HOW A SONG HELPED ME NAVIGATE THE PANDEMIC’S ISOLATION
Spirits: The Strumbellas’ Song That Resonated With This Isolated Soul
In the darkness of isolation, The Strumbellas’ “Spirits” offered a glimmer of hope and connection.
In the cold, unyielding grip of isolation that we all faced in those dark days of the pandemic, I found myself reaching for anything that might tether me to the world outside, a beacon in the murk that reminded me of what we were fighting for. It was during one of these deep dives that I stumbled across a song that had somehow slipped by me during its heyday — The Strumbellas’ “Spirits.”
Released in 2016, a time of comparative innocence and freedom, the song felt like a piece of musical driftwood that had been thrown into the tumultuous ocean of our collective consciousness and had finally washed up on the shore of my personal quarantine, weathered and beaten but still very much intact.
The hauntingly beautiful melody and Simon Ward’s impassioned vocals struck a chord within me, reaching into the depths of my own ongoing battle with darkness and negativity that threatened to consume me. There was something about this song — its raw, vulnerable exploration of our internal struggles and the admission that we all grapple with our personal demons — that connected with me in a way that few songs ever have.
Perhaps it was the sheer coincidence of discovering it in those dark times that made it resonate so strongly, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this song was a lifeline, a reminder of our shared humanity in a time of unprecedented isolation.
As isolated as I was from the world and as grateful as I was to be hunkered down with my family, “Spirits” moved me in a way that I may never know again. It connected me to the world from within a dark place and offered a glimmer of hope, appropriately echoing the title of The Strumbellas’ album from which it hails.
In the weeks and months that followed my discovery of this gem, I found myself returning to it again and again. Sometimes, it served as a sort of musical talisman, warding off the suffocating loneliness that seemed to permeate every corner of my existence. Other times, it simply offered a sense of kinship, a reminder that there were others out there who knew what it was to grapple with darkness and to yearn for a brighter tomorrow. Even as I remained fortunate enough to be surrounded by those I loved, I couldn’t help but worry for all of us and humanity at large.
“Spirits” is a testament to the power of music and the profound connections it can forge that a single song could so effectively bridge the gaps in our collective understanding and offer comfort and hope to so many.
Now, as we cautiously emerge from the shadow of the pandemic, blinking against the light of our newfound freedom, “Spirits” remains a touchstone for me. It’s a bittersweet reminder of the trials we’ve endured, the victories we’ve claimed, and the ongoing battles that still lie ahead.
If there’s one thing that the pandemic has taught me, it’s that we are all united in our fragility, in our struggles, and in our need for connection. And that, my friends, is the power of a song like “Spirits.” It reaches across time and space, bridging the gap between isolated souls, and reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there is hope, there is beauty, and there is a reason to keep fighting.
As we move forward and continue to navigate the winding road of life, it’s my hope that we’ll carry the lessons of these times with us — the importance of connection, empathy, and understanding. And when we inevitably find ourselves facing another dark moment, perhaps we’ll reach for a song like “Spirits” once more to remind us that we are not alone, that the world is still out there waiting for us, and that there is always hope, as long as we keep reaching for it.
So, here’s to the songs that haunt us, the ones that grip our souls and refuse to let go. May they continue to guide us through the darkness, light our way, and remind us that no matter how far apart we may be, we are all in this together.
Through the exploration of various artists and their impact on our lives, we’re reminded that music serves as both a balm and a binding force, healing our wounds and uniting us in our shared experiences. The beauty of music lies in its power to transcend time and space, offering solace and hope and revealing the resilience of the human spirit.
If my reflections on The Strumbellas’ “Spirits” have resonated with you, I warmly invite you to delve into this piece below.
