This guest post has been compiled by Michael Edmondstone who has long been wanting to add his post on Wild Navigator. This is our first ever post that links art, music with the environment and Michael has summarised a list from all over the world with a small brief of the importance of the song for the artist and the environment. Hope you all enjoy his TOP 10 countdown and do leave your comments below - Thanks 

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My Top 10 Songs for the Environment

By Michael Edmondstone

It can get lonely working out in the fields, waging a war against the seemingly unbeatable foe of pollution and waste, these songs let you know that you’re not alone in your fight.

My summary of the Top 10 songs for the environment are as follows:

10. The Music Makers - Edward Elgar

The themes in Edward Elgar’s The Music Makers were inspired by his walks across Hampstead Heath. Anything that inspires something as beautiful and passionate as this choral ode is surely worth fighting for.

9. Sonido Amazonico - Chicha Libre

Sonido Amazonico by Chicha Libre truly is the sound of the Amazon. Its winding melody and exotic sounds conjure up images of the rainforest to help keep you focused on saving threatened vegetation.

8. Behold the Land - Culture

Roots reggae group Culture often sing about worthy causes, and never more so than in Behold the Land. The Jamaican natives, who were formerly known as the African Disciples, preach that we should appreciate and cherish the land where we belong.

7. Sitting on the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding

The languid feel of Sitting on the Dock of the Bay reminds you of the the peacefulness of nature and makes you want to sit back, relax and listen to the sounds of the earth. It also highlights why it’s important to care for nature in the first place; so that we can enjoy it.

6. World of Pain - Cream

The world would be a lonely place if there was just a single tree to keep you company in a world of grey. Take heed from World of Pain by Cream and never give up on helping out the natural environment.

5. Panda - Jefferson Airplane

This song is a cold, hard look at a panda whose life is being destroyed as its habitat and the world around it are devastated. Sometimes subtle tactics don’t and this type of clear message is what’s needed to really spread the message.

4. Songs Of Melody - Silly Walks Melody with Ginja

Songs of Melody by the German reggae instrumentalists Silly Walks Movement is a nod to nature, describing how the spirit and melody of music runs through nature.

3. Mercy Mercy Me - Marvin Gaye

As Marvin Gaye got older, he shunned his sales seeking motown records, and started making more socially conscious songs. Mercy Mercy Me is his lament about the state of nature, unfortunately, there’s still a lot of work to do before we move away from the scene he paints in his song.

2. Autumn Leaves - Wynton Marsalis

Of all the iconic images of nature, nothing quite beats the falling Autumn Leaves. The loose, frenetic piano in Wyton Marsalis’ poetic jazz piece is a musical interpretation of this celebrated scene and reminds us of the fragility of the environment around us.

1. The Earth Song - Michael Jackson

And finally it is Michael Jackson and The Earth Song which makes it to my No.1 on my countdown. The King of Pop may have seen the environment problems a little more than many of us. If it were possible to harness obsessive fever of his millions of fans and direct it towards saving the earth, you could make climate change a thing of the past. He was a great ambassador to the environment.

About the Author

Michael Edmondstone is a freelance writer, passionate about the environment. He is currently working closely with Music Magpie who encourage people to clear out unwanted possessions and sell old computer games

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