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7 Empathy Songs to Sing in Music Class

7 Empathy Songs to Sing in Music Class

In this ever-changing school climate, our music students need and crave connection now more than ever. Many of our elementary students have worries that extend far beyond the thirty minutes spent in our music classroom. As music teachers, we likely feel the weight of these uncertain times too. Singing together can be a powerful way to bring comfort, unity, and peace to your school community. That’s why I’m sharing these seven empathy songs—to lift the hearts and voices of your students and help them feel seen, safe, and valued.

Connecting Through Singing in Music Class

How do students connect through singing?

Group singing has a magical, profound way of fostering a sense of belonging. Songs are the stories of humanity. Think about it! During the American Civil Rights Movement, the song We Shall Overcome became a powerful anthem of unity. As thousands joined hands and raised their voices together, the song created an unbreakable bond of hope and solidarity. This same transformative power resides within the students sitting in our music classrooms. When students sing together, they share more than just singing, they share genuine moments of emotion and human connection. This phenomenon is amplified when your students understand the context and background behind the songs they are singing.

Let’s continue by exploring these seven transformative empathy songs.

Empathy Songs for Music Class

1. Lean On Me – Bill Withers (Pop/Soul)

Students will understand and connect with these lyrics right away. This empathy song talks about leaning on each other in times of need and being there for one another. It’s a great choice for a concert song, but it’s just as impactful when you’re singing it in music class.

2. Imagine – John Lennon (Pop/Rock)

Imagine is one of those timeless songs you can never go wrong with. The lyrics encourage students to imagine a unified, peaceful world where all people live together as one. I definitely recommend singing this empathy song with your music class!

3. One Love – Bob Marley (Reggae)

Bob Marley wrote wonderful empathy songs, and this was one of them! There’s a powerful message in One Love that any obstacle can be overcome by coming together, loving each other, and working together toward a more peaceful world.

4. What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong (Jazz)

 

This empathy song was written in 1967 as an uplifting message during a time of social and racial unrest. One of the songwriters George Weiss said that he wrote the song specifically for Louis Armstrong since he was inspired by Armstrong’s ability to bring people together from different races.

5. Sing – The Carpenters (Pop)

You can’t miss with this unifying theme from Sesame Street! Indeed, this classic tune promotes positivity and expressing one’s self freely, without judgment. The lyrics teach students acceptance of each other through phrases like “Don’t worry that it’s not good enough” and suggest that every voice matters with words like “Let the world sing along” and “Sing for you and me.”

6. You’ve Got A Friend – Carole King (Folk)

I still remember the lyrics of this song from when I learned it in fourth grade! They had special meaning to me because my best friend had recently moved out of state. The line “Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you have to do is call” was a reminder to me that our friendship could withstand any distance. I discovered that even though we couldn’t see each other every day like we used to, singing these lyrics made me feel like we were still together. That’s why this empathy song is such a meaningful choice for elementary school—it captures themes of friendship and loyalty in a simple way that all students can relate to.

7. Ebony and Ivory – Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder (Pop)

 
The lyrics of this song allude to racial harmony just as the black and white keys live together on the piano! Songwriter Paul McCartney was inspired to write this song when he heard someone say, “Black notes, white notes, and you need to play the two to make harmony, folks!” Ultimately, McCartney envisioned singing the song with a black singer, which led to Stevie Wonder joining him on the track. The song’s message of unity makes it a powerful empathy song, encouraging students to appreciate and respect differences while recognizing the strength that comes from working together.

Connecting with Empathy Songs in Music Class

A group of smiling, diverse elementary students lying in a circle, looking up at the camera, symbolizing connection, unity, and joy in music class.
Helping students connect with empathy songs in music class encourages emotional understanding, unity, and meaningful discussions about music and life experiences.

You may find that simply singing empathy songs in music class isn’t always enough for students to form a connection with the lyrics. Some of your students may need a chance to process and interpret what the words mean to them. Songs like What A Wonderful World may have lyrics that are fairly straightforward, but other songs like Imagine and Ebony and Ivory may require a bit more interpretation and discussion in order for students to form a meaningful connection. Before singing these songs, I suggest having your students take turns reading through the lyrics. You can ask them guided questions such as:

  • What do you think the songwriter meant here?
  • What do these lyrics mean to you in your own words?
  • What is the theme or overall message in this song?
  • What emotions do you feel while reading these lyrics?

Sometimes students may get stuck and not know how to interpret the lyrics; In these situations, it’s important to remind them that there are no right or wrong answers. You can try redirecting them with questions such as:

  • What do you think the songwriter means by ____________________?
  • If these words were being recited by an actor in a movie, do you think the scene would be happy, sad or something else? Why?

Once your students are making meaningful connections to the lyrics, it’s important to make the message relevant to them. Depending on the age of your music class singers, some of the topics covered in these empathy songs may not yet be relevant to them. Younger students may need to start by focusing on the emotions they feel instead of specific words. Using storytelling and adding creative movement can help lyrics feel more relatable. Older students may be more prepared for discussion but may still need help with making a more personal connection. Encouraging your music class to think about how the song’s themes relate to their own life experiences will make the empathy song more meaningful. Lastly, remember, you know your students best! These suggestions are offered as starting points that can be modified based on the unique needs of your classroom and students.

Empathy Songs Make Music Class A Better Place

As music teachers, we know the transformative power of our craft. Now it’s time for students to feel the magic too! Singing these empathy songs helps reinforce that music bridges the gap between different cultures and life experiences. When our students sing together, they begin to understand that music is more than just right notes and wrong notes—it’s an outlet to express emotions and shared experiences. I truly hope these seven empathy songs bring a sense of joy, unity, and belonging into your music class.

Are you looking for even more empathy songs to share with your students? Join The Chamber of Freebies and to get my full list of 25 Empathy Songs which can be used the entire school year! You’ll also gain access to my entire library of free music education resources and receive a weekly newsletter filled with magical ideas to support your music classroom. What are you waiting for? Come join the magical music community and see what’s inside!

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