Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the music industry
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{{COVID-19 pandemic sidebar|expanded=issues}}
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the music industry, mirroring its impacts across all arts sectors. Numerous music events, including music festivals, concert tours, and award shows, have been cancelled or postponed. While some musicians and composers were able to use the time to create new works, there were flow-on effects on the many supporting people who relied on performers for their income.{{Cite news|last=Cooper|first=Nathanael|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/for-musicians-collapse-of-touring-industry-opens-door-to-creativity-20200403-p54gpx.html|title=For musicians, collapse of touring industry opens door to creativity|date=April 5, 2020|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=April 5, 2020}} Various album releases have been delayed as well.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/20/im-trying-to-keep-the-panic-down-the-coronavirus-impact-on-music|title='I'm trying to keep the panic down' – the coronavirus impact on music|date=2020-03-20|work=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2020-04-02}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9344612/sony-music-movies-gaming-coronavirus-global-impact|title=Sony Outlines Coronavirus Impact on Music, Film and Game Divisions|date=2020-03-27|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-04-02}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/coronavirus-music-business-latest-974262/|title=How Coronavirus Is Wreaking Havoc on Music|date=2020-04-02|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-02}} Pollstar estimated the total lost revenue for the live music industry in 2020 at more than $30 billion.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/elton-john-celine-dion-coronavirus-pandemic-b63179e05d0768dcd907da5beeccad52|title=Pollstar: Live events industry lost $30B due to pandemic|publisher=Associated Press|first=Mesfin|last=Fekadu|date=December 11, 2020|access-date=February 4, 2021}}
Music events
Many concert tours,{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/bts-madonna-pearl-jam-more-artists-canceling-shows-coronavirus/|title=BTS, Madonna, Khalid, Billie Eilish, and more artists canceling shows over coronavirus|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=EN|access-date=2020-04-03}} music festivals, and other events were canceled or postponed.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/touring/9323647/concerts-canceled-coronavirus-list|title=Concerts Canceled Due To Coronavirus: Ongoing List|date=2020-03-30|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-04-02}}{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/coronavirus-updated-list-of-tours-and-festivals-canceled-or-postponed-due-to-covid-19/|title=Coronavirus: Updated List of Tours and Festivals Canceled or Postponed Due to COVID-19|website=Pitchfork|date=March 11, 2020|language=en|access-date=2020-04-03}}
=Impacted music festivals=
=Impacted music conferences=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Name
!Location !Details !Source |
|---|
| ASCAP Experience
| InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | 2020 edition cancelled. |
| FastForward
| Studios 301, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 2020 edition cancelled. |
| International Music Summit
| Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain | Postponed until further notice. Virtual version of the event will take place. |
| Midem
| Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, Cannes, France | 2020 edition moved online. |
| Music Biz 2020
| JW Marriott Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. | Postponed. Rescheduled to August 16–19, 2020. |
| Winter Music Conference
| Postponed until further notice. |
=Impacted concert performances=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Artist
!Venue !Details !Source |
|---|
| Bad Bunny
| Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Rescheduled to October 30 and 31, 2020. |
| Car Seat Headrest
| Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, North Adams, Massachusetts, U.S. | Rescheduled to September 4, 2020. |
| Charli XCX
| El Plaza Condesa, Mexico City, Mexico | Rescheduled to October 21, 2020. |
| Chris Tomlin
| Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. | Tomlin's annual "Good Friday Nashville" concert postponed. |
| Ciara
| USO Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas, U.S. | Postponed until further notice. |
| Glass Animals
| Neumos, Seattle, Washington, U.S. | Concert cancelled. |
| Josh Groban
| Radio City Music Hall, New York City, New York, U.S. | Groban's "Great Big Radio City Show" postponed to October 5, 2020. |
| Juanes
| Movistar Arena, Bogotá, Colombia | Juanes' "Para Todos" show postponed until further notice. |
| Liam Gallagher
| Heaton Park, Manchester, England | Concert cancelled. |
| Mariah Carey
| Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. | Postponed to November 28, 2020. |
=Impacted concert tours=
=Impacted concert residencies=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Title
!Artist !Venue !Details !Source |
|---|
| David Lee Roth Rocks Vegas!
| Last six shows postponed. |
| Diana Ross
| Postponed until further notice. |
| Gwen Stefani – Just a Girl
| Final leg cancelled |
| Jonas Brothers in Vegas
| All shows cancelled. |
| Kelly Clarkson: Invincible
| All shows from April to July 2020 cancelled. |
| Lady Gaga Enigma
| First six shows of the fifth run were cancelled |
| Let's Go!
