21 Songs About Nature and The Environment

Have you ever noticed how many folks feel relaxed in nature? It’s like nature has this magical power to calm and heal us. Imagine taking a stroll through a peaceful forest or sitting by a babbling brook – it’s like all your worries just melt away.

For some people, hiking in the woods is all it takes to lift their spirits. Others find comfort in listening to the rhythmic crashing of waves against the shoreline.

So, if you ever find yourself feeling stuck or in need of inspiration, just take a moment to soak in the beauty of the world around you. And hey, why not queue up some of the top 21 songs about nature for an extra boost? Happy exploring!

21 Songs About Nature and The Environment

1. “Earth Song” By Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, known for his work with the Jackson 5, created many amazing songs. One of them is “Earth Song” from 1995, which was the last song he ever performed live.

In this song, Jackson talks about how climate change and global problems hurt the Earth. He sings about terrorism, pollution, and damage to the environment, as expressed in the lines “What about rain? What about all the things / That you said we were to gain?”

He also talks about serious problems like war, killing animals for no reason, and poverty, as he sings, “Did you ever stop to notice / This crying Earth, these weeping shores?”

The song reminds us that our actions affect the world. We can choose to make a positive difference.

2. “What A Wonderful World” By Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong was born in 1901 in New Orleans. He saw how bad climate change and global warming could be. But in his song “What a Wonderful World,” he talks about how beautiful nature is.

He sings about green trees and white clouds, showing how much he loves the world around him. It’s not just nature he loves though. He also talks about how people can be good friends and take care of each other.

The song shows how Armstrong loved nature and his hometown, New Orleans. It’s a place with big trees and hanging moss, as expressed in the lines “I see trees of green / Red roses too / I see them bloom / For me and you.”

3. “(Nothing but) Flowers” by Talking Heads

In the song “(Nothing but) Flowers” by Talking Heads, the band imagines a world where nature takes over completely. It’s a fascinating idea to think about.

The song talks about nature reclaiming everything from modern technology. The singer notices that instead of cars and buildings, there are only flowers left, as evident in the lines like “This used to be real estate, now it’s only fields and trees.”

While he appreciates the beauty of nature, he also faces challenges like finding food and dealing with wildflowers taking over his lawn.

4. “Eyes Wide Open” By Gotye

Gotye, a talented musician from Belgium, is known for his indie pop hits. One of his songs, “Eyes Wide Open,” addresses the serious issue of environmental degradation caused by overconsumption.

The song talks about how humans are using up natural resources and harming the Earth. It points out that despite this problem, only a few people are concerned.

We’re all part of a system that’s hurting the planet, but many don’t want to change it. Gotye sings, “And why’d I make a change if you won’t / We’re all in the same, boat, stayin’ afloat for the moment.”

The song’s message is clear: we need to take action to save the Earth before it’s too late. 

5. “Big Yellow Taxi” By Joni Mitchell

“Big Yellow Taxi” was first sung by Joni Mitchell in 1970, though the rock band Counting Crows later covered it.

The song is famous for its memorable lyrics, where Mitchell describes the change of downtown Honolulu into a tourist area, singing, “They paved paradise, put up a parking lot / With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin’ hot spot.” She laments the loss of natural beauty when areas are covered in cement for parking.

Mitchell’s lyrics also mention “tree museum,” where people are charged “a dollar an’ a half just to see ’em.” This underscores the irony of preserving nature in artificial settings.

Mitchell was inspired to write this song during her initial visit to Hawaii. While looking out of her hotel window, she saw lush green mountains in the distance. However, her view was marred by a sprawling parking lot.

6. “Where Do The Children Play?” By Cat Stevens

“Where Do The Children Play?” is a song by Cat Stevens, a British folk singer and musician. In this song, he asks a tough question.

Stevens acknowledges the progress we’ve made with technology. We’ve built big planes and tall buildings, showing how far we’ve come.

But he wants us to think about balance. He says we need to respect nature. We’ve been advancing quickly, but we’ve also been harming nature. Kids don’t have open green areas to play anymore. He sings, “I know we’ve come a long way / We’re changing day to day / But tell me, where do the children play?”

7. “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie

Next up on our list is the famous folk song “This Land Is Your Land” by Woodie Guthrie, released in 1945.

