Finding shelter through music’s strength
By Annabelle Udo-O’Malley, shades Magazine contributor
During times of intense human struggle, music is the one thing that’s certain.
From Billie Holiday’s plaintive performance of “Strange Fruit” to the protest songs of the Vietnam War era, music has always been a pathway to express, heal and extricate the thorns that wound the soul.
Even the Russian poet Vera Mikhailovna Inber kept up the morale and spirit through much of her poetry and prose during the hardships of the Soviet citizens during WWII writing: “Home is the illusion of security / and illusions help one to survive the minefields in the mind / The places you daren’t think about / The absent family and friends.”
Amidst the zeitgeist of the global pandemic, we yearn for more simple times — a reassurance that things will be just fine. And, so we escape into the musical space of our headphones where we find ourselves at peace amidst times of trouble.
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A recent USA Today article, “100 Songs to Help Lift Your Spirits During the Pandemic,” features a compilation of music that aims to give a moment of respite while in Italy, a heartfelt video of people singing in tandem exemplifies how music can spread love and extinguish fear.
Although collaboratives like “Playing for Change” – a movement created to inspire and connect the world through music – were already bringing people together during pre-pandemic times, organizations such as the Academy of Country music joined forces to give intergenerational audiences a two-hour special featuring at-home acoustic performances with country music’s biggest acts. As well, iHeart Living Room Concert for America united with a constellation of top-billed stars.
During this COVID-19 crisis, we want to escape and find strength; uplift ourselves not just for a moment, but as a way of life. We want to know that humanity isn’t just a balm during times of war, but intended to reset us, refresh us and purify us for a better, extended, soulful journey.
As the great Bob Marley reminds us, “Don’t worry about a thing, everything’s gonna be all right.”
My shortlist are songs of freedom that take me on a road trip to higher grounds during these most difficult times. Some of my favorites include:
- “My Favorite Things” | John Coltrane
- “Redemption Song” performed by Lauryn Hill and Ziggy Marley
- “What’s Up” | Pink (live cover version)
- “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” | Green Day
- “One Day” | (cover) Bugoy Drilon
- “One Day” | (original) Matisyahu
- “Island Style” | Playing for Change (Song Across Hawai’i)
Joan Baez singing live “Donna Donna” – YouTube - “I Remember” | Sudden Rush
- “Three Little Birds” | Bob Marley (Stephen Marley version)
- “Aloha O’e” | Ukulele Underground (yes, I’m sheltering in place and learning how to play the ukulele!)
- “Donna Donna” | Joan Baez
- In My Life | The Beatles
- “Natural Beauty” | Neil Young
- “The Times They Are A Changing” | Bob Dylan
- “Adagio” /Tomas Albinoni performed by the Copernicus Chamber Orchestra
20-second Hand Washing Song Inspirations
Annabelle Udo-O’Malley is the Public Programs Manager for the American Institute of Architects, San Francisco Chapter (AIASF) and Center for Architecture Design. Previously, she worked with the national Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), co-hosted special broadcasts on KPFA 94.1 FM in Berkeley, and worked as a freelance arts and entertainment writer for various ethnic media.
Updated: 6/14/23
Original post date: 4/5/20