What is the soundtrack to 2020?

Maggie Pronto, (Business Unit Manager) at The MediaShop takes us down the biggest moments of 2020 so far, with an accompanying soundtrack.

Yes, 2020 is a cassette! And no-one in the world has the right pencil to wheel this one back in!

I am not here for another “How Covid-19 has impacted us” discussion – we all know. We are in it and we are feeling it. Every. Single. Day

I thought that we could put a spin on C19 (see what I did there?) and look at a few stories that made the 2020 playlist – with all the feels!

So here goes…

Prince Harry and Meghan step back from senior roles as royals
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced that they intend to step back from their roles in the royal family. The couple shared the news on their official Instagram handle, announcing that they wish to be “financially independent”. Apparently they have already paid off their renovations
https://youtu.be/zkHOVJINRD8
M People – Moving on Up

WHO declares coronavirus a global health emergency
This is probably one story that everyone wished was fake! First identified in Wuhan, China, the breakout was declared a global emergency. I don’t believe that anyone was prepared for this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0GFRcFm-aY
R.E.M. – It’s The End Of The World

UK formally withdraws from EU
Members of the European Parliament (MEP) approved the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, marking the UK’s formal withdrawal from the European Union (EU). This has had a major impact on UK residents working in the EU.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1JVJXYiqJk
Albert Hammond – The Peacemaker

Everyone supports the front line
Citizens all around South Africa stood together and applauded those on the front line. There was most definitely a new respect for those risking their lives to assist others. Here’s a re-worked classic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhcG9wqn0gU
Michael Jackson – Heal the World (2020)

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Joseph Shabalala died

I think the song speaks for itself
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zkr6kb8L58
Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Knocking on Heavens Door

SA lockdown
We thought it was going to be just three weeks – six months later we are finally at Level One Lockdown. We were the only country with a focus on essential products which got some fellow South Africans a bit rowdy. Here’s a few songs to highlight what are now distant memories and how we as a people pulled through!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UshEeyv8YZM
Max Hurrell – ZOL (Unofficial Music Video by The Kiffness)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POv-3yIPSWc
Black Lace – Agadoo

And then there was this – everyone including the President joined in on releasing some tension.

https://youtu.be/XAYhNHhxN0A
Mission Impossible Theme

Trump is acquitted on articles of impeachment
U.S. President Donald Trump was acquitted by the Senate on two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, bringing an end to the trials.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diYAc7gB-0A
George Michael – Freedom! ’90

Deaf community faces social barriers
The implementation of physical distancing and the wearing of face masks posed new challenges for individuals reliant on lip reading in order to communicate, but someone made a plan!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXvzzTICvJs&feature=youtu.be
Ed Sheeran – You Need Me, I Don’t Need You

Luxembourg becomes first to make public transport free
In order to tackle pollution and traffic congestion, Luxembourg abolished fares for trains, trams and buses, becoming the first country to do so. The government also said the move aimed to support “people with low incomes or the minimum wage.” We could surely use a page from this book!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32HANv-bdJs
Black Coffee & David Guetta – Drive feat. Delilah Montagu

Summer Olympics is cancelled
Owing to the pandemic, 2020 Tokyo Olympics was postponed. Several other major sporting events were postponed to 2021, including Wimbledon, UEFA Euro and the US Open. This has also had a massive impact on sponsorships as well as broadcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a-HfNE3EIo
Vangelis – Chariots Of Fire

Oil prices hits record lows
For the first time in recorded history, the U.S. oil market dipped to negative prices. Due to lockdowns and restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, North American oil producers faced an unmatched oversupply of crude oil and not enough space to store them, leading to the crisis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yqmoXzDJCs&list=PLg16B6SNMb9CK6WGvrWfMxlpdh5VjSoZr
Midnight Oil – 1 – Beds Are Burning – Diesel And Dust

NASA-SpaceX’s ‘Launch America’ takes off
We had the time – we were at home and glued to our screens like we were watching Dallas in the 80’s. NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken took off for the International Space Station (ISS) in SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, lifting off on a Falcon 9 rocket. This was the first time in nine years that humans left U.S. soil in a U.S. rocket to reach low-Earth orbit.
https://youtu.be/DtVBCG6ThDk
Elton John – Rocket Man

Black Panther loses his battle
Chadwick Boseman’s death came as a shock to many. He will always be remembered – Wakanda Forever!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1djZHyp2YNM&feature=youtu.be
R.I.P. King / WAKANDA Theme

Loadshedding Level 2
Because 2020 was not challenging enough already…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FB9GYkIT3E
The Sound of Silence Original Version from 1964

‘ Legendary’: Prominent human rights lawyer George Bizos dies
Tributes poured in for veteran lawyer who defended Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists. He died at 92. President Cyril Ramaphosa described him as a” legal eagle in our country”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i41qWJ6QjPI&feature=youtu.be
Beyoncé – I Was Here (United Nations World Humanitarian Day Performance Video)

Tremor felt in Cape Town
And just because 2020 has not been enough – a 6.2-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Southern Africa had some Cape Town residents worried. With its epicentre at a depth of 10 kilometres, there were no tsunami warnings or reports of damage.
https://youtu.be/Oo2K9vkfUoE
Martika – I Feel The Earth Move

#Jerusalema

Not even Master KG was ready! The way the world has embraced this gives us great hope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCZVL_8D048
Master KG – Jerusalema [Feat. Nomcebo]

If the past few months are anything to go by, no doubt there will be many more events that will be brought to life by song. There have also been events that have not been included due to their sensitivity and the fact that it may be perceived as a lack thereof.

We need all the support we can get as we go through the last few months of this year. On that note here’s the rest of the Soundtrack – some other feel good tunes to see you through when you’re having a not so great day. I’m positive that these will help

Ben E. King — Stand By Me
https://youtu.be/einn_UJgGGM
Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry Be Happy
https://youtu.be/d-diB65scQU
Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World
https://youtu.be/2nGKqH26xlg
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
https://youtu.be/U-Ooxpz0Eqk
OneRepublic – Good Life
https://youtu.be/jZhQOvvV45w
Imagine Dragons – On Top Of The World
https://youtu.be/w5tWYmIOWGk
Justin Bieber – Life Is Worth Living
https://youtu.be/Klx1npc7LDo