Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic, Vol. 3

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“Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic, Vol. 3” features Bad Bunny, Call Me Karizma, Nick Jonas, Sinead Harnett & Young M.A.

“Cabinets full of that Lysol / Gotta spray my money (Hello).” Sure, Young M.A – you do you! From Call Me Karizma, he informs his bae, “I’ve got sex and mac and cheese / Come over, and quarantine with me.” Mm, sexy time! And finally, there’s more hope thanks to Nick Jonas: “We could be miles apart / But you know I’m never too far / My friend, until we meet again.”

All of these lyrics hail from the songs that make up this coronavirus inspired list, the third of its kind. Musicians, like everyone else in the world, have been directly affected by COVID-19 – ‘hunkered down at home.’ Many musicians have used their gifts (and extra time) to write new songs or rework/tweak previously released songs for the sake of comfort and in some cases, charity.

After releasing 10 Songs That Capture and Embody the Pandemic at the end of April 2020, and Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic, Vol. 2, we return with 10 more songs that capture and embody the pandemic. SONGS THAT CAPTURE & EMBODY THE PANDEMIC, VOL. 3 features music courtesy of Bad Bunny (“Bendiciones”), Call Me Karizma, (“Quarantine with Me”), Nick Jonas (“Until We Meet Again”), Sinead Harnett (“Quarantine Queen”) and Young M.A (“Quarantine Party”) among others. Without further ado, here are SONGS THAT CAPTURE & EMBODY THE PANDEMIC, VOL. 3! Stay safe and check out these compelling pandemic songs!

1. Young M.A, “Quarantine Party”

Red Flu • M.A Music / 3D • 2020

“We inside / Party and quarantine…” To quote Matthew McConaughey, “Alright, alright, alright!” The COVID-19 pandemic has NOT been fun for anybody – understatement. There’s been far too many moments of sadness including a significant amount of death and severe challenges financially and mentally. That said, music has certainly been a bright spot with numerous artists seeking to assuage the pain. That’s what unapologetic rapper Young M.A does on her banger, “Quarantine Party,” from her seven-song EP, Red Flu.

Young M.A puts aside seriousness and drops straight fire. The centerpiece of “Quarantine Party” is the chorus:

“Gucci slides, Versace robe
Big blunt, I’m in papi mode (Papi, papi)
Wake up with no fucks to gives
I’m like, ‘It is what it is’
Ain’t got no wife, ain’t got no kids
But I got hundreds, twenties, tens (Twenties, twenties, twenties)
Still got money comin’ in
Got bitches comin’ with they friends (Hello)…”

Young M.A doesn’t stop there, of course. On the first verse, she focuses mostly on her drip and having some excellent sex (“Hennessy gettin’ her nude / That make her get in the mood / I’m ‘bout to get in my groove / I’m ‘bout to swim in her pool…”). She goes on on the second verse to rap about “Getting some cutty” from “Three hoes” who all wanted to have sex with her, while bringing sanitizing into play as well as she spits, “Cabinets full of that Lysol / Gotta spray my money (Hello).” Quarantine aside, Young M.A is living it up!

2. Bad Bunny, “Bendiciones”

Las Que No Iban a Salir • Rimas Entertainment • 2020

When reviewing the Las Que No Iban a Salir, the surprise second album of 2020 released by Bad Bunny, I noted a potential omission from the previous pandemic centered playlist, Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic, Vol. 2. Specifically, I stated, “Bendiciones” could’ve earned a spot, much like “En Casita” further down the track list. “En Casita,” of course, was specifically mentioned in the colorful Billboard article, 7 Times Bad Bunny Went a Hare Too Far During Quarantine, related to the release of the surprise album. Now the time has come to highlight “Bendiciones,” that Vol. 2 omission – you’re welcome!

“Bendiciones,” which translates as “Blessings” in English, is quite the ‘about face,’ at least following up “Bad Con Nicky” on Las Que No Iban a Salir. Produced by Chris Jeday, Gaby Music, and Tainy, “Bendiciones” sounds bright and enthusiastic – all positive vibes: “God, protect the kids and the old people / The nurses and the doctors / And Puerto Rico from the hurricanes and earthquakes / I have faith that better days will come.” Short but sweet, the aforementioned lyrics showcase the thoughtful sentiment of “Bendiciones,” particularly during such a difficult time.

