Jens Knutson

American Literature
Block 3A

Holdens Playlist

1. Welcome to My Life- Simple Plan

The song Welcome to My Life by Simple Plan is about a very depressed young person
that no one understands. He calls for help in any way he can but at the same time is pushing
away the people who are trying to help him. But, he is tired of everyone saying that they
understand when they have no idea what hes going through. Similar to Holden, the subject of
the song is deeply depressed and constantly alienated because of his sickness. Holden gets
depressed by almost everything he comes in contact with, whether its an old man or kind nuns.
Much like The Catcher in the Rye, Welcome to My Life is written as though its being told to
the reader. It asks questions such as Do you ever feel like breaking down? that are directed
either at some unknown person or to the reader. Holden speaks directly to the reader throughout
the story. The song also talks about being kicked when youre down which Holden has plenty
of experience in. Holden also starts to lose his grip on reality and feels like hell disappear and
no ones there to save [him].
2. Boulevard of Broken Dreams- Green Day
I chose this song because its about loneliness and living life alone. The song Boulevard
of Broken Dreams by Green day is one of their most popular songs and relates to The Catcher
in the Rye in many ways. The song is about a lonely man walking his own path and controlling
his own life but having no clear direction. Like Holden, hes not sure what to do with his life but
if he doesnt do something soon, something bad will happen. Both characters feel alone and long
for some sort of companionship. Holden interacts with anyone who will talk to him while the
man in the song makes no attempt and his shadows the only one that walks beside [him].

Jens Knutson
American Literature
Block 3A

3. All Signs Point to Lauderdale- A Day to Remember

The song All Signs Point to Lauderdale by A Day to Remember is about a man who
hates his home. His friends dont give a f**k about him or his problems and just ignore him.
This first line sets the tone for the song throughout. The subject of song feels out of place
especially among his friends. Hes asking himself when will I find where I fit in?. Unlike the
man in the song, Holden doesnt have many friends to blow him off. Those he does think of as
friends are really just acquaintances. He thinks people like Stradlater, Luce, and Ackley are sort
of his friends but really, they dont like Holden, and Holden doesnt like them. Ackley is just
annoying, Stradlater is a phony jerk, and Holden just wants to hear stories of Luces sexual
adventures.
4. Untitled- Simple Plan
I chose this song because the title is a symbol for the subject not having his own identity.
The song Untitled is another depressing song by Simple Plan about loneliness, solitude, and
tragedy. Nothing seems to be going right for the subject of the song. Thoughts of suicide are
strong throughout the song and many thoughts of pain and loss too. Confusion and disbelief is
present as the person exclaims, How could this happen to me? Similar to the song, Holden
doesnt understand how to deal with his brothers death. Because of this, hes become depressed
and alone. The only person he can turn to for help is his family who he doesnt like aside from
Phoebe.
5. Adams Song- Blink-182
I chose this song because its a very sad song and strongly relates to The Catcher in the
Rye. The song Adams Song by Blink-182 is a suicide note written by a young teenage boy to
his parents. It describes how the boy feels and his deepening depression. One line reads, Im too

Jens Knutson
American Literature
Block 3A

depressed to go on which clearly states thoughts of suicide. Holden, in several accounts,

describes how he wouldnt mind dying right then and there. He feels like he has nothing left to
live for except maybe his little sister Phoebe. Neither characters feel like theyve amounted to
anything and havent lived up to expectations. Holden feels like hes the runt of the litter in his
family, and the boy in this song never conquered, rarely came.

"Welcome To My Life"

Do you ever feel like breaking down?

Jens Knutson
American Literature
Block 3A
Do you ever feel out of place,
Like somehow you just don't belong
And no one understands you?
Do you ever wanna run away?
Do you lock yourself in your room
With the radio on turned up so loud
That no one hears you're screaming?

No, you don't know what it's like

When nothing feels all right
You don't know what it's like
To be like me

To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No, you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life

Do you wanna be somebody else?

