Pandemic Playlist: Get in touch with your spiritual side with our top 5 songs for the ideal Easter Sunday mood
Greetings, dear friends! We wish you a very happy Easter Sunday and hope that you're celebrating with your loved ones while safe at home. According to the Christian tradition, Easter Sunday marks the day when Jesus Christ was resurrected after being left for dead on the cross by the Roman rulers of the time. His inspiring message of love, rebirth, and renewal will live on forever and gives us a timely hope to cling on to. This uplifting festival means even more in our current climate, as we along with other nations around the world battle the deadly coronavirus while keeping the health and safety of our citizens as our number one priority. The ubiquitous Easter bunnies and Easter eggs also make it fun for children and grown-ups alike. Rabbits have long been associated with spring seasonal rituals because of their potent fertility powers, and all those chocolate goodies are bound to bring a smile to many people's faces. It's a time for celebrating new life and the advent of spring, as we aim to bring our positive and loving attitudes to life with a renewed gusto. With that in mind, here are our Top 5 tracks to get you in a celebratory, joyous mood for Easter Sunday.
Easter Sunday edition
'He's Alive' - Dolly Parton
Let's start things off in the right spirit with an Easter classic, made famous by the country music icon Dolly Parton. This song was originally written by the Dove Award-winning musician Don Francisco and contains a first-person narrative of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. Don's lyrics, coupled with Dolly's heavenly rendition are perfect for our frazzled world right now: "The love was shining out from Him / Like sunlight from the skies / Guilt and my confusion / Disappeared in sweet release / And every fear I ever had / Just melted into peace."
'One Of Us' - Joan Osborne
This thought-provoking song became an instant classic after the singer-songwriter Joan Osborne released it as her debut single in 1995. 'One Of Us' explores an interesting concept - what if God decided to come down to Earth and live like a regular human being? The Christians believe Jesus Christ did exactly that, which makes this song perfect for Easter Sunday. It's been described as "a simple, direct statement of faith, honest and unadorned, one framed in a near-perfect chorus and delectable Neil Young-ish guitar riff." Sounds perfect for the occasion!
'Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)' - Casting Crowns
The multi-platinum-selling Christian rock group Casting Crowns was founded by youth pastor and lead singer Mark Hall in 1999, and they have made a name for themselves over the past two decades with their heartfelt odes to the power of God's love. This track talks about the victorious life of Jesus Christ, from his birth to the Virgin Mary, to his death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. The Grammy Award-winners really bring it home on the resounding chorus, with lines like “Living, He loved me / Dying, He saved me / Buried, He carried my sins far away / Rising, He justified freely forever / One day He’s coming / Oh glorious day!"
'Jesus Walks' - Kanye West
This selection might seem like it's popped out of left field, but it's the perfect reminder of the all-encompassing nature of Jesus Christ's love. In this 2004 classic, rapper Kanye West talks about how Jesus's adoration for the world knew no bounds - he gladly walks with people from all backgrounds and beliefs, from the demonized sinners to the revered saints. Lyrics like "To the hustlers, killers, murderers, drug dealers, even the scrippers / Jesus walks for them / To the victims of welfare feel we livin' in Hell here, hell yeah / Jesus walks for them." It's a fitting tribute to the power of a godly man who united people from every walk of life under the umbrella of all-conquering love.
'Ave Maria' - Andrea Bocelli
The celebrated Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will be treating the world to a special Easter Sunday performance from the Duomo Cathedral in Milan. The free telecast will be broadcast live on April 12 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET in the United States, and will feature a number of sacred and spiritual songs, such as 'Ave Maria' & Mascagni's 'Sancta Maria'. Speaking about the occasion, Bocelli said "I believe in the Christian Easter, a universal symbol of rebirth that everyone truly needs right now. Thanks to music, streamed live, bringing together millions of clasped hands everywhere in the world, we will hug this wounded Earth’s pulsing heart." The pop diva Celine Dion once famously declared, "If God would have a singing voice, he must sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli," so what more incentive do you need to tune in for this heavenly broadcast?
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!