The availability of streamed movies, TV shows, plays, and lectures is great, but I have found that for me, the most consistent form of comforting entertainment has been listening to Music.

Since JFK’s assassination, music has played a major role in helping Americans heal, hope, vent, and escape. The Beatles music brought joy in the winter of 1964 after the Kennedy Killing.

Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come, recorded in 1964, was a pivotal song of the Civil Right’s Movement of the 60’s and was sung at the Obama Inauguration in 2009.

The songs of Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, Dylan, the Stones etc, captured the rage of the Vietnam era. Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Curtis Mayfield expressed the frustration of being Black in America. Simon and Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Crosby, Stills, Nash were able to add a degree of introspection to the troubled times of the late 60’s and 70’s. Queen and U2 were there to speak out about the AIDS Crisis and World Famine. The list goes on and on.

I have revisited many of these artists both on Spotify and by bringing out the old LP’s, CD’s, and Casettes. I also like to listen to the new artists and songs that play on WFUV-90.7 that speak for today’s generation. Jason Isbell’s 2020 song “Be Very Afraid” and Fiona Apple’s new album Fetch the Bolt Cutters were both recorded before the Pandemic but their songs speak to the times so well.

For me, the new song that will stick with me is by the venerable Rolling Stones. Living in a Ghost Town is so on target and with this week it reminds all of us of their classic Street Fighting Man of 1968.

I heard that Spotify has a list of 600 songs that are reflections about Covid. I am sure there will be hundreds more about George Floyd and the Protests.

What have you been listening to help you reflect and feel better?
And, are there any new songs or artists that you think will stand the test of time.