Pandemic songs that give us hope, from OneRepublic's 'Better Days' to Bon Jovi's 'Do What You Can'

Let's be honest: The current coronavirus pandemic has us all in a bit of a funk.

Life right now is anything but routine. We're stuck at home, without big concerts, unable to travel or do many of the other things that make us happy.

Many musicians are trying to help, collectively churning out dozens of songs to make us hopeful – even if it's just for a moment or two. Some, such as Luke Comb's “Six Feet Apart” and Bono's “Let Your Love Be Known” are new tunes written during quarantine. Others are remixing old songs that take on new meaning now. Gloria Estefan's “Put Your Mask On!” is the pandemic-era version of her 1989 single “Get On Your Feet” while Todrick Hall reworked his song “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels" into “Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs”.

Even the VMAs added a pair of pandemic-related categories to its 2020 awards: Best music video from home and best quarantine performance.

We sifted through the trove of songs and picked five that really warmed our hearts and helped reassure us we really will get through this:

Pitbull's 'I Believe That We Will Win'

Why we like it: Mr. Worldwide brings great energy to this super catchy tune.

Released in May, "I Believe That We Will Win" gives us inspiration to overcome obstacles and is one of several ways Pitbull is helping people during the pandemic. He also teamed with the Global Entrepreneurship Network to provide loans to struggling Latino-owned small businesses.

"I relate to what a pandemic is like," Pitbull told USA TODAY in July. "Growing up in the '80s in Miami, it was coke, crack cocaine or AIDS. It builds all the character."

Sample lyrics: "You know what spreads faster than any virus ... Is fear // When it comes to fear you can either forget everything and run // I said I (I) // Or you can face everything and rise // I believe (I believe) // And let me tell you what I believe // I believe that (I believe that) // I believe we gonna face everything and rise // I believe that we will win (I believe that we will win)."

Bon Jovi's 'Do What You Can'

Why we like it: The New Jersey singer urges folks to volunteer and help as they can.

Released in April, Bon Jovi first performed "Do What You Can" at the Jersey4Jersey fundraiser, a special where Bruce Springsteen, Halsey, Tony Bennett, Whoopi Goldberg and Chris Rock also appeared (and raised almost $6 million for the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund).

“I am a witness to history,” Jon Bon Jovi said. “I believe the greatest gift of an artist is the ability to use their voice to speak to issues that move us.”

Sample lyrics: "It's your turn to rise // Occasion will call you out tonight // You're not just somebody I met along the way // I'll keep coming through for you // Do what you can // Be what you need // Be what you like."

OneRepublic's 'Better Days'

Why we like it: A good reminder that things will get better ... once a vaccine is developed.

Released in April, "Better Days" will be featured on OneRepublic's upcoming "Human" album. The video features fan-submitted clips of life in quarantine around the world and is a goosebumps-raising reminder of human resilience. The band is encouraging fans to donate to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund after listening to the track. So far, more than $7 million has been raised.

Sample lyrics: "Oh, I know that there'll be better days // Oh, that sunshine 'bout to come my way // May we never ever shed another tear for today // 'Cause oh, I know that there'll be better days."

Kelly Clarkson's 'I Dare You'

Why we like it: It's Kelly Clarkson. What's not to like?

"I Dare You" dropped in April and was recorded in six different languages.

“This is my favorite/hardest project that I’ve ever worked on” Clarkson said of the song. “It has always been a dream of mine, as I grew up singing in different languages, to find that perfect song, with the perfect message, to connect us all globally and then record that song with several other artists around the world in their native languages."

Staying Apart, Together: A newsletter about how to cope with the coronavirus pandemic

Sample lyrics: "You may not have a stage, but you still have a voice // You may not have the strength but if you have a choice, I dare you to love // Oh ... I dare you to love // Even if you're hurt and you can only see the worst // Even if you think it's not enough // Oh ... I dare you to love."

Drive-by Truckers' 'Quarantine Together'

Why we like it: We like the idea of someone, somewhere finding love during this pandemic.

Released in late April, proceeds from Drive-by Truckers song will support the group's crew members who are out of work because of the pandemic.

“Y’all, through the miracles of science and technology, DBT has recorded a brand new single," co-founder Patterson Hood wrote on the band's website. "I wrote 'Quarantine Together' during our first week in isolation and sent my basic track (recorded in my Heathen Attic) to the gang."

Sample lyrics: "You got a smart looking face // I hope you don't take that the wrong way // But I saw you walking across the street // And want to hear what you say // And if we find ourself later on // Hanging out and getting along // We might as well quarantine together // As be miserable all alone // We might as well quarantine together // As be miserable alone."

Follow Gary Dinges on Twitter @gdinges

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Most uplifting pandemic songs: Bon Jovi, Pitbull, OneRepublic and more