Music is something that has historically brought mankind together, even in our darkest hours. On Christmas Eve 1914, while the world was just beginning to understand the devastation that World War I would bring, carolers could be heard in the trenches along the front lines. These French and British soldiers were taking a moment of peace and singing the same familiar hymns across No Man’s Land with their German opponents. Over one hundred years later, music is no less meaningful than it was in 1914. While our generation fights our own war (this time against a virus instead of dueling nations), many of us continue to turn to music to lift our spirits, especially when we can’t physically be together.
Music has personally helped me survive vet school and especially since March. Working this summer was scary. I wondered every day if today would be the day I contracted The Virus. Or was I already infected and didn’t know it? Was I unknowingly spreading it to my family, or to the lady operating the cash register at Walmart? School this fall has been harder. Am I going to wake up tomorrow morning with an email that we are going back to fully online? Is it really safe to go to class where one of my classmates sitting next to me could be sick and not know it? These are things I worry about every day.
These are some tunes that have helped me get through this strange time in my life.
***Disclaimer*** I mostly listen to hard rock and metal music, so take that into account if you decide to try out my playlist!
- Parasite Eve-Bring Me The Horizon. If this isn’t the quintessential COVID-19 song, I am not sure what is! Also this song has a catchy beat and helps me get in the right frame of mind to handle the day ahead of me. This is my favorite song of 2020.
- World Keeps Spinning-Theory. This song actually premiered prior to Lock Down and the Pandemic, but the lyrics really hit home with me. “I miss my mom, I miss my friends, I miss it all, but in the end, the world keeps spinning.” I have had a really hard time not being able to see the people I care about and feeling like my life is on hold due to the state of the world. I have to remember that even though this isn’t what I planned for, life still goes on. This song has helped me work through those feelings.
- Soak Me in Bleach-The Amity Affliction. Again, another 2020 pre-COVID song, but the lyrics are so fitting to the times. This song is kind of weird, but the main chorus “soak me in bleach” reminds me of feeling hyper-aware about washing my hands and not touching my face. An obsession with cleaning chemicals is the world we live in right now. My poor hands have had a rough year with all the heavy soaps, detergents, and water-less anti-microbial cleansers. This song is a heavy and upbeat reminder to wash your hands!
- Nothing Else Matters-Instrumental Cover by Apocalytpica. If you haven’t noticed, I have a soft spot for rock music. This includes needing good music to study to. Apocalyptica is a Finnish symphonic metal band, and I love listening to them jam. Their instrumental covers of Metallica songs are my favorite to listen to while I’m studying. I’ve listened to this stuff for years, but especially during this year when a lot of my studying has been alone. They have SO much good music, but Nothing Else Matters is my favorite.
These are some of the songs that have helped me get through 2020. We all need music more than ever to get through these during dark times. One day I’ll hear these songs and be reminded of this strange season of my life. I hope you enjoy my strange and wonderful 2020 Pandemic Playlist.
