Whether it's sending a DM, hitting your friends up on Zoom or texting your parents, right now virtual communication is more prevalent than ever. So listening to songs about hedonistic nights out at the club feel painful, like distant memories from a lifetime ago. 

There's no better time to indulge in a playlist of 2000s songs about emailing odes to a lover or melt into 2020 meditations on how scrolling the timeline has never been more exhausting. As we enter day #? of self-isolation, it only seems fitting to put together the best songs about virtual communication, internet friends, and kissing your crush through the phone. 

Soulja Boy - Kiss Me Thru The Phone

While Kiss Me Thru The Phone was released in 2008, its message is timeless. Soulja Boy hasn't gotten all too much right since then, but we'll never stop singing his praises for this classic. So if you're missing a crush, lover, partner or something more but want to abide by social distancing mandates, take Soulja Boy's advice - for once - and kiss them through the (sanitised) phone. 

Responsible lyrics: "Baby you know that I miss you / I wanna get with you tonight but I cannot baby girl / And that's the issue, girl you know I miss you / I just wanna kiss you / But I can't right now / So baby kiss me thru the phone (kiss me thru the phone) / I'll see you later on / Kiss me thru the phone."

Lloyd - Caramel (Remix) feat. City Girls

Being stuck in the house is making a real difference to the healthcare system and those with compromised immune systems. Even though it's boring, stressful, and tiresome even the City Girls have a blueprint for people struggling with monogamy. What can't Yung Miami and JT not do? 

Responsible lyrics: "I see you likin' all my pictures on the ’gram ('Gram) / But no emojis 'cause you know I got a man (I got a man) / Drop your number in my DM when you can (When you can) / I promise I’ma hit you when I get a chance." 

Dua Lipa - Break My Heart

In addition to this being a perfect album, Dua Lipa also has some choice yet foreboding love advice. If you're itching to break the rules and get out to meet the love of your life, take her advice and stay at home. 

Irresponsible lyrics: "I would've stayed at home, 'cause I was doin' better alone/ But when you said, "Hello", I knew that was the end of it all."

Yo Gotti - Down In The DM

Though, if you're feeling like making a risky move or two, why not take it to a place Yo Gotti swears is the place to be?

Responsible lyrics: "It go down in the DM / I tell her / Snapchat me that pussy, mood / Or FaceTime me that pussy if it's cool / Boy, my DM poppin' / My DM just caught a body / If you screenshottin', you the police / 10 likes, you want OD / Follow shawty then unfollow / Then follow back, that's so me."

Gucci Mane - Love Thru The Computer feat. Justin Bieber

Gucci was ahead of his time - by one year - with this song. An ode to online dating, Skyping your girlfriend and enjoying her on-screen glow really hits different in 2020. 

Responsible lyrics: "But drop it low like you be doin' on that computer / You want a loan, get your love, I want computer love / So drop it low and back it back like a computer does."

Rihanna - We Found Love feat. Calvin Harris

Now is a great time to nurture those relationships that got left by the wayside because of busy schedules. And Rihanna has just the song for the new best friends and lovers brought together during a literal pandemic. 

Timely lyrics: "We found love in a hopeless place / We found love in a hopeless place / We found love in a hopeless place / We found love in a hopeless place."

PRINCI - Internet Friend

For many, those Tinder swipes and Instagram likes are just something to keep them sane while passing the time. You're not alone, because Sydney rapper PRINCI has the perfect ode to internet flirtations that never turn into IRL flings. 

Responsible lyrics: "You’re just my internet friend / Just the hot new trend / Something to do with the nights so chilly / Don’t get sticky cos the phase'll pass quickly."

Poppy - Don't Go Outside

Now back to the worldwide pandemic. Poppy, our favourite bubblegum pop star and robot has a very clear message: "Don't go outside." It's a dystopian lullaby that will work effectively as a message to anyone you know itching to engage in any non-essential activities. 

Responsible lyrics: "Now is not the time to go outside/ Crawl back into bed and close your eyes / Now is not the time to go outside / Lock the doors and find a place to hide... Everything will be okay."

Britney Spears - E-Mail My Heart

Though, for the most part, many of us just want to ignore the eerily dystopian world we're living with by remembering a more innocent time where we could go out to the club, sneeze freely and watch Britney Spears figure out email in real-time.

Responsible lyrics: "E-mail my heart / And say our love will never die / I know you're out there / And I know that you still care / E-mail me back and say our love will stay alive / Forever e-mail my heart."

Drake - Hotline Bling

It's been five years since Drake dropped his dancehall-tinged pop hit, Hotline Bling. Even though it lives on in memes it's been a minute since some of us circled back and enjoyed the rapper's biggest hit. But all in all there's an important message behind the glossy steel drums: if you're feeling lonely, light up someone's phone because they're probably waiting to hear from you.

Responsible lyrics: "You used to call me on my cell phone / Late night when you need my love / Call me on my cell phone / Late night when you need my love / And I know when that hotline bling / That can only mean one thing / I know when that hotline bling / That can only mean one thing."

Kelis - Bless The Telephone

The internet has allowed so many of us to keep working, connected, and stimulated despite being forced to stay home. Yet, we tend to forget to praise older technologies, like the telephone, for sustaining our friendships when our WiFi signal gives out. One person who hasn't forgotten is Kelis. 

Responsible lyrics: "It's nice to hear you say, "Hello," / And, "How are things with you? / I love you." / But very soon it's time to go / An office job to do / While I'm here writing songs for you / Strange how a phone call can change your day / Take you away / Away from the feeling of being alone / Bless the telephone."

Ari Lennox - FaceTime

FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, and IG live have become universal additions to everyone's new normal. But for some - like Ari Lennox - FaceTime has always facilitated a healthy part of relationships when you can't be close to the one you want.

Responsible lyrics: "Gon' back that shit up on me / Back up all that shit you talkin' / FaceTimin' my baby tonight, oh / Bet you wanna cop a feel / Bet you wonder if it's real / FaceTimin' my baby tonight / And when you comin' home / I'm gon' give you all of my love"

ELIO - My Friends Online

This song is a perfect summation of how we feel as we endlessly scroll our timelines, learning more about the strangers and acquaintances who fill our feeds while feeling increasingly alone. 

Responsible lyrics: "My social life is blinding / Feels like I never get the call / One post for the right timing I swear I've seen her face before / I'm socially exhausted / But haven't looked up from my phone / I swear, I think I'm dying / Here's hoping I don't die alone"