(A note: I’m sorry this is so long. This should probably be two parts. I just have a lot to say on this topic, I guess.)

With college deadlines quickly approaching, I have had to dial in my focus, especially this week. My phone has several hours of downloaded music that are quite distracting, so I decided to delete it all. To fill the silent void in my car, I’ve started to listen to the radio! Here are my ten favorite stations:

87.7 MeTV FM – Oldies

This oldies station is pretty good if you’re in a distinctly happy mood. Now, don’t get me wrong, this very well may have been music that your parents listened to when they were younger. You probably wouldn’t know the lyrics, though, since you didn’t grow up listening to it. This makes it refreshing to listen to, since to become popular it had to have been high quality to some extent.

89.1 WONC – Emo/Indie Rock Music

This is a personal favorite of mine because it is local— 89.1 WONC is North Central College’s radio station run by students. Its student-led nature makes the music played much newer than other rock stations, so if you are looking for some modern rock to listen to, this is a great station.

Most of the songs they play are pretty chill, so it’s super nice to drive to. In addition, the music is always fresh so that makes it easier to discover new artists.

 

90.9 WDCB – Jazz

90.9 WDCB is Chicago’s jazz station. If it is early in the morning, raining, and you are driving to school, this station fits the mood really well. It’s also nice to listen to in the city; it fits the setting well. I’m not that knowledgeable about jazz, but I know enough to tell you that there is a wide variety of jazz played, from Swing to Bebop to more avant-garde music. 

91.5 WBEZ – NPR

This station is NPR. If you are driving for a long time, then sometimes it is fun to listen to. NPR is a news station, but they provide interesting analyses on stories. Just the other day, I was listening to a story about how immigration from Mexico is influencing the trades business in South Dakota.

Since elections are approaching quickly (as are early applications for college), there is a lot of political content as of recently. Speaking about college, I actually heard an opinion about NPR on how high schoolers think that university is the end-all-be-all, while in reality it is simply a beginning. That provided a much-needed perspective for myself and for that I am grateful.

93.9 LITE – The Relaxing Station/Christmas Music

93.9 literally advertises itself as playing “Chicago’s relaxing favorites.” I don’t even know if that’s true, but their marketing makes me believe that the music is more relaxing, thus making me relaxed when I listen to the station. I actually really like this one— I think it plays mostly slow music, but then again that could just be me gaslighting myself into believing this station is relaxing. I guess it is. Christmas music returns in the beginning of November.

94.7 WLS – Older Pop Music

94.7 WLS is one of Chicago’s pop stations, except it’s older music. Think Queen, Billy Idol, Michael Jackson, and Goo Goo Dolls. Not shockingly old music, but certainly not modern pop music. That would be 103.5 KISS FM. It’s all recognizable music, so it’s fun to sing along to. It’s the default station I turn on when my parents are in the car.

97.1 WDRV – Classic Rock

When I say rock, the music that 97.1 plays is probably what you are thinking of. Toto (Africa is not their only song), the Who (not the health organization), ACDC, Van Halen, and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts are the types of artists you’d hear on this station. Definitely not unknown artists. If you don’t know them, you would at least recognize some of their songs. If you are in a punkish mood, this is a decent station to listen to.

98.7 WFMT – Classical

I am listening to them right now, and they are desperately asking for fundraising, so their business must not be doing too hot. One pet peeve: I hate the hosts’ voices. They sound condescending, like they think I’m unintelligent or they’re severely disappointed in me. Whenever I hear their voices, I immediately change the station. Also, their music selection is bad— they pretty much only play music from the baroque and classical eras, neglecting the romantic, impressionist, and modern eras! It’s a shame. Also, they have a weird obsession with Bach played on the guitar or lute. I don’t have any sort of problem with this (actually, I do, I strongly dislike classical guitar), but they constantly play it. Also, they say they’re a “Classical/Folk” station so sometimes you get weird yodeling appalachia-type music after hearing a symphony. It irks me. Since they’re the only classical station, though, they are my only option to listen to so I am stuck with them. On another note, one time I performed and got interviewed on there.

101.1 WKQX – Alternative Rock

Nirvana, Girl in Red, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are the type of bands you’d hear on this station. Honestly, nothing special, but sometimes it is nice to listen to Nirvana and speed down Ogden Ave after school, screaming the lyrics to Smells like Teen Spirit with your windows down in the cool 60°F weather.

103.5 KISS FM – Pop music

“ONE OH THREE POINT FIVE KISS EFF EM” (say it in the voice) plays pop music. I pretty much only listen to classical music, so having a quasi-discovery of Jack Harlow, Harry Styles, and Steve Lacy’s music was enlightening. Here’s the problem with 103.5 and pop music, generally: the music is extremely overplayed. No one wants to listen to Heat Waves by Glass Animals for the ten-millionith time! I hate that song now! In the mornings, sometimes they’ll have drama-tainment, inviting local callers to speak about their relationships and personal problems. The radio hosts will try to resolve their conflicts, and it’s always funny to listen to since it only makes things worse.

104.3 WBMX – R&B and Rap, Officially “House Music”

I love this radio station. Whenever I listen to it, I’m dancing in my car. The only problem with this station is that there’s a lot of expletives in the music, and the FTC hates when American citizens enjoy uncensored music. The listening experience is degraded a little bit by that.

Also due to the FTC, a lot of modern rappers have a lot of their music essentially barred from radio because of their music being censored. The other two contemporary music radio stations are 106.3 WSRB and 107.5 WGCi (the “i” is supposed to be lowercase). WSRB has too much static and WGCi has too many swear words, to the point where you’re basically listening to instrumentals. Looks like my only option is 104.3 WBMX. Maybe I’ll just get some CDs of my favorite rap albums. 

105.9 WBBM – News

The hosts of this station have the best radio voices, by far. This news is much less narrative-driven than NPR, so you will get more factual information. If you tuned in right now, I’d bet $20 that you’d hear the hosts talking about either the weather, traffic, time, sports, the top local stories, or an advertisement. So that’s actually a lot of things. Even if you aren’t interested in what they’re talking about, it’s just soothing to listen to their voices.

 

I have highly enjoyed listening to the radio. It’s opened me up to new perspectives and sounds that I don’t hear often, making me feel more knowledgeable about local events and new music. Although I miss being able to listen to my favorite obscure musicians and composers whenever I want, I take pride in my newfound background noise.