Songs for lockdown: Forty tunes for stage four
As Victoria plunges into a seven day circuit breaker lockdown the team at The Standard have compiled a list of tunes to get you through. From feel good classics to dance in your room songs, lockdown will fly by with this playlist.
1. t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l (Transparent Soul) – Willow
Despite being a new release, this song’s crashing wave of drums and guitar will take you on a nostalgia trip to a simpler time. Forget the lockdown by dancing around your room and pretending it’s 2004. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker features on this track, which explains the pop-punk sound – best played on a Nokia Motorola flip-phone
2. Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra
This upbeat ’70s classic reminds you that even though you’re locked inside you can still look out the window and enjoy the beautiful blue expanse. Legendary songwriter and vocalist of Electric Light Orchestra Jeff Lynne wrote the song while locked away in a Swiss chalet while trying to write a new album.
3. Discoteque – The Roop
Lithuanian dance-pop giants The Roop will spell it out for you if they have to – dance alone! The fitting quarantine track gets a big boost from some hypnotic beats and funky disco guitars. The song, which was recently performed at the EuroVision song contest, is about as timely as it gets, and features a quirky music video.
Lithuanian pop dance band The Roop took EuroVision by a storm with the high-energy funky tune Discoteque.
4. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
This fast-paced anthem by Queen should help get you fired up to do something productive and help keep you perked up rather than wallowing in misery for a week. The 1978 classic has been proven by scientists to be the happiest song in existence.
5. Missing Piece – Vance Joy
The latest single from Melbourne’s singer-songwriter sweetheart is packed with feel good vibes and an uplifting message that is a tragically ironic: “because when I’m in a room with you, that missing piece is found”. It may be a bittersweet listen in lockdown, but it is a must for keeping positive.
6. Rainbow – Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves provides a comforting and hopeful piano ballad that wouldn’t sound out of place in a Toy Story movie. Perfect for times of stress and uncertainty, Musgraves’ country twang is one of many highlights from her latest album Golden Hour.
7. Alright – Kendrick Lamar
The anthemic track from one of the most acclaimed rappers of his generation combines catchy falsetto backing vocals with impeccable flow and deeply intense lyrics. Considered the new Black national anthem, its message of dogged hope amid dark times acts as a nice reminder that in the end, we are gonna be all right.
8. Immaculate Taste – Engelwood
A perfect selection for when you need to treat yourself to a solo dance party, with a prevalent ’80s theme going on. This electro-dance track uses pulsating beats and a blazing saxophone is sure to turn your bad mood into a good one. Air saxophone performance is mandatory while listening.
9. Elevated – RKCB
Self-proclaimed “sexistential” artists RKCB combine elements of R&B, EDM, soul and pop to remind us to take a moment and check in with your mental health – a timely message during our fourth lockdown.
10. Wait A Minute! – Willow
Lush tones are the name of the game here. Hip-hop beats over jazzy guitars give this song a sparkling quality, where we venture to the sixth dimension to collect our consciousness. Might be something to tick off of the to-do list while we are stuck in the house.
Australian singer-songwriter Stella Donelly sings about that relationship we’ve all had.
11. Castle on the Hill (Spotify Studios) – Ed Sheeran
The stripped back Spotify session recording of Ed Sheeran’s mammoth hit single gives the song new emotional facets. The lone acoustic guitar and quiet-to-loud structure goes from relaxing to motivating – might come in handy for studying.
12. Tricks – Stella Donnelly
The most upbeat track off her debut album Beware of the Dogs, Fremantle favourite Stella Donnelly showcases her tongue-in-cheek songwriting and playful delivery all in a four-minute package. Everyone has had at least one partner like the one Stella describes on the track, so maybe think about them while you are locked in your house.
13. Be My Lover – La Bouche
This Eurodance epic is an extremely fun ’90s clubbing track. Whether you want to get up, get down, dance and sing along, this song will be there for you. An infectious beat and rich vocals mean it’s a good tune to prep you for the weekend after lockdown.
14. Fall Together – The Temper Trap
An uplifting tune that will lift your spirits and make you feel like you’re not alone in this.
15. Da da ding – Gener8ion fear Gizzle
Its up-beat motivational rhythm is a fusion between Bollywood and rap/RnB.
16. Holding Pattern – Allah-Las
The relaxed vibes of psychedelic virtuosos Allah-Las’ soft surf guitar sounds takes the listener on a journey to the Californian coast. The hazy fuzz of the psychedelic instrumentation is a nice escape from the confines of a wintry Melbourne bedroom, so best crank up the heater to feel the warmth of this awesome track.
17. Dan – Grovesnor
The intro to Dan would serve well as an intro to a 1980s Eyewitness News segment. The bright song derives a lot from synth-pop, with a strong Hall and Oates influence. A soaring guitar solo to close out the song will transport you back to a decade that’s seen a strong resurgence in pop culture in the last few years. This is best paired with bingeing Stranger Things while staying at home.
18. One More Time – Daft Punk
Hopefully this is the last time we only have to go through lockdown. A dance classic, this one from the helmeted duo can always improve your mood with a super fun upbeat tune which is easy to sing along to!
Bobby McFerrin’s uplighting classic Don’t worry be happy will leave you bopping all day long.
19. Dragonball Durag – Thundercat
One of the funkiest and most technically proficient artists in the last few years, Thundercat does what he does best on this track, laying down some of the smoothest bass tones in contemporary music.
20. Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
Stuck between four walls speaks for itself and the adverse ripples it causes. This song is bound to lift up your soul while reminding you to not worry, just be happy.
21. Johatsu (feat. Flore Benguigui) – KESMAR
Let this funky little number take you to a distant land during your time at home. French disco, tropical undertones, what more could you want?
22. Time’s Up – Sycco
A bedroom-pop track that combines bouncy instrumental with Sycco’s unique vocals. It’s a match made in heaven!
23. Slow Dancing in the Dark – Joji
A sad, soulful song that you can belt out when you’re home alone and just need to get it all out. Joji’s vocals really shine in this song off his 2018 Ballads 1 release.
