Life is better when we all have compassion for each other. Whether you’re sharing your compassion in romance or with your platonic friends, the act of spreading love can make all our lives a bit better.
Of course, living without compassion can be incredibly difficult. In these 20 songs below, all of which are about compassion, we’ve managed to find the different ways artists talk about compassion — both too much of it and not enough.
1. “Killing For Love” by José González
“Killing For Love” by José González explores how even love can turn us into terrible people. The singer explains that loving someone too much can make us monsters, indeed. So, he sings that we should all be aware of the passion that we have — and learn how to control this love if we need to.
He sings, “You’ve got a heart filled with passion / Will you let it burn for hate or compassion.”
2. “Father’s Eyes” by Amy Grant
1979’s “Father’s Eyes” by Amy Grant follows the singer as she explains that she knows some may people may look at her and see one thing, or only see her flaws. But she wishes that they would see that she has her father’s eyes.
She sings, “Eyes full of compassion / Seeing every pain / Knowing what you’re going through / And feeling it the same.”
As Amy Grant often sings about being Christian, this song can also be seen as a song about the Christian faith!
3. “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” by Tina Turner
1985’s “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” by Tina Turner explores what it can feel like when you have no hope in society. Turner explains that we don’t need any more heroes to save the day — especially when it’s clear they didn’t save anyone, to begin with.
Instead, she wishes the world were a better place. So, she sings the lyrics, “Looking for something we can rely on / There’s gotta be something better out there / Love and compassion.”
4. “Iodine” by Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen released his song “Iodine” on his 1977 album Death of a Ladies’ Man. In this song, Cohen sings about a romantic relationship where his partner takes care of him. She comforts and heals him, much as the antiseptic iodine does. He realizes that he’s been hurt in the past by another, and his new partner wants to help heal him.
As a result, he sings about compassion and love. He sings the lyrics, “Yes I was with you, oh sweet compassion / Compassion with the sting of iodine.”
5. “Animal” by The Kinks
In “Animal”, The Kinks compare a past relationship to animal behavior. The singer realizes that what he called “true love” was also likely toxic and dangerous. However, he also sings that not everything about this romance was so terrible. He sings, “It was really animal, truly animal / There were times when there was absolute compassion in the air.”
6. “Just Stop” by Disturbed
“Just Stop” by Disturbed, which appears on the band’s 2005 album Ten Thousand Fists, explores a rather dramatic romantic relationship. The singer explains that his partner always makes things difficult and dramatic. Why can’t they just go with the flow and calm down?
The singer brings up compassion and says, “All I ever wanted was to be a real source of / Compassion for the moment / That we find ourselves drowning in.”
7. “Closing Time” by Leonard Cohen
We’ve got another Leonard Cohen song! “Closing Time”, first released in 1992, describes what it’s like in a bar or club once it begins to close. It’s early in the morning and all of the patrons must soon leave and go home. Cohen sings about compassion when discussing the lady he’s with, singing, “And my very sweet companion / She’s the Angel of Compassion.”
8. “All Kinds of People” by Burt Bacharach & Cissy Houston
1971’s “All Kinds of People” by Burt Bacharach and Cissy Houston is all about how we should all come together. Even though we’re all quite different, we all have something in common — and this bands us all together. We should always have kindness, empathy, and compassion for others!
The duo sings, “Light kind of people / Should feel compassion / For dark kind of people / Should feel compassion / And care for each other.”
9. “Scars” by Papa Roach
“Scars” by Papa Roach also discusses compassion! In this 2004 rock song, the singer goes through some of his struggles and emotions, particularly regarding his own life and the love he has for someone. This person treats him badly and doesn’t see that he’s there trying to help them.
So, he sings, “Compassions in my nature / Tonight is our last stand.”
10. “We Sure Can Love Each Other” by Tammy Wynette
In “We Sure Can Love Each Other”, Tammy Wynette sings about forgiveness in a romantic relationship. Wynette sings that she and her partner have definitely had their fair share of problems. Because they know each other so well, they know how to hurt each other so well.
