In a world full of differences and diversity, people need a reason to come together to form a united front. Instead of fighting against each other, we need to unite against the challenges people face in their everyday lives. These include hunger, unemployment, racism, divisive politics, and marginalization, among others. When the world feels divided and angry, the best way to heal is through music.
Songs about unity and togetherness are an excellent way of uniting people and helping them move forward. Below are some of the best songs about unity, both in this era and from decades ago. From these lyrics, we can learn to become better people and teach ourselves to be a little kinder to people who are different.
1. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
What a Wonderful World is considered one of the greatest classics from the 60s. In the song, Louis Armstrong describes the world through observing the sky, friends shaking hands, trees, and babies crying. In his description, he sees the world’s beauty through the tiny things that surround us every day and how we are connected. The song also acts as a reminder of the beautiful world we live in and the abundance it provides in terms of unique physical features. Armstrong reminds us that we live in this world together and can all enjoy it.
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2. Humble and Kind – Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw is one of the most popular country music artists of his time. His song, Humble and Kind, preaches unity and togetherness by reminding listeners about common human decency. Tim encourages people to use polite words such as thank you and please in the song. He also talks about practicing kindness and putting in the work to better oneself. McGraw points out the need to enjoy life and treating yourself and others well. We can learn to put our differences aside and treat each other kindly from this song.
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3. One Love – Bob Marley
One Love is arguably one of the most impactful reggae hits of all time. In the song, Marley and the Wailers talk about people coming together and being of one heart, regardless of their differences. The lyrics encourage us to join hands to feel alright. One Love preaches a message of peace and togetherness, pointing out that unity is the key to making the world a better and happier place. To date, the song is still used on various occasions to preach messages of unity and togetherness.
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4. Lonely Together – Avicii ft. Rita Ora
Lonely Together is the work of two famous artists, DJ Avicii and popular artist Rita Ora. In the song, we are reminded that when we come together, we can enjoy each other’s company and feel less lonely, even if you are dealing with a problem. This song tells a couple’s story and how they can be better together through unity. The song’s lyrics tell listeners that even people who are not friends or do not get along can come together and feel better.
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5. Waving Flag – K’naan
Waving Flag was made famous during the 2010 World Cup when it was selected as the promotional anthem. This song was originally composed for the Somali people to give them hope of enjoying peace and freedom one day. In this song, K’naan encourages listeners to unite and love each other. The most famous lines in the song, “when I get older, I will be stronger, they’ll call me freedom, just like a waving flag,” preach a message of hope to the people.
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5. Black or White – Michael Jackson
Black or White is the perfect blend of rock and rap and can be used to bridge racial gaps. In the song, Michael Jackson talks about racial harmony where an individual’s skin color or race doesn’t matter. Black or White encourages people to abandon inequality and embrace each other as one. The song’s lyrics emphasize unity by bringing out the humanity in every listener. Despite being released more than three decades ago, the song remains relevant with a call for unity among people of different races, ethnicities, and cultures.
Next: The best songs about peace of all time (peace bringing tracks)
6. Together – Marshmello
Unlike most songs, Together does not have lyrics to accompany the dance track. Marshmello, a renowned dance music producer and performer, composed this instrumental. The video takes us through the young life of Marshmello in school during a class presentation of their cultural backgrounds. Here, listeners see that he does not know his heritage which makes him run away in embarrassment. His classmates then invite him to their homes, sharing their diverse cultures and heritage. This song shows the richness in diversity of cultural traditions and how we can live together while appreciating our differences.
7. We Are the World 25 For Haiti – Artist For Haiti
We Are the World 25 For Haiti brought together artists from different nationalities and genres to support Haiti. The song was a redo of a 1985 song composed to raise awareness of famine in Africa. In the remake, artists came together to raise funds to rebuild Haiti after the devastating earthquake that left several people dead and hundreds homeless. The song teaches the importance of unity and togetherness toward a common cause.
8. Where Is The Love? – Black Eyed Peas
The best way to teach people about unity and togetherness is by sharing with them messages that make them question themselves and how they relate with others. It has to come from within. “Where Is The Love?” is one of the best examples that makes listeners question their attitude and want to better themselves. The lyrics paint a picture of negative situations, such as people hurting, dying, and how it is causing disunity. The band questions where values such as equality, love, fairness, and humanity went. Black Eyed Peas encourages us to stop the hate and embrace love in our hearts.
