Hand Washing with Janis Joplin in a Mercedes-Benz and a TV during a Night On The Town

The commonly discussed hand washing process suggests singing the song “Happy Birthday” twice to gauge the 20 second mark.  I am not sure about you…though I was getting tired of singing about a “happy” birthday during a pandemic.

       I have been looking for alternative songs to sing which will delineate 20 seconds of hand washing.  There is the well-known chorus of the song “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen which seems somehow appropriate.  Another possibility is the classic words of “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones which likewise fits the mood. 

       However, my current favorite lyrics to help make it through 20 seconds of hand scrubbing is vintage tune “Oh Lord, Won’t You Buy Me A Mercedes- Benz” from Janis Joplin.  If you sing the tune at Janis’ slow tempo, then one verse times out at 20 seconds.  I often sing the lyrics a bit up tempo which means adding one other verse about “..buy me a night on the town…” or about “…buy me a color TV…”  The Mercedes-Benz lyrics help put the current health crisis into perspective.