Earth Day songs aren’t quite as easy to find as other holiday songs, but if you are looking to put together an Earth Day playlist, take a look at my choice for top ten songs for Earth Day. Be sure to read all ten Earth Day songs!
10. “Celebrate Earth Day Every Day” by John Denver
As one of the only actual Earth Day songs not geared exclusively for first graders, John Denver’s tribute to Earth Day and encouragement to keep Earth Day sentiment going year round makes this the perfect introduction to a list of Earth Day songs.
9. “Return to Innocence” by Enya
Though not an Earth Day song, per se, Enya’s “Return to Innocence” fits nicely in an Earth Day playlist because of its soft new agey sound and heartfelt Native American chanting. If you interpret “innocence” as “natural,” Enya is encouraging us to go back to nature, one of the messages of Earth Day.
8. “Calypso” by John Denver
Many of John Denver’s songs have a nature theme that make them appropriate for your Earth Day playlist. I chose Calypso because of its upbeat tempo and tribute to the beautiful ocean. If the ocean isn’t your favorite part of the earth, John Denver has songs about mountains, rivers and animals too.
7. “Don’t Kill the Whale” by Yes
Though better known for their progressive, symphonic rock sound than for their political activism, the English band Yes did create an anthem for cetacean conservation with their 1978 single “Don’t Kill the Whale.” This is still an important environmental topic, and a perfect Earth Day song.
6. “Kyoto Now!” by Bad Religion
While most of the songs on this list of Earth Day songs would be classified as either Soft Rock or Folk Rock, this Bad Religion song is a punk rock protest song that warns listeners of the damage human beings are exacting on the earth. An Earth Day song to raise your heartbeat and incite your activism.
5. “Go Green World Remix” by Artists for Greenpeace
There are five different versions of this song, so if you don’t like this one for your Earth Day playlist, try one of the others. Artists for Greenpeace is comprised of amazing artists such as Imogen Heap, Sarah McLachlan, Bonnie Raitt and Natalie Imbruglia, all banding together for a common cause. This song is sponsored by Greenpeace, which becomes rather obvious in the chorus.
4. “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson
This is an uplifting Earth Day song that sends messages like “heal the world, make it better place,” and “the world we once believed in will shine again in grace.” Jackson can still inspire hope in people’s hearts, and this song should be part of any Earth Day playlist.
3. “The 3 R’s” by Jack Johnson
It’s hard to find a more appropriate Earth Day song than this catchy tune by Jack Johnson that encourages us to “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” and even offers some practical advise on how to go about it. This song is a must have for your Earth Day playlist.
2. “Beds Are Burning” by Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil is an Australian band known for their poignant political and environmental lyrics. “Beds Are Burning” is one of their best known songs, and it challenges us to do something about our environmental woes- exactly the purpose of Earth Day.
1. “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell’s classic protest against the type of “progress” that paves paradise and puts up parking lots is without doubt the top song for Earth Day. This timeless Earth Day song has been covered by numerous other artists, but Mitchell’s original stands strong. Don’t create your Earth Day playlist without it.
Did I miss your favorite Earth Day song? Leave a comment with your choice for the top songs for Earth Day.
Reference:
- Artists for Greenpeace: www.greenpeaceworks.org/go_green.php
- Cheap Music Downloads: www.mp3fiesta.com/
- Environmental Songs for Earth Day; Robert of the Radish: new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/yradish/8039/environmental-songs-for-earth-day