| All shows from March 18 to December 2020 were cancelled |
| Lionel Richie – Las Vegas
| Postponed until further notice. |
| Robbie Williams Live in Las Vegas
| Shows from March 24 to April 4, 2020, postponed. |
| Together in Vegas
| Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn | The Colosseum at Caesars Palace | Postponed until June 2020. |
| ZZ Top: Viva Las Vegas
| ZZ Top | Postponed until further notice. |
| Weekends with Adele
|The Colosseum at Caesars Palace |2022 residency postponed. |
=Impacted benefit concerts=
=Impacted award ceremonies and song contests=
Music releases
{{see also|Album era#Pandemic period}}
Several musical artists delayed the releases of albums amid the pandemic.{{cite magazine |last1=Leight |first1=Elias |title=They Were Going to Be Spring's Biggest Albums -- Until COVID-19 Hit |date=March 30, 2020 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/album-delays-caused-by-covid-19-973870/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=April 1, 2020}} The Record Store Day, which would have seen the release of several re-issues and exclusive material, was rescheduled from April 18 to June 20.{{cite web |title=Record Store Day 2020 Postponed Due to Coronavirus Concerns |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/record-store-day-2020-postponed-due-to-coronavirus-concerns/ |website=Pitchfork |date=March 13, 2020 |access-date=April 1, 2020}} But added with 3 dates: August 29, September 26, and October 24.{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Willman |date=April 29, 2020 |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/record-store-day-postponed-again-three-separate-fall-dates-1234592977/ |title=Record Store Day Postponed Again, with Releases Dispersed Between Three Separate Dates in Late Summer and Fall |website=Variety |access-date=May 26, 2020}} In contrast, some musical acts, such as Dua Lipa, Sufjan Stevens, and Laura Marling, moved up the release dates of their upcoming albums.{{cite web |last1=Rettig |first1=James |date=March 23, 2020 |title=HAIM, Dua Lipa, Willie Nelson, & Sufjan Stevens Among Artists Moving Album Release Dates Amid Pandemic |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2077667/dua-lipa-willie-nelson-sufjan-stevens-among-artists-moving-album-release-dates-amid-pandemic/news/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=April 1, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Daly |first1=Rhian |title=Laura Marling announces new album 'Song For Our Daughter' and explains decision to release now |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/laura-marling-announces-new-album-song-for-daughter-2641288 |website=NME |access-date=April 5, 2020}} Others, such as Taylor Swift, Nine Inch Nails, Phish, X, and Fiona Apple, released new albums with little or no advanced notice.{{cite web |last1=Farokhmanesh |first1=Megan |title=Nine Inch Nails just released two new albums for free |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/26/21195266/nine-inch-nails-new-albums-just-ghosts-v-vi-free-download |website=The Verge |date=March 26, 2020 |access-date=April 1, 2020}}{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |date=April 1, 2020 |title=Phish to Debut New Album 'Sigma Oasis' During April 1st Livestream |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/phish-new-album-sigma-oasis-976437/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=April 1, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Randall |date=April 22, 2020 |title=The world's a mess, and X is back |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-04-22/x-alphabetland-40th-anniversary-los-angeles |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=April 22, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Patrick |title=10 new albums actually coming this spring, including Fiona Apple, The Strokes, Neil Young |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/10/10-albums-not-delayed-coronavirus-fiona-apple-strokes-more/2966263001/ |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |access-date=April 22, 2020}} Swift intended to release her 2019 song "Cruel Summer" as a single in early 2020, but the outbreak of the pandemic disrupted her plans.{{Cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=2023-06-18 |title=Taylor Swift on 'Cruel Summer' Becoming a Single Four Years After Its Release: 'No One Understands How This Is Happening' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-cruel-summer-single-pittsburgh-speech-1235357138/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618013033/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-cruel-summer-single-pittsburgh-speech-1235357138/ |archive-date=June 18, 2023 |access-date=2023-06-18 |magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite news |last=Scribner |first=Herb |date=2023-06-18 |title=Taylor Swift has a new single on the way, but it's actually four years old |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/06/18/taylor-swift-cruel-summer/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627073509/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/06/18/taylor-swift-cruel-summer/ |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}