3. Call Me Karizma, “Quarantine with Me”

“Quarantine with Me” • CallMeKarizma / Arista • 2020

“Quarantine with Me” is an honest and relatable pandemic song; it gets the job done for sure. Rapper/singer Call Me Karizma perfectly captures all of the emotions of the devastating coronavirus situation. A prime example occurs on the first verse of this guitar-driven pop record, when he sings: “Yeah / I feel it in my gut, yeah / The media just fucks with me / Headline: ‘We’re dead.”

Indeed, there’s definitely been quite a damning, unsettling nature while tuning into media coverage regarding the virus. On the second verse, he even cleverly throws in toilet paper, saying, “‘Cause the shit I’m spittin’ water…” Of course, the most important thing that Karizma references is the hardest part for everyone – missing loved ones. He, of course, has a specific love one in mind: his girlfriend.

On the intro, which excerpts the eventual chorus, Call me Karizma first informs us of his dedication, loneliness, and desire to quarantine with his bae. On the pre-chorus, after questioning potential fatality, he accepts social distancing, with one sole exception – her of course, DUH! The chorus is the centerpiece, in all its catchy, quarantine-love-driven glory:

“The world’s gone mad, a travesty
But us in bed is all I need
Come over, and quarantine with me (Yeah)
The grocery stores are all empty
But I’ve got sex and mac and cheese
Come over, and quarantine with me.”

4. Sinead Harnett, “Quarantine Queen”

“Quarantine Queen” • Thairish Limited • 2020

“When the world got turned upside down and we went into lockdown, life as we knew it changed catastrophically. Though there are good sides to this, ie: the slower pace, appreciating the simple things and being able to relax, the chilling question that weighs on my heart is ‘am I gonna die alone?’” What thoughtful insight that UK R&B/soul singer Sinead Harnett gives on her coronavirus inspired single, the absolutely gorgeous “Quarantine Queen”. If you haven’t previously partaken of the gift that is Sinead Harnett, well, you are totally missing out. In 2019, she released her debut album, Lessons in Love, following up with an acoustic edition of seven of its songs in 2020. But, let’s remain focused on “Quarantine Queen.”

“I don’t wanna be alone / I don’t wanna stay here on my own,” Harnett sings at the beginning of the first verse, continuing, “Every time that I look, there’s another headline on my phone.” The coronavirus pandemic definitely increases anxiety and messes with your mental health and stability, something that Harnett captures perfectly in those three lines. She goes on the expand the scope to the need for love to atone for all the bad, miscues, and misgivings. Perhaps it’s simple to some extent, but ultimately, it’s incredibly complex.

“What a time to be alive
Are we all just pretending
That the world isn’t ending?
I’m afraid, that I ain’t done enough
And if we go up above
I never learned how to love.”

Wow – nothing simple about that – that’s deep, introspection right there. Continuing her characterization of this incredible contemporary soul ballad, Harnett asserts, “That worrying emotion is what brought about ‘Quarantine Queen.’ Though a sad thought, there is hope in the song from a wider standpoint – what can we as a nation learn from this time in terms of how we are living. I hope that we will change for the better, that’s really what I was getting at.”

The point is loud and clear, Sinead Harnett. Also, worth noting, besides the ‘woke’ lyricism and exquisite production, Harnett sounds nothing short of incredible. She sings with such authenticity and expression; how can you not buy what she is selling? And the bridge section – gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! This is the perfect atonement for the COVID-19 blues. Absolutely sublime!

5. Nick Jonas, “Until We Meet Again”

“Until We Meet Again” • Island • 2020

Encouragement is vital during hard times, particularly something so unprecedented like the COVID-19 pandemic has been. Thankfully, Nick Jonas serves up just what the doctor ordered with “Until We Meet Again”, a single premiered on The Voice season finale on May 20, 2020. Beginning in 2014, it seems, Jonas suddenly became a man. I mean, he was already a man, but he ditched the bubblegum image in favor of an edgier, sexier, and more adult vibe. He’s been able to maintain it since reuniting with the Jonas Brothers. Anyways, it’s not edginess or sexiness that makes “Until We Meet Again” a bop – it’s the authenticity, messaging, and sincerity.

Ultimately, “Until We Meet Again” is a pop record, but it also incorporates soulful, gospel vibes. This is where that encouraging, uplifting sensibility comes from, coupled with the lyrics. “Wish I could reach through the distance / Show you my heart and all that I’m feeling,” Jonas sings on the first verse, capturing the anxiety and longing social distancing constructs. Even though it seems things have taken a toll, he expresses those positive vibes, from the chorus and beyond:

“So, until we meet again
I’ma keep smile, smile, smile, smiling
We could be miles apart
But you know I’m never too far
My friend, until we meet again.”

