Not perhaps the best-remembered single from this album (the title track is that), and this album is not as good as Songs From the Big Chair, either, but it still has its moments. This gentle, summery song is definitely one of them, a tender song that deals with the premise of love and growing old together. It made me think, too, about the vast expanses of life that you still seem to have when you are young and in love. Did I listen to the advice I received (whether I wanted it or needed it)? Probably not. Did I think I had all the time in the world? Absolutely. But I – and you, the reader – no doubt found ways to make things work, and when you find your true love, you will. Life never works out as you plan it, as we’re finding out right now. But my wife and I, I’d like to think we have a bond strong enough that we can grow older together, still love each other, and still ensure that we enjoy the time together that we have.

There was much sadness among my friends when the announcement of Daniel Johnston’s death was made last year. I must confess that this was an artist who while I was aware of, I’d never sat down and tried to listen to, and this song suggests that maybe I’d made a grave mistake in not doing so. A wonderfully ramshackle, low-fi song that is vastly greater in heart than it is in recording quality, it feels like a rousing, warm-natured pick-me-up, advising the listener to not let their grievances and bad memories get in the way of true friendship and love. Reading the lyrics before I listened, I was afraid this would be trite. It’s anything but, and watching his frailty in the live video on the playlist above is heartbreaking.

Much of LOCKS’s output deals with shadowy threats and monsters (and death) – both real and imagined. But none come with advice like the deceptively jaunty roll of In The City. A tale of heading down to the waterside to meet her sun-kissed friend, who has dramatic, mysterious advice for her. The only advice she provides is to “not go into the city”, and we’re told later that it’s likely to involve a horrible death. Quite what her friend actually is – a killer, a monster, a fantasist- who knows… but right now, we need to stay out of the city, as most of us are doing.

Here’s one way to clear your ears and mind, as well as offering useful hygiene advice in these strange times. Nathan Nothing, here to blast you with scorching electronic noise, while dressed in surgical scrubs and telling us to keep clean. Yep, some of the same advice well over a decade before COVID-19 advice, which broadly boils down to “clean yourself”, “clean everything” – as well as keep your distance from others. Needless to say, this being industrial noise – and quite unpleasant frequencies and sounds at points – means that this might not be for everyone. I suspect Nathan likes it that way.

They might be better known these days as 2manyDJs, but I still adore what the Dewaele brothers do under the Soulwax name, particularly this second album under the name, which refashioned the usual indie-rock sound to include sampling, electronics and grooves – not to mention a sense of humour and self-awareness that made it a hugely enjoyable listen from start to finish. The title song thrashes about with a wave of distinct anger that they are going ahead with their plans regardless, despite what everyone else seems to be telling them. It is almost a metaphor for their entire career – one that perhaps contrary to what many might have expected, has had a very long shelf-life indeed.

Talking of bands with a surprisingly long shelf life, here’s Swedish band The Hives, whose brilliantly smart and funny live show – along with a number of snappy, memorable singles in particular – has helped sustain them for two decades. And too right, too. The seeds for that long career were planted by this spectacular, knowing single (with a cleverly retro-styled video to match), where Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist tells us straight – he ain’t listening to our advice, as he’s going to be a star and better than you, and boy, that worked out well, didn’t it? The album sold the best part of 750,000 worldwide, and this song another 200,000 in the UK alone. Sometimes, ignoring the advice of others is good.

Right now, here’s my advice, then. Keep listening to instructions around lockdown. We need to stay home, stay safe, for a few weeks longer. I don’t want mine or your friends and loved ones ill or dying, frankly.