My Pandemic Playlist #1
“Ghosttown” by Madonna
Today I begin an occasional posting here on Substack of songs on my personal Pandemic Playlist. I put this together in March of 2020 and have added to it and subtracted from it over these 19 months. They are songs that help and heal, fortify me and destroy me with hope and fear, a deep deep reach to pull me out of the well, nourish me with the will to find new paths, listen to new friends, stay up, stay quiet, stay still, rise up, pick up a shovel, aim for the soul, here comes redemption, the music here will hold me, forgive me, comfort me, school me, set me free.
I’ve decided to share these songs with those of you who feel a kindred spirit here with me. I want to open this door.
My first Pandemic Playlist song for you today is from Madonna, one of the true greats of our time. Embraced by the world, misread, misunderstood, clear as a bell, a shot in the arm, a woman in a “man’s world” who simply refuses to accept that paradigm. In fact she blows it up. She grew up 30 miles down the road from me, her father worked for Chrysler, mine for General Motors, which in some ways made us both angry and itchin’ to get out, build a life, let art lead the way. I consider her a friend for life but I haven’t seen her since the Women’s March in D.C., the day after Trump’s inauguration.
She offers strength to all, and when you listen to this song I want you to know she’s singing it to you. Because when I heard it again at the beginning of the pandemic, I thought, wow, she wrote this to me. Ha! Or so I’d like to think. She nails the loneliness of us all getting through whatever this is in a world gone mad, a world that is falling and turning to dust. We each need at least one person to connect with, be with, to rage together with in this great battle we must win. Just one soul so we’re not alone. It’s possible. It’s there. Yes, I’m trying to convince myself. Now is not the time to give up. This is our moment. Listen here (and check out the lyrics here) to the “Ghosttown” in which we all live.
By Madonna Louise Ciccone.
My Pandemic Playlist.
Shared with you.
— Michael
*******
Reminder: Our First Livestream Q&A! Tuesday, Oct. 12th at 8pm ET!
Our first ever livestream Q&A with paid members will be this coming Tuesday, October 12th at 8pm ET. This is one of the “perks” of becoming a paid member of my Substack and a way for me to thank you for supporting our work and supporting my team. It’ll also be an opportunity for you to ask me anything, unfiltered, in a private video chat amongst other members of this community.
All of my writings and podcasts are free for everyone to read and share. These livestream Q&A’s will be my version of a tote bag or coffee mug gift — but instead of another tote bag of coffee mug, we’ll get a chance to communicate directly with one another.
On Tuesday, I’ll be sending an email to our paid members with a link and instructions on how to join the Q&A. And if you’ve considered becoming a paid member or want to join now to take part in this livestream Q&A with me on Tuesday, join here:
M M <memphismini.me@gmail.com>
Hi Michael~
~ Maria Muldaur here~
~ You might remember me from my big hit way back in the day('74) "Midnight at the Oasis"~ 43 albums later, I spontaneously wrote a Pro- Vaccination song & thought I would share it with you in hopes that you could help spread the message far and wide!~Hopefully a candidate for your Pandemic Playlist!~(We are also hoping the CDC and/or all the other agencies that are trying to get people vaccinated might be able to use part of it for a public service announcement!)
~ I'm a big fan of your work and have been getting your new newsletter, and am deeply grateful for the way you continue to stand up for what is right and speak truth to power!~ God Bless You for everything you do!~ Please don't ever stop!~
~Most gratefully yours~🙏😍
~ Maria Muldaur~
************************************************************************************************
"VACCINATED & I'M READY FOR LOVE" launching today worldwide!
As I drove away from receiving my second vaccination shot, I was immediately overwhelmed with an immense feeling of Liberation, Exhilaration, Lightness & Joy!~It was a beautiful Spring day, so I rolled back my sunroof to enjoy the ride, & before I knew it I spontaneously started singing ’Vaccinated & I'm Ready for Love’ at the top of my lungs all the way home! I sort of chuckled to myself & forgot about it, but the next day the refrain returned & I found myself singing it throughout the day! Realizing this was a pretty catchy refrain that wouldn't go away, I enlisted my guitar player Craig Caffall to help me complete the song, & we recorded it, & made a video to go with it. It is our hope that it will be a useful message in convincing vaccination reluctant folks of yet another good reason to get vaccinated. If all the other good, common sense reasons of protecting loved ones, children, the elderly, etc., didn't do it, perhaps the thought of being liberated to safely resume/pursue a happy active Love Life will be the motivation that does the trick!
Listen to the Song and Watch the Video Here: https://stonyplainrecords.com/lp/vaccinated/.
~We're hoping if you like the song & the message, you will help us spread the word far & wide!~We encourage you to share this with all your friends, loved ones, peeps on Facebook etc, & encourage them to share it with all of their friends, etc.~We want this message to "go viral" (no pun intended)...a fun way to get out the message for a very good cause!~
Please .....continue to stay safe & healthy!~ 🙏✌ 💖
Hey thank you Michael for opening up and sharing this music with us. It can get so dark between my ears these days and that makes me no help to the world this helps pop me out of it Kindred Spirits indeed thank you very much you keep me going