Many albums have had release dates pushed back as a result of the pandemic, including:{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9342723/album-releases-postponed-coronavirus-list|title=Albums Postponed Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic|date=2020-03-25|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-04-03}}
Virtual performances
Many artists elected to stream performances online. Virtual concerts, such as the iHeart Living Room Concert for America and Together at Home, were organised to provide entertainment to the public, and to raise awareness methods to combat the virus, notably social distancing.{{cite web |date=March 30, 2020 |title=Stars stay home for Elton John's benefit gig |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52089107 |website=BBC News |access-date=April 5, 2020}}{{cite magazine |date=March 20, 2020 |last1=Blistein |first1=Jon |last2=Legaspi |first2=Althea |title=Common Performs Classics, Freestyles During 'Together at Home' Concert |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/common-together-at-home-concert-watch-970065/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=April 5, 2020}} Artists such as Christine and the Queens, Ben Gibbard, and Katharine McPhee broadcast daily livestream performances from their homes.{{cite magazine |last1=Doyle |first1=Patrick |title=Ben Gibbard on His Daily Livestreams: 'It's Given Me a Purpose' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/ben-gibbard-coronavirus-livestreams-976029/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 31, 2020}}{{cite web |date=April 3, 2020 |last1=Curto |first1=Justin |title=Watch These Livestreamed Concerts During Your Social Distancing |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/04/all-musicians-streaming-live-concerts.html |website=Vulture |access-date=April 4, 2020}} Several major bands including Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and Metallica offered free livestreams of archival concerts,{{cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/04/pink-floyd-youtube-concert-series/|title=Pink Floyd announces YouTube concert series for fans in quarantine|date=2020-04-16|website=Consequence of Sound|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-19}} as did several in the jam band scene, including Phish, Dead & Company, Widespread Panic, and The String Cheese Incident.{{cite web |last1=Kosman |first1=Joshua |title=Dead & Company add weekly concert live stream during coronavirus shutdown |url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/dead-company-add-weekly-concert-livestream-during-coronavirus-shutdown |website=Datebook {{!}} San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide |access-date=April 4, 2020}}{{cite web |title=Dead & Company Announce Weekly Archival Streaming Series |url=https://www.pollstar.com/article/dead-company-announce-weekly-archival-streaming-series-144129 |website=pollstar.com |date=March 27, 2020 |access-date=April 4, 2020}}
In April 2020, Beyond Live, the first paid concert streaming service in the world which provides full-scaled live online concert aided by technology – including augmented reality and real-time interactions between artists and live audience – was launched to deliver K-pop concerts.{{cite magazine |title=SuperM Promises to Perform Unreleased Songs During Augmented Reality Live Stream Concert |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9365759/superm-augmented-reality-live-stream-concert |date=April 24, 2020 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2020-04-30}}{{cite magazine|first1=Tim|last1=Chan |title=SuperM Set Unprecedented Live Streaming Concert to Give Back to Fans |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/superm-beyond-live-streaming-concert-990019/ |date=April 25, 2020 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=2020-04-30}} Since its creation, multiple K-pop artists have delivered full-length live concerts via this platform, and other K-pop entertainment enterprises started to produce virtual live concerts in similar format throughout 2020.
On May 27, 2020, One Love Asia brings all artists and YouTubers together to perform in one big virtual concert to heal the world against coronavirus and to protect and advance the welfare of all people.