Guthrie’s song has inspired many to care for the environment. Its lyrics celebrate the beauty of America’s landscape, as seen in the lines, “When the sun come shining, then I was strolling/ And the wheat fields waving, and the dust clouds rolling/ The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting.”

The song urges people to protect the environment because we’re responsible for it. We should work together to ensure the land stays healthy for future generations, because “This land was made for you and me.”

8. “Feels Like Summer” By Childish Gambino

“Feels Like Summer” by Childish Gambino, released in 2018, shifts the spotlight to climate change.

Initially, the song may appear to celebrate the arrival of summer, as everyone “feels like summer.” However, as it progresses, it becomes clear that it serves as a lament for the state of our environment.

Childish Gambino addresses the pressing issue of climate change, noting how each day seems to get hotter than the last and the scarcity of water, as evident in the lines ” Every day gets hotter than the one before / Running out of water, it’s about to go down.”

Ultimately, the singer expresses hope that people will take action to protect and preserve the environment, sining, “I really thought this world could change.”

9. “Trouble In The Water” By Common Ft. Laci Kay, Aaron Fresh, And Choklate

Climate change is a big deal right now, and music can help spread the word. Common and his crew, with “Trouble in the Water,” sing about this important issue.

The song talks about how our environment, especially our water, is in trouble. Water is essential for life, but we’ve made it dangerous with pollution. Oil spills and garbage have messed up our oceans, and now we’re even paying a lot for clean water, as the lyrics go, “And your water flowin’ straight out of the fosse / Now buy your water flow straight out of the fosse.”

Climate change affects everyone, everywhere, so it’s crucial we start dealing with these problems. 

10. “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” by Marvin Gaye

Next on our list is “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” by Marvin Gaye. In this song, Gaye expresses his concern for environmental issues.

He sings about how things have changed, lamenting that “things ain’t what they used to be.” In polluted cities, blue skies are no longer visible, and he notes that “Poison is the wind that blows,” highlighting the air pollution caused by factories and car emissions.

Gaye’s lyrics vividly portray ecological struggles, such as oil spills in oceans, widespread radiation, and the death of animals. These issues raise significant concerns about the Earth’s ability to withstand such pressures.

11. “Lost In The Wild” by Walk The Moon

Let’s talk about a song from Walk the Moon, a pop-rock band from Ohio. Their tune “Lost in the Wild” is an EDM ballad that uses nature imagery to express feelings.

Basically, “Lost in the Wild” is about letting go of worries. The singer wakes up to find a potential love interest gone after spending the night together. He sees them as animals, feeling sorry if their connection caused any trouble. He sings, “And we’re only animals, Didn’t mean to start a forest fire.”

He decides to find her, to see if she still wants to be with him. He warns her not to dwell on the past because what’s done is done, singing, “Don’t look over your shoulders, Let’s get lost in the wild.”

12. “Green River” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

In 1969, Creedence Clearwater Revival, a rock band, dropped the song “Green River” on an album with the same name. The tune talks about a river called Green River, but it’s actually based on Putah Creek, a lovely river in California.

The song also talks about how awesome being young is and how kids naturally connect with nature. The singer reminisces about their childhood memories by the river, as seen in the line “Pick up a flat rock, skip it across Green River Well!”

They wish they could go back there, wondering if it’s still the same. They recall the cool water, the bullfrogs, and the dragonflies. That place will always feel like home to them, where “Barefoot girls dancin’ in the moonlight.”

13. “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” By Peter, Paul, And Mary

Originally written by Pete Seeger, but made most famous by Peter, Paul, and Mary’s cover, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” spent seven weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts.

This song is a plea for peace, especially against the Vietnam War. The singer wonders where all the flowers have gone. Turns out, young women picked them. He sings, “Where have all the flowers gone? Young girls have picked them every one.”

As the song goes on, it reveals that these women got married, and their husbands became soldiers, dying in the war and being laid to rest with flowers. It’s a sad cycle, leading the singers to ask, “Oh, when will they ever learn?”

14. “Don’t Go Near The Water” By The Beach Boys

Despite being known for beach and surfing tunes, The Beach Boys surprised with “Don’t Go Near the Water,” on their 1971 album Surf’s Up.

The song warns against the water, not because of sharks or waves, but because it’s dirty. This likely refers to pollution or contamination.

