EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
IndependentsMay 27, 2020
Squirrel Spotting: 20 Songs for Sanity’s Sake
Seventy-plus days into isolation, Peter Smith takes a break from sharing reopening tips to give us his ultimate lockdown playlist.
Peter Smith is president of Memoire and Hearts On Fire. He is author of two books, “Hiring Squirrels,” and “Sell Something.” Connect with Smith on LinkedIn or at dublinsmith@yahoo.com.
I got one of those Facebook suggestions from my friend, Haygo, last week. You know, the ones that have you post 10 influential albums from your earliest memories in 10 days?
It got me thinking about songs that could be fun to listen to in these-less-than-fun days.
So, here goes! This list was taken from my phone, where these songs live with about 20,000 of their closest friends.
How many of them do you know?
1. “How Long,” Ace
I’m not even sure I remember what age I was when this lockdown started.
2. “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” ABBA
More than Sherry could ever could have wished for or imagined, but she still loves me. Whew!
3. “What’s Going On,” Marvin Gaye
Yeah, I think I got it. Left-handed blonde people can shop on Tuesdays and Fridays in the morning, provided they pay with gift cards bought in an odd month.
4. “Our House,” Madness
Dear House, I love you, but it’s time we saw other people.
5. “Heroes,” David Bowie
Wow, where do I begin … nurses, doctors, all hospital staff, and everyone who kept working—mail carriers, grocery store folks, etc. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
6. “Always On My Mind,” Elvis Presley
To our family, friends, our co-workers (including those laid off and furloughed) and customers, we miss you.
7. “Stuck With You,” Huey Lewis and the News
My dog thinks I lost my job.
8. “Lips Like Sugar,” Echo and the Bunnymen
Working so close to the kitchen was always gonna be a bad idea.
9. “Wish You Were Here,” Pink Floyd
That’s a long list … friends, family, live concerts, Premier League soccer.
10. “Song for Guy,” Elton John
I miss my barber, Gus. There is no “Song for Gus.” Get over it!
11. “Viva Las Vegas,” Elvis Presley
I never thought I’d miss Las Vegas. I miss Las Vegas.
12. “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” The Police
Enough said (and thanks, Michelle).
13. “Here Comes The Sun,” The Beatles
Summer is coming, and there are brighter days ahead. Also, there’s been no rain since I planted a billion dollars’ worth of plants in my yard.
14. “I’m Not The Enemy,” Lina
I just want you to wash your hands. A lot.
15. “Tempted,” Squeeze
OK, enough with the kitchen already.
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16. “Still Crazy After All These Years,” Paul Simon
The
It got me thinking about songs that could be fun to listen to in these-less-than-fun days.
So, here goes! This list was taken from my phone, where these songs live with about 20,000 of their closest friends.
How many of them do you know?
1. “How Long,” Ace
I’m not even sure I remember what age I was when this lockdown started.
2. “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” ABBA
More than Sherry could ever could have wished for or imagined, but she still loves me. Whew!
3. “What’s Going On,” Marvin Gaye
Yeah, I think I got it. Left-handed blonde people can shop on Tuesdays and Fridays in the morning, provided they pay with gift cards bought in an odd month.
4. “Our House,” Madness
Dear House, I love you, but it’s time we saw other people.
5. “Heroes,” David Bowie
Wow, where do I begin … nurses, doctors, all hospital staff, and everyone who kept working—mail carriers, grocery store folks, etc. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
6. “Always On My Mind,” Elvis Presley
To our family, friends, our co-workers (including those laid off and furloughed) and customers, we miss you.
7. “Stuck With You,” Huey Lewis and the News
My dog thinks I lost my job.
8. “Lips Like Sugar,” Echo and the Bunnymen
Working so close to the kitchen was always gonna be a bad idea.
9. “Wish You Were Here,” Pink Floyd
That’s a long list … friends, family, live concerts, Premier League soccer.
10. “Song for Guy,” Elton John
I miss my barber, Gus. There is no “Song for Gus.” Get over it!
11. “Viva Las Vegas,” Elvis Presley
I never thought I’d miss Las Vegas. I miss Las Vegas.
12. “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” The Police
Enough said (and thanks, Michelle).
13. “Here Comes The Sun,” The Beatles
Summer is coming, and there are brighter days ahead. Also, there’s been no rain since I planted a billion dollars’ worth of plants in my yard.
14. “I’m Not The Enemy,” Lina
I just want you to wash your hands. A lot.
15. “Tempted,” Squeeze
OK, enough with the kitchen already.
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16. “Still Crazy After All These Years,” Paul Simon
The
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17. “I Want To Break Free,” Queen
But you’re going to have to keep your distance. See No. 12.
18. “The Longest Time,” Billy Joel
I used to have a long drive to work. Now I try not to slip coming down the stairs.
19. “Work It Out,” Jurassic 5
Zoom. Teams. GoToWebinar. Lunch. More Zoom. Teams again. Dinner. Dream about Zoom.
20. “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” Blue Oyster Cult
Our office opened week before last. A ripple, not a wave. We’ll take it. Things are getting better.
I am available, for a small fee, to sing snippets of any or all of the above the songs for your listening pleasure.
Stay safe!
17. “I Want To Break Free,” Queen
But you’re going to have to keep your distance. See No. 12.
18. “The Longest Time,” Billy Joel
I used to have a long drive to work. Now I try not to slip coming down the stairs.
19. “Work It Out,” Jurassic 5
Zoom. Teams. GoToWebinar. Lunch. More Zoom. Teams again. Dinner. Dream about Zoom.
20. “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” Blue Oyster Cult
Our office opened week before last. A ripple, not a wave. We’ll take it. Things are getting better.
I am available, for a small fee, to sing snippets of any or all of the above the songs for your listening pleasure.
Stay safe!
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