23 Best Songs About Peace

The best songs about peace serve as rallying cries to end the global conflict, tolerating each other for our differences and finding mutual ground.

They can also tackle peace in a broader sense, exploring our feelings when we escape from the hassle of life and run into the wilderness.

Read on, and we’ll break down the best songs you can listen to on peace, from iconic anti-war anthems to obscure tracks from lesser-known bands.

The 23 Best Songs About Peace

Songs about peace have been produced for years, from classic rock and soul music to modern-day hip-hop and pop.

We’ve ensured all styles and genres are represented in this comprehensive list, so there’s something here to cater to all tastes in music.

Here’s our playlist of the 23 best songs about peace:

23. “911 For Peace” – Anti-Flag

Anti-Flag’s song “911 For Peace” is an anti-war anthem, serving as a rallying cry for peace and understanding worldwide.

It’s also a song about tolerance, urging listeners to “Set our differences aside and never look back.”

Released in 2002, Anti-Flag included it on their album Mobilize, further developing their hardcore punk style.

22. “Waiting On The World To Change” – John Mayer

John Mayer contributed to the long list of songs about peace with his 2006 release, “Waiting on the World to Change.”

A commercial and critical success, the song represents a generation dissatisfied with the status quo and a strong desire to change the world.

Mayer’s optimistic streak came through in one of the best songs about light, “New Light,” released in 2018.

21. “We Are Here” – Alicia Keys

American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys described her frustration with international matters in her song “We Are Here.”

Released in 2014, it covers some of the pressing issues of the time, including the war between Israel and Gaza and the outbreak of Ebola in Africa.

It’s one of the more poignant peace songs written, and Keys donated $1 million of her own money to help promote peace worldwide.

20. “For What It’s Worth” – Buffalo Springfield

“For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield is another popular peace song that encourages all of us to push for world peace.

Like many peace songs, it was written by Stephen Stills in reaction to the Vietnam War, although its title doesn’t feature in its lyrics.

Released in 1967, “For What It’s Worth” was a chart hit, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

19. “Holiday” – Green Day

Another anti-war anthem that urges people to fight for peace is “Holiday,” released by Green Day in response to the Iraq War.

The lyrics explore additional topics of corruption and corporate greed, which drove many critical decisions around the war in Iraq.

Green Day switched tack for their popular track “Basket Case,” regarded as one of the best songs about anxiety of all time.

18. “Land Of Hope And Dreams” – Bruce Springsteen

While Bruce Springsteen’s song “Land of Hope and Dreams” isn’t explicitly about peace, it’s nevertheless an inspiring song with a peaceful vibe.

Bruce Springsteen sings about a train that collects lost souls as his guitar gently weeps in the background.

After struggling to find his voice after leaving E Street Band, Springsteen described this song as “as good as any songs like this that I’ve ever written.”

17. “What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye

Written at the peak of the civil rights movement, Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” is a response to police brutality witnessed by the song’s writer.

It starkly contrasts Gaye’s typically smooth love songs, showing his serious side in the face of a serious issue.

It was released in 1971 on Marvin Gaye’s soul album of the same name, earning him critical and commercial acclaim and spotlighting police brutality.

16. “Good Vibes” – Rebelution ft. Lutan Fyah

With “Good Vibes,” Rebelution and Lutan Fyah created a song of peaceful serenity that reminds listeners of a gentle breeze on a summer’s day.

It’s a funky song that works perfectly driving to the beach while also warning against hate and prejudices that bring you down.

The California-based rock and reggae outfit has released many albums and singles over the years and released its own line of cannabis and cigars.

15. “One Love” – Bob Marley And The Wailers

Bob Marley and the Wailers took on the topic of peace with their song “One Love,” released on their debut album, The Wailing Wailers.

This hugely popular song is all about bringing people together in unity and has appeared on many of their best compilation albums since.

In 1970, Bob Marley and the Wailers rerecorded the song as part of the medley song “All In One” and garnered new fans in the process.

14. “Fussing And Fighting” – Bob Marley

Sticking with Bob Marley for another of his great songs about peace, “Fussing and Fighting,” released in 1971.

Marley sings, “Why’s this fussing and a-fighting?” continuing with, “I wanna know, Lord, I wanna know.”

Marley also wrote one of the best songs about gratitude, “Give Thanks & Praises,” released in 1983 on the album Confrontation following his death.

13. “Where Is The Love?” – Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas took on the concept of peace in their rap hit “Where Is The Love?” to appeal to humanity for some soul-searching.

Their lyrics cover everything from modern-day warfare to racial injustice and the current obsession with money and material things.

The song was written by Justin Timberlake and produced by will.i.am, sweeping the Grammys and remaining one of the most popular songs about peace to this day.

