Since 1970, Earth Day has stood as a powerful reminder that our planet cannot thrive without our help. Occurring every April 22, Earth Day encourages all of us, no matter our age, to get out and help, even if it is supporting our pollinators by planting sunflowers or cleaning up plastic in our local park. While Earth Day will have passed by the time this DeJamz is up, I hope this carefully curated Earth Day-centric playlist will encourage you to continue caring for our planet no matter the season. 

“(Nothing But) Flowers” – The Talking Heads 

Talk about reclaiming nature. This jaunty tune illustrates a postapocalyptic setting where technology has been predominantly extinct. While lead singer David Byrne may be conflicted on whether or not he enjoys this newfound paradise, I wouldn’t mind if discount stores became cornfields. Anyways this song makes me want to become the 21st-century version of Johnny Appleseed and wander across the country restoring the Earth. 

“Big Yellow Taxi” – Counting Crows, Vanessa Carlton

Before you attack me for not using Joni Mitchell’s original version, know that it was not on Spotify. However, no matter the singer, this song serves as a warning to acknowledge our damage to the environment before it becomes irreversible. While it may be too late to heed Mitchell’s warning, now is the time to grasp the damage we’ve done to our Earth. Do not let them pave paradise and put up a parking lot!

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver 

Growing up in a John Denver-loving house, I had to include “Country Roads.” While I may not be from West Virginia, I can still appreciate Denver’s ode to Appalachian peaks and dust-stained sky. If there is ever a song that makes you want to return to nature, it’s this one.

“Ripple” – The Grateful Dead

Shoutout to my dad for being a Deadhead and putting me on this absolute banger. While I have a curated taste when it comes to the Grateful Dead, “Ripple” is easily one of my favorite songs of all time. Always seeming to sting on the right side of nostalgia, “Ripple” invites listeners to make peace with themselves and their surroundings. Though not inherently related to the Earth, my dad always played “Ripple” on yard work days, so now I associate it with ripping weeds and cutting the lawn. 

“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” – R.E.M.

Haha, get it? No, but seriously, scientists have said we have seven years left to prevent irreversible damage from climate change to our planet. Now I know that there is only so much we as individuals can do to help avoid this disastrous event from occurring, but there is strength in numbers. The more we educate ourselves, the faster we can take action, challenge the causes of climate change and encourage sustainable solutions.