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9. We are One (Ole Ola) – Pitbull
We are One was chosen as the official 2014 World Cup anthem. The song was designed to make people feel good with an upbeat tempo that encourages people to come together to watch soccer and celebrate their teams. The song talks about how soccer unites people from different backgrounds, bringing them together to watch their favorite teams play.
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10. Love Will Tear Us Apart – Joy Division
Rock’ n Roll bands were famous for composing songs that preach unity and togetherness of people from different races and classes. One of the best examples is Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division. The song was written as a ballad for a couple that wanted to live together despite their families objecting to their union.
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11. Will the Circle Be Unbroken – The Dead South
America is considered a home of diversity, bringing together people from different walks of life to form one larger culture. This nation is also known for its wide variety of music genres, with unique messages that support different cultures. Will the Circle be Unbroken preaches a message of unity with its lyrics broken into three, each for the different races living in America, white, black, and native. The song depicts the power of unity by piecing together different cultures to form one culture.
12. Imagine – John Lennon
John Lennon joined the history books as one of the musicians who promoted non-violent revolution to achieve world peace through their music. His song, Imagine, received many air views for its message that encouraged a peaceful and unified world. This song was composed in response to the Vietnam War that divided people. The song gained popularity among music lovers and is still played at sporting events across the globe.
Next: The best war songs of all time (tracks about war)
13. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next – Manic Street Preachers
The Manic Street Preachers are one of the most popular bands in Britain, known for their layered lyrics. One of their greatest hits talked about unity and was written as a protest against the Iraq War. They believed the war was started to divide the people of the Middle East.
14. We Are the World – USA for Africa
We Are the World brought together musicians from different genres in the USA. It was aimed at unifying people to help those in need. The song was composed to aid globalization which many people believed would unite people from different countries to ensure a stronger economic and cultural exchange. The song unified some of the top artists in the United States towards a common goal.
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15. People Get Ready – The Impressions
The Impressions made a name for themselves as one of the leading rhythm and blues bands of their time. Their lead singer is remembered for having a powerful voice that sang unity among listeners. His voice has inspired one of the best athletes in America’s History, Jim Brown – the running back for the Cleveland Browns. Jim Brown considers this song one of his best songs because of its message of unity.
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16. I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are famed for their tuneful and danceable beats that rock various events and shows. However, they are also known for their thoughtful lyrics that seek to address some of the social issues of society. Their hit song, I Gotta Feeling, is an example of a song that promotes unity and togetherness in a world full of anger and division. The song encourages people to come together towards a common goal.
17. One Tribe – Black Eyed Peas
One Tribe is one of the top songs on unity and togetherness. In the song, the band talks about the need for unity among people despite the differences in agendas. The lyrics point out that having different agendas or being different is not a bad thing. It means that all we want is what we believe is the best, and this should bring us together. It encourages us to work together towards a common goal.
Next: Our list of songs about racism
18. People Got to Be Free – The Rascals
This song is a timeless piece released in 1968 by The Rascals. This song’s lyrics are one of the longest questions in history “why can’t you and I learn to love one another?” With this song playing in the background, you can question how you relate with others and seek a way to improve your attitude towards different and realize a better tomorrow.
19. Get Along – Kenney Chesney
Even from the title of the song, listeners know this is a song that teaches the message of unity and togetherness. The lyrics of getting along questions why we can’t get along which is also supported by an upbeat tempo you can dance to. The beautiful sound captivates you and get you in the mood to sing along as it spreads a message of acceptance and kindness. Kenney Chesney, encourages us to look beyond our differences and accept each other as one people for us to live harmoniously.
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19. Get Together – The Youngbloods
You can never end your list of songs on unity and togetherness without mentioning Get Together by Youngbloods. Popular lines from the song include ‘Come on, people now. Smile on your brother. Everybody get together. Try to love one another right now.’ These lyrics are self-explanatory, The Youngbloods encourage us to love one another to live a better and happy life.
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20. All Right Now – Free
Free joined history as one of the first Rock and Roll bands to mainstream motivational rock music. Their hit song, All Right Now, sang a message of love and positivity among listeners, encouraging people to stay positive and enjoy life. The song also promoted unity and togetherness among loved ones as a recipe for a joyous and fulfilling life.
Next: The best inspirational and motivational songs of all time (our list)
21. All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
This song was released during the summer of love with a clear message of love and unity towards others. All You Need Is Love empathizes with the importance of love and expressing it to those around you. It encourages us to show love to one another as it is a universal language everyone can understand.
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As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.