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Throughout our nation’s history, music has always played a major role in promoting equality, justice, unity, and peace.
It has the power to bring people together and create positive change.
Today, we’ve put together a special collection of songs about peace and the hope it brings.
This collection includes tracks that were used in the past to help stop wars, fight for equality, and make other positive changes in society. All of the songs remind us that we are capable of making the world a better place.
Read on to check out what we’ve got for you.
1. Give Peace a Chance, John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band
“All we are saying is give peace a chance.”
This song first became popular during the late 1960s as an anthem protesting the Vietnam War. The message of the song is pretty straightforward: It calls for peace and protests against the major conflict of that time.
This has become an iconic song that calls listeners to embrace peace in times of strife.
2. I Wish You Peace, Eagles
“I wish you peace when times are hard. A light to guide you through the dark.”
This is a heartfelt wish for peace and tranquility to be present in someone’s life. It is an expression of caring to wish someone peace during challenging times.
3. We Gotta Have Peace, Curtis Mayfield
“We gotta have peace to keep the world alive and war to cease.”
This song was first released during one of the nation’s most tension-filled decade—the 1970s, at the height of the civil rights movement.
In it, Curtis Mayfield urgently calls on listeners to come together as a community. He invites everyone to realize that they have the capacity to embrace harmony and change conflict into peace.
It is a reminder that peace is necessary to save the world.
4. Peace Train, Yusuf/Cat Stevens
“Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train. Oh, peace train, take this country. Come take me home again.”
This track is a plea for people to understand and unite with each other. It is a song that hopes for peace, and that something good will come out of the darkness caused by conflict and strife.
5. I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (in Perfect Harmony), The New Seekers
“I'd like to see the world for once all standing hand in hand. And hear them echo through the hills for peace throughout the land.”
Although it was associated with a popular cola brand in the 1970s, this song actually has a powerful message about peace. It reminds listeners that they can initiate harmony and peace if they choose to do so.
6. 911 for Peace, Anti-Flag
“This is a plea for peace (world peace) to the oppressors of the world and to… to the leaders of nations, corporate profit takers, to the everyday citizen. Greed, envy, fear, hate – the competition has to stop. When you see someone down, now's the time to pick them up. Set our differences aside (never look back, no).”
This song directly addresses the people who hold the most influence in the world: corporations and government leaders. The song reminds these entities that they have the power to initiate peace so that the rest of the world will follow.
7. Heal the World, Michael Jackson
“Create a world with no fear. Together, we'll cry happy tears. See the nations turn their swords into plowshares.”
This song shares a beautiful vision of the world. In it, every person’s needs are addressed. Conflict is nonexistent and love flourishes.
8. We Want Peace, Lenny Kravitz
“We want peace. We want it, yes. We want peace. And we want it fast.”
There is urgency in this song and its demands for peace. In it, Lenny Kravitz calls on those in power to serve up peace ASAP.
9. One Day, Matisyahu
“All my life I've been waitin' for, I've been prayin' for, for the people to say that we don't wanna fight no more. There'll be no more wars and our children will play.”
We can only imagine how harrowing it is for people to live in places where armed conflict is a daily occurrence. This song carries a strong message of hope for future generations to live in a peaceful world, where fighting is nonexistent and people (especially children) are able to enjoy life.
10. We Are Here, Alicia Keys
“Let's do more giving, do more forgiving, yeah. Our souls are brought together so that we could love each other…”
All of us are capable of making positive choices. This song is a reminder that we can all do our part to achieve peace, not only in the world as a whole, but also in our own lives.
11. One Song (A Song for World Peace and Togetherness), Mitchell Jay
“One song that the world can sing. One voice that together will bring. One hope that above everything the whole world can sing one song.”
According to Mitchell Jay, “This [song] represents my philosophy of life as a human being on planet earth.”
It is a call for unity and peace.
12. Keep Changing the World, Mikeschair
“I see the sun coming up. It's a brighter day. Let's show the world that love is a better way. So lend a hand join the fight, 'cause time is ticking away.”
This song is dedicated to the people who, in their own simple ways, are working to make a difference in the lives of those who are oppressed or downtrodden.
It is a reminder that, if we all choose to act out of love, the world will be a better place.
13. (What’s So Funny ’Bout) Love, Peace, and Understanding?, Elvis Costello and The Attractions
“What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?”
