Keep on shining. #PlagueSongs, no. 41

Since the pandemic is now over-ish, I’m posting what I had intended to post as my final “Plague Song,” last March: Carsie Blanton’s “Buck Up”!

I never quite got around to it last year. Several reasons. The pandemic doesn’t have a definitive end point because, well, we will still need vaccinations, which are unequally distributed, and we’re not addressing global vaccine inequality, and then there’s long covid, etc. Conversely, though the pandemic may only be over-ish, many features of pre-pandemic life have changed into this post-pandemic whatever-this-is. As that end-ish point seemed to recede into the distance, so did my “Plague Songs” project.

I began this series in March 2020 — three years ago, this month. Inspired by videos of Italians singing from their balconies, I thought I’d make YouTube my balcony. Singing is life-affirming and anyone can do it — as my own amateur performances demonstrate all too well. I wanted to, and still want to, encourage you to be attentive to joy, hope, optimism. I don’t mean that we should ignore suffering, or naively assume that thing will get better. I mean, instead, that imagining the possibility of a better future can inspire us to act. And being attentive to joy, in whatever form it takes, can balance out the effects of some of what troubles us (of which, there is much, I know).

So, today’s anniversary post is an occasion to reflect on how we’ve changed over the past few years, and a vow to press on. As I say, I’m aware that there is much that might lead you to despair: accelerating effects of climate change, metastasizing political instability, increasing inequality, increasing scapegoating of minoritized groups, and, as Carsie Blanton’s song says, “The papers say we’re on the way to starting World War Three.” But despair is a gift to the forces of oppression. So, we need to find ways to “keep on shining,” as Blanton’s song advises.

If you liked this song, and want to explore the more activist side of Blanton’s work, you might try:

“Shit List” (2021)

“Rich People” (2022)

She also has more light-hearted work, and a wonderful tribute to John Prine.

So, if you enjoy her work, I recommend supporting her on Patreon. (I do!)

Keep on shining!

