Songs About Mindfulness and Compassion
published 1/24/20; updated 5/25/22
by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org
Continuing the popular series of Song Playlists for Teachers, here are a variety of songs about appreciating the present moment, kindness, forgiveness, self-compassion, empathy, etc.
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. Please preview anything you plan to share with your students.
Songs About Appreciating the Present Moment/Awareness of Time Passing
Little Things, india.arie
lyrics; official video
Monday, The Bottle Rockets
lyrics; video of live performance
After the Storm Blows Through, Maddie + Tae
lyrics; video of live performance
Friendship, Chris Stapleton
lyrics; cover by Dwayne Haggins; official audio
It's You I Like, Fred Rogers
lyrics; cover by Narwals and Waterfalls; video from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood
Photograph, Ed Sheehan
Still a Friend of Mine, Mona Lisa Twins
lyrics; official video
For more songs like these:
Songs About Regret and Forgiveness
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, Nina Simone
lyrics; there are a lot of recordings of this song, including The Animals, David Busby, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, and Nina Simone
Hear My Heart, Andy Mineo
official video with ASL, and graphics to show the beat of the music
He wrote this song for his sister, to apologize for not learning sign language while they were growing up.
For more songs like these:
Songs About Self-Compassion, Self-Expression, Empathy, and Encouragement
Black Sheep, MILCK (Connie Lim)
lyrics; video of live performance
Cry Pretty, Carrie Underwood
lyrics; official video
This is a song by a Christian performer. The lyrics can be interpreted in either a religious or secular way; the video shows a single father and his son who need each other.
Fly, Maddie + Tae
lyrics; official video
Make Some Noise, Awu
video
Message in a Bottle, The Police
lyrics; live performance by Sting
Pain, 1K Phew
lyrics; official video
Underdog, Alicia Keys
lyrics; official video
For more songs like these:
Songs About Compassion, Peace, and Diversity
Everyday People, Sly and the Family Stone
lyrics; video by Playing for Change
Grant Us Peace, Angel City Chorale
video of live performance
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, The Hollies
lyrics; recording by GUTIERREZ; there are a lot of other recordings of this song, including by Homeless Worldwide
Hurts 2B Human, Pink
lyrics; official video
Love is All, Playing for Change
lyrics; official video, featuring young singers and musicians from around the world
Love Will Find a Way, Michael Franti & Spearhead
lyrics; official video
Most People Are Good, Luke Bryan
lyrics, official video
Nobody Right, Nobody Wrong, Michael Franti
lyrics; video of live recording
Right to Peace, Rubia Braun
global sing-along video by the Peace Crane Project
Walk In My Shoes, Emily King
lyrics; official video
What Do I Know?, Ed Sheeran
lyrics; audio; video filmed with children in Liberia
Related Posts
There are many more playlists and resources on mindfulness and compassion here at MindfulTeachers.org, including the following posts: