Have you noticed that both talented performers and “everyday people” have created wonderful, distracting, original videos about COVID-19, to help us all deal with the strange reality of being cooped up at home?
For those of us lucky enough to live in 1st world countries and have places to live, we’re “stuck inside” for the first time in our lives since we were children (remember when the weather was bad so we had to make do inside for a little while?).
We’re all trying to figure out how to deal with this “new normal” and I’m most impressed by those who’ve channeled their creativity into YouTube videos (and there are so many of them!). Today, I’m sharing great parodies (I just found Chris Mann) and uplifting videos.
I’m sharing these, as I shared others last week, because they’ve made an impression on me, helping me to escape from what’s going on for just a little while. They are a breath of fresh air in what has become the somewhat stale, tired atmosphere in our homes. If you like these, please share them – and let me know if there are others I should share.
- There are the videos of cities cheering on their hospital worker (heroes) at 7:00 or 8:00 at night. Here’s just one of many.
- The COVID version of the Sound of Music’s Do-Re-Mi (I’m sure much more fun for those in my generation, as this was a beloved movie in our childhood), which as of this writing has 6.5 million views.
- The Guardian, published in the U.K., discovered this wonderful video of a family of six from Kent that recreated One Day More, from Les Miserables. After making the rounds on Facebook it now has over 4 million views on YouTube.
- For those of you who don’t like explicit language, skip over this one. It’s about staying at home and, as of today, has over 3.5 million views.
- The Coronavirus Rhapsody, a rewrite of the Queen favorite. It has over 2.5 million views as of this writing.
- Adam Sandler debuted his Quarantine Song last week on Jimmy Fallon’s show. It has close to two million views now. He praises doctors and nurses, as well as the scientists working hard to find us a vaccine, singing “I hope they save us soon ‘cause I’m really, really sick of my family.”
- Here’s a lovely Broadway medly, rewritten for COVID-19, from Zach Timson, including Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, Les Miserables, Cats, and Oklahoma! (He’s got a great voice, too!) Over 1.6 million views today.
- And, similarly, there’s Randy Rainbow, who also has over one million views as I write this, for his video on social distancing. You don’t have to share my politics to enjoy this (I hope!)
- Even Neil Diamond has jumped onto the bandwagon (though Millennials and many Gen X’ers won’t know who he is). He’s changed the lyrics to his classic Sweet Caroline to remind people to wash their hands.
- Songs for social distancing was created on March 18th and in just a few weeks now has over 921K views. Check it out to see how high it is now, when you read this!
If you still want more, YouTube allows you to search for the most popular songs for COVID-19, as well as others.
On a final note, I was particularly touched by the statement by Queen Elizabeth, posted by the BBC. It is amazing how leaders can rise to great heights in times of trouble and duress, showing us their strength and leading by example. I recommend watching this. It has been viewed by over 1.1 million times in less than 24 hours of its airing.
Most importantly, stay home and stay healthy. Please also reach out to me to connect and say hello. It’s vital we all stay connected to one another at times like these.
