The Andover Song

03.12.2010
Posted by kontaxis
165 Comments

“The Andover Song” is certified VIRAL. Featured on The Huffington Post, Slate, Village Voice, Grantland, Gawker, Josh Nagel, and Time Magazine — among others. Unfortunately, we were not invited to Obama’s BBQ. “It all comes down to the question, What is Andover?” This is a music video I made for my alma mater’s Admissions and College Counseling departments called “The Andover Song.” It attempts to portray the essence of Andover in an entertaining fashion without reverting to the common admissions video convention of simply showing off campus buildings and facilities.

LYRICS

Some say PA

Is only worth diploma day

But those who know

Will tell you that it isn’t so

The fact is that

Appearances are inexact

Though to the masses unbeknown

This school is more than a stepping stone

To be or not to be, that is the question

Whether tis’ all it’s made out to be or mere pretension

Reference as the latter is a downright transgression

Centuries in the making, exponential progression

Want an striking graduation on your application

to college? Hands down Phillips takes the crown.

On paper we’re a staple of matriculation

But we cover way more ground than a cap and a gown

The question’s not in essence just a matter of stats

Because the truth is more than numbers and a handful of facts.

Though we’ve got numbers in abundance overflowing in stacks

Ignore the boring data, let’s get down to brass tacks.

Academics epidemically engulf the campus

Intensity’s the norm, nobody’s warm to slackness

The mind is our kind of learning apparatus

and every night HW is J-huts status

My old peers somewhat resented me

Because intelligent was something that I strived to be

Coming to Andover basically enlightened me

So in essence you could say that it was meant to be because

At most schools it’s not cool to care about learning,

and frankly that attitude is quite concerning.

At Andover passion for knowledge is burning

But they can stick to the status quo, cause we’ll be table turning.

Some say PA

Is only worth diploma day

But those who know

Will tell you that it isn’t so

The fact is that

Appearances are inexact

Though to the masses unbeknown

This school is more than just a stepping stone

Some say PA is only worth diploma day

But while they grade us as a loin, We’re enjoying filet

Some say PA is like a luxury cruise

But take a walk in my shoes and then that theory excuse

I wake up, shake off all my aches, and make my way to class

because it’s time to prime myself to chime in when the teacher asks

Activation of participation is always harassed

For being unengaged encages a chance for knowledge to be amassed

Throughout the day I make my way to all of my courses

Five is the norm, Six is for students who are forces

The Requirements here are typical, I don’t have to report this

but call the school Buzz Lightyear, ‘To Infinity and Beyond’ it endorses

In math, nothing past pre-calculus is required

But for those who desire, knowledge of vector analysis can be acquired

Hardly any history is forced on the uninspired

But you can choose to take it up until your PA time’s expired

Every student’s course-load is distinct and unique

Kate’s taking Math and History and Ancient Greek

Mike likes to philosophize and publicly speak

Meanwhile Tyler’s scientific, a biology freak

But being a freak here is chic, like totally rad

The school molds to every body, like a mattress pad

You can choose to stay the same, like Womack, Brad

or make a new name for yourself, like Ochocinco, Chad

Some say PA

Is only worth diploma day

But those who know

Will tell you that it isn’t so

The fact is that

Appearances are inexact

Though to the masses unbeknown

This school is more than a stepping stone

Academically, we’re at the top of the pack

so Automatically, we receive a lot of flak

but Emphatically, we replace the myth with fact

Systematically, reacting to the false attacks

KID: Andover? More like Bland-over! FRIENDS: Whoa!!!!

PA: I’m curious, where, is the source, of the hate bro?

KID: Prep school kids… they buy their way to success.

PA: Please, don’t believe, the stereotypical mess.

If you see us as snobby rich kids, check your eyesight

If you’ve heard that we’re all swimming in cash, then your sound bites

If you think of us as freeloaders, get your facts right

Know the truth, hear reality, see the light.

