Material Girl | My 2020 playlist for a year like no other

Dancing was off the table and live music was only found on Facebook.

On the flipside, we appreciated our musicians and artists like never before.

Here's my playlist for 2020:

Times Like These (One By One)

When Dave Grohl penned Times Like These for the Foo Fighters' fourth album One by One (with bandmates Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett also on the writing credits), he was way ahead of the game. The track was released on January 14, 2003, but it's been a staple of the Foos' setlist for almost two decades and never fails to deliver the big feels in the audience. Turns out it was the perfect anthem for living through a global pandemic. Just as we had to pivot, adapt and think bigger, better and kinder, Grohl was all over it: It's times like these you learn to live again. Watch Florence + The Machine's stunning cover of the timeless tune at Glastonbury Festival in 2015.

Dreams (Rumours)

Remember when the Idaho dad took a bottle of Cranberry juice on a wild, skateboard ride while lip-syncing Fleetwood Mac's classic Dreams? The viral video on TikTok introduced the song to a whole new audience. The 22-second video sparked countless spin-offs this year including one by none other than Mick Fleetwood himself. For his trouble, the 37-year-old daggy dad, who was introduced to TikTok by his daughter, was gifted a new truck by the Cranberry juice company. Food for thought there!

Edge of Seventeen (Bella Donna)

Just as the Idaho dad sent Dreams back up the music charts, The Crown season 4 raised the profile of Stevie Nicks' classic Edge of Seventeen. Edge of Seventeen is among many '80s jams in the latest season of The Crown, especially in the moments featuring Diana. Call Me by Blondie plays as she answers the phone; Girls on Film by Duran Duran while she skates through Buckingham Palace; and Elton John's wistful Song for Guy when she's dancing alone. The 80s are back, big-time!

Heart of Glass (Parallel Lines)

Miley Cyrus tried to make Heart of Glass her own this year but Blondie's 1978 version is the original and best. Even the teenager and tween living under our roof agree.

Blow Up The Pokies (Love This City)

Whatever your politics, The Whitlams have always had a knack for sound storytelling and authentic song-writing. When frontman Tim Freedman brought his solo show to Albury after the longest pause in live music acts worldwide, we were grateful for the banter and he, the pinot grigio. Comparing SS&A Albury's seated, socially-distanced setup to the Weimar Republic, Freedman delivered one of the live music highlights on the Border this year.

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To Be So Lonely (Fine Line)

Assuming everyone's had Harry Styles' Fine Line on high rotation for road trips this year, To Be So Lonely is my pick for a pandemic. Packed with catchy pop songs, Fine Line is easy listening to boot. Need further proof? Styles was named Best International Artist for Fine Line in the ARIA Awards 2020. He also has an enviable wardrobe!

Advance Australia Fair sang in First Nations language

In a historic moment, the Wallabies sang the Australian anthem partly in indigenous language before their Tri-Nations draw with Argentina earlier this month. Australian singer Olivia Fox led the rendition in the language of the Eora Nation - the Aboriginal coastal clans from around Sydney. The spine-tingling version was hopefully a sign of things to come.

Dance Monkey (The Kids Are Coming)

In a year when dancing was largely banned, we had this fun tune from Tones and I to fall back on.

Sunshine (Catnip Kaiser)

This catchy track from Border punk pop outfit, Catnip Kaiser, is all you need on a cloudy day.

Highway To Hell (Highway To Hell)

Dedicated to those who made border crossings this year.

And the last words for 2020 go to Grohl:

It's times like these you learn to live again

It's times like these you give and give again

It's times like these you learn to love again

It's times like these time and time again.