From heartfelt to funny: songs to get us through the virus
Country music is where songs tell stories. What better music genre to express the hopes and fears of us all as we deal with the fear and uncertainty of the current coronavirus? Here are some of the songs that are worth a listen, along with links to the accompanying videos:
Big & Rich: “Stay Home”
In the official video, John Rich sits by the guitar-shaped pool at his Mt. Richmore home (carefully-placed bottles of Granny Rich Whiskey on the table beside him!) and is joined remotely by Big Kenny with fun lyrics such as:
The shelves are bare and empty / Because some people just don’t care / Got one roll of toilet paper / And I’m down to my last square
Thomas Rhett: “Be A Light” ft. Keith Urban, Chris Tomlin, Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott
A sweet and inspiring song encouraging us all to take the opportunity to do what’s right for ourselves and each other.
In a world full of hate, be a light / When you do somebody wrong, make it right / Don’t hide in the dark, you were born to shine / In a world full of hate, be a light
Here’s Thomas singing an acoustic solo version of the song while self-isolating.
Luke Combs: “Six Feet Apart”
Luke wrote this (with Brent Cobb and Rob Snyder) and posted a solo acoustic version from his home on YouTube 24 hours later. It’s a personal song about everything he misses due to the coronavirus and the resulting quarantining and social distancing. He sings about what he misses: his mom and dad, being with his band on the road, giving hugs and shaking hands. It’s scored around 2.8 million YouTube views since April 25. Combs told Billboard that he wasn’t sure about releasing the song. “I don’t want people to ever think I’m taking advantage of a bad situation to make money,” he said. “That’s just not what we were going for.”
Craig Morgan: “The Mask”
“The Mask” is a tribute to first responders. He wrote the song with band member Mike Rogers. As he explained, doctors and nurses must be coming to work with a degree of fear but they do it anyway. They have to “put on a mask” … put on a brave front so that people who come into the hospital feel secure and confident that they will be taken care of. “But it’s just me and God when I take off the mask.” He sang it – to an empty theater – during a Grand Ole Opry appearance.
Chris Janson: “Put Me Back to Work”
As the title says, this is a heartfelt plea from a working man who can’t work – in the current case because of the lockdown but could apply to many facets of the problems caused by unemployment. Janson told Billboard that he was inspired to write the song after a neighbor said his son had committed suicide due to the stress and desperation of being unable to work.
Eric Church: “Through My Ray Bans”
Eric Church has posted a video that’s kind of a tease for a new track, “Through My Ray Bans.” The video features Church talking (or reciting) encouraging words about how we have the strength to come back because we are stronger than any virus. As he speaks, the video first shows empty streets and theaters but then changes to show happy cheering crowds at concerts, the way it will be again soon.
Brad Paisley: “No I in Beer”
Although Brad wrote this with Kelly Lovelace back in 2018, he thought this was the perfect time to share it. It’s a fun sing-along that gives us a reason to smile, with lyrics like these:
Wherever you are tonight, whatever you’re going through / Grab a longneck bottle or a big ol’ pint and lets all have a few / Cause we’re all in this together, to me it’s all so clear / Drinkin’ ought to be a team effort, there is no I in beer
John Paul White ft. Rosanne Cash: “We’re All in This Together Now”
Another song that was penned before our current ‘shelter in place’ situation, Rosanne said she was writing lyrics intended to encourage unity and a sense of community. When the pandemic hit, it seemed the perfect song for the times. All proceeds from the song will benefit Nashville-based Music Health Alliance.
And there’ll be more songs to lift our spirits as we take it one day at a time. Hang in there!
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com