Songs About Kindness, Compassion, and Service
published 12/27/15; updated 5/4/24
by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org
Continuing the popular series of Song Playlists for Teachers, here are a variety of songs about about treating each other with kindness, and taking action to help others
Teachers, please note: With such a multicultural audience teaching young children through adults, I can’t guarantee that all of the songs and videos will be appropriate for your particular context. I’ve included brief descriptions to help you choose, but please preview anything you plan to share with your students.
Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon and Garfunkel
lyrics; live performance by Josh Groban and Brian McKnight
Support when you’re feeling low.
Compassion (Change the World), Andrew Witt
lyrics; youtube video (audio with lyrics)
We may not be able to change the whole world, but we can each make an enormous difference to someone else.
Easy to Be Hard, Galt MacDermot, James Rado, and Gerome Ragni
lyrics; movie clip featuring Cheryl Barnes
In this clip from the film ‘Hair,’ a woman who’s just been dumped by her fiancé sings about how he’s so focused on social injustice that he ignores the needs of his own loved ones.
Everybody Hurts, REM
lyrics; live performance by Father Ray Kelly
Comforting someone who’s having a rough time and wants to give up. (I heard from a pastor who thinks this was an excellent choice of song for a priest, since clergy hear about so much suffering from members of their flocks.)
Help the Homeless, Big D
official video
Hip-hop song from the point of view of someone who’s homeless and asking for help from people walking by.
Home, Phillip Phillips
lyrics; video with American Sign Language by Deaf Film Camp
Song about welcoming someone who’s frightened in a new place. (Video shows a girl being welcomed to deaf film camp, and other kids being encouraged when they feel nervous.)
Lean on Me, Bill Withers
lyrics; Playing for Change video; ASL version; Auslan version
Playing for change video shows musicians from around the world. The two sign language videos show an individual interpreting the song.
Man in the Mirror, Michael Jackson
lyrics; video of cover by Noah Guthrie
Talking to himself about how he’s going to make some changes in his life and do some good in the world.
My Own Little World, Matthew West
lyrics; official video
He was living in his own little world (“population: me”), but he learned to empathize with others.
Stand by Me, Ben E. King
lyrics; video of “Playing for Change” musicians from around the world; bilingual version (Spanish and English) by Prince Royce
Try a Little Kindness, by Curt Sapaugh and Bobby Austin (first recorded by Glen Campbell)
lyrics; live performance by Brad Paisley (with former U.S. presidents Bush and Clinton sitting next to each other enjoying the show)
You Showed Me Kindness, Bob Nordquist
I couldn't find lyrics for this one. It's a youtube video of a sweet song written thanking friends and family who helped him recover from surgery
Related Posts
There are many more song playlists and resources on community and compassion here at MindfulTeachers.org, including the following posts: