Your first week in isolation: Seven songs about loneliness

With working from home and self-isolation the new normal for the foreseeable, we’ve put together a soundtrack of daily tracks to get you through the first week. Feeling lonesome and blue? These artists are too…

Day 1: The Black Keys “Lonely Boy”
‘I’m a lonely boy. I’m a lonely boy.

It’s your first day in isolation. You’re feeling confident. You can finally catch up your reading, your listening, and (if you happen to be a music journalist) your writing. Stick on this romper of a track by The Black Keys and finish the washing up.

Day 2: Ian Felice “Water Street”
‘It rained all day. I sat at the kitchen window drinking coffee and playing solitaire’

You didn’t quite finish the washing up, but you did start a book. Well done. This mellow track from Ian Felice’s debut solo record paints an ideal picture of sedentary domesticity. Let is wash over you on a rainy Tuesday.

Day 3: Loretta Lynn “When Lonely Hits Your Heart”
‘That’s how it is when lonely hits your heart’

It’s your third day and the novelty is wearing thin. Take the edge off with this country classic.

Day 4: Hank Williams  “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”
‘I’ve never seen a night so long, when time goes crawling by’

No one’s ever sounded as lonesome as dear old Hank. After another few days, though, you think you could be in with a chance.

Day 5: Steve Earle “Lonelier Than This”
‘It doesn’t get any lonelier than this, ’cause I’m on this road alone, my heartbeat ringin’ like a hollow drum’

It’s Friday. You should be at the pub. You should be relaxing after a hard week, but you’re wired on coffee and cabin fever. Unwind and have a good wallow with hardcore troubadour (and masterful wallower) Mr. Steve Earle.

Day 6: Drive By Truckers “Goddamn Lonely Love”
‘So I’ll take two of what you’re having and I’ll take all of what you got, to kill this goddamn lonely, goddamn lonely love’

 The sixth day isn’t looking so bleak. The Friday night wallow has done you good and the washing up is looking very doable again. You’re still lonely, but you’re owning it.

Day 7: Bob Dylan “Bob Dylan’s Blues”
‘I’ll let you be in my dream if I can be in yours’

The end of the week has brought out your philosophical side. Will things ever go back to normal? What will life be like afterwards? Maybe we can build a better world. Maybe not. Either way, you think you can see the funny side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XCwRbEpZrw