Pandemic Playlist: Our Top 5 feel-good Disney melodies that will transport you to a magical place
Hello again, my dear friends! We hope you and your loved ones have been keeping safe and sound in the midst of this ongoing coronavirus epidemic. Even though we're all quarantined at our homes for the near-distant future, life pushes on, resolutely and optimistically. In honor of the recent Disney Family Singalong that featured a host of celebrities singing karaoke versions of some treasured tunes from classic Disney movies, we figured this was the perfect theme for today's pandemix.
Besides the inevitable waves of nostalgia that arise when we sing these evergreen melodies, Disney's wide variety of soundtracks are always brimming with hope, wonder, and empowerment. Considering the sorry state of the world today, this unbridled positivity and energy to seize the day are exactly what we all need right now. So put on your favorite rose-tinted glasses and prepare to sing along to these magical numbers in your best uninhibited, animated style!
'Hakuna Matata'
Let's kick things off with this eternal classic from 'The Lion King' in 1994. The phrase 'Hakuna Matata' originates from Swahili, meaning "no worries." And that's the perfect attitude to have in the wake of this coronavirus pandemic that's been causing a great deal of grief and anxiety throughout the world. All we've got to do is sit back and relax, because life has a funny way of sorting itself out. "Hakuna Matata / Ain't no passing craze / It means no worries / For the rest of your days / It's our problem-free philosophy."
'Let It Go'
Let's travel now to the frigid landscapes of 'Frozen', Disney's blockbuster musical from 2013. In the movie, the heroine Elsa sang this to celebrate the fact that she was finally able to be herself, and didn't need to hide her talents any longer. And we can take comfort in the fact that each one of us has a hidden potential that's just waiting to be tapped. What better time than this quarantine period to but your doubts aside and explore your hidden abilities? "It's time to see what I can do / To test the limits and break through / No right, no wrong, no rules for me / I'm free / Let it go, let it go."
'Bare Necessities'
This beloved 1967 classic from Disney's 'Jungle Book' animated feature recently got an update sung by the iconic Bill Murray in the 2016 reboot. The song's message is simple. It's about taking comfort in the simple pleasures of life, and gaining some timely perspective in the process. We all too often get hung up on the uncertainties of the future, so this track helps bring us back to the present and appreciate what's right in front of us. "And don't spend your time lookin' around / For something you want that can't be found / When you find out you can live without it / And go along not thinkin' about it / I'll tell you something true / The bare necessities of life will come to you."
'A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes'
This golden-oldie from the 1950 Disney classic says it all in the title. If your heart is holding on to an ideal situation fervently, then it's a dream that will hopefully come true one day. Given our planet's current precarious situation, it's an appropriate reminder to always look forward to those dreams, no matter how bleak your future might look right now. It worked out just fine for Cinderella in the end, didn't it? Let's hope we get our fairytale ending as well. "Have faith in your dreams and someday / Your rainbow will come smiling through / No matter how your heart is grieving / If you keep on believing / The dream that you wish will come true."
'You've Got a Friend In Me'
What better way to wrap up this playlist than this heartfelt ode to loyalty and friendship from 1995's 'Toy Story'? Even though the pressures of this COVID-19 crisis might seem rather overwhelming and stress us out further in the weeks to come, we know we can always count on a friend to lend a strong hand and an understanding ear to our current plight. Even though we've still got to practice social distancing, we can still remain emotionally connected with our loved ones. "If you've got troubles, I've got 'em too / There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you / We stick together and can see it through / 'Cause you've got a friend in me."
Pandemic Playlist is a daily list of songs that will keep you entertained instead of feeling drained while you're isolated at home. Look out for a fresh selection of great tunes from MEAWW to refresh your mood every day!