By Anna Gaw

Music has the power to bring people together, remind us of certain times or people, affirm our feelings, cheer us up, or calm us down. I can think of certain songs or artists that remind me viscerally of a given moment in my life. My friend talks about songs that remind him of his exes.

A shared taste in music can bring two very different people together. And playing music can be even more of a community builder. During challenging times, music can be a crucial form of inspiration to take the next step, or just to enjoy the moment you are in. This COVID-19 pandemic is no exception.

There are multiple songs and artists that have already defined my time at home this spring. It began with listening to Greyson Chance with my best friend when he visited for the first part of spring break. Chance was the highlight, but we had a 36-hour playlist we were working through, which became a more challenging feat when our plans to drive to California were cancelled. We would dance to many of the songs, and quickly skip certain ones that were too sad, too nostalgic, or brought up disappointments.

Since my friend returned home, my sister and I have been spending lots of time together. We have been listening to and singing songs from Lauv’s new album, “how i’m feeling.” My immediate family as a whole listens to the Avett Brothers together. And finally, the stay-at-home order wouldn’t be complete without the loud but fuzzy, generic, repetitive, jazz music blasting through my mom’s speaker phone for hours while she was on hold with Comcast.

I’m sure each of you reading this can think of songs that remind you of someone important in your life or an odd moment defined by a certain lyric. Maybe you have your go to productive homework music that’s relevant again as “school” starts back up. Maybe you have exhausted your current music collection and are looking for new things. Hopefully I can help; I have complied a playlist of stay-at-home, coronavirus pandemic-themed music. There are a variety of genres, but they are definitely skewed toward my music taste. Maybe one of these songs can remind you of the crazy times through which we are currently living. Enjoy!

  1. “breathin” by Ariana Grande
  2. “Victims of Life” by The Avett Brothers
  3. “Alone Together” by Dan + Shay
  4. “My House” by Flo Rida
  5. “i need to be alone.” by girl in red
  6. “west texas” by Greyson Chance
  7. “Lost in My Mind” by The Head and the Heart
  8. “all the kids are depressed” by Jeremy Zucker
  9. “Flash Back Friday” by Julian Vaughn and Darren Rahn
  10. “Me & My Dog” by Julien Baker
  11. “Expectations” by Katie Pruitt
  12. “The Cure” by Lady Gaga
  13. “fuck, i’m lonely” by Lauv and Anne-Marie
  14. “Sweatpants” by Lauv
  15. “Listen to This” by Lisa Addeo
  16. “Harder to Breathe” by  Maroon 5
  17. “Disease” by Matchbox Twenty
  18. “Good News” by Ocean Park Standoff
  19. “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” by The Police
  20. “Nowhere” by Quantic and Denitia
  21. “SICKO MODE” by Travis Scott

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