In just a few words, the song highlights how human actions have harmed oceans and rivers, affecting life on land too, singing, “Don’t go near the water / Ah uhm dirty water.”

15. “S.O.S. (Mother Nature)” by will.i.am

In this song from his 2007 album Songs About Girls, rapper will.i.am is pleading for help from powerful forces to save us from ourselves. “S.O.S. (Mother Nature)” sheds light on the effects of global warming and climate change on Earth.

The song points out the inconvenient truth: humans are the ones causing the damage, driven by greed for money. Despite the warning signs from Mother Nature through weather changes, many people fail to see the urgency.

As our situation worsens, will.i.am finds it necessary to call on the divine, including the Lord, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, and Jehovah, for intervention, singing, “It’s blazing in the winter, even hotter in the summer / Mohammed, Jehovah, somebody come and help us out.”

16. “Time Is Ticking Out” By The Cranberries

In 2001, the renowned Irish band The Cranberries dropped their album Wake Up and Smell the Coffee, featuring the standout track “Time is Ticking Out.”

The band’s lead singer, Dolores O’Riordan, was deeply affected by seeing the children of Chernobyl suffering from illnesses caused by the nuclear disaster. She co-wrote the song as a tribute to those impacted and to urge people to take action.

Dolores calls on everyone to consider the consequences of their actions. It highlights the damage to the environment, including radiation, deprivation, and overindulgence, particularly affecting children. She sings,” “Looks like we screwed up the ozone layer / I wonder if the politicians care / The time went out yeah eh, the time went out / … What about our children then?”

17. “Mother Nature’s Son” By The Beatles

Let’s talk about a lesser-known gem from The Beatles: “Mother Nature’s Son,” released in 1968. Despite its brevity, it’s regarded as one of their finest tunes.

The song, penned mainly by Paul McCartney, captures the essence of a “poor young country boy” reveling in the beauty of nature. McCartney drew inspiration from his own rural upbringing, reflecting on his experiences exploring the countryside.

In the song, he portrays himself as Mother Nature’s son, finding solace and inspiration as he sits by a mountain stream, singing, “All day long, I’m sitting, singing songs for everyone / Sit beside a mountain stream.”

18. “Earth” By Lil Dicky

In 2019, rapper Lil Dicky utilized his comedic talent in his song “Earth.” Through humorous lyrics, he delivers a message about loving our planet.

The song celebrates diversity by introducing various animals and their unique traits, from baboons to lions. Despite our differences, we all call Earth home, emphasizing the importance of cherishing and preserving it.

“Earth” also serves as a tool to raise awareness about global warming and climate change. Lil Dicky donated proceeds from the song to several charitable organizations dedicated to environmental causes, singing, “We love the Earth, it is our planet.”

19. “Pass It Down” By Alabama

In 1990, country music group Alabama shed light on important environmental issues with “Pass It Down,” reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

At its heart, “Pass It Down” addresses environmental degradation. The singer mourns the polluted water in the sink and the harmful substances in the air that harm both people and animals.

He urges us to protect our environment and preserve it for future generations, as expressed in the lines “So let’s leave some blue up above us / Let’s leave some green on the ground/ It’s only ours to borrow, let’s save some for tomorrow/ Leave it and pass it on down.”

20. “All The Good Girls Go To Hell” By Billie Eilish

In 2019, pop sensation Billie Eilish brought attention to critical topics with her song “All the Good Girls Go to Hell.”

Addressing the trauma of late-stage capitalism and the urgency of global climate change, the song presents perspectives from both God and the Devil on humanity’s destructive actions towards Earth.

Eilish laments our failure to address environmental issues, expressing a sense of despair as she sings, “My Lucifer is lonely, standing there, killing time, can’t commit to anything but a crime.”

21. “The River Sings” By Enya

Enya, born Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin, is an Irish singer-songwriter known for her deep exploration of philosophy and nature. This is evident in her 2005 song “The River Sings.”

The singer invites us to immerse ourselves in its wonders. Whether it’s the mountains or the moon, Mother Nature accompanies us on our quest to understand our place in the universe, amidst the gentle whispers of the breeze and the soothing murmurs of the flowing river.

Though sung in the fictional Loxian language, the lyrics hold profound meaning. Enya’s website describes the song as an ode to those who “send their words out into the night.”

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