pig” was my favorite song because I saw a special on the making of the album and Dave’s favorite lyric on the album was in “Pig.” (“Here are we on this starry night staring into space and I must say I feel as small as dust lying down here”). I was obsessed with the Dave Matthews Band from the age of 14 to the age of 24. I wanted to name my first child Dave. I had hundreds of magazine and newspaper clippings of the band hung all over my bedroom wall. I had a videotape with Dave Matthews-only footage recorded off TV. My first concert was a DMB concert when I was 16. Now, as a reformed DMB fan, I will still go to their concerts and be blown away. I will say that they put on one of the greatest live shows ever.
2. Pearl Jam – “Release”
I would literally get in my car and drive on the highway and belt out this song. In ‘98, it was so hard to get Pearl Jam tickets. All I wanted was to see Pearl Jam live, but that didn’t happen for another six years. I was listening to Ten, Vs., Vitolgy, and No Code a lot. They still hold up as some of the greatest albums ever created.
3. Barenaked Ladies – Rock Spectacle – Favorite Song: “When I Fall”
I’m pretty sure there was a time in ‘98 that I saw BNL like four times in three months. They were always playing these free concerts at City Hall and The Hatchshell in Boston. They came close to becoming my favorite band over DMB. Close. Now I can’t stand them, but this album still holds up.
4. Radiohead – “High and Dry”
I was still listening to The Bends even though OK Computer had come out. I still kind of think OK Computer is overrated. Radiohead has had the greatest evolution than any of my other favorite bands from when I was sixteen.
5. Natalie Imbruglia – “Torn”
One hit wonder! I got Natalie’s CD for my sweet sixteen party. The CD is actually pretty good.
6. NSYNC – “Tearin’ up My Heart”
I was definitely an NSYNC person over a Backstreet Boys person. I liked JC Chasez. I didn’t see what people saw in Justin Timberlake. I get it now. I saw them in concert a couple of years after this song came out and they blew me away. I’m a sucker for choreographed dancing.
7. Backstreet Boys – “I Want It That Way”
If you weren’t obsessed with this song at some point in ‘98, you didn’t have a pulse. I remember driving with my mom in our blue Dodge van and listening to this song for the very first time. I still believe it is one of the most popular pop songs ever.
8. Brandy – “Top of the World” (feat. Mase)
I loved this song and Mase was huge at the time.
9. Janet Jackson – “Escapade”
I loved Janet more than Michael. This song was a little vintage at the time.
10. Puff Daddy (featuring Faith Evans)- “I’ll Be Missing You”
Biggie died the year before and I was still obsessed with this song.
11. Smashing Pumpkins – “Tonight, Tonight”
I was still listening to a lot of songs released in the early and mid 90s when I was 16. It was the best time for alternative music.
12. Spice Girls – “Spice Up Your Life”
It was past the Spice Girls prime, but I wasn’t ready to give them up yet. Loved this song and loved girl power. I will still request this song at the occasional wedding.
13. The Lion King Soundtrack – Favorite Song: “Circle of Life” by Elton John
Again, I was still listening to a lot of music that was released earlier in the 90s. This soundtrack influenced my liking of instrumental music from soundtracks like Braveheart, Legends of the Fall, The Social Network, and Drive.
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4. Aerosmith – “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”
Another big hit from 1998. One of the best ballads of all time.
15. K-Ci & JoJo – “All My Life”
I loved me a good R&B song.
16. Usher – “Nice and Slow”
I went through a little R&B phase, but this was a hit in 1998.
BHS Devils' Playlist 
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