Ultimate Quarantine Playlist


It has indeed been sometime since I took some time off to create a playlist. This time, I had a lot of time on my hands, considering I had 10 long never ending days to think about it. As you might have guessed, this is because I am serving my government mandated 10 days of quarantine prison. Other than pondering where I went wrong, or how I managed to get myself positive for the dreaded Covid-19 virus, I also had time to listen to music. This stupid manmade virus (oh yeah! I have bought into the conspiracy theories) has placed the whole entertainment industry at risk. While the Americas and Europe are slowly coming out of their stringent social distancing guidelines, third world countries such as Sri Lanka can only dream about concerts or live shows for that matter. 

In this backdrop, we all need a proper quarantine playlist. This playlist is for those of you who are facing an island wide lockdown or is in quarantine or self-isolation. Whatever, boredom you are facing I suggest you listen to this playlist. It has been formulated with intricate milestones of this pandemic and also the must-listen songs that you may have missed out due to these trying times.

 I.  Return of Disco

Did you know that disco made a triumphant come back? While it has always been a favorite genre of mine, popular back in the 70s, I never imagined that this was a genre that could ever fare well again on the charts, given the penchant the millennials have for genres such as Hip Hop, EDM and Dancepop. However, was I proved wrong. We have Dua Lipa to thank for. Her album, Future Nostalgia set the stage for the return of this long forgotten genre. While her entire album is infused with disco, the most successful singles are Don’t Stop Now, Levitating and Break My Heart.

Dua Lipa’s success was followed by The Weeknd, with his platinum hit Blinding Lights. Blinding Lights ended up as the Year-End number in 2020 on both sides of the Atlantic with 8 non-consecutive weeks at the top in the UK and topped the US for 4 weeks and is still in the charts, now holding the record longest charting song on the Billboard Hot 100 with 88 weeks as of this post. He followed this up with In Your Eyes and Save Your Tears both addictive duets, the latter of which also topped the US.

Kylie Minogue’s 15th album was aptly titled Disco, which paid tribute the bygone era of the 70s and also made Minogue the first female artist to have number one album in the UK in 5 consecutive decades. The 6th studio album released by 90s pop icons, Steps also included several disco tracks. Sophie Ellis-Bexter’s latest studio album, Songs from the Kitchen Disco, has a brilliant cover of Alcazar’s Crying at the Discotheque and also a 2020 edition of her 2000-hit, Groovejet.

Newcomer Doja Cat had her big breakthrough in early 2020 with a timely disco track, Say So. She has followed this up recently with Kiss Me More, featuring R&B singer SZA. Lady Gaga was a dancepop sensation in the late noughties and the early 2010s. However, certain singles off her latest album, Chromatica explores elements of disco, particularly Rain On Me and 911. Other notable disco tracks include K-Pop boy band BTS’s foray into English with their worldwide hit, Dynamite, Elton John collaborations with Years & Years where they cover Pet Shop Boys’ hit, It’s a Sin, and Dua Lipa where the duo mashup John’s past hits Sacrifice and Rocket Man; Victoria Monét’s Experience and Kygo’s reworking of Donna Summer’s 1979-hit, Hot Stuff.

 II.  Artists Redefined

Sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Because she’s dead again. Covid-19 really put everyone in isolation, whether you like it or not. When Taylor Swift went into isolation, she reinvented herself. This time Swift has entered a folk-rock era. With back-to-back multiplatinum albums, Folklore and Evermore, within a span of a mere six months, Swift proved that you only needed inspiration and lone time to produce hits. Both lead singles off the albums, Cardigan and Willow reached No.1 in the US.

While Swift became more mellow and distant from the mainstream, her pal Ed Sheeran, embraced the dark side of peer pressure. His latest hit Bad Habits, is proof that even the most idiosyncratic artist will cave for commercial success. Bad Habits is the lead single from his upcoming album “=” and is a dancepop track, most unusual for the folk pop singer. We will have to wait and see whether the entire album is a sell-out.

Former One Direction member, Harry Styles has chosen more of a mainstream pop sound for his 2nd studio album, Fine Line. His first album paid homage to the glam rock era and this redefined flavor in his new album ensured success on the charts for singles, Watermelon Sugar, Golden and Adore You.

Some artists have to redefine themselves due to circumstances beyond their control. Girl band Little Mix had to face a big obstacle in December 2020, when Jesy Nelson left the group due to mental health struggles. This was just as the group was making a chart come back after their departure from Simon Cowell’s record label, Syco Music. Their single, Sweet Melody was climbing the charts and actually reached No.1 in the UK, soon after Nelson’s departure. However, the group was determined to continue as trio. The title track off their 6th studio album, Confetti, reached the top 10 in the UK and they had their first collaboration with EDM artists David Guetta and Galantis, Heartbreak Anthem which proved to be a critical and commercial hit.

