Pandemic Tunes

I believe we can all safely say that this year has been a difficult one. Many things have helped me through the many lockdowns - Reading, binge watching shows and films I’ve put off watching, writing several screenplays, keeping in regular contact with loved ones and above all, Spotify.

I didn’t really think much of the Spotify 2020 recap, but curiosity got the better of me and we’ll be going through my 2020 in music today. Here’s my top five Pandemic songs.

So among other things, I’m clearly showing my theatre fanatic side. As this year has seen theatres repeatedly having to open and close their doors, I found myself listening to a multitude of theatregoers tunes. I’ve really missed the cinema and stage.

PattyCake musical twist on the fantasy TV cult classic Once Upon a Time, creatively named Once upon a Time was one of my repeated listens this summer. The writer in me was blown away by how well the songwriters captured the characters’ voices in this song I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see as the opening act of a West End/Broadway stage. The song primarily focused on the dynamics of Season One-Three and cast an impressive ensemble to bring the lyrics to life. As someone who had mixed feelings about the TV series itself, I’d gladly listen to more of this company’s musical interpretation.

Now Andrew Lloyd-Webber is pretty much a pioneer in London’s musical theatre industry - even with the notorious Cats musical under his belt - his latest musical set to premiere in 2021 sees a much grittier reimagining of Cinderella. Carrie Hope Fletcher has been cast in the titular role, with Bad Cinderella voicing a rather foul-mouth and feisty incarnation of this Cinderella. This was a new version of the character we’ve never seen before and I instantly found myself liking this Cinderella for her attitude and lack of meekness, which we’ve seen in many versions of the character. Fletcher is a perfect casting for this character, especially after her West End role in Heathers. Hopefully I’ll be able to see how this story enfolds on stage when restrictions lift next year.

Keeping with the coming of age vibe, a very recent listen that’s captured my interest was Netflix’s Prom, with Unruly Heart sung by newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman. This is a pivotal character moment for Pellman’s Emma, as she performs a song of her experience of being a gay teen on YouTube and this connects with her audience, bridging the song from a solo to an ensemble piece. As well as it having beautiful lyrics and story behind it, this song seems to have solidified itself as an LGBTQ anthem. This song had a poignant voice to it and was definitely one of the standout songs in this adaptation of the Broadway production.

Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived - we know that King Henry 8th wasn’t the most popular bachelor, but Six gives voices to his wives with six individual songs which delve into the trials, triumphs and struggles of these women - in a vibrant modern twist! Out of all the songs, my choice here has to go to Ex-Wives - here we get to hear from each character in a collaboration that hits the ground running to start this musical.

Last, but definitely not least I discovered that the Color Purple was adapted into a musical and I listened to the debut Broadway cast - including Cynthia Erivo and Jennifer Hudson. What About Love in particular explores the innocent and pure relationship of these characters before life comes between them. Another LGBTQ pairing, which explores both characters inner conflict over their fledgling feelings and a spur of the moment kiss. The story in this song was well written and performed beautifully between the two leads.

So that’s it, hopefully I’ll be able to experience songs like these in an auditorium next year.