In August 2020, the American singer Bilal live streamed his three-day remote recording of an experimental three-song EP titled VOYAGE-19. Spanning 54 hours, he wrote, recorded, and produce one song per day in virtual collaborations with producer Tariq Khan and 30 other musicians, including Erykah Badu, Robert Glasper, Keyon Harrold, Marcus Strickland, Raymond Angry, Ben Williams, Brandee Younger, and Marcus Gilmore. The stream simultaneously showed the EP's artwork being made, with a group of three visual artists enlisted for each song, including Angelbert Metoyer. Proceeds from the sale of the broadcast's pre-order and the EP's digital download were distributed among the participants, a number of whom were struggling financially due to the pandemic.{{cite web|date=August 7, 2020|last=Threadcraft|first=Torry|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/bilal-live-ep.html|title=Bilal Is Currently Live Streaming Himself Recording A New EP|website=Okayplayer|access-date=September 12, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Threadcraft|first=Torry|date=September 6, 2020|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/bilal-highbreed-music.html|title=Check Out Bilal And HighBreedMusic's 'VOYAGE-19' Album|website=Okayplayer|access-date=September 12, 2020}}
In November 2020, Taylor Swift released a concert film, titled Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions, to Disney+. The film saw Swift, Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff quarantine themselves in an isolated recording studio and perform live every song from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020).{{Cite web|title=folklore: the long pond studio sessions |website=Disney+ |url=https://disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/movie/folklore-the-long-pond-studio-sessions|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227125126/https://disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/movie/folklore-the-long-pond-studio-sessions|archive-date=December 27, 2020|access-date=June 10, 2021}} In September 2021, Billie Eilish similarly released a concert film to Disney+, titled Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, where she performed live every song from her second studio album Happier Than Ever (2021) at an empty Hollywood Bowl alongside her brother Finneas O'Connell, with guest appearances from well-known musical figures in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Haylock |first=Zoe |date=2021-07-22 |title=Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever to Announce Concert Film on Disney+ |url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/07/billie-eilish-teases-happier-than-ever-disney-concert-film.html |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}
Songs and recordings inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| scope="col" | Artist(s)
! scope="col" | Song ! scope="col" | Notes ! scope="col" | Source |
|---|
| Broadway Boys
|"Nag-iisa" |This is a song that was released in 2020 that dedicates to frontliners and patients who survived the COVID-19 pandemic. Also it is a part of 500-year commemoration of Christianity, victory and humanity as part of the quincentennial commemorations. | |
| Raizo Chabeldin, Biv de Vera and ABS-CBN regional news anchors
|"Pag-ibig ang Hihilom sa Daigdig" |This is a song that was released by ABS-CBN on April 3, 2020, and performed by Raizo Chabeldin and Biv de Vera. Aside from "We Heal As One" that was released a week ago, the song inspires all the Filipinos to spread love and hope amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. At the end of the song, ABS-CBN's regional news anchors were also featured to sing "Don't share the hate and scare, spread never-ending love and care" two times, along with the real Kapamilyas from different provinces. It is the official theme song for ABS-CBN Foundation's Pantawid ng Pag-ibig. The music video was released on April 3, 2020. | |
| K-Pop artists
|"We Can!" |This song interpolates Pinkfong's "Baby Shark". |
| Vice Ganda
|"Corona Bye-Bye Na!" |This song was performed at ABS-CBN's Pantawid ng Pag-ibig: At Home Together Concert, A Kapamilya Special Concert that hopes all Filipinos to follow the law to protect themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic widespread. Hosted by ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs' correspondents, Alvin Elchico and Zen Hernandez. | |
| BTS
| "Life Goes On" |The lyrics of the song have been described as uplifting and seeking to provide hope to fans during the pandemic. |
| BTS Skytrain Employees
|"Covid-19: Dance Against the Virus" |This song was featured on online newspapers such as Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, Indonesia's The Jakarta Post and Thailand's Thai Rath. It reminds passengers to wash their hands, wear a facemask, practice social distancing, and to stay home or go to the hospital for testing and treatment if infected. This is part of the train service's 20th anniversary campaign. | |
| CMC Vision Sisters
|"Go Away Corona!" |A secular upbeat song to uplift and enlighten people for them to be safe against COVID-19. | |
| SB19
|"Ikako" |An SB19 song which encourages Filipinos to uplift their positive attitude despite the COVID-19 pandemic and other bad news in 2020. | |
| Kim Chiu
|"Bawal Lumabas" |A Kim Chiu's statement regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy that was made into a song, which became a dance challenge on YouTube and TikTok. | |
| Julie Anne San Jose
|"Pagbangon" |A GMA News and Public Affairs charity single which is dedicated to all frontliners and patients who survived the COVID-19 pandemic to raise awareness against the virus. Also it is part of commemoration of GMA Network's 70th anniversary campaign, Buong Puso Para Sa Pilipino. | |
| Morissette
|"Phoenix" |The song's music video is an audio-visual feast, featuring Morissette's clear and powerful vocals, as well as amazing visual components and narration about how a dull and lifeless environment during the COVID-19 pandemic could be turned around by hope and chance. |
| Jamie Rivera, Iñigo Pascual, Julie Anne San Jose, Jed Madela, Robert Seña, Isay Alvarez-Seña, Mark Bautista, Rita Daniela, Gary Valenciano, Paolo Valenciano, KZ Tandingan, Aicelle Santos, Ogie Alcasid, Menchu Lauchengco, Michael Williams, Alden Richards, Ken Chan, Christian Bautista, Sarah Geronimo, Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Bamboo Manalac, Apl.de.ap, Lani Misalucha, and Lea Salonga
|"We Heal As One" |A reworked version of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games theme song, "We Win As One", originally performed by Lea Salonga. This version brings all OPM singers together to raise awareness against COVID-19 pandemic and pays tribute to the frontline workers. GMA News and Public Affairs, particularly Jessica Soho is the first one to promote this song. It is produced by Floy Quintos & composed by Ryan Cayabyab. Also it is part of commemoration of GMA Network's 70th Anniversary campaign, Buong Puso Para Sa Pilipino. | |
| AKB48
|"{{Lang|ja|離れていても}}" "Hanareteitemo" (Even When We Are Apart) |An AKB48's charity single which is dedicated to all frontliners and patients who survived the COVID-19 pandemic. This song brought all of its current members, in addition to all former aces of the entire group. Jurina Matsui is the only non-AKB48 active member and an SKE48 member to take part of this song, as well as Sayaka Yamamoto who was an NMB48 graduate and Rino Sashihara who was an AKB48 & HKT48 former ace & alumnus. | |
| BNK48 and CGM48
|"Touch by Heart" |A charity single which is dedicated to all frontliners and patients who survived the COVID-19 pandemic. It has 8 versions that were performed by the groups' members. Special version was performed by all members in two sister groups, Thai version for BNK48 & CGM48 leaders, Grab, English, Japanese & Isan versions for selected 1st Generation members, Lanna version for all CGM48 members & Chinese version for selected members in BNK48's 2 generations. | |
| AKB48 Team SH and CGM48
|"Dareka no Tame Ni" |Chinese and Thai versions of AKB48's digital single. This is dedicated to all frontliners and patients who survived the COVID-19 pandemic, and to all Chiang Mai residents who survived the bushfire. | |
| Namewee and Malaysian musicians and singers
|"OK Lah" |A song which is dedicated to all frontliners and patients who survived the COVID-19 pandemic. Also it is connected with Malaysia's Ministry of Health to impose Movement Control Order to stop the spread of COVID-19. |
| Anonymotif and Justin Trudeau
|"Speaking Moistly" |Press conference remarks by Canadian prime minister Trudeau served as basis for YouTube remix by Edmonton-based producer anonymotif (Brock Tyler). |
| ArtistsCAN
|"Lean on Me" | Bilingual rendition of Bill Withers song performed at Canadian benefit concert Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble. Single released in aid of Canadian Red Cross. Initiated by Tyler Shaw and Fefe Dobson; features Michael Bublé, Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, Bryan Adams and others. |
| Cardi B and iMarkkeyz
|"Coronavirus (Remix)" | Remix by Brooklyn DJ iMarkkeyz of an Instagram video posted by rapper Cardi B. |
| Michael Ball and Captain Tom Moore
| British fundraiser in aid of NHS Charities Together, recorded by actor-singer Ball, Second World War veteran Moore and NHS Voices of Care Choir. The song reached UK number 1 on April 24, 2020, days before Moore celebrated his 100th birthday. |
| Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
|"Together" | |
| Alec Benjamin
|"Six Feet Apart" | Lyrics relate to compliance with social distancing guidelines. |
| David Bisbal and Aitana
|Bisbal remixed his song with new vocals from Aitana, accompanied by a video showing the two singers in isolation. |
| James Blunt
|"The Greatest" | Single released in aid of British National Health Service. |
| Bono, will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson and Yoshiki