 III.   New Comers

Several new comers have left their mark on the charts and they have also proven that they are capable of producing noteworthy music. While TikTok and other social media platforms have clearly ruined the chances of good productions reaching the echelons of charts, some fortunately beat the odds and achieve this. Some of these artists are The Kid LAROI, Olivia Rodrigo, Tate McCrae and 24kGoldn. A few Australian artists also emerged during the pandemic era particularly Tones and I, Masked Wolf and Glass Animals.

Some high profile artists collaborated to form new ventures during this era. First we see DJs Martin Solveig and Jax Jones collaborate as Europa. Their hit single All Day and Night with Madison Beer preceded the pandemic, but the dance track Tequila with RAYE was released after. Silk Sonic was formed in 2021 by R&B artists Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. Their debut single Leave the Door Open was a commercial hit reaching No.1 in the US.

Eurovision faced a major setback as the 2020 edition to be held in Rotterdam, Netherlands was cancelled due to the pandemic. The Netherlands won back in 2019 with Duncan Laurence’s Arcade. The song experienced new traction in 2020 after the release of the duet version with American artist FLETCHER. At the 2021 Eurovision, Italy won the contest with Måneskin’s rock track, Zitti e Buoni. With the victory at Eurovision, Måneskin propelled to fame with their singles Beggin’ and I Wanna Be Your Slave charting in several territories.

 IV.    Pity Party Floor-fillers  

Due to constant lockdowns, curfews and social distancing guidelines, dancing with friends and family seems like a fantasy for most of us. While we wallow in our pity parties, certain artists have produced a number of hits that are worthy floor-fillers at any party. EDM legend Tiësto has resurfaced with numerous hits for his portfolio, proving that age is definitely never a barrier for those who can improvise and adapt to the times.

Jason Derulo has also made a much anticipated come back on the charts with several hits such as the global smash, Savage Love, sampled from Jawsh 685’s Siren Beat.  Ava Max has been busy during the pandemic as she managed to release her debut studio album, Heaven & Hell in 2020. The Black Eyed Peas managed to impact the charts with their Spanglish 8th studio album, Translation. This is the first time the Peas have made chart gain after the permanent departure of Fergie from the group to pursue her solo career.

Other notable tracks – Pussycat Dolls’ comeback single, React; Nathan Evans’ sea shanty turned viral TikTok sensation, Wellerman; Shakira’s sampling of Inner Circle’s Sweat in Me Gusta; Topic’s reworking of ATB’s 9PM as Your Love and Surf Mesa’s ILY, which samples Frank Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.

V.      Top Picks from the Covid-19 Era

The final 30 songs are those that you clearly should be aware of during these trying times. From the fan favorites like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith and Katy Perry to the lesser known artists such as Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Pop Smoke and Ella Henderson, I have included genres for everyone. The final 10 songs I have listed are for anyone who is dealing with the pandemic directly, and to overcome such emotional trauma and to be resilient and courageous. These songs also express about kindness, about how to be calm and that it is okay not to be okay.

So I hope you enjoy this carefully curated quarantine playlist:

