Pandemic Playlist: Our Top 5 reworked coronavirus-themed songs to get you through the quarantine blues
If you're feeling the isolation and quarantine getting to you, you're not alone. It's hitting us all, and it gets harder to keep trucking along as if nothing has changed in the last few weeks.
So instead of forcing yourself to keep going, how about taking a break to listen to these five reworked songs to make your quarantine time a little more bearable!
Neil Diamond - 'Sweet Caroline' (Coronavirus version)
In a beautifully peaceful yet all-too-short home concert, Neil Diamond treated viewers to a reworked version of his classic 'Sweet Caroline', now featuring lyrics like "Hands, washing hands, reachin’ out / Don’t touch me, I won’t touch you."
The song was originally written John F Kennedy's daughter Caroline, who was 11 at the time, based on a photo Diamond saw of the family, though he later claimed it was actually about his wife Marcia and he just needed a name that worked for the song. Diamond also wasn't a huge fan of how this song turned out and was opposed to it becoming a single. Thankfully he didn't stand in its way, or we wouldn't have this glorious version.
JoJo - 'Get Out' (Coronavirus version)
"I never thought Corona / Could be such a nasty b*tch / Now that she's here boy all I want / Is for you to use common sense"
The singer's hit song once propelled her into fame and she reigned for a short while as one of the teen queens of pop back in the early 2000s. Since her return to the spotlight a few years ago the singer has been very active on social media, and has kicked things up several notches while quarantined with at-home concerts, 'workout with me' videos, cooking and food videos, and much much more.
And her recent TikTok of her singing a reworked version of 'Get Out' is easily one of the best gems to come out of her recent increased activity!
Adam Sandler - 'Quarantine Song'
Sandler debuted his song on a recent episode of 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' which talks about life during the quarantine, while also giving a huge shoutout to all the medical workers who work tirelessly around the clock to curb the virus. He especially shouted out the Chinese doctors both in China and America, which was a welcome sentiment in times when the Chinese population is dealing with significant racism from people blaming them for the coronavirus.
The simple rock song combines Sandler's guitar and vocal skills with his classic brand of humor. Hopefully when this is all over, or maybe sometime during it, we get an official release so we can all jam out to it in style! He also released a second song, 'Don't Touch Grandma' in collaboration with Jimmy Fallon. Listen to that one HERE.
Cardi B - 'Coronavirus' (iMarkkeyz remix)
Cardi B was one of the earliest celebrities to take the virus seriously. She posted repeatedly about it, wondering why people weren't doing enough to stop its spread and calling out the American government for its inaction.
One such video features the rapper questioning how the virus managed to spread as far and wide as it did. It became popular enough on its own, but it was a remixed version from DJ iMarkkeyz that really made this Cardi B rant achieve true viral status. The original video is nearing 30 million views on Instagram.
Listen to the catchy remix HERE.
Ralph McTell - 'Streets of London' (with new verse)
We've saved the most healing for last! First recorded in 1969, this song highlights the plight of WW2 survivors who had no place to go following the war. McTell vowed to never rework the song, but after seeing homeless people struggling to isolate during the pandemic, he felt compelled to add a new verse to it. The new lyrics include the lines "In shop doorways, under bridges, in all our towns and cities / You can glimpse the makeshift bedding from the corner of your eye / Remember what you're seeing barely hides a human being / We're all in this together, brother, sister, you and I."It's a song that brings hope in these frightful times, speaking of community and togetherness, as well as counting your blessings. Listen to it HERE.
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!