|"#Sing4Life" | Bono originally performed the song on March 17, 2020, as "Let Your Love Be Known"; remixed version with collaborators was released on YouTube on March 24, 2020. |
| Brujeria
|"COVID-666" | |{{cite web |last1=Rosenberg |first1=Axl |title=Brujeria Debut New Song "COVID-666" |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2020/06/26/brujeria-debut-new-song-covid-666/ |website=MetalSucks |date=June 26, 2020 |access-date=December 12, 2020}} |
| Koffee
|"Lockdown" | | |
| Buddy Brown
|"The Coronavirus Song" | |
| Michael Bublé, Barenaked Ladies and Sofia Reyes
|"Gotta Be Patient" |Original song was by three Barcelona roommates performing as Stay Homas during their lockdown. Bublé's cover version is in aid of Canadian Red Cross and Argentine Red Cross. |
| Jackie Chan, Xiao Zhan, Wang Leehom and others
|"坚信爱会赢" (Believe Love Will Triumph) |Collaboration between Chinese singers and actors, released by Chinese state media. |
| Charli XCX
|"claws" |Lyrics discuss love in time of self-isolation; second single from her album how i'm feeling now, which was recorded during lockdown. |
| Luke Combs
|"Six Feet Apart" | Title refers to social distancing guidelines issued by the CDC in the USA. |
| Alice Cooper
|"Don't Give Up" |Lyrics relate to staying strong in the face of the virus. |
| Neil Diamond
|Diamond re-recorded the classic song "Sweet Caroline" with updated lyrics about washing hands for safety during the pandemic. |
| Fleur East
|"Not Alone" |Charity single in aid of British NHS COVID-19 Appeal. |
| Melody Gardot
|"From Paris with Love" |Collaborative project featuring a "global digital orchestra". |
| Ben Gibbard
|"Life in Quarantine" | |
| Gmac Cash
|"Coronavirus" |Detroit rapper Gmac Cash later released "Big Gretch", a tribute to Gretchen Whitmer's handling of the pandemic. |
| Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber
|"Stuck with U" |The collaboration is in aid of the First Responders Children's Foundation. Topped the US Billboard Hot 100. |
| Kamal Haasan, Ghibran and others
|"Arivum Anbum" |Tamil-language song with lyrics written by actor-politician Haasan and composed by Ghibran, with performances by many Indian musicians. |
| Hopsin
|"Covid Mansion" | |
| Iceage
|"Lockdown Blues" | |
| Miley Cyrus
| A music video about the singer's performance at the Super Bowl LV pre-game show on February 7, 2021. At the end of the video, a message was endorsed the COVID-19 vaccine. | {{Cite web|date=March 8, 2021|title=Miley Cyrus reveals 'Angels Like You' video|url=http://diymag.com/2021/03/08/miley-cyrus-angels-like-you|access-date=April 3, 2021|website=Diymag|archive-date=March 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310085645/https://diymag.com/2021/03/08/miley-cyrus-angels-like-you|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|last=Shaffer|first=Claire|date=March 8, 2021|title=Miley Cyrus Sings for Vaccinated Healthcare Workers in 'Angels Like You' Clip|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-angels-like-you-video-1138282/|access-date=April 3, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|archive-date=April 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403163758/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-angels-like-you-video-1138282/|url-status=live}} |
| Italian Allstars 4 Life
|"{{Ill|Ma il cielo è sempre blu|it}}" |Italian all-star cover version of Rino Gaetano's 1975 hit. Released in aid of Italian Red Cross. Features over 50 artists including Eros Ramazzotti, Nek and Diodato. |
| Jöran Steinhauer
|"{{Lang|it|Vi vogliamo bene|italic=no}}" | | |
| Elisa and Tommaso Paradiso
|"{{Lang|it|Andrà tutto bene|italic=no}}" |Title inspired by the slogan used by Italian people during quarantine. | |
| Avril Lavigne
| | {{cite magazine|url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9363060/avril-lavigne-re-recorded-warrior-covid-19|title=Avril Lavigne Re-Recorded 'Warrior' to Honor 'Heroic' Workers Amid Coronavirus Pandemic|magazine=Billboard|date=April 21, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020}} |
| Lady Leshurr
|"Quarantine Speech" | |
| JJ Lin and Stefanie Sun
|"Stay with You" |Song by two of Singapore's best-known singers in tribute to medical staff in Wuhan, China. |
| Oh Land
| | {{cite web|url=https://www.seoghoer.dk/kendte/oh-land-udgiver-coronasang|title=Oh Land udgiver coronasang|work=Se og Hør|date=March 23, 2020|access-date=June 25, 2023}} |
| Katherine McNamara
|"Just Like James" |Lyrics refer to the character James Bond. As part of a donation by WHO for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. | {{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodlife.com/2020/04/08/kat-mcnamara-just-like-james-new-music-listen/amp/|title=Kat McNamara Releases The Best Virtual Dance Party Song For A Good Cause: Listen to 'Just Like James'|work=Hollywood Life|last=Stagnitta|first=Ali|date=April 8, 2020|access-date=October 21, 2021}} |
| Live Lounge Allstars
