Alan Eisenstock’s Playlist – Covid Rebound

Editor’s note: Palisadian Alan Eisenstock’s 20^th book, “Fierce Love,” came out May 3. He wrote it with Sonya Curry, the mom of NBA Legend Stephen Curry (click here).

When Eisenstock is not writing, he pursues what he calls “a crazy labor of love side project” that he started in March 2020: sending a weekly Covid-themed playlist of songs to his family and friends. These playlists, which can be downloaded on Spotify click here span rock ‘n’ roll and pop music from the 1950s to 2020, and Eisenstock adds one or two lines of commentary about each song that is clever, amusing and informative.)

Hi, Everyone,

Good news. If you contract Covid, you might be able to take Paxlovid to minimize the symptoms and shorten the course of the disease. Bad news. The CDC reports that some people who take Paxlovid experience a “Covid rebound” and get Covid again! What to do? Idea. Here are 20 “rebound,” “again,” “back”–you get the idea–songs. Listen up!

“On The Rebound” Floyd Cramer. American pianist born in Shreveport, LA. Cramer taught himself piano and became a Nashville legend and ultimately was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He wrote this snappy song in 1961.
“Rubber Ball” Bobby Vee. “Like a rubber ball, I’ll come bouncing back to you…” That’s the Covid rebound. Robert Thomas Velline from Fargo, ND recorded this in 1961. The smash hit was written by Aaron Schroeder and Gene Pitney, who used his mother’s maiden name, Orlowski.
“Not A Second Time” The Beatles. Here’s a fairly obscure Beatles’ song from 1963, written by John Lennon. He said he was “trying to write a Smokey Robinson song or something.”
“We’ll Meet Again” The Ink Spots. Vocal jazz group from New York who became big in the 1930s and 40s. This often-covered song was written in 1939 by Englishmen Ross Parker and Hughie Charles. The Ink Spots released their version in 1941. The song referred to British soldiers going off to war.
“More Than A Feeling” Boston. Rock band from, you guessed it, Boston. Tom Scholz composed this song, the band’s signature, in 1976. The Covid rebound starts and soon you have more than a feeling; you have it again.
“Hints” Wilco. Here’s a track from Wilco’s brand-new album Cruel Country. Jeff Tweedy, from Chicago, leads one of my favorite bands. Jeff wrote all 21 songs on this great new album. I think you get hints of Covid symptoms before it returns. LOVE.
“You Got It” Roy Orbison. Traveling Wilbury bandmates Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty co-wrote this 1989 hit with Roy. They also play on the record. Roy Orbison was known as “The Caruso of Rock,” referring to Enrico, the opera singer, not Rick, the real estate developer and L.A. mayoral candidate.
“Back To Black” Amy Winehouse. Singing with a powerful, urgent voice, Amy was a soulful presence. Born in England, she only recorded two albums. This 2007 song is the title song of her second album. She co-wrote it with Mick Ronson and based it on her tumultuous relationship with her husband. Amy died of alcohol abuse in 2011. She was 28.
“More” Bobby Darin. Born Walden Robert Cassotto in East Harlem, Darin became an acclaimed rock, jazz, and blues singer. This song was written by Nino Oliviero and Riz Ortolani for the 1963 documentary Mondo Cane.The song has been covered by Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, The Rascals, and Alvin & The Chipmunks.
“Do It Again” Steely Dan. Mix rock plus jazz and you have Walter Becker and Donald Fagen and Steely Dan. This big 1972 hit comes from their album Can’t Buy A Thrill. Covid returns and you do it all again.
“Alone Again (Naturally)” Gilbert O’Sullivan. Irish troubadour Raymond Edmund O’Sullivan changed his name to Gilbert and his career took off. Sort of. This was his biggest hit, from 1972, foreshadowing having to be isolated again when Covid returns.
“Back On The Chain Gang” The Pretenders. Chrissie Hynde, the force behind this groundbreaking rock band, wrote this 1982 hit about her challenging relationship with Ray Davies of The Kinks. LOVE.
“Again” Lenny Kravitz. Lenny Kravitz aka Romeo Blue is a master of R&B, funk, rock, blues. Here’s his 2000 composition that applies to our theme.
“Oops… I Did It Again” Britney Spears. Before you judge, the famous singer-dancer and celebrity was only 18 when she sang and danced to this monster 2000 hit. Britney has so much trouble, I thought we should cut her some slack and put her in the playlist. I’m sure she’ll appreciate the gesture.
“Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” Peter, Paul & Mary. Here’s PP&M singing a stirring version of a tremendous Bob Dylan song from 1963. Those lyrics, the harmonies… LOVE.
“Catch You On The Rebound” Brenton Wood. R&B singer-songwriter Alfred Jesse Smith from Shreveport, LA changed his name to Brenton Wood. His biggest hit was actually “Gimme A Little Sign.” This 1967 song fits better with our theme.
“Rebound” The Blasters. Brothers Phil and Dave Alvin led The Blasters, a rockabilly band formed in Downey, CA. Bill Justis and Charlie Rich wrote this song, which Rich recorded in 1959. The Blasters’ released their version in 2005. BLAST IT.
“(Just Like) Starting Over” John Lennon. Sigh. You had Covid and now it’s just like starting over. John’s song from his 1980 album Double Fantasywas his biggest solo hit.
“Don’t Look Back In Anger” Oasis. Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher became the anchors of this wild British band. Oasis was a mainstay in the British tabloids for their crazy lifestyle. This was one of their biggest hits written in 1996 by Noel after returning from an evening at a strip club. LOVE.
“Splendid Isolation” Warren Zevon. We end the playlist with the Excitable Boy’s 1989 song about wanting to be alone. Well, if you get Covid again that’s where you’ll be–in splendid (or not so splendid) isolation.