Youth from every quarter’s representing all of mankind

If you don’t have the bank to back you then we’ve got your behind

You can’t tell who’s rich or poor, that’s just how it’s designed

We can’t see if you knead dough, You can call us “Need blind”

A quarter of the youth from every quarter is on full-ride

Admission here’s not something that you can buy

Empty pockets aren’t a problem for a scholarly mind

Cause motivation is more important than any money you can find

Basing admission on greenbacks is a bonafide train wreck

Luxurious appearances aren’t worth more than a speck

It’s a more challenging road to be blind to dough but it’s worth the trek

For empty is the house built on a foundation of blank checks

Some say PA

Is only worth diploma day

But those who know

Will tell you that it isn’t so

The fact is that

Appearances are inexact

Though to the masses unbeknown

This school is more than a stepping stone

Claims made that say that PA students aren’t grounded

Are completely preposterous, absolutely unfounded

Phillipians are so well rounded you’d be astounded

Cause being renaissance men is the fundamental truth by which we are surrounded

Why choose between brains or brawn? Why not have both?

Get strong in body and mind, mental and physical growth

Though an academic core is something that you must embrace

Being athletic is also expected all throughout this place

That biology freak? Well he’s a freak in the net

And the Greek girl’s a Varsity triple threat

Mike’s opponents can be seen breaking a cold sweat

As he speeds across the field like a corvette

You see no teen ever should have to choose between

exclusively a sports routine or life only studying.

We accommodate all those who posses a multitude of interests…

Witness the linguist who’s a gymnast.

The runner’s a tech guru, the physicist sings praise

and the football star is also quite the star on the stage.

The fencer is a dancer, and the basketball jones

studies prehistoric bones, you can call him Fred Flintstone.

These kids are so well rounded you can call them perfect spheres

They accomplish so much in the course of four years

But though they’re already successful, the end is nowhere near because

This ride goes way past midnight, in your face Paul Revere!

BRIDGE

Some say PA

Is only worth diploma day

But those who know

Will tell you that it isn’t so

The fact is that

Appearances are inexact

Though to the masses unbeknown

This school is more than a stepping stone

The defining characteristic of Andover is change

Which can seem for a historical institution quite strange

Judge the book by its cover, no change can be found

Because externally and traditionally similarity abounds

So if throughout the years the school itself has stayed the same

Then how can change be PA’s defining claim?

It all comes down to the question “What is Andover?”

We say it’s not the land that counts, but all it’s landowners.

Change isn’t found in the buildings or founding principles

But rather it occurs in every single individual.

Each Phillipian transforms in a manner inexplicable

for those unwilling to do so are frankly inadmissible

Their whole life they might have been top of their classes

Believing their whole life that they’re better than the masses

Most that choose this school arrive all mighty and high

But they’re fed a bite of the truth. Blueberry humble pie.

Since the beginning, non sibi’s been existing as our motto

Shelf yourself for not for self is what we’re all compelled to follow

Those who put themselves last are first, we’re so sure of this

we know we’re not the center of the universe like Copernicus

The people are the steeple of our tower, they’re the core

Just take a look in any classroom any office any dorm

Diversity’s our unity, this bond will never cease

and it resounds throughout the halls of Morse down to the house of Fuess

That’s the essence of this place

and we really wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

See I could speak in such a manner till I’m blue in the face,

But I already am, in a big way, so I’ll just say…

Some say PA

Is only worth diploma day

But those who know

Will tell you that it isn’t so

The fact is that

Appearances are inexact

Though to the masses unbeknown

This school is more than a stepping stone

Produced, Directed, and Edited by Michael Kontaxis Music and Lyrics by Michael Kontaxis Instrumental Produced by Charlie Danner

Khalil Flemming

Michael Kontaxis

Jeb Roberts

Ricky Marcotte

Casey McQuillen

Ms. Becky Sykes

Jakob Rohwer

Charlie Danner

Ms. Aya Murata

Mike Wincek

Mr. Kevin Graber

Ms. Kathleen Pryde

Mr. Paul Murphy

Kristina Rex

Mr. Brad Silnutzer

Dr. Max Alovisetti

Ms. Barbara Chase

Special Thanks to Jonathan Nicholson and Shirley Veenema

165 Comments to The Andover Song

TOP

The Andover Song

165 Comments to The Andover Song

Arms Race

Smartie Pants

The Andover Song

Go Green or Go Home

Mist Fortune

TWITTER