|Cover of Foo Fighters song by charity supergroup organised by BBC Radio 1. Originally shown as part of The Big Night In telethon. Reached number one in the UK. |
| BBC Radio 2 Allstars
|Cover of Oasis song by charity supergroup organised by BBC Radio 2. Originally shown as part of Children in Need telethon. Reached number seven in the UK. | {{Cite web|date=2020-11-10|title=BBC Radio 2's Allstars including Cher, Kylie and Robbie Williams to release Stop Crying Your Heart Out cover for BBC Children in Need|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/bbc-radio-2s-allstars-including-cher-kylie-and-robbie-williams-to-release-stop-crying-your-heart-out-cover-for-bbc-children-in-need__31577/|access-date=2020-11-10|publisher=Official Charts Company|language=en}} |
| Matt Lucas
|"Thank You Baked Potato" |Reworked version of his "Baked Potato Song" from Shooting Stars. In aid of the Feed NHS campaign. |
| Mister Cumbia
|"{{Lang|es|La Cumbia del Coronavirus|italic=no}}" | |
| New Kids on the Block
|"House Party" |Featuring Boyz II Men, Big Freedia, Naughty by Nature and Jordin Sparks. |
| NIOEH, {{ill|Khắc Hưng|vi}}, Min and Erik
|"Ghen Cô Vy" |Song doubling as a public service announcement, issued by Vietnam's National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health to encourage COVID-19 hygiene measures. An English-language version was also released. |
| OneRepublic
|"Better Days" |Released in aid of MusiCares Foundation's COVID-19 Relief Fund. |
| Piso 21
|"Tomar distancia" |Title is Spanish for "Keep your distance". |
| Pitbull
|"I Believe That We Will Win (World Anthem)" |Released in aid of various charities around the world according to the music video. |
| Psychs
|"Spreadin' (Coronavirus)" | |
| Queen and Adam Lambert
|Revised version, released in aid of COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. |
| A. R. Rahman and Prasoon Joshi
|Single released by Indian composer Rahman, lyricist Joshi and other Indian performers in aid of PM CARES Fund. |
| Selena Gomez
|"Dance Again" |As part of a donation by MusiCares for the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. |
| Jaden Smith
|"Cabin Fever" | | {{cite magazine|title=Jaden Smith Contemplates Quarantine Love on 'Cabin Fever'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jaden-smith-cabin-fever-1033156/|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=October 16, 2020}} |
| Reignwolf
|"Cabin Fever" | |
| Residente
|"Antes que el mundo se acabe" | |
| Resistiré 2020
|"Resistiré" |All-star Spanish cover version of Dúo Dinámico's 1988 hit. Song became anthem during Spain's lockdown, popularly sung by citizens to encourage Spanish health system. Performers include David Bisbal, Melendi, Álex Ubago and Álvaro Soler. |
| Resistiré México
|"Resistiré" |All-star Mexican cover version of Dúo Dinámico's 1988 hit. Performers include Belinda, Cristian Castro and Gloria Trevi. |
| Taylor Swift
|"Epiphany" |From her album Folklore (2020), recorded during the COVID-19 lockdowns | {{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53518044|title=Taylor Swift's new Folklore album sees the singer go indie|last=Savage|first=Mark|website=BBC News|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020}} |
| Stunna 4 Vegas
|"Covid-19" |From his album Welcome to 4 Vegas (2020) |
| Thomas Rhett
|"Be a Light" |Features Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott and Chris Tomlin. In aid of MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. |
| The Rolling Stones
|Mick Jagger fast-tracked the release of the song due to its relevance to social distancing and changed some lyrics to refer to the pandemic. |
| Molly Sandén, Victor Leksell and Joakim Berg
|"Sverige" |Cover version of 2002 song by Berg's band Kent. Released in aid of Sweden's Radiohjälpen's (Radio Aid) campaign for coronavirus. |
| Adam Sandler
|"The Quarantine Song" |Film actor Sandler debuted the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on April 2, 2020. |
| Cast of Pitch Perfect
| "Love On Top" | Cast members of the film franchise Pitch Perfect, performed a rendition of the Beyoncé song. Recorded in isolation as part of the charity for Unicef, from the COVID-19 pandemic and the explosion of Beirut. | {{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/pitch-perfect-reunion-unicef/|title=Pitch Perfect's Barden Bellas reunite to sing Beyoncé and raise money for Unicef|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Kinane|first=Ruth|date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 18, 2020}} |
| Clairo
|"Just for Today" | |
| Tix
|"Karantene" |Lyrics refer to the COVID-19 lockdowns and quarantine measures. The song topped the Norwegian singles chart in April 2020. |
| Till Lindemann and David Garrett
|"Alle Tage ist kein Sonntag" | |
| Avenue Beat
| "F2020" | Lyrics refer to the events of 2020, including the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| Twenty One Pilots
|Lyrics refer to quarantine and concern about the virus. In aid of Live Nation's Crew Nation charity. |
