The year 2020

Hello, my fellow human beings! Music is thick in the air and I'm listening...

This year has been, well... something else, huh? It's been a little jarring more times than any of us would care to admit. Sometimes, we yearn for that sweet escape, that place where everything is fine, where there is no reason to worry. We've spent so much time stressed and worried about everything and everyone.

When is enough, enough?

I, for one, am so tired of this. I'm sure everyone is. This year has been uncomfortably hard. So, even though I can't physically transport to an island paradise, I can always imagine. Being a writer, I was gifted with a fantastic imagination, if I do say so myself.

I can almost taste the salt in the air, feel the warm breeze on my skin, hear the waves crashing... it's beautiful and, until it can become a reality, I'll keep on picturing it, oh, so, vividly. I want to play with my son in the sand and hear his laughter, I want to drink Pina Coladas in my swimsuit with my husband, I want to experience that beautiful and utter relaxation. I want to be accepted as a human in society again, rather than a possible disease-magnet.

Yup, this year has sucked, all right, but I'm done being moody, angry, sad, worried, frightened, or anything else. I don't want to let fear or worry hinder me anymore!

I'm not angry, I'm just... done.

This playlist that I had created kind of goes over the many emotions felt during this pandemic. I'm generally a really optimistic person. I thrive on being positive!

But there were days this year that consisted of sadness, frustration, confusion, worry, stress, and everything in between. That said, things somehow were able to shift. I don't want to spend my days feeling like that. I really, really don't.

This playlist starts with songs about being a little stir-crazy and then it gets back to positive, happy vibes. Thank goodness! That's what I need! Listen to me get my optimism back! Watch me mentally transport to MY island paradise!

Here is my Spotify playlist:

I have a total of 28 songs on this playlist. There are so many good songs out there that it could have ended up a lot longer, but, alas, I don't want to overwhelm anyone (including myself).

So, without further ado, let's dive in:

Track 1- Sitting, Waiting, Wishing by Jack Johnson

Does that fit, or what? Sitting. Waiting. Wishing. I think that pretty much sums up how everyone has been feeling.

Track 2- I'll Be Here Awhile by 311

Another goodie! I don't think anyone has anticipated how long-drawn-out this pandemic would be, but I'll be here a while, nonetheless.

Track 3- Circles by Soul Coughing

A lot of people don't know about this band, but I had the honor of growing up with them. I love their oddball music! In this song, the lead singer states that he does NOT need to walk around in circles. I love that I put this track on the playlist. It just fits.

Track 4- No Rain by Blind Melon

I'm a 90's baby. This song goes perfectly right here because after so long of lockdowns and riots and whatever other crazy happening occurred, we just wanted to be saved from this madness.

Track 5- Trouble by Avicii

We all felt a little lost and troubled through this pandemic, but there have been so many good days throughout our lives, too. We may have a long way to go still or maybe we don't, but we can't forget how far we've traveled thus far.

Track 6- Mysterons by Portishead

Another great band that I've had the pleasure of experiencing throughout my youth. This song is a little more gloomy with the lyrics and melancholy instrumentals, but it fits this scenario.

Track 7- Miracles by CHVRCHES

This song has always been a favorite of mine. I'm not asking for a miracle, I just want things to work out...

Track 8- Demons by Hayley Kiyoko

This song resonates because we all feel a little crazier in this maddening world. I don't know about all of you, but I don't really like talking to loved ones when I'm moody so that I don't say something the wrong way or treat someone harsher than needed. This song says just that. "Please, don't talk to me. I've got demons in my head."

Track 9- Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish

This song is beautiful in a sad way. She talks about fear and sadness. It goes with the year 2020 pretty well.

Track 10- Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

Because how could I not? 'Thunder only happens when it's raining'.

Track 11- Wildflowers by Tom Petty

I've always had a high affinity for Tom Petty. This song is beautiful. 'You belong among the wildflowers...' We're all beautiful and we need to remember that little fact!

Track 12- Where Are You Going? by Dave Matthews Band

Another great artist playing the tunes of my childhood. This is a great song. I may not be a superhero who can fix every problem, but we collectively belong together, not in this separated and uncomfortable world. We belong in a world without COVID plaguing us!

Track 13- Jump by Astrid S.

I really love this song. Don't be afraid to take a chance, to take the dive, to jump. So many of us end up hindering ourselves but don't be afraid. Life will soon be good again. This, too, shall pass. Don't be afraid of the future. It still has the chance to be amazing!

