Not to state the obvious, but this Saturday is the 100th annual Homecoming at the grandfather of all homecomings—Mizzou. I’m sure the videos plastered all over social media websites, the signs hanging all around campus and on every Greek Life house and the general euphoria in the air have tipped you off, but if not, here’s a playlist to get you in some sort of Homecoming mood.
**1. “Coming Home” —Diddy Dirty Money ft. Skylar Grey**
If you haven’t head this song laced in every Homecoming ad that Mizzou has distributed this year I’d be surprised, but its relevance and ability to produce a good mood for its listener can’t be argued with. Arguably Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ best song since the early ’00s and his slew of various names, the relaxed beat and dreamy and smooth vocals from Skylar Grey produce an epic and inspiring song.
**2. “Mama I’m Coming Home” —Ozzy Osbourne**
On quite a different vein, Ozzy Osbourne shows his emotional side about returning to a figurative “home” while being a completely different person. The actual meaning of these lyrics could easily be argued, but it can no doubt easily be related to the 100th Homecoming. Alumni from all over the world, in all different circumstances and all different backgrounds, will be returning to Columbia as completely different people due to time and experience. Despite these differences, they’ll all be here for the same reason: this will always be home.
**3. “Homecoming” —Kanye West ft. Chris Martin**
“Do you think about me now and then, ’cause I’m coming home again?” Chris Martin of Coldplay croons between Kanye’s rhymes about his hometown of Chicago. Chicago and Columbia may be two extremely different cities, but former MU students and former Chicago residents undoubtedly feel the same way. You really grow up in college, and where you choose to spend your time growing is ultimately your home.
There are all types of people on our campus — majors that I’ve never heard of, clubs that I never imagined coming into existence and more opportunity for growth and involvement than any normal or above normal student can possibly take advantage of. The opportunities presented to every student who passes through our lecture halls are unmatched and something to be admired. Everyone who’s been to a Mizzou football game, who’s chanted Z-O-U to a group of random strangers or who’s wearing black and gold every game day — even if they can’t physically be in attendance — understands that Mizzou is home. One hundred years after the fact and this is the biggest homecoming yet. Columbia beware: Mizzou is coming home.