This song talks about love, peace, and understanding. It also points to the possible solution for the hardships and conflicts in life and the world as a whole.
14. Where Is the Love?, Black Eyed Peas
“Yo, whatever happened to the values of humanity? Whatever happened to the fairness and equality? Instead of spreading love, we spreading animosity. Lack of understanding leading us away from unity.”
This song declares that the absence of love is the main cause of all the horrible things happening all over the world today. It reminds listeners that peace can only be achieved through love.
15. Rise Up, Andra Day
“All we need, all we need is hope. And for that, we have each other. And for that, we have each other, and we will rise, we will rise.”
In this song, Andra Day tells listeners that to have hope for a better tomorrow, we need each other.
When we work together, we can rise above any difficulty and conflict. We can achieve something great.
16. Through the Eyes of the Child, Aurora
“World is covered by our trails. Scars we cover up with paint. Watch them preach in sour lies. I would rather see this world through the eyes of a child. Through the eyes of a child.”
Sometimes, our “adult” perception gets clouded by prejudices and dogma. This song is about looking at the world through a child’s eyes.
The innocence and purity of their perception allow children to see the world with total acceptance, and that is the first step toward peace.
17. With My Own Two Hands, Ben Harper
“I can make peace on earth with my own two hands. I can clean up the earth with my own two hands. I can reach out to you with my own two hands.”
Here’s another song affirming that you, as a person, have so much potential to create change. To start, you just need to be willing to do something that makes a difference.
18. Change the World, Colby Jeffers and Awu
“Every woman, every man, come and join me lend a hand. It’s time to step it up and lead our children to the promised land, the golden age of unity, of freedom and equality. Peace on earth is possible, just need a new mentality.”
We need a new mindset to achieve world peace and change the world for the better. This song reminds us that with a willingness to work together, we can achieve a lot.
19. We’re All in This Together, Ben Lee
“Every twelve seconds someone remembers that we're all in this together.”
This song serves as another reminder that we’re all connected. What affects one affects all of us.
20. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth), George Harrison
“Give me love, give me love. Give me peace on earth. Give me light, give me life.”
Peace isn’t just for the external world. It’s also an ideal state for our inner world.
This song is a plea for inner peace, as well as peace throughout the world.
21. Let It Be Me, The Indigo Girls
“Let it be me. If the world is night, shine my life like a light.”
What would you be willing to do to make sure that we have peace?
Here’s a song about taking it upon oneself to make the necessary changes to ensure peace thrives in the world.
22. Peace, Los Lobos
“We build a wall of stone as high as the trees are tall. Higher than the mountains, stronger than us all. Oh yeah. Someday that wall will crumble, tumble and fall. The sun will shine and bring peace to us all.”
Conflict arises when people are focused on the qualities that make us different from others.
This is a song expressing hope that all the divisions we’ve created will one day be bridged and we’ll all be one.
23. Peaceful Warrior, Max Creek
“Peaceful warrior, where have you been? I see your face upon the wall. The fire has passed and faded again. Will you be there to catch my fall?”
This song tells us that a peaceful warrior dwells within each of us. We are all capable of initiating peace.
24. Pipes of Peace, Paul McCartney
“Help me to learn songs of joy instead of ‘Burn, baby, burn’. Won't you show me how to play the pipes of peace?”
We often hear the news and learn about armed conflicts that are affecting people all over the world. Will the people in those countries ever experience peace?
This song tells us that, in order to achieve peace, we need to teach children about its value.
25. Imagine, John Lennon
“Imagine all the people livin' life in peace…”
What is it like to live in an ideal world? Here’s a song that visualizes the ideal global community, where there’s no hardship and strife.
People don’t live in fear, and everything is beautiful.
Final Thoughts on Songs About Peace
Peace is a beautiful concept. It is about honoring our differences and celebrating the things that connect us to each other.
Most of the songs featured above were written in times when our country was establishing its identity based on freedom, equality, and peace.
We wish you a beautiful life—one that is filled with peace, both within and around you.
Finally, if you loved this collection, you might want to check out other song collections on specific topics:
- 45 Best Songs About Traveling and Experiencing the World
- 45 Best Songs About Winning and Achieving Victory in Life
- 41 Best Songs About Memories and Looking Back on Life
