During a discussion I attended on the subject of genocide - the speaker handed out the lyrics to George Michael's hit song Praying for Time. Although I'd hummed along with this melodic song numerous times, I'd never really listened to the words.
Following is a short list of songs about racial harmony. The lyrics are powerful, inspiring, and remind us that positive change can and so often does start with one person.
Download these songs and listen…really listen.
1. "The Beauty of Gray by Live
The Beauty of GrayFrom the album Mental Jewelry
This song is about taking a look at one's racial prejudices:
"This is not a black and white world
To be alive
I say that the colors must swirl
And I believe
That maybe today
We will all get to appreciate
The beauty of gray"
2. "Colored People" by dctalk
Colored PeopleFrom the album Jesus Freak
This song is about appreciating diversity as a gift from God:
"A piece of canvas is only the beginning
It takes on character with every loving stroke
This thing of beauty is the passion of an artist's heart
By God's design, we are a skin kaleidoscope"
3. "Colors of the Wind" by Vanessa Williams
Colors of the WindFrom the album Pocahontas Soundtrack
This song is about intolerance and the cultural conflicts between Native Americans and European settlers:
"You think the only people who are people
Are the people who look and think like you
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
You'll learn things you never knew you never knew"
4. "Cry Freedom" by Dave Matthews Band
Cry FreedomFrom the album Crash
This song is about shared humanity, apartheid in South Africa, and the need for racial unity:
"Hands and feet are all alike
But gold between divide us
Hands and feet are all alike
But fear between divide us
Hands and feet are all alike
Hear what I say
Hear what I say Oh, so be it
How can I turn away
Brother/Sister go dancing through my head Human as to human
The future is no place To place your better days"
5. "Ebony & Ivory" by Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
Ebony & IvoryFrom the album Tug of War
This song is about the beauty of racial harmony:
"Ebony and ivory
Live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano keyboard
Oh lord, why don't we?"
6. "One" by Creed
OneFrom the album My Own Prison
This song is about racial discrimination and the need for unity:
"The goal is to be unified,
Take my hand be my brother...
Society blind by color,
Why hold down one to raise another...
One, Oh, one the only way is one"
7. "War" by Bob Marley
WarFrom the album Rastaman Vibration
This song is about the inevitable outcome of hate and the necessity of racial harmony:
"Until the philosophy which holds one race superior,
and another inferior,
is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned,
everywhere is war."
8. "What Color is God's Skin?" by Up with People
What Color is God's Skin (music notes: requires musicnotes viewer installation)From the album Face to Face
This song is about about making a difference with racial equity:
"What Color is God's skin?
What color is God's skin?
I said, "It's black, brown, it's yellow, it's red
It is white.
Everyone's the same in the good Lord's sight."
9. "Your Racist Friend" by They Might Be Giants
Your Racist FriendFrom the album Flood
This song is about supporting the perpetuation of racism by associating with those who verbalize racist views and not addressing their racial prejudices:
"This is where the party ends
I can't stand here listening to you
And your racist friend
I know politics bore you
but I feel like a hypocrite talking to you
You and your racist friend"
10. "Why Can't We Be Friends" by War (remake by Smashmouth)
Why Can't We Be Friends?From the album Why Can't We Be Friends
This song is about empathy and compassion:
"The color the color
The color of your skin don't matter to me
As long as as long as
As long as we can live in harmony"