Pandemic Playlist: Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires

Julien Baker

Radiohead’s “True Love Waits” starts and finishes this week’s Pandemic Playlist, which leans heavily on solo voices.

This playlist centers on isolation, which is apt for the times. Each song is written and performed by an individual musician (with one or two exceptions). There are a few acoustic singer-songwriters here showcasing the simple beauty of writing music, like Andrew Kenny, Jeff Mangum, and Tamino. These songs could be recorded as easily as an iPhone demo. (For those looking to create during this state-mandated isolation, use these as inspiration) Alternatively, others on this playlist have more complex and full arrangements, such as “Carnival” by Jeremy Enigk, who writes and plays every instrument on the track. The same is true about “Kings Crossing” by Elliot Smith and “Old Friends” by Pinegrove (Evan Stephens Hall does the heavy lifting on this track). So for the acoustic guitar-wielding many, maybe it’s time to pick up a second instrument.

Some songs on here are more overtly about our present situation. Porches’ “Leave the House” expresses longing to go outside. Death Cab for Cutie’s “Transatlanticism” cries out for three minutes, “I need you so much closer.”

Thom Yorke

The arc of the playlist begins with a version of Radiohead’s “True Love Waits,” performed by Thom Yorke exclusively on guitar. He sings it to his future wife, telling her he wants to marry but with everything going on, she must wait. The playlist then travels through local artists (that you must check out), demos, and complex arrangements, all keeping the tone light. It darkens halfway through. More angst starts to come through, and the deeper, more raw emotions begin to show. After six weeks of isolation, these feelings might start to bubble up. These songs bleed longing, frustration, and isolation until it reaches the climactic build of “Transatlanticism,” which sounds loud and anthemic right now.

After a palette-cleansing instrumental track by Bon Iver, a familiar face reappears as the final song. Once again, it is “True Love Waits,” but 20 years have passed and the song has a more somber tone. Instead of professing his love to his future wife trying to convince her to wait, he is mourning her loss. Radiohead tried recording that song for four years, attempting to put it on three records, but they were never satisfied. The track never found its own. Then on their ninth release, they found it, under unfortunate circumstances. Thom Yorke ended up being happily married to his wife for 13 years, but they divorced in 2016, and shortly thereafter, his wife passed away. When Yorke sings “just / don’t leave” 20 years later, it carries a much different tone. 

The name of this playlist is “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires,” a play on Smokey the Bear’s famous dictum. We are living in a sort of forest fire right now, a pandemic that is spreading, that only we can stop. For some, this quarantine just means the frustration of video calls and the increase in binging TV. For others, this is an all-to-real crisis. There are lives at risk and there is loss. This isolation is frustrating, but it is necessary. Don’t be selfish. Be patient. Yorke is right. True love waits.