But Wynette is willing to forgive, as she thinks the relationship will last forever. She ends up singing, “We know all the ways to make each other cry / But when we forget compassion and to forgive is too old fashioned / We’ve let everything worth having pass us by.”
11. “Anytime You Need a Friend” by Mariah Carey
“Anytime You Need a Friend” by Mariah Carey, first released in 1994, is all about love and compassion. Carey explains that even when you’re down and feel as if nothing is going your way, and even if you desperately need a friend, you should realize that love is right there for you.
She sings the memorable lyrics, “Just remember / To keep the faith / And love will be there / To light the way.”
12. “The Tide Is Turning (After Live Aid)” by Roger Waters
1987’s “The Tide Is Turning (After Live Aid)” by Roger Waters follows the story that is told throughout the entire Radio K.A.O.S album. On the track before, everyone thinks that nuclear war is coming — and that everyone will die.
However, when this song picks up, everyone realizes that nuclear warfare isn’t just around the corner. So, they intend to now try to be better people as a whole and really begin to spread compassion and love.
Waters sings, “Now the satellite’s confused / Cause on Saturday night / The airwaves were full of compassion and light.”
13. “Fountain of Sorrow” by Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne’s 1974 song “Fountain of Sorrow” details the singer finding a photo of his ex. Immediately, he is brought back to their relationship and how everything went wrong. He truly loved this person, though it was clear that she was struggling in her own way.
About her, Browne sings, “You’ve had to struggle, you’ve had to fight / To keep understanding and compassion in sight.”
14. “Good Time Boys” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Good Time Boys” by Red Hot Chili Peppers opens with the lyrics, “Indeed, it may seem that we have strange ways / But we do it with compassion and don’t believe in age / Travel around the world, getting naked on the stage / Busting people out of their everyday cage.”
While the song discusses a lot of topics, the band mainly sings about how they’d like to bring people happiness and joy with their music. Even though they might be considered strange by many, they’re truly doing what they love with compassion!
15. “I’ll Stand By You” by Pretenders
“I’ll Stand By You” by Pretenders, first released in 1994, is one of the most memorable songs about compassion! This song could be about any type of romantic or platonic love. The singer explains that no matter what, they will always be by their friends’ or lovers’ side.
They sing, “Won’t let nobody hurt you / I’ll stand by you.”
16. “Candle In the Wind” by Elton John
Elton John’s “Candle In the Wind”, the 1997 version which was written after Princess Diana’s death, talks about compassion, as well. John sings that Princess Diana had so much compassion, which is all the more heartbreaking now that she died so young.
He sings the lyrics, “Goodbye England’s rose / From a country lost without your soul / Who’ll miss the wings of your compassion / More than you will ever know.”
17. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King is another great iconic song about compassion. First released in 1961, King sings that no matter what happens, he will always be by his partner’s side. Even if the world ends, he will always be there.
This song isn’t explicitly about romantic love. As a result, many people have adapted it to be about friendship and love for all people!
18. “Brotherhood” by Santana
In “Brotherhood”, Santana sings about how we all should come together. Instead of letting so many different factors tear us all apart, we should realize we have more in common than we do in differences. The band sings, “Brotherhood / No more war, violence, or pain / Compassion.”
19. “Fix You” by Coldplay
“Fix You” by Coldplay was first written by the lead singer Chris Martin for his wife when her father passed away. Since its inception, the song has gone on to have a life of its own — and many listeners have adapted its meaning to fit their own personal struggles. The beauty of music!
The song continues to be one of the best songs about compassion, particularly about sharing compassion when people are going through hard times!
20. “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers
1972’s “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers is yet another iconic song about love and compassion! In this memorable track, Withers sings about how we should all help each other out and show compassion to our friends and neighbors!
He sings the lyrics, “You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand / We all need somebody to lean on.”