'You're Not Alone for China': The First Song in Times of COVID-19 to Keep the Faith in a World Crying in Silence

Abstract

Collective mourning is an expression of societal maturity, cohesion, and respect. The world is in grief, but in early January 2020, before nobody could even imagine that SARS-CoV-2 would turn into the COVID-19 pandemic, a music video version of a pop ballad about love and isolation was spread across a Chinese social network. The song 'You Are Not Alone' was adapted as a cover by young foreigners living in China to express their support to bereaved families and frontline workers and encourage the people of China, their second home. At that time, the rest of the world looked to distant China but could hardly expect to face the same adversity months later. The authors reported that the music video was a spontaneous artistic expression copying such traumatic events and the mourning process. The present work analyses how the music was blended with lyrics and images describing the outbreak in Wuhan to reach their goal. The original song and this shortened version for China were compared regarding musical and lyric structures and main characteristics. Additionally, an analysis of the two videos was done regarding cinemetric variables and non-verbal communication that emphasized the power of songs to express deep sorrow and sympathy but also to give hope. Psychological first aid, the five stages of the mourning process by Kübler-Ross, the dual-process model by Stroebe and Schut, and Taylor's tend-to-befriend provided a better understanding of the translation from interpersonal to societal mourning. Finally, other memorable songs that society spontaneously chose to be performed alone or together to cope with sudden and dramatic situations, mitigate physical distancing, and alleviate human suffering are discussed. Music, lyrics, and artistic performance are playing a key role in building social and emotional ties during this pandemic, hampering individual and social pain and sorrow despite cultural barriers.

Keywords: COVID-19; bereavement; collective mourning; grief; group music therapy; resilient interventions; socio-ecologic model; songwriting analysis.

Figure 1

‘You Are Not Alone China in social media, COVID-19 timelines, and world map. ‘You Are Not Alone For China’ in Shenzhen Daily official WeChat account, and the timeline of the version as recorded when it reached open-access international accounts (A), COVID-19 spread timeline with grey color indicating the period corresponding to the appearance of the cover version (B), and COVID-19 spread world map timeline from its beginning to the worldwide dissemination (C).

Figure 2

The musical structure of the cover version is compared to the original song. Rhyme scheme (top) of the cover version and video/audio length and composition of the cover (middle) and the original song (bottom). See also Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5.

Figure 3

Musical structure and frame analysis of the music video ‘You Are Not Alone’ by Michael Jackson.

Figure 4

Musical structure and frame analysis of the music video of the cover ‘You Are Not Alone For China’ by young singers and musicians during the COVID-19 outbreak in China, in the parts in common with the original song.

Figure 5

Musical structure and frame analysis of the music video of the cover ‘You Are Not Alone For China’ by young singers and musicians during the COVID-19 outbreak in China, in the extended parts.

Figure 6

Frame analysis (A) and Field size shots comparison (B) between the original and the cover song.