• Plague Songs
  • Sing. Sing a Song. #PlagueSongs, no. 1 (17 Mar. 2020). Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
  • Do Not Touch Your Face. #PlagueSongs, no. 2 (24 Mar. 2020). The Weeknd’s “I Can’t Feel My Face.”
  • The Bright Side. #PlagueSongs, no. 3 (31 Mar. 2020). Monty Python’s “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” Also the first post where I began my practice of using a lyric as the title.
  • It’s later than you think. #PlagueSongs, no. 4 (7 Apr. 2020). Prince Buster’s “Enjoy Yourself.” (Also, in recording this, I discovered that I cannot play ska. Musically, my rendition of this is easily the worst #PlagueSong.)
  • There doesn’t seem to be anyone around. #PlagueSongs, no. 5 (14 Apr. 2020). Tommy James and the Shondells’ “I Think We’re Alone Now.”
  • Be an optimist instead. #PlagueSongs, no. 6 (21 Apr. 2020). The Kinks’ “Better Things.”
  • Kick at the darkness. #PlagueSongs, no. 7 (28 Apr. 2020). Bruce Cockburn’s “Lovers in a Dangerous Time.”
  • So far away, but still so near. #PlagueSongs, no. 8 (5 May 2020). Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own.”
  • If you just call me. #PlagueSongs, no. 9 (12 May 2020). Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me.”
  • In the end, they’ll be the only ones there. #PlagueSongs, no. 10 (19 May 2020). Hanson’s “MMMBop,” and a few chords from Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
  • No matter how I struggle and strive. #PlagueSongs, no. 11 (25 May 2020). Hank Williams’ “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive.”
  • Love. #PlagueSongs, no. 12 (1 June 2020). Medley of Nick Lowe’s “(What’s so Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love, and Understanding” and the O’Jays’ “Love Train,” with brief snippets of the Staple Singers’ “This Train” and the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love.”
  • This is the time. #PlagueSongs, no. 13 (9 June 2020). Lou Reed’s “There Is No Time.”
  • My neighbor and my friend. #PlagueSongs, no. 14 (16 June 2020). Fred Rogers’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.”
  • If you’re lost, I’m right behind. #PlagueSongs, no. 15 (23 June 2020). Everything But the Girl’s “We Walk the Same Line.”
  • Live to see another day. #PlagueSongs, no. 16 (30 June 2020). The Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.”
  • Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives, and I decline. #PlagueSongs, no. 17 (7 July 2020). R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine).”
  • Someday we’ll find it. #PlagueSongs, no. 18 (14 July 2020). Kermit the Frog’s “Rainbow Connection.”
  • Can’t control my brain. #PlagueSongs, no. 19 (21 July 2020). Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated.”
  • 4’33” #PlagueSongs, no. 20. AND 43 notes on silence, time, and the corona era (28 July 2020). John Cage’s 4’33”, plus an essay inspired by the piece.
  • Mann, wer hätte das gedacht, dass es einmal soweit kommt #PlagueSongs, no. 21 (4 Aug. 2020). Nena’s “99 Luftballons.”
  • Banish sadness and strife. #PlagueSongs, no. 22 (11 Aug. 2020). “Look for the Silver Lining,” composed by Jerome Kern and Buddy DeSylva. My version is based on the Chet Baker recording. The final weekly #PlagueSong.
  • Don’t write yourself off yet. #PlagueSongs, no. 23 (27 Oct. 2020). Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle.” With this song, #PlagueSongs return at irregular intervals – roughly once a month.
  • What’s that sound? #PlagueSongs, no. 24 (3 Nov. 2020). The Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.”
  • Go tell that long-tongued liar. #PlagueSongs, no. 25 (17 Nov. 2020). A song known variously as “Run on for a Long Time” and “God’s Gonna Cut You Down.”
  • I got the medicine. So, you should keep your eyes on the ball. #PlagueSongs, no. 26 (21 Dec. 2020). BTS’ “Dynamite.”
  • I’m lucky to be here. #PlagueSongs, no. 27 (5 Jan. 2021). Warren Zevon’s “Don’t Let Us Get Sick.”
  • Don’t run. #PlagueSongs, no. 28 (9 Feb. 2021). The Ventures’ “Walk – Don’t Run.”
  • Don’t worry that it’s not good enough. #PlagueSongs, no. 29 (1 Mar. 2021). “Sing,” written by Joe Raposo for Sesame Street.
  • Still worthwhile. #PlagueSongs, no. 30 (16 Mar. 2021). “Smile,” written by Charlie Chaplin, John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons. The best-known recording is by Nat King Cole.
  • Give Love. #PlagueSongs, no. 31 (2 Apr. 2021). “Under Pressure” by David Bowie and Queen.
  • That’s what storms were made for. #PlagueSongs, no. 32 (4 May 2021). “Pennies from Heaven,” written by Arthur Johnston and Johnny Burke. Made famous by Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday.
  • Situation’s tolerable. #PlaugeSongs, no. 33 (3 June 2021). The Traveling Wilburys’ “Handle with Care.”
  • Get back up again. #PlagueSongs, no. 34 (2 July 2021). Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping.”
  • Don’t weaken. #PlagueSongs, no. 35 (30 Aug. 2021). “It’s a Great Life (If You Don’t Weaken),” written by Leo Robin, Richard A. Whiting, and Newell Chase. Popularized by Maurice Chevalier.
  • I guess this might well be it. #PlagueSongs, no. 36 (11 Oct. 2021). Marcus Mumford and Tom Hove’s theme to Ted Lasso.
  • I remember when you were here. #PlagueSongs, no. 37 AND Seven Xmas Playlists (6 Dec. 2021). Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” plus 7 holiday playlists.
  • Our skulls are smiling still. #PlagueSongs, no. 38 AND my Best of 2021 music playlist (31 Dec. 2021). They Might Be Giants’ “By the Time You Get This.”
  • Traveled down the road and back again. #PlagueSongs, no. 39 (8 Jan. 2022). Cynthia Fee’s “Thank You for Being a Friend” (written by Andrew Gold).
  • The sound of gunfire, off in the distance. #Plaguesongs, no. 40 (26 Feb. 2022). Talking Heads’ “Life During Wartime”
• What Is Your COVID-19 Routine? & related
  • What Is Your COVID-19 Routine? (22 Mar. 2020)
  • What Is Your COVID-19 Routine? Part 2 (5 Apr. 2020)
  • What Is Your COVID-19 Routine? Part 3 (19 Apr. 2020)
  • What Is Your COVID-19 Routine? Part 4 (16 May 2020)
  • What Is Your COVID-19 Routine? Part 5 (29 June 2020)
  • Plague Is Halfway Over (If You Want It) (18 Nov. 2020). Reflections on the first 250 days of the pandemic.
  • A Shot in the Arm (10 Mar. 2021). In which I get the first shot of Pfizer’s covid vaccine.
  • A 2nd Shot in the Arm (29 Mar. 2021). In which I get the second shot of Pfizer’s covid vaccine.
  • “a nest of trying”: the pandemic at 500 days (26 July 2021).
  • “With Pleasant Swab in the Anterior Nasal Region”; or, Traveling in Europe During Omicron (23 Dec. 2021)