Are you looking for inspiring and motivating songs about sustainability? Then you've come to the right place! Let's be honest: everyone sometimes has the feeling that their own everyday actions are just a drop in the ocean.
Music can then motivate and inspire you in no time at all - whether it's songs about environmental protection, crimes against animals or the ignorance of politics.
In this article, I would therefore like to give you a few songs that deal with the topic of sustainability in various forms and give hope for a better world. Whether rap, pop, German or English: there should be something for everyone. Have fun!
Tip: By the way, for a great sound I can recommend these sustainable in-ear headphones* from House of Marley.
Mountains - 10,000 tears
The band Mountains has celebrated a real viral success with "10,000 Tears". Simply because their song sums up the opinions of millions of people.
Above all, they criticize the fact that politicians prefer to act in their own interests and not in the interests of the environment. Or that they don't act at all, but instead watch the world go to ruin.
Text passage:
Since you know that we are silent
and bow to the facts
you consider us the easiest way
to feel a little stronger
and rule nature
in your narrow and humble world
we watch you helplessly
Stop it already, because otherwise we will go to ruin
every moment hurts infinitely
and even if the world cries 10,000 tears
you don't care, you don't want to see it and let it happen
Jack Johnson - The Three R's
The US-American surfer and singer Jack Johnson is a long-time campaigner for environmental protection and with "The Three R's" has created a song that reminds children and adults alike of the basics of sustainability: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
The song is the soundtrack to "Curious George" and easily conveys the importance of nature conservation and a sustainable consumer behavior. With this message, Jack Johnson encourages us to protect the planet by making simple changes to our everyday lives.
Text passage:
Three, it′s a magic number
Yes it is, it's a magic number
Because two times three is six
And three times six is eighteen
And the eighteenth letter in the alphabet is "R", yeah
We′ve got three R's we′re going to talk about today
We′ve got to learn to
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Well, if you′re going to the market to buy some juice
You've got to bring your own bags, and you learn to reduce your waste
We gotta learn to reduce
Kontra K - Close your eyes
Actually, I listen to the motivational songs of Contra K rather during sports sessions, but in "Eyes closed" he also refers to political decision-makers, among others, Animal testing, the species extinction or the Plastic waste in the environment.
He points out that we should always go through life with our eyes open and not take everything for granted.
Text passage:
A bird dead in front of the window
A poor dog with three legs (everything will be fine)
The expensive Benz has 'n flat tire
Your new boss a quirk
His wife has another, but you get the clap (everything will be fine)
Grandpas collecting deposit bottles
The seas full of the plastic
And rats climb out of your toilet (everything will be fine)
Soldiers fire on command into the peaceful crowd
And we simply test drugs on monkeys
We kill whole races
And politicians shoot selfies on killed elephants
Believe them everything will be fine
Also with eyes closed
Shit still remains shit
Air and love unfortunately feeds no one
Also with eyes closed
Are we still driving at full throttle against the wall
But the impact remains the same
Sido feat. Johannes Oerding - Pyramids
This song by Sido and Johannes Oerding is therefore a song about sustainability, because it is about us focusing again on the things that are human and above all eternal. A cool song that hopefully opens many eyes.
Text passage:
We all want to make a big impact to leave something behind
But because we are greedy, we create only computers and weapons
We buy expensive clothes instead of just shoes that fit
We toast to freedom, but have blood in our cups
Unfortunately, we do not care about what endangers our future
And the future of the earth? That's okay, it's just our heritage
Because everything bad is so close and everything good is so far away
Let's go and find a refuge with a flight to the stars
We have to bite the bullet, tear down and make new
So that we see, it still goes further, away from the blinkers
Come on, let's create something big, even if it's not visible
Something that remains forever (forever remains), forever and forever
We only have to believe
We take the shards and the sparks that were left to us
Because from this we can build something
Which is even more impressive than these pyramids
Maybe you will find a little light
In all the rubble that lies scattered at your feet
From this we can build something
That outlasts us all like the pyramids
Michael Jackson - Earth Song
The "Earth Song" by Michael Jackson is certainly one of the world's best-known songs about sustainability. In his song, the King of Pop refers, among other things, to the Deforestationthe destruction of the oceans, wars and bloodshed.