As expressed above, after the first verse, there’s essentially an elevated level of positivity. Jonas sings on the second verse, “Gonna find light for facing tomorrow,” which is far more optimistic than the first verse’s lament of distance. While the bridge highlights the potential struggles, it still seems to have eyes on the prize of those better days.

6. Matt Lucas, “Thank You Baked Potato”

“Thank You Baked Potato” • Loudmouth Music Ltd • 2020

“Baked Potato changed my life / Baked Potato showed me the way / If you want to know what is wrong from right / You must listen to what Potato say…” Okay… I totally heart baked potatoes, but I’m not sure that I’ve ever listened to one… ha-ha! If you are willing to spare just a little more than a minute of your time, you can hear a novel coronavirus song. Seems fitting for such a novel, unpredictable virus, right? Anyways, that song, my friends, is none other than “Thank You Baked Potato” …yeah. “Thank You Baked Potato” arrives courtesy of English comedian Matt Lucas, and it is indeed a ‘sight to hear’… It’s a reworked version of his famous classic, with proceeds going towards FeedNHS.

“Baked Potato” is infectious and lighthearted in a time where everyone in the world needs more of that. Set in a major key, Matt Lucas and his baked potato give advice for being safe during COVID-19. After the opening verse, excerpted above, that sound advice is given in an entertaining fashion on the chorus, before the outro celebrates – you guessed it – Baked Potato:

“Wash your hands and stay indoors
Only go to grocery stores
…Keep your distance, make some space
Remember not to touch your face…”

To quote an Alice in Wonderland song, that’s “Very Good Advice”.

7. Evanescence, “Wasted on You”

The Bitter Truth • Evanescence / BMG Rights Management • 2020

Sometimes, musicians go through extraordinary means to complete music. That’s sort of what happened with “Wasted on You”, the single released by Grammy-winning rock collective Evanescence. “Wasted on You” is definitely a product of the abnormal state of the world during a pandemic. How so? Well, “Wasted on You” was ultimately finished through a mixture of studio and remote work. Perhaps more than the song itself, the fact that such means went into completing it is reason enough to highlight it on the third edition of Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic.

“Wasted on You” is definitely emotional and hard hitting. Throughout its course, we see Amy Lee balance subtler, tenderer vocals with a more overt, oomph-filled approach. As always, the sound is very ‘Evanescence,’ if you catch my drift. Piano arrives in an accompaniment role early on, with synthesizers and souped-up guitars eventually filling things out. Nick Raskulinecz certainly does a fine job of producing. The end product is strong, particularly considering the circumstances in conception.

As far as the songwriting, it’s very emotionally driven. Amy Lee is so chocked-full of pain that a degree of numbing can’t even hope to assuage the pain. “Numb my head / ‘Til I can’t think anymore / But I still feel the pain,” she sings on the pre-chorus. The chorus, which makes a reference to six feet (albeit death), is where Lee is completely ‘wasted on him,’ in the context of a sketchy relationship:

“I don’t need drugs
I’m already six feet low
Wasted on you
Waitin’ for a miracle
I can’t move on
Feels like we’re frozen in time
I’m wasted on you
Just pass me the bitter truth.”

What is captivating about this song in relation to COVID-19 is how there are so many questions about what the future looks like. On the chorus, Lee exhibits little hope, stifled by her situation. The same can be said about the world – “Feels like we’re frozen in time.” The bridge really nails it, but also exhibits more optimism:

“Will I ever be the same? (Will I ever be the same?)
Am I strong enough to change? (Am I strong enough to change)?
Is it in my blood?
Shield my eyes to face the day
Come too far to slip away
But it’s killing me to go on without you.”

“Wasted on You” is just one of many songs with a meaning that is applicable to some degree to the global pandemic.

8. Todrick Hall, “Mas(k)ot”

Quarantine Queen • Todrick Hall • 2020

Like Bad Bunny, Todrick Hall previously appeared on Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic, Vol. 2, with “Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs.” For some additional context, “Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs” was a parody of his own song, “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels.” “Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs” concluded Hall’s six-track EP, Quarantine Queen. Naturally, there’s more pandemic-inspired material from the EP including the opening record, “Mas(k)ot,” featuring Jerry Harris.

“Prom, did they cancel this / Field trip, did they cancel this / Graduation, did they cancel this / I didn’t think they could cancel this.” “Mas(k)ot” is EVERYTHING – #FACTS. The effects of COVID-19, social distancing, and quarantining, particularly on the kids is perfectly captured on this bright, energetic Quarantine Queen opener. The lyrics are absolutely perfect, keeping things real, yet incredibly entertaining. Beyond the aforementioned introduction lyrics, there are numerous lyrical gems. Among my favorites:

“Corona, she on a spree
She wanna stop everything
So, dance if you’re on our team
The class of COVID-19.”

