Peace and Love Songs, by Rich Paschall
With all the hate, violence and anger in the world it seems like a good time to reach for some peace and love. There was a time when music spoke to the social conscience of society. In the late 1960s and the 1970’s in particular, the force of music moved our hearts and our society away from war and civil disruption and toward a calmer more loving society, at least on the surface anyway. The rallies, the marches and the songs all spoke, or should I say sang out, to the need we had then to stop the violence.
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It’s a much different society today and I am not sure the rallies for peace and songs about love will move us in the right direction. It doesn’t hurt to try, however, so I bring you some moments of peace. You will be able to find all of these and a few others on a playlist on my You Tube channel.
So, it’s time to ask “What’s Going On?” as we look “From A Distance” for “Joy To The World.” “People Got To Be Free” and “We Have Got To Have Peace.” Sing out in joy with the “Rainbow Race” and “Let There Be Peace On Earth.”
10. Get Together – The Youngbloods, 1967
Love is but a song to sing
Fear’s the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
09. Why Can’t We Live Together? – original Timmy Thomas, 1972 – Sade, 1984
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why.
Why can’t we live together?
Tell me why, tell me why.
Why can’t we live together?
08. Why Can’t We Be Friends? – War, 1975
I seen ya around for a long, long time
I really remember you when you drank my wine
Why can’t we be friends
Why can’t we be friends
07. Imagine – John Lennon, 1971
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
06. Give Me Love – George Harrison, 1973
Give me love
Give me love
Give me peace on earth
05. Peace Train – Cat Stevens, 1971. This was Stevens’ first Top 10 hit in the US.
Oh, I’ve been smiling lately
Dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be
Some day it’s going to come
04. Give Peace A Chance – John Lennon, 1969 This Lennon/Paul McCartney composition was Lennon’s first solo single.
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
03. All You Need Is Love – The Beatles, 1967 Another Lennon/McCartney song was a single in ’67 and Britain’s contribution to the first world wide television broadcast by a satellite link.
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
02. Love Train – The O’Jays, 1972. It was their only number 1 record. Here they ride with the Soul Train too.
People all over the world (everybody)
Join hands (join)
Start a love train, love train
01. What The World Needs Now Is Love – Jackie DeShannon, 1965. The popular tune was written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach.
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some but for everyone
For 6 through 10 above, click on the title to go to the video, or click on playlist to go to all and a few more.
SERENDIPITY: SEEKING INTELLIGENT LIFE ON EARTH 
Reblogged this on Sunday Night Blog and commented:
With all the division brought on by the current political environment, it seems like a good time to share some music of Peace and Love. OK, sing along!
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We definitely need more songs about peace and acceptance instead of violence. As John Lennon sings – ‘give peace a chance’
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I hope current day artists will be inspired to give us some songs that will touch their generation.
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Hi Rich, I didn’t see Moments of Peace by swo8 Blues Jazz. Lord only knows, we need it.
Leslie
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Yes, there are many more songs we can include.
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I’m going to hear all of them. This looks like one hell of a playlist. Thanks!
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Thanks. I added a couple of recent versions to the playlist on You Tube.
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Definitely needed. Great songs.
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Thanks. Click on the “playlist” and watch them all and a couple extras.
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Absolutely will. Such classic, feel good songs. Thanks.
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Get together, the top (but last)on your list, is my favorite. I first heard it on a Chad Mitchell Trio album, maybe 1965? I love the song. It’s got great words and a lovely melody.
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It had a few releases before the Youngbloods hit. The Kingston Trio on a 1964 album, The Chad Mitchell Trio on a 1965 album and We Five released it as a single in 1965. It was on the Jefferson Airplane debut album and your fave Judy Collins performed it at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1966. That later appeared on an album. It was the 1967 Youngbloods version that did well, and even better when re-released in 1969.
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I just love the song. Actually, these are all wonderful songs.
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Yes they are and I am sure there are many more. These are just the ones I recall.
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Good list, Rich.
I still vividly recall Boston Common and an evening, candlelight vigil for John Lennon. The Common was a sea of people. “Give Peace A Chance” softly echoed from the myriad voices.
A night to remember!
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The verses did not matter much. Lennon said so himself and sometimes just mumbled through them. It was all about the chorus.
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I agree, Rich. I was thinking of that regards the Orlando tragedy.
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