| Tyga x Curtis Roach
|"Bored in the House" | |
| Chris Webby
|"Quarantine (Freeverse)" | |
| Weezer
|"Hero" |Lyrics pay tribute to "the stay at home dreamers, the Zoom graduators, the sourdough bakers and the essential workers". |
| Yofrangel
|"Corona Virus" |Released on February 9, 2020, Dominican singer Yofrangel's viral hit was one of the earliest songs on the subject. |
| Ladilla Rusa
|"A un metro y medio de ti" |The track, a techno-rumba anthem in a world starring COVID-19, is about an impossible love in a supermarket queue. Although they didn't want to write anything related to the pandemic, this makinero drama stems from an anecdote in which they had to separate a metre and a half to smoke on the terrace of a bar. |
| Coheed and Cambria
|"Comatose" |Several songs on their album Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind were inspired by the quarantines and lockdowns experienced during the pandemic. |
| Lea Salonga
|"Dream Again" |Released on August 21, 2020, the single is "an anthem for resilience and hope and a reminder for all of us that dreamed once before that it’s time to dream again." The music video for the song features fans holding up signs of things they dream of doing again. Profits from the single were donated to charities supporting COVID-19 relief around the world, including The Actor's Fund. |
| Ben Rector
| With the lack of business responsibilities amidst the pandemic following the cancellation of his tour, Rector focused all of his attention on his creative works. He would rewrite most of his upcoming album The Joy of Music. In addition he found time to write a Christmas album, a project he had always wanted to do. The pandemic would influence the lyrics of one of the songs' tracks, "The Thanksgiving Song", with the line, "we’ve made it through / I do believe / the longest year in history." |{{Cite web |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/columns/brandy-mcdonnell/2020/11/06/tulsa-native-ben-rector-stirs-up-original-ode-to-turkey-day-for-his-first-christmas-album/307646007/ |title=Tulsa native Ben Rector stirs up original ode to Turkey Day for his first Christmas album |date=2020-11-06 |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=The Oklahoman |last=McDonnell |first=Brandy |archive-date=2023-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528220204/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/columns/brandy-mcdonnell/2020/11/06/tulsa-native-ben-rector-stirs-up-original-ode-to-turkey-day-for-his-first-christmas-album/307646007/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://myfox28columbus.com/good-day-columbus/ben-rector-holiday-2020-album |title=Ben Rector shares inspiration for new Christmas music on Good Day Columbus |date=2020-11-17 |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Fox 28 |last=White |first=Chris |archive-date=2020-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117183034/https://myfox28columbus.com/good-day-columbus/ben-rector-holiday-2020-album |url-status=live }} |
| Billy Pilgrim
|In the Time Machine | From cleaning out his house during the pandemic, country singer Kristian Bush discovered a copy of an unreleased album from his old band Billy Pilgrim, In the Time Machine. They had assumed all 500 copies of the album were sold after the master tapes of the recordings burned in a studio fire in 2000. He reformed Billy Pilgrim with Andrew Hyra to re-release the album. |{{Cite web |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/music/watch-kristian-bush-reunite-with-billy-pilgrim-partner-andrew-hyra-eddie-attic/eFjHUCeCAbtiXUOKxQZUUJ/ |title=Watch Kristian Bush reunite with Billy Pilgrim partner Andrew Hyra at Eddie's Attic |date=2016-11-28 |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |last=Ruggieri |first=Melissa}} |
| Ana Leira Carnero
|"[https://imslp.org/wiki/Special:ReverseLookup/634578 Funeral Music for Pandemic's Fallen Heroes]" |A work composed with heartfelt emotion during this pandemic that is ravaging humanity... A musical tribute to those who gave their lives to care for the health of patients. The composer chose the tonal writing, in minor mode, and with an elegiac tone, as the most appropriate to carry out the tribute. The piece is in sonata form, with a first theme that expresses the pain of human losses, a second theme that evokes the heroism of those who fell in the exercise of their profession, and at the end it represents a heroic fight, no longer to care for others but to save one's own life, until the last notes bring death. Musically, it can be found references to funeral marches by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Chopin and Alkan, as well as allusions to funeral drums. |{{Cite web |url=https://radiocut.fm/audiocut/funeral-music-for-pandemic-s-fallen-heroes-en-radio-nacional-clasica-fm-96-7-argentina/ |title=Desde Aquí (Argentine radio show) |date=2020-08-22 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Radio Nacional Clásica (in Spanish) |last=Zalcman |first=Guillermo}} |