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pandemic playlist

One afternoon, not so long ago, when this pandemic was first beginning, my boyfriend and I sat down and came up with a handful of songs which could be the soundtrack for this pandemic. It’s funny how some songs fit in so perfectly with a pandemic. We did it as a little light relief, but it got us through the afternoon, made us feel slightly productive, and the comedy of it all (light or dark) helped us feel a little bit better about all of the chaos going on in the world and I’d like to pass that along to you.

A “Pandemic Playlist” has been created on my Youtube Channel and is sitting at the end of this post, so do feel free to skip straight to that if that’s all you’ve come for. I have created a simple list of all the songs at the top to make it easy to have a little browse, and below that I have expanded upon them with a little commentary. I usually shy away from any DJ responsibilities, but I quite enjoyed this little exercise. My late grandfather was a DJ in the 60s (radio name: Johnny Ray) and doing this made me feel ever so slightly closer to him.

If you have any songs which you think would be good additions, please leave them in a comment and they may find their way to the playlist on Youtube. No matter what I say further down in this post, please remember: be safe, stay inside, and stay well.


The Pandemic Playlist


The Animals – “We Gotta Get Out of This Place”

For those of you who don’t know, I’m temporarily self-isolating after I had a very mild fever. It’s been only 1 full day and I’m already feeling confined. Some of you who aren’t considered key workers must be going stir crazy by now. If you’re feeling a little cooped up, perhaps you’ll be able to relate to this song… but really, please stay home.


Carole King – “So Far Away”

A change of pace with this next one. Mild social distancing may have already been in place in the UK since time immemorial, but since it’s been encouraged, strictly enforced rather (now that Boris has got his act together), it does seem as if everyone is so far away even if they are just on the other side of the city. I think I will dedicate this one to my parents – please don’t cry.

“It would be so fine to see
your face at my door”

CAROLE KING


Dixie Chicks – “Wide Open Spaces”

With everyone staying inside, some of the most well-known tourist destinations are left eerily empty. In Europe, where people live so much closer together than in the Midwest, streets are absolutely empty. It’s weird to see everything so still, but I can’t lie, the videos of wildlife returning to the populated areas of Italy tend to lift my spirits: dolphins in Cagliari Port, fish visible in the clear canals of Venice, ducks in Rome’s fountains, boar in the streets of Sardinia. Mother Nature is an amazing healer if we just allow her to get on with things. If only one good thing comes of this, I hope it is that we will learn what steps will best help save our planet.


Eurythmics – “Here Comes That Sinking Feeling”

Staying inside. Being out for one form of exercise a day. Being obligated to go to work as a key worker while everyone is staying reasonably protected indoors. It’s not good for mental health. I’ve heard, but don’t quite believe, that there are a few unicorns out there who don’t typically have to deal with anxiety or depression like a lot of the rest of us. If you are that lucky, you may soon realize that doing your best to stay positive and find productive (or not so productive) things to do only gets you so far. One day that sinking feeling will come for us all.


Fleetwood Mac – “Go Your Own Way”

This song plays in my head in that awkward moment when I’m trying to follow the rules of social distancing while going for my weekly shop but the person behind me is getting too close and the person in front of me is encroaching on my intended trajectory. The goal truly is another lonely day, let’s all help each other achieve it by taking Fleetwood Mac’s advice.


Kaiser Chiefs – “I Predict A Riot”

This one goes out to my brother. It’s got a rather fun beat with a dash of lyrical pessimism. Hopefully we don’t find ourselves in a rioting society in the months to come, but I suppose we can’t predict anything with any modicum of certainty.


Billie Holiday – “(In My) Solitude”

I can just imagine all of us sitting in our chairs, staring out, with only our thoughts and Netflix to occupy us. This is a slow song to salve our somber, lonely selves.


Gloria Gaynor – “I Will Survive”

A classic song that all women (and men – shan’t be leaving them out) who have ever had their heart broken will know very well. This song should possibly be reserved for that moment when you really need a theatrical performance to brighten up your family’s evening. Alternatively, if you’re able to convince your neighbors to sing along, it can be a community effort to increase morale. Voices rising from porches and balconies and coming together as one in a way that we cannot. All very therapeutic.

