Songs for Touching Grass

Earth Day could not have come at a better time. Spring in Boston is in full swing: temperatures are consistently above freezing, the trees boast blooming buds, and soft petals blow through the air. What better opportunity to look outward and appreciate the fresh florals and verdant colors overtaking once-bare branches. The playlist spans soul, indie folk, classic rock, and soft alternative, with songs that touch on nature or the feeling of spring after a long winter. 

1. “There Must Be a Better Way” by Friday, Saturday And Sunday

While the song’s lyrics are not directly related to the planet, I firmly believe this must be the first tune in the queue. There is something about the music’s piano-heavy hook that encapsulates the feeling of stepping outside and feeling the sun on your face. It feels somewhat jazzy, with elements that evoke fresh air and rustling leaves. I guarantee that it’s a funky soul melody, designed to boost your serotonin and make you stop to smell the flowers on your walk to class. 

2. “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” by Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?” is, in my opinion, one of the greatest albums ever made. With the singer’s silky voice layered over bass, guitars, and alto saxophones, the instrumentation creates an atmospheric listening experience. In “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” in particular, Gaye highlights environmental issues through pointed lyrics in the chorus.

“Whoa, oh, mercy mercy me

Oh, things ain’t what they used to be, no no

Where did all the blue skies go?

Poison is the wind that blows 

From the north and south and east.”

Gaye mourns the absence of blue skies and the growing pollution that continues to poison the environment. This Earth Day, it’s worth a listen, as the music reminds us of what’s at stake and what we need to do for our planet.

3. “Natural Beauty” by Neil Young

This song is a lament for what is lost and a wish to preserve the good things in life. “Natural Beauty” is about survival in nature in general and survival in any situation, really. “The subject of the song is meandering, it’s kind of a trip through space,” Neil Young said in 1992. The melody evokes the suggested reflective meditation, unfolding slowly over four minutes. For Earth Day, it invites us to look around and note why the world around us is worth preserving.

4. “(Nothing but) Flowers” by Talking Heads

The lyrics to this song imagine a world in which the wilderness has reclaimed parking lots, pizza places, and factories. The band’s vision sounds both utopian and slightly terrifying—Talking Heads sing that they “wish [they] had a lawnmower.” It may seem an odd choice for a playlist of appreciation, but the song actually offers commentary on how much society prioritizes industrialization over the nature it destroys. The song inverts typical pro-environmental messages to show how far society has drifted from the natural world, making it worth a listen on a day dedicated to our Mother Earth. 

5. “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding

Hot girl walks are sometimes overrated, and this song romanticizes the simple beauty of popping a squat near a nice view. There is something underappreciated about resting unhurriedly, sitting still, and admiring the earth around us—three things this song encourages listeners to do. The urge to run outside, smell the fresh air, and feel the prickly edges of leaves grows with every line. Feel free to be “Sittin’ in the mornin’ sun” until you’re “sittin’ when the evenin’ come.”

6. “California Stars” by Billy Bragg and Wilco

This is the obligatory shoutout to my hometown, as someone born and raised in San Diego. This song encapsulates how it feels to lie in a field and stare up at the stars, choosing to stop thinking about the bugs flying around you and to admire that we are really just dots in a vast world. The lyrics read, “I’d like to dream my troubles all away/On a bed of California stars,” which sounds increasingly appealing as finals season approaches. 

7. “All Things Must Pass” by George Harrison

Arguably the most philosophical entry on this list, but worth sitting with. Renowned English musician Harrison wrote this during one of the more desolate moments of his life, intended to emphasize that hardship is fleeting, change is inevitable, and dormant possibilities eventually blossom. For an observance that celebrates Earth’s resilience, Harrison’s lyrics about sunsets and parting clouds fit well within its sentiment.

8. “Driving to Hawaii” by Summer Salt

The fantastical imagery inherent in every word of “Driving to Hawaii” captures the joy of an afternoon in a warm, tropical setting, surrounded by nature. The indie song’s evocative language really paints Earth at its best and is well worth appreciating. Even if Cambridge, Massachusetts, winter and spring seasons are still caught in a game of chicken, maybe some warm-toned melodies can trick your body into thinking you’re somewhere where high UV levels bring that summertime glow to the surface. 

9. “Mother Nature’s Son” by The Beatles

After attending a talk given by the Maharishi while studying Transcendental Meditation in Rishikesh, India, Paul McCartney was inspired to write this song. While the lecture was the impetus for his writing, McCartney has attributed “Mother Nature’s Son” to a more personal source: his love for the outdoors. “I was always able to take my bike, and in five minutes I’d be in quite deep countryside. This is where my love of the country came from,” McCartney wrote in his book, “Many Years From Now.” This personal connection makes the song feel like a memory, evoking nostalgia, gratitude, and sympathy for nature. 

10. “Second Nature” by Bon Iver

Sung over a soft melody, Bon Iver tackles climate change through his lyrics. His lyrics question whether humans are intrinsically destructive beings, posing questions such as, “Is this our fault? And are we just too damn used to it?” and “Where is mother? She was a stunner, can we page her?” It’s an uncomfortable question to ask, and the song does not offer a solution, but Earth Day would be as good a time as any to ask it. 

Whether you spend the day basking in nature or admiring photos of your past adventures from the basement of Wigglesworth Hall, this playlist hopefully offers a soundtrack to get you into the tree-hugging mood. Happy Earth Day, and listen to some good tunes in our planet’s honor.

Audrey Adam ’27 (audreyadam@college.harvard.edu) just got bullied into switching from Apple Music to Spotify.