A Music Playlist for These Troubled Times

Curated playlists on music streaming services are all the rage today. Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play Music and Amazon Music have hundreds of millions of active monthly users and together boast hundreds of expert curators and thousands of curated playlists (collections of songs). With the plethora of music out there, who better to proffer suggestions on what to listen to than these authoritative digital custodians? But given the disarray in the world today and the powerful effect of music maybe we should take a cue from a higher steward, the Spirit in the Sky. Now, I’m no expert on God, but if I were to imagine God’s playlist it would go something like this (with Divine explanations):

“I Get a Kick Out of You.” Some of you really rock and make me think it was worth it to start things off with a Big Bang. So keep up the antics—shake, rattle and roll!—they’re needed in these troubled times.
“Beautiful Dreamer.” Humans are something special and they’re my partner in building the world, so unleash your imagination and soar beyond your wildest dreams. There’s no limit to what you can achieve.
“Help!” I like it when songs ooze pure wisdom. In the brevity of this single-word song title is the Eleventh Commandment, so don’t forget to render aid and succor to the poor, the downtrodden, the afflicted and the sick. Those four British lads sure got it right. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
“I’m a Believer.” No, I’m not asking for you to accept me but rather for you to believe in yourself. You can be as strong as you want if you have faith in your own being.
“Come Together.” War, hatred, crime–enough is enough already! You’re all cut from the same cloth so unite and you’ll find out what a wonderful world this could be.
“The Twist.” Now this might strike you as an odd choice (oops, did I say I said strike you?), but all I’m saying is don’t be afraid to fail because you can learn from your mistakes and find a way to turn them around into successes.
“Baby Workout.” This is a tuneful reminder to stay healthy, practice good habits, and not to neglect yourself. Be active and you should find everything coming up roses.
“Cupid.” When the gilded arrow of the cherub’s bow blissfully inflames the human heart, lightning bolts and thunder joyously reverberate in the heavens. Colorful beams of starlight sparkle in the cosmos gloriously reflecting the ecstasy below. The singer’s cry for that ineffable feeling of love is brilliantly captured in this captivating ditty.
You’ve Got a Friend.” I’ll always be there for you but you’ve got to do your part also. Heed the caring, loving, judicious advice here and I think you’ll find I’m there for you.
“Over There.” Happy to tell you it’s not over when it’s over (if you know what I mean). No, no, no. When the time comes you’ll find there’s a stairway to heaven waiting for you resplendently, boundlessly, majestically…just over there.