Top 5 Peace Songs of All Time

Wednesday, the 21 September is internationally marked by the UN as the Day of Peace. The day is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace. For this year, the theme is ‘The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.’ To mark this day of peace, we have a look at the top 5 peace songs of all time.

John Lennon – Imagine

Probably the most famous peace song of all time, Imagine was the best-selling single of Lennon’s solo career and was co-produced with his wife Yoko Ono. The lyrics of the song encourage the listener to imagine a world at peace without the barriers of borders or the divisions of religion and to consider that instead mankind should be living a less materialistic life.

Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World

This optimistic peace song was initially intended for Tony Bennett who turned it down. The lyrics that Armstrong sings convey a tone of optimism for the future during a time of racial and political uncertainty. The song is a reminder to appreciate the beauty in every day life.

Dionne Warwick – What The World Needs Now is Love

The song about peace was made popular by Jackie DeShannon when it was released in 1965. The title of the song nicely alludes to the theme of the song, which is full of hope and longing for a world of love and understanding.

Michael Jackson – Earth Song

Michael Jackson’s Earth song is more of a protest song than a peace song but ultimately the lyrics and theme of the song are a desperate call for humanity and the world we live in to have greater peace and harmony.

Eva Cassidy – Over the Rainbow

Lastly, this classic was made famous by Judy Garland back in 1939 in the Wizard of Oz. The song speaks of this magical place over the rainbow where things will be better and that there is a place out there that is better than where we are now.

What is your favourite peace song of all time?