Cobie Smulders sings social distance 'Let's Go to the Mall' parody

Let's all stay at home!
By Anna Iovine  on 

The coronavirus pandemic has many of us nostalgic for a simpler time — maybe when we were teenagers and/or watching our favorite early oughts sitcoms.

Actress Cobie Smulders seems to be feeling that itch, and sensed we are too. The former How I Met Your Mother actress decided to recreate her character Robin Scherbatsky's hit song from the series, "Let's Go to The Mall."

For those who need a refresher, "Let's Go to The Mall" was released during Robin's short career as a pop star (under the name Robin Sparkles) in her homeland of Canada. While it has all the flair of an '80s banger — jelly bracelets, worshipping the mall — it was released in the '90s because apparently that's when '80s culture reached Canada.

Now, in 2020, long after Robin Sparkles' career ended and How I Met Your Mother ran its course, Smulders reworked the song to fit our current times. She had help from showrunners Craig Thomas and Carter Bays, who rewrote the lyrics, and composer Brian Kim who produced many of the show's songs. The new version, which Smulders performed on IGTV, is aptly called, "Let's All Stay At Home":

View this post on Instagram

While this version is sadder than the original ("I haven't done my homework yet" is replaced by "I have to go to Zoom school soon", and "I'm gonna rock your body 'til Canada Day" is now "I'm gonna isolate 'til Canada Day") Smulders said it was a wonderful journey down memory lane, and I have to agree.

"I hope it takes your mind off some things," Smulders wrote on Instagram. "It certainly did for me!"

Topics COVID-19

anna iovine, a white woman with curly chin-length brown hair, smiles at the camera
Anna Iovine
Associate Editor, Features

Anna Iovine is associate editor of features at Mashable. Previously, as the sex and relationships reporter, she covered topics ranging from dating apps to pelvic pain. Before Mashable, Anna was a social editor at VICE and freelanced for publications such as Slate and the Columbia Journalism Review. Follow her on X @annaroseiovine.


Recommended For You

LinkedIn is testing a TikTok-like video feed
The LinkedIn app and logo is seen on a digital device.


Twitch streamer Ninja shares cancer diagnosis
A man sits in front of a computer wearing a headset. On the right is a screenshot of an X post.


Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 28
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 28
a phone displaying Wordle

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for March 28
Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues


The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!