Track 14- Roads by Portishead

It's another melancholy song because this year has pulled my emotions back and forth. 'Can't anybody see? We got a war to fight.' Sometimes, we feel a little lost, aimlessly traveling around, with nowhere to really go. And how can living feel this wrong, how can life, how can being together feel... this wrong?

Track 15- Bonfires by Blue Foundation

Another powerful song. Start envisioning your own island paradise where everything is good. Let's erase each other's fears, I want to be with my people. Let's dissipate our sadness and find the happiness that lies underneath. Let's envision the future we want to see. Let's make that a reality. It is possible.

Track 16- 2 AM by Astrid S.

Another song about wanting togetherness. Everything got a little confusing and uncomfortable. Thinking of loved ones (or the lack thereof in quarantining or worse- I give my deepest condolences to you and yours) creates some restless nights and it's been rough.

Track 17- Crash Into Me by Dave Matthews Band

Here is another classic from my youth. More island music for you, but also 'Please, crash into me...' I love hugs and wish that I could hug all my loved ones. Let's just escape the madness together.

Track 18- Drifted by Blue Foundation

There aren't any actual lyrics to this song, but it's got a great beat and makes me think of the nighttime beach. Where I can mentally transport to my island paradise with my family, drinking a nice glass of wine, and looking out at the ocean. I have the feeling of knowingness that everything and everyone is fine. A sense of happiness washes over me.

Track 19- Rome Wasn't Built In A Day by Morcheeba

We were meant to live in harmony, so, let's just fly away. We have to be strong and together we can move mountains. Don't lose hope! A beautiful future awaits us!

Track 20- Gravel to Tempo by Hayley Kiyoko

This is a great one. I love this girl! She has such great energy. Sometimes, we feel like outsiders, sometimes, we just need to cry, but we'll make it. It can feel so alone during this time, but I'm not going to let COVID control me! I'm going to overcome this and so will you.

Track 21- Roses by The Chainsmokers

This is a perfect island paradise song. I had dedicated this song to my husband when I first fell in love with him. So, this song totally stands to be in my paradise. Everything is beautiful, relaxed, easy. The wonderful possibilities are endless...

Track 22- Sunday Vibe by Cisco Adler and G. Love and Special Sauce

I think this song is great for transporting oneself into an island paradise. Let's welcome that Sunday Vibe. Relax into this melody and you'll surely feel happiness seep into your mood.

Track 23- Soft Serve by Soul Coughing

Another great paradise song. I love the melody! I can just picture myself on the beach with the sun beating down on me and the sand between my toes.

Track 24- I Got You by Jack Johnson

This song is such a sweet sound to the ears. I got everything because I got you. It makes me think of my family. I can feel the warm embrace of my husband and son as we build sandcastles or play in the water. This song is great for thinking about being with my family on our paradise island.

Track 25- Sunset Jesus by Avicii

Things have been rough, but I'll be okay and so will you. Everything is going to work out and we can, once more, enjoy the presence of each other.

Track 26- Safe and Sound by Capital Cities

This is a great one because it's all about belief and faith in each other. 'Even if the sky is falling down, I know that we'll be safe and sound.' Trust that we're going to make it through this and we're halfway there!

Track 27- Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles

I love this song! It's such an uplifting tune and it has beautiful lyrics. After a long, dreary road... "Here comes the sun, and I say, it's all right". It has great vibes.

And, finally, the last song:

Track 28- Good Feeling by 311

This is the perfect ending to this track. It's been forever since we felt good, but I got a good feeling. We're going to be okay. The possibilities are endless. Sometimes, we want to go back to a time when everything was easy, but the future is still wide open. Look up and feel the beauty. Get good feelings. We're going to make it through this.

And there you have it! My list of music for the year 2020. I hope you liked it. I put a lot of thought into everything I was feeling. Maybe you can resonate with it, maybe not, but I hope you enjoyed my tunes, nonetheless. If you liked this playlist and what I've had to say about it please, heart it.

Stay safe, healthy, and happy out there. We're going to get through this. There is still so much to be grateful for. Life will turn around once more and we will survive. We are beautiful, resilient creatures that will overcome every barrier that tries to stand in our way or hinder our progress.

Don't lose hope. We're going to be okay!

Much love from your fellow human being,

Skye Marin