Home Columns Powerful Playlists: Quarantine Reflection & Chill

Powerful Playlists: Quarantine Reflection & Chill

by Seth Woolcock

One of the most underappreciated and underrated commodities in life is music. With just a beat, a melody and some lyrics it can have extraordinary power.

It can bring a room full of strangers together. It can serve as the background noise for the different scenes of our lives. And it can even heal, inspire and bring us composure when we desperately need it.

This column, “Powerful Playlist” is meant to be the DJ for various moments in life, providing insight, inspiration and advice to help readers become a more critical listener.

Each column focused around a timely theme will contain nine songs, leaving the tenth and final song selection up to you, the readers and listeners. Each playlist can also be found on Apple Music available for listening and download.

With most of America continuing to social-distance we’re often rightfully so looking for various things to distract us from our current reality. And while that’s important to do so, it’s also great to use this quarantine as a time to reflect on yourself, life and how to make the world a better place.

This playlist, a mashup of rock and country should serve as a starting place for some bitter-sweet reminiscing and hopeful future thinking.

1. “Six Feet Apart” – Luke Combs

A crowd favorite, Luke Combs, continues to make his music relatable with this song about the current situation we as Americans find ourselves in.

What do you miss most about pre-quarantine life? And what’s the first thing you want to do when this is over? Combs answers these questions for himself, reminding us all that “they’ll be crowds and they’ll be shows, and they’ll be light after dark someday when we aren’t six feet apart.”

2. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day

Green Day is one of those few bands who have the power to make you stop, wherever you are, turn up the music and let your thoughts go wherever they need to go.

Although this song barely meets the two-minute and thirty-second mark, it is filled with critical thoughts about time, unpredictability and the still frames in your mind – reminding us all that everything happens for a reason.

3. “The Bones” – Maren Morris & Hozier

Maren Morris’s vocal and thought-provoking lyrics have a calmness to them, especially in this version of her hit “The Bones” with soulful Irishman Hozier.

The chill country/pop blend can bring composure to listeners in a time we need it more than ever.

4. “World Gone Mad” – Bastille

Bastille, the English Indie band, probably never thought this song would become even more relevant years after recording it for Netflix’s original film, “Bright” starring Will Smith.

But wrote for whatever reason, this one is all about controlling what’s in front of you, and not worrying about what you can’t – a strong message in a unique song.

5. “Wish for the World” – Ryan Hurd

Morris’s lesser-known husband, musician Ryan Hurd, continues to bring his hip and raw-sounding music to the country scene with “Wish for the World.”

The song, released in early 2019, fits today perfectly, bringing in wishes for one more morning cup of coffee, a few less reasons not to chase your heart’s desires and for everyone to find a love like his.

6. “Unpack Your Heart” – Phillip Phillips

American Idol eleventh season winner, Phillip Phillips’s “Unpack Your Heart” encaptures what self-reflection is all about – setting your shadows aside and unpacking your heart, filled with secrets and scars.

It, along with all of Phillip’s upbeat and optimistic music is a great listen for a beautiful day if you just want to feel good.

7. “Paint the Town Green” – The Script

Although The Script is usually stereotyped as a rock band that plays sadder music, “Paint the Town Green” defies it.

The Irish anthem, singing about missing home and the infamous St. Patrick’s Day, will hit, if you, like many of us, had forgone the celebration this year, while still reminding us to make the best out of every situation.

8. “Swing Life Away” – Rise Against

The early-2000’s punk band, Rise Against, showed the world a softer side of the group with the acoustic “Swing Life Away.”

The peaceful guitar riffs paired with serene vocals from Tim Mcilrath have a way of taking listeners back to simpler times and cans serve as a great backing track for any chill occasion.

9. “Pictures of You” – The Last Goodnight

The Last Goodnight’s 2007 pop-hit “Pictures of You” rounds out the playlist and goes out specifically to all those high school and college seniors.

While this probably wasn’t the conclusion you envisioned, don’t forget to enjoy it. Take this time to reflect and relish on your journey to make to where you are today. Bring closure to your education, and when you’re ready, move forward with self-assured strides.

10. __________

As always, the 10th song in this “Powerful Playlist,” just like the story of your own life is completely up to you. Continue to put your best foot forward, even during these uncertain times, and come out on the other side of this a more self-aware soul.


This playlist can be found for streaming and/or download on Apple Music. And for more feel-good content, you can find me on Twitter @Between_SethFF.

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