Quarantunes

Music, to me, is the most mysterious art.
Mysterious why, you ask? Well, because no matter how many years I have played instruments like the piano, recorder, flute, trumpet, the drums (yes, really, I tried them all.) or sang in chorus, on stage or in the shower... I have not had awakened the talent to WRITE music. Sure, I can handle the lyrics side of things all day long - words and letters have a beautiful sound to them, a rhythm, a subtle melody. But a full on musical creation is way way WAY above my capabilities, so I have always been in complete awe of those who can do it.

So because this era is so....ahem....CHAOTIC, music has been like the best friend that is always there but now something happened and you really ,totally, like absolutely, FINALLY appreciate her?!  Yeah. So to show my appreciation to the all mighty music makers of the world - here's a Playlist For Quarantine. Enjoy!

1. Instead / Madeline Peyroux
    'Instead of feeling bad, be glad'. Could this be the mantra of the time?? The whimsy, sweet vocal by    Madeline and jazzy tune has rocked a few of my candle-light baths lately.

2. Hold On / Tom Waits
      Aaaahhhhh yes, Tom's sultry voice is comforting like a cup of warm vanilla latte in the morning. 

3. Isolation / Iggy Pop
      Iggy Pop must be a time traveler... he must have known millions of people will be in isolation in the year 2020. Makes me wonder what other predictions did he hide in his music?!

4. Be Here Now / Ray LaMontagne
       Meditation has been incredibly helpful to me. Slowing things down. Being in the NOW - it's the only time that actually exists. What day is my favorite day, you ask? Today.

5. Mad world / Michael Andrews
       Truer words have never been spoken!

6. Brilliant Adventure / David Bowie
      This trippy tune is much like the distorted reality of these days : every day we are tripping down a rabbit hole wondering what day is it? (Seriously, what day is it? I have NO idea.)

7. Time In A Bottle / Jim Croce
       Jim Croce finally got his wish: A pause. Time in a bottle. A FULL STOP.  If only he was alive to see it...

8. Money / Pink Floyd
       Chances are - if you aren't affected by the virus directly, you are affected by it indirectly as the economy is suffering incredible punches in the face right now. Is money really running the world? We are soon to find out. 

9. The Future / Leonard Cohen
   There are so many possibilities up for grabs right now. The future can be unified, filled with global cooperation, peace and respect. The future can be greener and better for the environment, for animals and humans alike.... but the future can also be filled of dictators and surveillance and never-ending pandemic.... What will it be Leonard? I hope you are watching from above. 

10. Sounds of silence / Simon & Garfunkel
      My nephew has described the quarantine for us urban city folks as if 'our city was stolen'. It does feel that way. The sounds of silence are everywhere these days, and so are the sights of empty roads and people wandering around in fear, trying to hold on to their belief in the Neon Gods... 

11. The Great Gig In The Sky / Pink Floyd
      Sometimes ya just want to SCREAM. And that's okay. Go for it. Scream along to Pink Floyd.

12. Don't Panic / Coldplay
      Say what? DON'T panic!? Ya mean the entire world is in a shut down, millions are sick, more than 200,000 have died, the economy is tanking and so are jobs for millions of people.....but I shouldn't panic?? Yeah, okay. 
        
13. Our House / Crosby, Stills & Nash
       I have created a full on sanctuary out of my home: A gourmet restaurant, a spa, a fitness studio, a writer's retreat and a gaming facility. #winning

14. Cruel Summer / Bananarama 
      So yeah, summer is cancelled this year. :(  But at least we got Bananarama! Dance the misery away, you go girl!

15. Beyond The Sea / Bobby Darin
     There will be a time AFTER this era, when we will hug again. And kiss. And dance together. And go to theaters, go to movies, sit in crowded restaurants, visit hospitals without fear, watch the news and it will be boring for a change. We will never be the same, but we will BE.

16. Where Do The Children Play / Cat Stevens
     What world will we leave our children? This is a critical time to think of all that, and make changes - whether personal or collective, so our children and grandchildren and great children and great great children can enjoy this planet and treat it well.

17. Ordinary World / Duran Duran 
      'Where is the life that I recognize? Gone away.' This one could be competing with 'Mad World' for the 'Truer Words Were Never Spoken' Award.

18. Que Sera, Sera / Doris Day 
        Preach it, Doris!

19. Nothing Else Matters / Metallica
       Moody much? Yeah, I know. I have a love for 80s 90s classic melodic rock songs. This one always brings me to tears in the best most sentimental way.

20. Rise / Eddie Vedder
        You, me, they , us. We will RISE. Rooted like trees we'll rise out of this, taller, bigger, stronger. Some of us with glowing skin and fit bodies, others not so much... some would have mastered the art of Work-From-Home, some would have stayed in pajamas the entire time... some would have found peace and gratitude, and others would have been in suffering.
But we will ALL rise after this. 
But until then - we have MUSIC to cheer us on.

LISTEN. SING. DANCE. PLAY. 

*Listen to the Quarantunes playlist HERE