Earth Day: 20 epic songs with nature in their titles

22 April 2024, 09:22 | Updated: 22 April 2024, 13:47

Artists with nature in mind: Prince, Kate Bush and Arctic Monkeys
Artists with nature in mind: Prince, Kate Bush and Arctic Monkeys. Picture: MediaPunch Inc/United Archives GmbH/Christian Bertrand/Alamy Stock Photo
Radio X

By Radio X

It's Earth Day every 22nd April, so here's a score of big tunes that mention nature, the weather and good old Mother Earth.

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Earth Day is celebrated annually on 22nf April and 2024 is no different.

The global movement, which was first held on the same day in 1970, has grown to include a wide range of events across the globe organised by earthday.org with the aim of protecting the environment.

Find out more about Earth Day and get our playlist of epic tracks with nature in their titles, - which evoke weather, the changing seasons or the elements - here.

READ MORE: The 50 greatest protest songs

What is Earth Day and why do we celebrate it every year?

Earth Day takes place on 22nd April every year and is a global event which aims to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The date also marks the anniversary of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

  1. The Rolling Stones - She's A Rainbow

    A rainbow is light refracted through raindrops - and a metaphor for Mick and Keith's mystical muse.

    She's A Rainbow ((Original Single Mono Version))

  2. Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill

    Any landform that extends above its surrounding terrain is fame for Kate Bush, it would seem.

    Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill - Official Music Video

  3. Arctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes Down

    Wind, thunder, lightning and even rain and hail can all contribute to whipping up a storm. And, let's not forget there really was a Storm Brian, back in October 2017.

    Arctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes Down (Official Video)

  4. The Beatles - Lucy In The Sky with Diamonds

    A painting by John Lennon's young son Julian showed his schoolfriend Lucy floating in the celestial sphere.

    Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (Remastered 2009)

  5. Royal Blood - Typhoons

    The Brighton duo sang about the fearsome tropical cyclone that is a typhoon.

    Royal Blood - Typhoons (Official Video)

  6. Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees

    They may only be fake and plastic, but where would we be without trees?

    Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees

  7. Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun

    Chris Cornell gives you two astronomical phenomena in one song: the collapse of gravity that forms the black hole, plus the centre of our solar system, the sun.

    Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun

  8. The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun

    George Harrison paid tribute to the arrival of Spring in this classic Beatles tune, from their Abbey Road album.

    The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (2019 Mix)

  9. Weezer - Islands In The Sun

    The nerd-rock band looked forward to the summertime in this track from their 2001 "Green" album.

    Weezer - Island In The Sun (Official Music Video)

  10. Kings of Leon - Stormy Weather

    The Followill clan prepared to batten down the hatches on this 2021 tune.

    Kings Of Leon - Stormy Weather (Official Video)

  11. Feeder - Seven Days In The Sun

    Feeder have both hemispheres covered as their line-up consists of Grant Nicholas (from Newport in Wales) and Taka Hirose (from Mizuho in Japan).

    Feeder - Seven Days In The Sun - Official Video

  12. Haim - Summer Girl

    The Haim sisters know all about being summer girls, as they hail from the San Fernando Valley in California.

    Haim - Summer Girl

  13. Bob Dylan - Blowin' In The Wind

    Dylan's ground-breaking topical folk song about the wind of change in the 1960s.

    Bob Dylan - Blowin' in the Wind (Audio)

  14. Prince - Purple Rain

    Prince's metaphorical downpour is one of the greatest rock ballads of all time.

    Prince - Purple Rain (Official Video)

  15. David Bowie - Wild Is The Wind

    Bowie covers the title song to a 1957 song about a Nevada rancher (who probably knew a thing or two about hurricanes).

    David Bowie - Wild Is The Wind (Official Video)

  16. Nick Drake - From The Morning

    The late, great English singer-songwriter's moving ode to the early hours.

    Nick Drake - From The Morning

  17. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

    The Seattle band's beautiful memory of the harshness and beauty of winter.

    Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

  18. Manic Street Preachers - Tsunami

    The Welsh trio's song uses the metaphor of a series of huge waves caused by an earthquake or volcanic eruption.

    Manic Street Preachers - Tsunami

  19. Neil Young - Like A Hurricane

    One of the Godfather of Grunge's best-known - and most-covered - songs.

    Neil Young with Crazy Horse – Like a Hurricane (Official Audio)

  20. Guns N'Roses - November Rain

    Yes, Novemeber IS a rainy month, isn't it?

    Guns N' Roses - November Rain

READ MORE: The best songs about unrequited love