He appeals to everyone to pause and realize how badly the earth is doing.
Text passage:
What about sunrise
What about rain
What about all the things that you said
We were to gain
What about killing fields
Is there a time
What about all the things
That you said were yours and mine
Did you ever stop to notice
All the blood we've shed before
Did you ever stop to notice
This crying Earth, these weeping shores
Phil Collins - Another Day In Paradise
Phil Collins is simply one of the greatest musicians of our time. "Another Day In Paradise" is primarily intended to shake up the people who are doing well.
Among other things, the song is about homelessness and helplessness on the one hand and respect, willingness to help and more on the other. positive traits on the other hand. In my opinion, these values also go hand in hand with sustainability.
Text passage:
She calls out to the man on the street
'Sir, can you help me?
It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?
He walks on, doesn't look back
He pretends he can't hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there
Oh think twice, it's another day for you and me in paradise
Oh think twice, 'cause it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise, think about it
Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi
The classic "Big Yellow Taxi" by the singer Joni Mitchells is a classic that addresses the destruction of the environment and the loss of nature through human activity in a powerful way.
In the famous lyric line "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot", she criticizes the effects of urbanization and capitalism on nature. The song, which was released in 1970, is still just as relevant today and reminds us to appreciate the environment before it's too late.
Text passage:
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin' hot spot
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
(Ooh, bop-bop-bop-bop-bop, ooh, bop-bop-bop-bop-bop)
They took all the trees put 'em in a tree museum
And they charged the people a dollar an' a half just to see 'em
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
(Ooh, bop-bop-bop-bop-bop, ooh, bop-bop-bop-bop-bop)
Hey farmer, farmer put away that DDT now
Give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees
Flaeks & Flo Hillen - 1 billion
This song about sustainability refers above all to the Abstaining from meat and our consumer behavior in general. Flaeks and Flo Hillen are specifically addressing the fact that although we are aware of grievances in our society, we are not taking the next step to solve them.
You can also find out more about this in the articles on the Reasons for veganism and the vegan lifestyle.
Text passage:
While children starve
Although we perceive it
But just do not wonder anymore
Killing goes against all our ideals
But storm into the McDonalds branch in a frenzy
I hear them scream and die en masse
How to dazzle us with posters and laughing animals
We suspect what we do
The beginning of the end always our consumption
And we are all to blame for the suffering
Even if we do not cut the throat ourselves
You alone are able to
To decide how far we go
Do you know a billion
But the rest of the world stops
See the end of their days
The rest of the world stops
Even for a billion
But time is slowly running out
Prophets of Rage - Unf**k The World
This song comes along a bit harder, but of course also refers to similar topics from the field of sustainability. Prophets of Rage speak above all racism, hatred, poverty and demand that we all stand up for the real values in our society.
Text passage:
No hatred
Fuck racists
Blank faces
Time's changin
One nation
Unification
The vibration
Unf**k the world!
Poverty hit home like a war zone
Check America's pulse, heard a death tone
Division hitting like a bullet to precision
Kill the dream, kill the vision, now listen
What the fuck are you waiting for?
Stand up and rise like the tide
And move your ass with the quickness
You may live on the hit list
Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror
In this world-famous song about sustainability sings Michael Jackson above all about changing yourself in a positive way.
On the one hand, by raising awareness of problems such as Famine or poverty and on the other hand by questioning one's own behavior and doing the right thing.
Text passage:
As I, turn up the collar on
My favorite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind
I see the kids in the streets,
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs
A summer disregard, a broken bottle top
And a one man soul
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
(If you want to make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)
(Na na na, na na, na nah)
Listen to the best songs about sustainability!
Sometimes a single song is enough to change the Focus once again fully on the urgency of sustainable action. No matter whether musicians or bands on Environmental issues such as climate change - or are already working directly on solutions.
"Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without."
Confucius (more at Music Quotes)
Was there a cool song for you? Or do you know other songs that I should add to the list? Then please leave a comment below this post.
Stay sustainable,
PS: You already know a few songs about environmental protection and sustainability. Now you're probably missing a few more documentaries and books, right? Then take a look at the articles about Books about sustainability and sustainable documentations in. Have fun!
