“OMG, I LOVE THIS SONG!” You scream to your friends, as you all begin singing and dancing in a circle.

While all songs are “the best song ever” when you are drunk, there are those certain special tunes that get you every time. This week, we asked our writers to weigh in on their favorite drunk jams. Note: Journey must be proud.

Beata: It’s totally a Notre Dame tradition, but I love “Midnight Train.” And, of course, “Since You’ve Been Gone.” Gotta love those memories of screaming at the top of your lungs in a dark, sweaty dorm room.

Elise – UCLA: Don’t Stop Believing – Journey.

Jill – University of Wisconsin: “I Want it that Way” is a great – it makes me want to put on a glow necklace and a t-shirt that says “I got Jammed all night at Aaron’s Bar Mitzvah.” Oh, and “Disturbia” is also a fist-pumping winner.

Ali – Syracuse University: “Shoop” by Salt n Peppa… yeah I have it memorized

Lauren – University of Michigan: “The Gambler.” It’s always the last song at the bar and a sign that I really should go home. But, man, singing that in a circle with my friends…such fond (hazy) memories.

Amber – Old Dominion: “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, because guitar solos are always better when you’re drunk.

Erica – Kent State: Honestly, I love singing almost anything when I’m drunk. Even songs I don’t know any words to when I’m sober. Especially any songs I don’t know the words to when I’m sober. It’s like they… or something that sounds somewhat like the actual words… magically come to me when I’m wasted. But, anyway, if I had to pick a song, right now I’d have to say M.I.A’s “Paper Planes” even though it’s overplayed. I just love making hand gestures when the gun goes off. Awesome.

Suzanne- Tulane: “Murder on the Dance Floor.” You should see my moves.

Kathryn S.: The Old School version of “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” With the F-bombs.

Heather – Penn State: “It’s My Life,” by Bon Jovi.

K – NYU: That would be “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey…. I think it explains itself.

Carly – Grinnell: Probably “MMMBop.” If it was even ever played at a bar. (I think I just embarrassed myself horribly by answering that way.)

Kari – FSU: “Swagga Like Us.” I lip sync along with made up words until Jay-Z’s verse, then I yell “HOOOOOVAAAAA” at the top of my lungs while throwing up the Rocafella sign. It’s usually well received by the security personnel escorting me out.

Sara – NYU: “Like A Prayer”! Just like any good Jew.

Sarabeth – University of Texas: “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey. BTW, I’ve been told I dance a mean “Soulja Boy” when I’m that drunk; oddly enough, I can’t do it sober.

Does this song sound familiar? If you are a fan of MIA (and who isn’t these days?) then it should–she samples this, my favorite song of all time, on her catchy single Paper Planes. Straight to Hell most deftly and beautifully represents everything that makes the Clash so singular and so influential, mixing Joe Strummer’s rusty voice with clever world music instrumentation, wit, and a political message.

Once Again: Girl Talk

The music of Girl Talk reminds me of cheerleading remixes on crack, and I mean that in the very best way. If you aren’t familiar with Girl Talk, it’s basically a DJ named Greg Gillis who mixes, to unexpected delight, any number of seemingly disparate songs together to create a sort of fun, danceable Frankenstein. My favorite part? Mixing The Whisper Song with the Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony. Brilliant.

Machine Gun: Portishead

After 11 years, Trip Hop pioneers Portishead have finally come out with a new album, Third. Portishead was one of my favorite bands growing up, so I was absolutely delighted when they released a new album after so long and even happier when the album turned out to be really, really good.

For me, the band was most successful when they were at their heaviest and darkest, and Third is full of that density. The first single off of the album is the relentless track Machine Gun, which juxtaposes lead singer Beth Gibbons’ rich lilt with persistent and ominous synthesizers. It’s a mixture of hard and soft sounds that is Portishead’s trademark and its done to beautiful, poignant effect in Machine Gun.

Non-Photo Blue: Pinback

Pinback’s third album, Summer in Abaddon, was recorded in a home studio but sounds so full and beautifully produced that you could never tell. The band is comprised of Armistead Burwell Smith IV (Zach) and Rob Crow, both of whom sing lead and their voices work so beautifully together that you often can’t tell them apart. Non-Photo Blue is one of the best songs off of Summer in Abaddon and is made up of Pinback’s trademark esoteric lyrics, which flow beautifully with the laid back, textured atmosphere of the music.

(7/4)/Shoreline-Broken Social Scene

Among Broken Social Scene’s revolving cast of members is Emily Haines from one of my favorite bands, Metric. She does the female vocals on this version of the track (there is at least one other version that I know of, with Feist singing the girl parts. That version also rocks). Broken Social Scene manages to stay on the good side of the thin line that separates earnestness and pretentiousness, especially with this particular track which has a lovely, understated quality and a satisfying climax.

College Candy-June 12