Your Quarantine Playlist, by Rich Paschall

Since you have to Hunker In The Bunker you probably have been eagerly awaiting my list of top Sequester Songs. Never fear, I have compiled my playlist of hot hibernation harmonies, filled with lonely lyrics and secluded sounds. These top ten tunes will be just the thing you need to “Shake the Disease” and make it through these “Hard Times.” Not even “Eleanor Rigby” would walk down the “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” right now. Just stay home and “Don’t Let It Bring You Down.” A few of the 10,000 Maniacs may have decided to do “La Danse Macabre” outside, but we will stay inside even if it means “Dancing With Myself.”

La danse macabre

Not surprisingly, a number of new songs have been released about the current condition in the world. A young artist known as Powfu (Isaiah Faber) has a new song and YouTube video for “Death bed (coffee for your head).” Since the April 1st release, it has over 22 million views. It has a snappy melody sung by another while he lays down a somber rap throughout. Follow the young masses and view it here.

Randy Newman has a new song for you. The Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy-winning composer has written a “love song for quarantine” which he says is dedicated to his wife. The title is “Stay Away,” and if you know anything about his songs, you know he ladled on a heavy helping of humor. Chuckle along with him here.

Now for those quiet quarantine moments, we are pleased to bring you a colorful COVID concert. We have culled the caves and burrowed through the bunkers to find the perfect pandemic playlist for you. You may think “Only The Lonely” will be looking for this, but “As The World Falls Down”, “Imagine” that we are in the “Seasons of Love.” Even if you are a bit “Hot Blooded”, you will be feeling better after a sheltered session of songs for the occasion.

10. Splendid Isolation, Warren Zevon. For this 1989 release, Zevon gets a helping hand from Neil Young despite declaring “Splendid Isolation, I don’t need no one.”
09. That’s The Way That The World Goes Round, John Prine. This 2016 performance with Stephen Colbert was not broadcast until April 1, 2020, when Prine was sick with COVID-19.

John Prine (Photo Credit: Ron Baker)

08. I Think We’re Alone Now, Tommy James & the Shondells. You are certainly ready for a little old-time rock and roll with this classic 1967 song.
07. Don’t Stand So Close To Me, The Police. Of course, you are going to want to follow this advice. After all, it comes from the Police. For a little added fun here is a stay at the home version with Sting, Jimmy Fallon, and the crew playing things from around the house. Good thing Sting has a guitar.
06. Stayin Alive, The Bee Gees. Rather than watching John Travolta walking down the streets of New York, we thought it would be more timely to watch the Brothers Gibb walk down empty streets. No disco nightclubs this month.

05. The More I See You, Chet Baker. It’s time for a Jazz break. More people covered this 1945 song than we can count. Baker did well with his 1958 version and you don’t want to miss his epic trumpet playing. Chris Montez had the most successful version of “The More I See You” in 1966. You can hear Montez here.

04. Living On A Prayer, Bon Jovi. You might feel that you are living on a prayer that the coronavirus goes away soon. Until then we can rock out with these classic rockers. You have to like the 1980’s haircuts.

03. Lean On Me, Bill Withers. The Grammy-winning artist passed away this month at the age of 81. This anthem for those who need a helping hand will live on. The song was released in 1972 and went to number one. Club Nouveau had a number one hit with the song in 1987.

02. Are You Lonesome Tonight? Elvis Presley. “Are you lonesome tonight
Do you miss me tonight?
Are you sorry we drifted apart?”
It’s OK because Elvis is going to soothe your worried soul with this 1960 classic.

01. I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor. If I did not include this 1978 disco hit I would have some of the local boys very upset with me. This is played early and often in the clubs and it seems like this song will never go away.  Sing along, you know you want to!

If you want to hear any of the above, just click on the title. If you want to hear the 12 that I put on the Quarantine Playlist, click here.

Categories: Coronavirus - Covid 19, Entertainment, Music, Rich Paschall

Tags: Elvis Presley, Gloria Gaynor, music video, pandemic, playlist, quarantine, sequester, top ten