Bored at home during a lockdown or find yourself coming down with some self-isolation blues? You’re not alone. What day of quarantine is it? We’ve lost track.
Taking care of your mental health during self-isolation and a total nationwide shutdown includes getting exercise, eating healthy and engaging in activities that bring you joy. And, what better way to spark joy than by listening to music? One study even found that music is a valid therapy to potentially reduce depression and anxiety.
Need help figuring out what to listen to? Crafting a coronavirus playlist can be fun. You’ll definitely remember these songs forever. Here’s how to find the best social distancing songs to help you stay home in style.
Listen to Dave Grohl’s Social Distancing Playlist
The Atlantic recently hosted a virtual quarantine concert with guest DJ Dave Grohl. Yes, the Gave Grohl from Foo Fighters and Nirvana fame. And, as you can guess, Grohl’s pandemic playlist is pretty lit. You can find it on Spotify here and it’s full of feel-good songs that’ll make you get up and dance while also finding joy in the unique situation we all find ourselves in.
Songs on the pandemic playlist include Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles, School’s Out by Alice Cooper, Bullet with Butterfly Wings by The Smashing Pumpkins, and Ahmad’s Waltz by the Ahmad Jamal Quintet. The last song is a bit of a unique choice, but it’s a nice jazzy reprise from the heavy world we’re living in.
Tackle the Subject of Solitude
How many times have you sung “all by myself” quietly to yourself in your room or apartment since all of this has begun? We get it. Sometimes indulging in a sad song simply hits the spot when you’re super in your feels. If that’s the case, then create a social distancing playlist that tackles the subject of solitude. There are actually quite a few songs about the subject.
Some of our top picks include:
- Isolation by Joy Division
- All By Myself by Eric Carmen
- Quarantined by Atlas Sound
- Honk if You’re Lonely by Silver Jews
- Wisconsin Bon Iver
- Song for the Lonely by Cher
- Solita by Kali Uchis
If this kind of coronavirus playlist has you feeling a little too solo then try getting together with others in your apartment community or neighborhood to plan a virtual dance party. If it’s okay with the community’s administrators then you can create a social distancing playlist, send it out to everybody, have them press play at a certain time, and enjoy a virtual dance party in the comfort of your own homes.
Dive Into All of Your Feels
Again, sometimes it feels good to just let yourself feel sad. And, that’s a part of the grieving process we’re all going through as we navigate things like unemployment and financial hardships. It’s okay to not be okay, and music can help you process those kinds of emotions.
When you’re looking for a sad social distancing playlist, try starting with If The World Was Ending by JP Saxe and Julia Michaels. It’s a moving song with a pretty timely theme. You’ll find the mellow song to be fitting for the times. Then, move on to When The Party’s Over by Billie Eilish. It’s a pretty heartbreaking song that’s super scaled-back and emotional; it’s perfect for a good cry.
Still in search of some great SoundCloud or Apple Music songs for a sad self-isolation? Check out I Fall Apart by Post Malone, To Be So Lonely by Harry Styles, or Drake’s Toosie Slide. Definitely be sure to check out the music video that goes along with Toosie Slide as it deals with the current COVID-19 crisis and the issues of social distancing.
Throw It Back With Some Classics
Not into the likes of Travis Scott or Taylor Swift? There are plenty of great classic rock songs that are great for social distancing. It’s almost as if they knew we’d be needing the pick-me-up in 2020.
And, what better way to start a classic rock pandemic playlist than by beginning with Don’t Stand So Close to Me by The Police. It’s a great song to have ready to play when you go out for your essential errands. You know, just in case anybody gets within six feet of you. Or, you can play Stay Away by Nirvana. It’s the perfect classic rock jam for social distancing and quarantine.
Fleetwood Mac had a lot of great hits. But, none is more relevant to the 2020 cultural landscape than Behind the Mask. The lyrics read “Don't you come too close to me. You're dangerous, can't you see.” If you’ve got friends or family members who just won’t stop coming around even though your state has issued strict lockdown measures, perhaps sending them this song might help them take the hint.