Woo! That only scratches the surface, as Todrick tackles makeshift proms, “Netflix game strong,” and throws his own romantic endeavors into the mix (“I’ll take a brother with a mask, hot”). Something else that really makes “Mas(k)ot” such a fabulous, fantabulous bop is the production, which is dynamic, exuberant, and over-the-top. What a way to make the best of a global pandemic!

9. OneRepublic, “Better Days (Remix)”

Ft. KHEA

Human • Mosley Music / Interscope • 2020

In a USA Today interview, of single “Better Days,” Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic stated that, “[“Better Days” is] a non-cheesy anthem about what it feels like now to be in this time and space we’re in.” Providing more context, Tedder addresses the trickiness of releasing and promoting music during a pandemic morally, practically, and fiscally – “Unless you’re an artist who had a lot of momentum going into this pandemic… it’s really hard to get anyone to pay attention.”

If you’ve already checked out 10 Songs That Capture and Embody the Pandemic, you’ll know that the original version of “Better Days” appears there. On this remixed version, the band brings in Argentinian Urbano Latino / Latin trap artist KHEA.

Beginning with what stays the same, the lovely, uplifting chorus sung by Ryan Tedder remains intact. The chorus was penned prior to the coronavirus pandemic yet feels fitting now since such a devastating event has occurred.

“Oh, I know that there’ll be better days
Oh, that sunshine ‘bout to come my way
May we never ever shed another tear for today
‘Cause oh, I know that there’ll be better days.”

The original verses, which were the newest part of the song, are replaced by the contributions by KHEA. Because there are no new sections added to “Better Days,” it retains its brevity, falling south of two-and-a-half-minutes. KHEA brings energy to this track, as is the expectation of Latin music, particularly in the Latin trap vein. Notably, on the first verse, he references the “40-day quarantine,” but also notes that “The sun rises even though the day is cloud,” in the English translation. On the second verse, he’s incredibly positive, embodying the notion of better days ahead: “Sometimes the worst leads you to be better / … Sometimes, the worst makes you see further.” The remix of “Better Days” has a similar effect as the original, with a little Latin flavor thrown in.

10. At the Drive-In, “Quarantined”

Relationship of Command • At the Drive-In • 2000

“Feeding frenzy, it’s contagious.” Ah, the last song on Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic, Vol. 3 isn’t associated with COVID-19. That’s right, “Quarantined” predates the novel coronavirus by nearly two decades! “Quarantined” appears as the ninth track on Relationship of Command, the 2000 critically acclaimed album by post-hardcore collective At the Drive-in, which features the talents of vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala and guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López. Both musicians would be part of one of my personal favorites, but now defunct bands, The Mars Volta. Anyways, “Quarantined” makes the cut because of its relevancy during the coronavirus pandemic, much like, say, the peaceful vibes of Ricky Dillard’s “Let There Be Peace on Earth” (Choirmaster) fit 10 Songs That Capture and Embody the Pandemic.

When Cedric Bixler-Zavala is on vocals, you can expect a high-energy, raucous performance. That’s exactly what the listener gets with “Quarantined” – five-and-a-half minutes of it honestly! Adding to the dynamic vocals are the lyrics, which solidify this throwback cut’s place on this pandemic-centered list. “Sanction this outbreak, a virus conspires,” Bixler-Zavala sings on the pre-chorus, continuing, “Push becomes shove, days become months / I seem to have forgotten the warmth of the sun.” Speaking from a Kentuckian’s perspective, during the ‘healthy at home’ initiative, Gov. Andy Beshear encouraged outdoor activities – exercise – but following social distancing and eschewing mass gatherings. Still, like Bixler-Zavala suggests, in the context of quarantining, the walls feel quite confining.

The thing is, the experiences of quarantining during COVID-19 and what At the Drive-in reference on “Quarantined” are starkly different… Yes, “Quarantined” can be spun to fit the coronavirus pandemic, hence it’s inclusion on Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic, Vol. 3. Yes, there is a ‘pandemic’ of sorts that occurs on “Quarantined,” but it’s associated with those that are imprisoned and wrongly persecuted. Unfair imprisonment and wrongful persecution is a pandemic on its own.

Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic, Vol. 3 [Photo Credits: 3D, Arista, At the Drive-in, Brent Faulkner, CallMeKarizma, Island, M.A Music, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, Rimas Entertainment, Todrick Hall]