With the COVID-19 pandemic keeping many areas of life on hold globally, hand washing is more important than ever. Some health organisations have suggested singing Happy Birthday twice as a way to time 20 seconds. The only problem there is that Happy Birthday is an absolute dirge. So here’s our pick of 20 songs to wash your hands to for 20 seconds that you’ll actually want to keep singing.
From the top
The chorus to We are Never Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift
It’s time to accept that you and coronavirus aren’t right for each other.
The intro to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cindi Lauper
When the working day is done, you should probably wash your hands.
The chorus to No Scrubs by TLC
In this one circumstance, a good scrub is exactly what we want.
The chorus to Kiss from a Rose by Seal
Did you know that when it snows, people shut themselves indoors, where diseases are easier to pick up?
The chorus to I’ll Make a Man Out of You from Disney’s Mulan
Get down to business and defeat preventable illness.
The chorus to Kiss by Prince
We just want your extra time. At the sink. Washing your hands.
The chorus to Starman by David Bowie
He’d like to come and meet us, but he’s in self isolation.
The chorus to Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
Your hands are the islands. Get it?
The chorus to I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues by Elton John
Time washing hands could be time spent with you.
The intro to I Want You Back by The Jackson 5
Let me show you girl, how long to wash your hands for.
Halfway there!
The chorus to Get Lucky by Daft Punk
Let’s raise the bar. Of Soap. To Our Hands (proud of that one).
The intro to Life by Des’ree
She may be afraid of the dark, but she ain’t afraid of COVID-19.
The chorus to Take on Me by A-ha
Best saved for public toilets—commit to those high notes.
The chorus to Africa by Toto
Gonna take some time to wash these nasty digits.
The early 90s Simpsons theme
Up to the precise moment when the steam whistle goes off in the nuclear power plant. You’ll know when.
The chorus to Hips Don’t Lie by Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean
So be wise, and keep on washing your hands.
The chorus to Roar by Katy Perry
Additional oh-oh-ohs while drying off are encouraged.
The chorus to Disco 2000 by Pulp
Remember when we were all scared of the Millennium Bug? Simpler times …
The chorus to Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
Because viral infections come and go. They come and go.
The chorus to I’ll Make Love to You by Boys II Men
Lather right, baby all through the night.