“Go on now, go, walk out the door
Just turn around now
‘Cause you’re not welcome anymore…
Did you think I’d lay down and die?
Oh no, not I, I will survive”

GLORIA GAYNOR


MC Hammer – “U Can’t Touch This”

It’s another well-known song making its way through every care home in the US. MC Hammer is expanding his audience and I’m sure it’s fulfilling all of his hopes and dreams for his career. I do hope to see all the family music videos you make in your abundance of free time.


Morrissey – “Everyday Is Like Sunday”

The never-ending, gray, dreary weekend spent in a forgotten little British seaside town (I won’t say where exactly… but it seems a lot like Great Yarmouth). Some chippies remain open, though, so perhaps a good way to cheer up this sorry situation is to combine your government sanctioned walk with a fish and chips takeaway. It’s sounding better and better all the time.


Peter Paul and Mary – “Leaving On A Jet Plane”

This one is for those of us who have our homes and hearts in multiple places in this world. Because of the travel restrictions, the option of hopping between them has been ripped from our white-knuckled hands. For some expats, including myself, the only way I was able to muster enough courage to move abroad in the first place was to tell myself that I could always return home. Now that’s not possible and it’s an unsettling feeling. I am hoping, for all of us, that this settles soon and we’ll be able to see our families again.


The Pogues – “The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn”

Celtic and Punk… what could possibly go wrong? The Pogues have a sound all their own and in these strange times a combination of a bit of yelling and traditional Irish instruments seems rather fitting. I advise you to grab your whiskey and settle in, maybe just for this song, but possibly even for the foreseeable future.


The Police – “Don’t Stand So Close To Me”

Don’t stand close to me, don’t shake my hand, don’t breathe in my general direction, and for the love of all things good cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. 2 meters, 6 feet, one tall man, 2/3 the average length of a car. There is even tape on the ground for guidance. Please be aware of the rules and follow them. Thank you.  


The Police – “So Lonely”

On the plus side, you don’t need to learn lots of lyrics to sing along to this one – just rock back and forth and chant “so lonely” and you’ll get on just fine.

“Now no one’s knocked upon my door
For a thousand years or more
All made up and nowhere to go
Welcome to this one man show”

THE POLICE


REM – “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”

The world will not be the same on the other side of this pandemic. What and just how much will change is uncertain, but a pretty big change is inevitable. Learning to adjust to circumstances can only help, and hopefully we will all come to terms with it and “feel fine”. If not we can tell ourselves we feel fine over and over until we start to believe it. The nurse in me can’t be quieted, so in the meantime, if you don’t feel fine, or have even mild symptoms of coronavirus, a low-grade temperature or a cough, stay home! Have groceries delivered. Have friends or family drop groceries off outside your door. Wave through the window – they’ll love it, it’s the most socialization any of us are getting these days.


The Smiths – “Panic”

Not only is this a good description of the current climate, but the dancing in the music video is incredible. If you’ve gotten this far into the playlist you may also be relating to the bit about hanging the DJ. I fear I have indubitably failed to live up to the musical standards set by my late grandfather who told me once that he remembered the first time he played a Beatles song as a DJ in small town Indiana.


Tiffany – “I Think We’re Alone Now”

I think I’ll dedicate this one to my boyfriend, mostly because of the confused and disappointed face he makes when I confess that I like this song. We are, though, finding ourselves to be the only ones around more and more often on the rare occasions that we leave the flat. While it’s encouraging to know that people are obeying the lockdown, it sometimes feels as if we are the only two people in the city, and that is very odd indeed. How long do we have until we get tired of each other’s company? We’re not allowed to visit anyone else. We’re stuck together, alone, until this thing is over. Muahahahaha!


Thanks for struggling through to the end. Remember to write any suggestions you have in the comments and I’ll enjoy going through them of an evening. Stay well everyone!
-Rx



About Author

Rachel is the creator of Anywayward. She is an international nurse, American expat, and travel enthusiast. She spends her time drinking too much coffee and thinking of ways to help other American nurses find their way to the UK.

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