Written By: Jillian Giandurco
I know good and well that I am not the first person to give their unsolicited advice on what music you should be listening to in your self-quarantine isolation pods, and I have a feeling I won’t be the last. But everyone has different tastes and preferred genres, and I’ve made my choices for those of us who want to get mad, but with a side of soul. For the people that feel like they haven’t danced since 1994. To put it simply, it’s the quarantine playlist that reflects all of our troubles at the moment, with undeniably strong beats and catchy choruses to remind us why we turn to music in times of tribulations._
1. “Penitentiary Philosophy” - Erykah Badu
I am in no way comparing self-isolation to being held in a penitentiary, but many of the frustrations Badu illustrates in this song can be applied to the current state of the country. There are a lot of unknowns right now, and it often feels like the world is just asking for us to be mad.
2. “Halfcrazy” - Musiq Soulchild
I think we can all agree that staying at home all day is making our minds go half crazy. Musiq knows how you feel, and he’s here to make it all better. He always does.
3. “Locked Inside” - Janelle Monáe
Did someone say “a little too on the nose?” Monáe wrote this song in 2010 about the future, but unfortunately her prophecy became true about 985 years too soon. It’s actually quite an optimistic song, though, so if you’re looking for the perfect balance between wallowing in self-pity and never giving up hope, you’ve come to the right place.
4. “Simple Things” - Usher
We all took the simple things in life for granted before this. It’s not up for debate. A few weeks ago I was in a bad mood at work, all because I had a lip twitch. To have a lip twitch at work now….what I wouldn’t give.
5. “I Just Called To Say I Love You” - Stevie Wonder
I’m sure we’ve all found ourselves calling our loved ones more than usual lately. That group chat from college that died three years ago? Suddenly your most active text chain. And because no one has anything new to report, we really are just calling each other to say I love you.
6. “I Get Lonely” - Janet Jackson
For those of you in isolation all by yourself, this one's for you. Let Ms. Jackson tuck you into bed and read you a sweet bedtime story with this sultry tune. She’ll even remember to check for monsters under your bed. Trust.
7.“Breakin’ Dishes” - Rihanna
This song is for those days when you’re feeling irrationally angry for no reason at all. For when you want to punch something every time your sibling breathes too loudly. Or, alternatively, for when we all eventually reach our wits end with our sanity and start breaking everything in sight just to feel something.
8. “Danger Zone” - Gwen Stefani
Lady Gwen summed up our unprecedented, historical situation better than anyone could: “We are in a mess/ A danger zone. What will happen next? You never know.”
9. “(I Just Want It) To Be Over” - Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Cole was way ahead of her time with this one. She reflects on the past when things were better, and wishes for an end to her current situation. If you haven’t felt this way at least once during this social distancing madness, congratulations and remember to charge your battery, robot.
10. “It’s Not Worth It” - Brandy
Thought it was gonna be “Sittin’ Up In My Room,” didn’t you? That, my dears, is the choice of an amateur. In fact, a true Brandy fan knows that she has many a quarantine-themed song, from “Never Say Never” (we’ll be outside again, I promise!), to “Learn The Hard Way” (were you one of the spring breakers in Florida? And now you’re not feeling so hot? It’s a shame you had to learn the hard way!), to “U Don’t Know Me (Like U Used To)” (quarantine has CHANGED you), to, of course, “Apart.” Ultimately, I chose this song because, simply, if you’re thinking of going out to see your friends, honey, it’s not worth it.
11. “One Sweet Day” - Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men
The sentiment of this song perfectly encapsulates exactly what we’re going through; we’ve all found ourselves wishing to be back with our loved ones, especially those who we don’t know how long it will be until we can see them again.
12. “Hotel Paper” - Michelle Branch
I’m sure many of us are writing in a diary to keep sane, in a room where your thoughts, much like yourself, will never leave. The only difference here is that I pray you’re not in a hotel right now.
13. “Stay Home” - Self
If you are anything like me, then you must’ve spent countless nights falling asleep to your beloved VHS copy of Shrek, waking up just in time for the karaoke dance party, and of course the credits song, “Stay Home.” I’ve loved this song ever since I could remember, and maybe, just maybe, the world is finally ready to accept the gospel Self tried so hard to deliver.
Comments
Post a Comment