Nature has inspired countless musicians, resulting in songs that celebrate its beauty, warn about its fragility, or express a longing to reconnect with it. These tracks span genres and eras, showing how profoundly the natural world resonates with artists and listeners alike. Below is a great list of songs about nature, each capturing its essence uniquely.
Be sure to check out the Songs About Nature Playlist at the bottom of this page!
Best Songs About Nature
1. “Earth Song” – Michael Jackson
Lyric Sample: “What about sunrise? What about rain? What about all the things that you said we were to gain?”
This powerful anthem highlights environmental destruction and humanity’s impact on the planet. With its emotional delivery and universal message, “Earth Song” remains a call to action for nature conservation.
2. “What A Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong
Lyric Sample: “I see trees of green, red roses too. I see them bloom for me and you.”
This classic celebrates the beauty of the world with imagery of nature’s finest moments. Armstrong’s heartfelt performance makes this a timeless ode to the planet’s wonders.
3. “Big Yellow Taxi” – Joni Mitchell
Lyric Sample: “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”
Joni Mitchell critiques environmental degradation in this upbeat yet poignant track. Its catchy melody juxtaposes with the sobering message of preserving nature.
4. “Where Do The Children Play?” – Cat Stevens
Lyric Sample: “I know we’ve come a long way. We’re changing day to day.”
Cat Stevens questions the cost of modernization and its effects on the natural world. The lyrics encourage listeners to think about the planet we’re leaving for future generations.
5. “This Land Is Your Land” – Woody Guthrie
Lyric Sample: “This land is your land, this land is my land, from California to the New York island.”
This folk classic celebrates the vast landscapes of America. Its lyrics remind listeners of the natural beauty that belongs to everyone.
Related: Best Campfire Songs
6. “Feels Like Summer” – Childish Gambino
Lyric Sample: “You can feel it in the streets, on a day like this, the heat.”
Childish Gambino’s track captures the lazy warmth and subtle environmental themes of summer. It’s a reminder of the simple joys that come from nature’s rhythms.
Related: Best Songs About Summer
7. “Trouble In The Water” – Common ft. Laci Kay, Aaron Fresh, and Choklate
Lyric Sample: “Water moves, new world order rules.”
This soulful track explores environmental justice and the inequalities tied to water access. Its heartfelt lyrics shine a light on humanity’s responsibility to preserve natural resources.
8. “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” – Marvin Gaye
Lyric Sample: “Where did all the blue skies go? Poison is the wind that blows.”
Marvin Gaye laments the destruction of the environment in this soulful anthem. Featured on the album What’s Going On, the track’s timeless message continues to inspire conversations about ecological preservation.
9. “Lost In The Wild” – Walk The Moon
Lyric Sample: “Don’t look over your shoulders, let’s get lost in the wild.”
This energetic track celebrates the adventurous spirit of exploring untamed nature. Its upbeat rhythm evokes the thrill of being immersed in the wilderness.
10. “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” – Peter, Paul, and Mary
Lyric Sample: “Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing.”
This folk classic is about the cycles of nature and the impact of human actions. Its haunting melody and poignant lyrics urge us to consider nature’s fragility.
11. “Don’t Go Near The Water” – The Beach Boys
Lyric Sample: “Don’t go near the water, to do it any wrong.”
This track serves as a cautionary tale about water pollution and its consequences. The Beach Boys’ message of environmental preservation was ahead of its time and remains relevant today.
12. “S.O.S. (Mother Nature)” – will.i.am
Lyric Sample: “It’s hotter in the winter, even hotter in the summer.”
Will.i.am combines his signature energy with a plea for environmental awareness in this track. The song highlights the urgency of addressing global ecological crises.
13. “Cactus Tree” – Joni Mitchell
Lyric Sample: “There’s a man who’s been out sailing, In a decade full of dreams.”
In “Cactus Tree,” Joni Mitchell uses the imagery of a cactus tree to explore themes of freedom and the complex relationships between people and nature. The song is about the beauty and the solitude of the natural world
14. “Time Is Ticking Out” – The Cranberries
Lyric Sample: “Time is ticking out, looks like we screwed up the ozone layer.”
This powerful song addresses environmental concerns and humanity’s role in solving them. Dolores O’Riordan’s haunting delivery underscores the urgent need for action.
