Is there anything more revealing about your mental state than the music you’re drawn to during a period? My normal hodgepodge of music was nowhere near the top of my most listened to list. Music played a huge role in providing mental safety during the pandemic. Almost all the songs below were in heavy, heavy rotation March-July which were also some of the hardest months this year. I hope you enjoy these and don’t judge me too much for what helped me survive the darkest parts of 2020.
IDK You Yet – Alexander 23
Oof. I remember exactly where I was when I heard this song. I was walking in terminal A at DFW airport flying back from Jacksonville, Florida for work. It was a really emotionally vulnerable time (lol I had no idea what was about to hit us) and I was so fixated on wondering who my future partner was. What are they doing? Are they having a good day? Do they ever wonder who I am?
How can you miss someone you’ve never seen?
Oh, tell me are your eyes brown, blue, or green?
And do you like it with sugar and cream?
Or do you take it straight, oh, just like me?
The first half of my year was absolutely plagued with me spending entirely too much emotional energy thinking about dating. Whether it was me wondering when I should start dating, whether or not it was morally right to be dating in a pandemic, am I ready to date, etc. So much emotional energy spent that didn’t result in anything that I didn’t know. I am not ready to date. I binge-streamed this repeatedly so I was not a shock this was my #1 song for 2020.
This song perfectly surmises the two things I know about my love life and I hope them simultaneously. I am not ready to be dating and I wonder what my future partner’s life is like. To me, IDK You Yet gives me hope that someday I will know them and that is exactly what I needed when the song met me.
Rain On Me – Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
This one was just a bop that ALWAYS put me in a good mood. For a while I was biking a lot and this really got my heart rate up. No waxing poetically about this. The song slaps and I needed it.
Man! I Feel Like A Woman!
Remember my quest to keep myself entertained and busy so I discovered Shania Twain and practiced…. for hours? You may have forgotten but Spotify did not. I still find myself randomly grape-vining instead of just turning around. Looking back at this tie I was absolutely terrified of stepping outside of my apartment. Beyond the pandemic my safety was in jeopardy and I exhausted myself trying to find any way to feel safe within my apartment that felt smaller every single day.
Discovering Shania Twain did not change my opinion on country music but it gave me such an appreciation for the pioneer Shania was. I mean, Post Malone singing to Shania Twain is forever one of my favorite things. Everyone knows the moment Shania says “Let’s Go Girls” it is a command that cannot be ignored. Shania was there for me during a hard time and I’m sure many other’s hard times. I only hope Shania has a Shania for herself.
Your Man – Joji
I love EDM and EDM-light music. This song accompanied me, on repeat, during the very few road trips I had in 2020. It just makes me happy and reminds me of those early-relationship feels when you’re full of optimism, energy and feel butterflies when the other person identifies themselves as “yours.”
Don’t sleep on Joji (formerly known as Filthy Frank and Pink Guy) he has hits you’ve probably heard but don’t know the name name of the artist. Slow Dancing in The Dark, Run are two you may be familiar with. This is such a banger and perfect for a road trip, upbeat walk or just getting ready. Just let Joji be your man.
Oh and by the way I LIVE for Spotify wrapped posts hitting social media. It’s so fun to find new artists and also live for people being embarrassed they listen to one guilty pleasure song they definitely didn’t think anyone would see. Post away!
Rachel
I mean, who doesn’t love Shania?