Are you sick of feeling so left out?
Are you desperate to find something more

Jens Knutson
American Literature
Block 3A
Before your life is over?
Are you stuck inside a world you hate?
Are you sick of everyone around?
With their big fake smiles and stupid lies
While deep inside you're bleeding

No, you don't know what it's like

When nothing feels all right
You don't know what it's like
To be like me

To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life

No one ever lied straight to your face

And no one ever stabbed you in the back
You might think I'm happy but I'm not gonna be okay
Everybody always gave you what you wanted
You never had to work it was always there

Jens Knutson
American Literature
Block 3A
You don't know what it's like, what it's like

To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No, you don't know what it's like (What it's like)

To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No, you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life
Welcome to my life
Welcome to my life

"Boulevard Of Broken Dreams"

I walk a lonely road

Jens Knutson
American Literature
Block 3A
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street

On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me

My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone

Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, aaah-ah,

Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah

I'm walking down the line

That divides me somewhere in my mind
On the border line
Of the edge and where I walk alone

Jens Knutson
American Literature
Block 3A
Read between the lines
What's fucked up and everything's alright
Check my vital signs
To know I'm still alive and I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me

My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone

Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, aaah-ah

Ah-ah, ah-ah

I walk alone
I walk a...

I walk this empty street

On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk a...

Jens Knutson
American Literature
Block 3A
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone...

"All Signs Point To Lauderdale"

I hate this town, it's so washed up

And all my friends don't give a fuck
They'll tell me that it's just bad luck
When will I find where I fit in?

2, 3, 4!

Remember when I tried?

I never strayed too far from you
Forever by your side
No matter what I was going through
But now I never know the things to say to you
That help me prove that I'm still on your side
I never show just what you do to me
Guess I'm what's always wrong

I hate this town, it's so washed up

And all my friends don't give a fuck

Jens Knutson
American Literature
Block 3A
They'll tell me that it's just bad luck
When will I find where I fit in?

I hate this town

Cause no one can understand
I just can't be tied down
Nothing comes between me and my plans
So now I never know the things to say to you
That help me prove that I'm still on your side
I never show just what you do to me
Guess I'm what's always wrong

I hate this town, it's so washed up

And all my friends don't give a fuck
They'll tell me that it's just bad luck
When will I find where I fit in?
And don't believe a word they're telling to you
Don't believe a word they're telling to you
They let me down
When will I find where I fit in?
I hate this town

Won't let a world gone mad ever bring me down

Gave everything I had to turn it back around
Cause our time's worth something bigger than both you and me
I can't live my life always backing down

Jens Knutson
American Literature
Block 3A
I gotta do this right, then they can't make a sound
Cause I'm not here for nothing, least I can say
I stand for something

You and me, we stand for something

I hate this town, it's so washed up

And all my friends don't give a fuck
They'll tell me that it's just bad luck
When will I find where I fit in?
And don't believe a word they're telling to you
(Don't believe)
Don't believe a word they're telling to you.
(Don't believe)
They let me down
When will I find where I fit in?
I hate this town

Untitled"

I open my eyes
I try to see but I'm blinded by the white light
I can't remember how
I can't remember why
I'm lying here tonight

Jens Knutson
American Literature
Block 3A
And I can't stand the pain
And I can't make it go away
No I can't stand the pain

How could this happen to me

I made my mistakes
I've got no where to run
The night goes on
As I'm fading away
I'm sick of this life
I just wanna scream
How could this happen to me

Everybody's screaming
I try to make a sound but no one hears me
I'm slipping off the edge
I'm hanging by a thread
I wanna start this over again

So I try to hold onto a time when nothing mattered

And I can't explain what happened
And I can't erase the things that I've done
No I can't

How could this happen to me

I made my mistakes

Jens Knutson
American Literature
Block 3A
I've got no where to run
The night goes on
As I'm fading away
I'm sick of this life
I just wanna scream
How could this happen to me

I made my mistakes
I've got no where to run
The night goes on
As I'm fading away
I'm sick of this life
I just wanna scream
How could this happen to me