"Perhaps it is music that will save the world."—Pablo Casals

Listen up John Mayer, Colbie Caillat and U2. It’s time for you to take up the recycling anthem and promote the hell out of it. I’m serious. Why aren’t there more songs about recycling?

There are bucket-loads of songs devoted to the woes of pollution, urban sprawl and over-population, but unless you’re in elementary school, you’re not hearing much music that promotes the reduce, reuse and recycle lifestyle. Jack Johnson seems to be the only one out there singing about the 3Rs.

Recycling is something we pretty much all agree on. 82% of us support recycling. That’s country folk and city slickers. Democrats and Republicans. Christians, Jews, Buddhist, Atheists and Muslims. No matter what the underlying reason—whether to save the planet or save the pocket book—recycling is on everyone’s playlist. 

The other day, I came across a 1976 album by Nektar called “Recycled.” It’s a classic forgotten gem of an album that deals almost exclusively with...well, recycling. It’s so rare for an entire album to be devoted to environmental themes. It was refreshing.

The song titles aren’t all that provocative or even original, (“Recycle,” “Recycle Countdown,” and “Recycling” are just three...) but the songs themselves are diverse, provocative and thoughtful. And way ahead of their time. Why has it been 33 years since a band felt recycling was important enough to sing about. Are you listening, Plain White T’s?

Country icon Tim McGraw (who—like many artists—is currently looking for a recycling sponsor for his Southern Voice tour which kicks off in February) will gladly talk about recycling, but talk is so cheap.   Hand-me-downs, homemade quilts and rusted-bike yard art would make poignant lyrics for a country song about upcycling, don’t you think?  

Music is one of the strongest links we have to one another. Music ties us to our past, and our future.  From beautiful lullabies to dance tunes to bad commercial jingles, we savor music—not only as individuals but as a culture.

Activist songs like “Doctor My Eyes” by Jackson Browne and “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell have helped to popularize the ideals of the environmental movement, and affect positive change.  Why couldn’t music do the same for our recycling efforts? Just imagine all the possibilities. I wonder, if John Lennon were still with us and The Beatles were still together, would recycling would be in the Top 40?

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