By Emilie Weinbeck, Features Assignment Editor
In the last few weeks the vaccine rollout has been reaching new heights with thousands of people of all age ranges getting vaccinated every day. As of April 13, a total of 75,322,283 Americans have been fully vaccinated.
For many people, the vaccine gives them a sigh of relief knowing that they are protected from the deadly virus and can resume a somewhat normal life again. Getting vaccinated is definitely a cause for celebration and what better way to celebrate than with music.
Spotify, the ever popular music streaming service, has seen a 350% increase in fan-generated podcasts related to the vaccine in the last 90 days, with users creating over 7,700 vaccine related playlists globally since Jan. 1.
According to Spotify, many users name their playlists after the specific vaccine they received. Inspired by their users, Spotify decided to join in on the fun themselves and recently released their very own “Vaccine Songs Playlist” to help guide people through their entire vaccine journey.
They have playlists ranging from making the appointment to getting the golden needle to celebrating after it is all said and done.
Spotify also teamed up with the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative and added a link to get vaccine answers right in the playlist to help add an educational component as well.
Spotify’s playlist features 25 songs from a broad range of artists including Dolly Parton and Billy Joel. The playlist has the very appropriate 1980 hit song “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” from rock icon Pat Benatar and Lady Gaga’s opportunely named song “The Cure.”
Several of the songs are feel-good tunes that represent the hope that comes to people when they receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Of course “Good Days” by SZA, “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves and “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles made the cut to be on the playlist.
Once a person becomes fully vaccinated, one can not help but feel the elation that comes with making it to the light of this very long tunnel society has been down.
The playlist also has several party anthems to go along with the elation. Lizzo’s “Good As Hell,” Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and “I’m So Excited” by The Pointer Sisters will keep people in good spirits for hours.
Dolly Parton’s hit song “Jolene” also makes an appearance on the playlist.
The singer sang her own version of the song back in March when she received her dose of the vaccine. “Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vacciiiiine, I’m begging of you please don’t hesitate/ Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vacciiiiine, ‘cause once you’re dead then that’s a bit too late,” Parton sang.
No matter what vaccine you get or when your appointment is made, make sure to pull up Spotify’s “Vaccine Songs Playlist” to help get you hyped up for the big day and celebrate the milestone afterwards.
weinbeec20@bonaventure.edu