15. “Mother Nature’s Son” – The Beatles
Lyric Sample: “Born a poor young country boy, Mother Nature’s son.”
This stripped-down acoustic track celebrates a harmonious connection with the natural world. Its simplicity and heartfelt delivery make it a timeless ode to nature.
16. “Earth” – Lil Dicky
Lyric Sample: “We love the Earth, it is our planet.”
Lil Dicky combines humor and a star-studded lineup to deliver a powerful message about environmental preservation. The song’s playful yet impactful approach makes it a modern anthem for Earth awareness.
17. “All The Good Girls Go To Hell” – Billie Eilish
Lyric Sample: “My Lucifer is lonely.”
This dark and satirical track critiques humanity’s environmental negligence. Billie Eilish’s eerie delivery captures the tension between nature and modern society.
Related: Songs with “Girls” in the Title
18. “The River Sings” – Enya
Lyric Sample: (translated) “The river holds the lost road of the sky, the shape of eternity?”
Enya’s ethereal soundscape paints a vivid picture of nature’s tranquility and mystique. The song’s haunting melody invites listeners to immerse themselves in the natural world.
19. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver
Lyric Sample: “Take me home, country roads, to the place I belong.”
This a cappella rendition breathes new life into the classic ode to rural landscapes. Its harmonies highlight the enduring charm of life surrounded by nature.
Related: Campfire Songs Everyone Knows
20. “Harvest Moon” – Neil Young
Lyric Sample: “Because I’m still in love with you, I want to see you dance again under the harvest moon.”
This romantic ballad celebrates the beauty of autumn nights under the moonlight. Neil Young’s gentle delivery captures the magic of nature’s quiet moments.
21. “Bonny Portmore” – Loreena McKennitt
Lyric Sample: “Although the destruction of old growth forest has gone on for centuries…”
This traditional Irish ballad mourns the loss of a great oak tree, symbolizing humanity’s impact on nature. Loreena McKennitt’s haunting vocals make this a poignant tribute to environmental conservation.
22. “River of Orchids” – XTC
Lyric Sample: “I heard the dandelions roar in Piccadilly Circus.”
This experimental track combines quirky instrumentation with a plea to replace concrete with greenery. XTC’s imaginative lyrics illustrate a vision of a world revitalized by nature.
23. “Lemon Tree” – Peter, Paul & Mary
Lyric Sample: “Lemon tree, very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet.”
This whimsical tune celebrates the simple joys of nature through the imagery of a lemon tree. Its playful tone captures the charm of appreciating life’s small natural wonders.
24. “Nature’s Way” – Spirit
Lyric Sample: “It’s nature’s way of telling you something’s wrong.”
This track explores humanity’s connection to the environment and the consequences of neglecting it. Spirit’s lyrics encourage listeners to live in harmony with nature.
25. “Woodstock” – Joni Mitchell
Lyric Sample: “We are stardust, we are golden, and we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden.”
Inspired by the iconic Woodstock festival, this song celebrates unity and a return to nature. Joni Mitchell’s poetic lyrics convey a deep longing for simplicity and peace.
26. “Rocky Mountain High” – John Denver
Lyric Sample: “He was born in the summer of his 27th year, coming home to a place he’d never been before.”
John Denver’s ode to the Rockies captures the awe-inspiring beauty of mountain landscapes. Its lyrics highlight his deep love and respect for nature.
Related: Best Songs About Hiking
27. “Fall on Me” – R.E.M.
Lyric Sample: “Buy the sky and sell the sky, and bleed the sky and tell the sky.”
This track critiques the commercialization of natural resources while celebrating their beauty. R.E.M.’s evocative lyrics and haunting melody make it a timeless environmental anthem.
Why Do Songs About Nature Resonate So Deeply?
Music about nature taps into universal emotions and experiences, reminding us of our deep connection to the world around us. These songs often blend nostalgia, urgency, and hope, offering a soundtrack to humanity’s relationship with the planet.
Nature represents both peace and power, beauty and vulnerability. These contrasts resonate deeply with listeners, evoking feelings of longing for simpler times or a desire to reconnect with the natural world. Songs about nature often help us understand our place within the environment.
As environmental concerns grow, these songs also serve as powerful reminders of the urgent need to protect and preserve our planet.
Be sure to check out some related articles, like Great Songs for Outdoor Adventures or Best Songs About Storms.