Sounds of the season: Panthers’ favorite music from spring break
Collage by Riley LeBlanc, Photographer
Whether students spent spring break lounging on the sandy beaches of Orange County, basking in the sun of tropical islands far away, spending time back home, exploring big cities or entirely different countries, one thing was constant: the soundtracks that carried them through.
For those of us whose spring break prep prioritizes downloading playlists, music adds to the escape that is a week away from (most of) our academic responsibilities.
What song best captures spring break 2026? According to students, the answer isn’t just one track — it’s a mix of classic rock, indie, R&B and more. Check out the songs Chapman students had on repeat over break, the perfect addition to any playlist as a reminder of recent relaxation.
“I'm on Fire” by Bruce Springsteen was Nina Marshall’s pick for break. The sophomore economics major said, “I've been going through a lot of life changes recently and this song brings me back to a time when I was very uncertain about my future. I kept listening to it over break when I went to Hawaii, because it was the first time in a long time I have felt very secure about my path and surrounded by people who I know support me.”
Jack Hanlon, a senior strategic and corporate communications major, found his trip to Tamarindo, Costa Rica aligned perfectly with indie-rock band The National. Hanlon said the introspective melancholy of their song “I Need My Girl” was an ideal soundtrack for taking in the stunning Central American landscapes.
Xander Sazama, a freshman business administration major, went home to Sacramento for the week, where he had “Rockstar” by Nickelback on repeat.
Sophomore biology major Maddie Gibson kept the rock vibes going with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” on her trip to Atlanta, Georgia. “This was the first song that played in the uber and it sounded so Atlanta. I was obsessed and the whole week listened to it on repeat,” said Gibson.
Noah Varman, a junior film and television production major, went to San Juan and Isle Verde, Puerto Rico, where he connected with local culture by listening to songs in Spanish, including “¿Oh que Sera?” by Willie Colón.
Mackenzie Huynh, a sophomore health sciences major, chose “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John. Huynh went home to San Diego for break to spend time with friends and family, and soak in some time at the beaches south of OC. “It just gives super calm vibes and it matched driving down the coast and being home for spring break,” she said of the song.
Senior Jake Randazzo, a communication studies major, went to Kauai, Hawaii for spring break where he listened to “Tints” by Anderson .Paak featuring Kendrick Lamar. He said the song “has a light, warm bouncy vibe that fit well with the Hawaiian weather.”
Katie Chee, a sophomore business administration and psychology double major, had “LA Confidential” by Tory Lanez on repeat during a day trip with friends to San Diego, creating a personal soundtrack for the drive.
No matter where spring break took them, Panthers found time to unwind through the music that accompanied their travels. Whether played in the background of quiet afternoons or shared among friends, these songs created moments of leisure that extend beyond the break itself, continuing to resonate as students return to campus life.
Spring break might only last a week, but the songs we listened to tend to stay on repeat long after classes resume. As the days continue warming up, these songs will see us through the last few weeks of the semester and serve as a reminder to slow down every once in a while.