12. “All You Need Is Love” – The Beatles

Arguably one of the most famous songs about peace from one of the biggest bands of all time is “All You Need Is Love” by the Beatles.

The message that love means everything and that without it, there won’t be any peace runs through the track from start to finish.

The Beatles wrote many hit tracks, including some of the best karaoke songs of all time, “Hey Jude.”

11. “I Wish You Peace” – The Eagles

The message from the Eagles in their song “I Wish You Peace” couldn’t be clearer, and it’s set to appropriately sweet music.

This beautiful song is a sweet ballad about wishing kind words to people suffering and working to shelter them from destructive forces.

The Eagles released many popular chart-topping songs over their career, topping the Billboard charts on multiple occasions over the years.

10. “Put A Little Love In Your Heart” – Jackie DeShannon

Jackie DeShannon’s song gets to the heart of bringing peace into our lives, urging us to “Put A Little Love in Your Heart.”

She sings, “Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand,” and continues, “Put a little love in your heart.”

It’s a warm, beautiful song from a great singer who also brought us the track “What The World Needs Now Is Love.”

9. “Zombie” – The Cranberries

While “Zombie” might be one of the more depressing songs about peace, it’s a necessary piece of music that delivers a strong anti-war message.

It was originally released in response to IRA car bombings in 1994, urging people to seek another solution other than violence.

In the years since, “Zombie” has been covered many times, reflecting everything from the Iraq war to the Black Lives Matter movement.

8. “Get Along” – Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney bridges the gap between people across the political spectrum with his powerful song “Get Along.”

It’s a song that calls for peace and tolerance, speaking to anyone who has become weary of party lines and divisive politics.

Kenny Chesney commented on how the song made him feel, saying, “Get along…find the common ground…know the basic stuff is where the joy, the love, the happiness is.”

7. “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” – George Harrison

George Harrison wore his opinion on his sleeve when he wrote the song “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” during his solo career.

He strives to reach the listener’s soul with this classic peace song, which features some impressive technical slide guitar performances.

Harrison claims to have written the song to escape the cycle of rebirth and karma, breaking free to find his inner peace.

6. “People Have The Power” – Patti Smith

Patti Smith jumped firmly on the peace train with her song, “People Have The Power,” a protest song covered many times since its initial release.

The song talks about how the common person has the real power, despite the political and corporate classes claiming that right for themselves.

U2 and Bruce Springsteen are among the many illustrious singers and bands who have covered “We Have The Power” in the years since it first came out.

5. “Peace Train” – Cat Stevens

Cat Stevens has written iconic music on various topics, including one of the best songs about family, “Father and Son.”

The lyrics talk about the desire for peace and “dreaming about the world as one,” with the optimistic view that “it’s getting nearer.”

Originally released in 1971, Stevens rerecorded “Peace Train” in 2003 for the War Child charity to support children affected by conflict and war.

4. “U.N.I.T.Y” – Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah sought to forge a new path for women to be authentic with her hit song, “U.N.I.T.Y.”

It’s about her views on the disrespect women face in society and how we must promote peace and love to unite everyone.

Latifah is widely regarded as the queen of hip-hop, influencing everyone from Cardi B to Nicki Minaj and more since she first began performing.

3. “Peacekeeper” – Fleetwood Mac

Guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Buckingham wrote the track “Peacekeeper” for Fleetwood Mac in 2003.

It’s a classic peace song that blends modernity with classic rock influences to explore the many facets of peace.

Released as the first single from the album Say You Will, it showcases Fleetwood Mac at the top of their game as musicians and performers.

2. “Peace” – Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift avoided any fluff or wordiness with her song “Peace” to deliver a clear and concise message to her fans.

Here, peace is something notable for its absence in her relationship, instead of the topic of world peace that drives most songs on the subject.

Swift has written some of the best songs of all time throughout her career and continues to dominate the charts and award seasons for her work.

1. “Pipes Of Peace” – Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney is no stranger to the subject of peace, as we’ve seen with his contributions to the Beatles and their hit songs on the topic.

“Pipes of Peace” was released as a track on his solo album of the same name in 1983, with a music video that used imagery from the 1914 Christmas truce between British and German troops.

Throughout his illustrious career, Paul McCartney has received no less than 18 Grammy Awards, with an additional 81 nominations over the years.

Summary

We hope you’ve found some inspiration and hope from these great songs about peace from some of the world’s leading bands and singers.

It’s a subject that will be at the forefront of music for years to come as conflict around the world continues and world peace remains a goal, not a reality.

These songs offer comfort and hope that peace can be achieved, if not in the world at large, then at least in our lives. 

What’s the best song about inspiring peace in the world you’ve listened to? Leave a comment below.