  1. The Weeknd – Blinding lights 
  2. The Weeknd ft. Doja Cat – In your eyes
  3. The Weeknd & Ariana Grande – Save your tears 
  4. Doja Cat – Say so
  5. Doja Cat ft. SZA – Kiss me more
  6. Dua Lipa – Don’t start now 
  7. Dua Lipa ft. DaBaby – Levitating 
  8. Dua Lipa – Break my heart 
  9. Kylie Minogue – Magic
  10. Kylie Minogue – Say something
  11. Years & Years with Elton John – It’s a sin 
  12. Elton John & Dua Lipa – Cold heart 
  13. Steps – Something in my eyes
  14. Sophie Ellis-Bexter – Crying at the discotheque 
  15. Sophie Ellis-Bexter – Groovejet (If this ain’t love) 2020 
  16. Kygo & Donna Summer – Hot stuff 
  17. Victoria Monét, Khalid & SG Lewis – Experience 
  18. Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande – Rain on me
  19. Lady Gaga – 911 
  20. BTS – Dynamite
  21. Taylor Swift – Cardigan
  22. Taylor Swift – Willow
  23. Ed Sheeran – Bad habits 
  24. Harry Styles – Watermelon sugar
  25. Harry Styles – Adore you
  26. Harry Styles – Golden 
  27. Little Mix – Sweet melody 
  28. Little Mix, Galantis & David Guetta – Heartbreak anthem
  29. The Kid LAROI & Miley Cyrus – Without you
  30. The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – Stay 
  31. Tate McCrae – You broke me first 
  32. 24kGoldn ft. Iann Dior – Mood 
  33. Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers license 
  34. Olivia Rodrigo – Good 4 U
  35. Tones and I – Fly away
  36. Glass Animals – Heat waves 
  37. Masked Wolf – Astronaut in the ocean 
  38. Europa & RAYE – Tequila 
  39. Silk Sonic – Leave the door open 
  40. Duncan Laurence ft. FLETCHER – Arcade
  41. Måneskin – Beggin’
  42. Måneskin – I wanna be your slave 
  43. Jawsh 685 & Jason Derulo – Savage love (Laxed – Siren Beat)
  44. Jason Derulo – Take you dancing
  45. Jason Derulo & Nuka – Love not war (Tampa Beat)
  46. Tiësto & Mabel – God is a dancer 
  47. Tiësto & Karol G – Don’t be shy 
  48. Tiësto – Business
  49. Pussycat Dolls – React
  50. Travis Scott & HVME – Goosebumps
  51. Nathan Evans, 220 Kid & Billen Ted – Wellerman (Sea shanty)
  52. Ava Max – Salt
  53. Ava Max ft. Lauv & Saweetie – Kings & Queens Pt.2
  54. Ava Max – My head & my heart 
  55. Rita Ora, Imanbek & David Guetta ft. Gunna – Big
  56. Riton & Nightcrawlers ft. Mufasa & Hypeman – Friday
  57. Joel Corry, RAYE & David Guetta – Bed 
  58. Surf Mesa ft. Emilee – ILY (I love you baby)
  59. ATB, Topic & A7S – Your love (9PM)
  60. Bebe Rexha – Sacrifice 
  61. Saint Jhn – Roses (Imanbek Remix)
  62. Ofenbach – Wasted love 
  63. Calvin Harris & Tom Grennan – By your side 
  64. Kygo, Zara Larsson & Tyga – Like it is 
  65. Pitbull, Farruko & IAMCHINO ft. El Alfa & Omar Courtz – Ten cuidado 
  66. Shakira & Bad Bunny – Me gusta
  67. Black Eyed Peas, Ozuna & J Rey Soul – Mamacita
  68. Black Eyed Peas, Nicky Jam & Tyga – Vida loca
  69. Conkarah ft. Shaggy – Banana 
  70. Megan Trainor ft. Nicki Minaj – Nice to meet ya 
  71. Regard, Tate McCrae & Troye Sivan – You 
  72. Marshmello & Jonas Brothers – Leave before you love me
  73. Selena Gomez – Rare 
  74. Justin Bieber ft. Quavo – Intentions
  75. Justin Bieber – Holy 
  76. Ariana Grande – Positions 
  77. DaBaby ft. Roddy Rich – Rockstar
  78. Ella Henderson & Tom Grennan – Let’s go home together 
  79. Topic & A7S – Breaking me 
  80. Pop Smoke ft. Dua Lipa – Demeanor 
  81. Ozuna, Doja Cat & Sia – Del mar 
  82. Britney Spears & Backstreet Boys – Matches 
  83. Billie Eilish – Therefore I am 
  84. Miley Cyrus – Midnight sky
  85. Sam Smith – Diamonds 
  86. AJR – Bang!
  87. Bella Poarch – Build a bitch 
  88. Lil Nas X – Montero (Call me by your name)
  89. Why Don’t We – Fallin’ (Adrenaline)
  90. Zara Larsson – Love me land
  91. Katy Perry, Aitana & Tiësto – Resilient 
  92. Marshmello & Demi Lovato – OK not to be OK
  93. Marshmello & Halsey – Be kind 
  94. Luke Combs – Six feet apart 
  95. Live Lounge Allstars – Times like these
  96. JP Saxe ft. Julia Michaels – If the word was ending
  97. Rag ‘n’ Bone Man & Pink – Anywhere away from here 
  98. Majid Jordan – Waves of blue 
  99. Pink & Willow Sage Heart – Cover me in sunshine  
  100. Sia – Courage to change 
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Ultimate Quarantine Playlist

It has indeed been sometime since I took some time off to create a playlist. This time, I had a lot of time on my hands, considering I had 1...