Top 20 Best Songs About Peace, Love & Understanding

The world would definitely be a better place with some peace, love, and understanding right?

As Frank Sinatra said, “ If you don’t know the guy on the other side of the world, love him anyway because he’s just like you. He has the same dreams, the same hopes, and fears. It’s one world, pal. We’re all neighbors.”

So, with that in mind, we’d like to share with you our favorite anthems to peace. ✌️

What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye

Marvin’s anti-war anthem is all about challenging intolerance and hatred in the world.

You could even say it was everything that today’s Black Lives Matter Movement aspires to.

Give it a listen here.

Imagine by John Lennon

John Lennon would lose his life in a very much less-than-peaceful moment but before that, he wrote the pop song that would become the ultimate peace anthem for a generation.

Even today, Imagine is probably first among many peace songs – it’s message is simply incredibly powerful.

Give it a listen here.

Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) by George Harrison

The ex-Beatle spent much of his life exploring the planet in search of peace and it’s hard to pick a favorite peace song by a man who wrote so many songs about peace but we’re going with Give Me Love.

It’s George at his best, trying to connect with the audience.

Give it a listen here.

Peacekeeper – Fleetwood Mac

Lindsay Buckingham’s Fleetwood Mac challenges each of us to create peace for ourselves in this massive tune.

He points out that human beings are incredibly self-sabotaging in our quest for a better world.

Give it a listen here.

All You Need Is Love by The Beatles

When it comes to songs about peace it doesn’t get a more “hippy vibe” than All You Need Is Love, does it?

“Love is everything,” they say and they’re right.

Give it a listen here.

Zombie by The Cranberries

This inspiring song is incredibly powerful, it’s not about the Iraq war as some people believe but rather a demand for an end to the violence and trouble in Northern Ireland.

The singer, Delores O’Riordan, wasn’t taking sides – she had just had enough of innocents being hurt.

Give it a listen here.

For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield

So many of Buffalo Springfield’s tracks are used as Vietnam War anthems in movies – it’s often overlooked that these songs are meant to bring about peace not encourage fighting.

Give it a listen here.

Fussing And Fighting by Bob Marley

He was the king of peace and his songs are often full of kind words but Bob Marley’s greatest song about peace is Fussing and Fighting which demands that people stop treating each other badly and “live in peace and harmony.”

Give it a listen here.

Peace by Taylor Swift

From global peace to inner peace -Taylor Swift says that if you want to live a peaceful life, you need to find it in your relationships and, perhaps, if you can’t find that peace – it’s time to leave. Not an easy choice, but sometimes, a necessary one.

Give it a listen here.

Waiting On The World To Change by John Mayer

John saw this as kind of a national anthem for peace and its positive message is incredibly powerful when his extraordinary vocal range is brought to bear on the lyrics.

It’s a beautiful song that’s not afraid to tackle political corruption and other difficult issues.

Give it a listen here.

People Have The Power by Patti Smith

One of the absolute icons of the 1980s, Patti Smith brought her power to the civil rights movement and this great song has been covered over and over again because it stands out among other songs for its clarity and hope.

Give it a listen here.

Get Along – Kenny Chesney

Sure, country isn’t always something that we associate with peace, but Kenny’s no politician and his guitar gently weeps as he reminds us that we’re all human and that the star-spangled banner is meant to unite us not divide us.

Give it a listen here.

What The World Needs Now Is Love – Jackie DeShannon

You may not know that you know this song, but you do. And that’s because pretty much everyone does – it’s been covered an incredible number of times since it was released over 50 years ago but this is the original and it’s one of the great songs of our times.

Give it a listen here.

Land Of Hope And Dreams by Bruce Springsteen

Could we have a list for peace if it didn’t include The Boss? This song is about healing hurt. A train picks up the wounded and whisks them away to a kinder, gentler place.

Lost souls have never been so loved.

Give it a listen here.

911 For Peace by Anti-Flag

If you want something a bit more frenetic than Stevie Wonder or the Plastic Ono Band, Anti-Flag is demanding peace.

“Isn’t everybody tired of the fighting?” Yes, yes we are.

Give it a listen here.

Heal The World by Michael Jackson

OK, it’s a bit cheesy but this is a great tune that really does show that the world is worth fighting for and that we can all come together to make it a better place.

Give it a listen here.

People Get Ready by The Impressions

The Impressions were the ultimate band of the 60s civil rights movements and Dr. Martin Luther King himself adopted this song for his rallies for peace! You don’t get a higher recommendation than that.

Give it a listen here.

Peace Train by Cat Stevens

This is an amazingly optimistic song that says peace is coming and it’s coming soon. It’s all good vibes and caring.

Give it a listen here.

We Want Peace by Lenny Kravitz

It’s hard to track down a copy of this song today but this is a bold rocky track that demands a revolution for peace around the world and it’s super catchy too!

Give it a listen here.

One by U2

Bono is something of an ambassador for world peace, so this list would be poorer without something from him.

Here he encourages us to remember that we have “one life, one love, and one blood” and not to waste it.

Give it a listen here.

We’re not naive enough to think that peace will come from songs, but the inspiration that finally brings about world peace might come from a song.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this run down and that you feel more at peace for listening to it.