Looking to discover some new tunes while you’re stuck at home? The Bluebird staff has you covered! Each weekend, we’ll be putting out a new quarantunes playlist curated by one of our staff members. Today’s playlist is brought to The Bluebird Cafe’s longtime Open Mic host, Barbara Cloyd! Find out what she’s listening to in her car, before shows and more!
I grew up in the sixties so all the protests happening now seem strangely familiar. I couldn’t resist making a list of songs that were a big part of my life back then that feel just as relevant today.
Buffalo Springfield
This summed up the mood of the times, which seems to be making a comeback.
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
This song was written in 1969 after the Kent State shootings when National Guard soldiers shot at unarmed protesters, killing four students and wounding nine others. My father, a WWII veteran, had been a supporter of the Vietnam war, but not after that.
Sam Cooke
This has such a hopeful message and it breaks my heart to think it came out in 1963 and so much still needs to change.
Peter, Paul and Mary
This song was written by Bob Dylan but I chose this version because it’s the one I fell in love with. It’s the first song I ever learned to play on the guitar and it still moves me as much as ever. And it’s still just as relevant.
Sly and the Family Stone
This was a radical song back in it’s day. I love how it skewers racism with a simple, positive message.
The Beatles
I appreciated John Lennon’s voice of reason in turbulent times.
The Beatles
McCartney’s beautiful, gentle affirmation of the civil rights movement, and a lick that every person with a guitar tried to learn.
Stevie Wonder
If this passionate expression of the cold, hard truth doesn’t move you, check your pulse.
The Youngbloods
This came out in 1967, the Summer of Love, and became a hippie anthem. When I hear this song I can feel my long hair swaying and smell the pot smoke.
-Barbara Cloyd
