10 Songs for Harmony Week

Harmony Week (16–22 March 2026) is a time to celebrate inclusion, respect and the rich cultural diversity that helps shape our communities. Music feels especially fitting for the occasion, because few things bring people together quite so naturally. Although this post refers to Australia’s Harmony Week, the spirit behind these songs is universal.

For this Harmony Week playlist, I’ve chosen ten songs that speak to belonging, kindness, unity and community in different ways. Some are joyful and uplifting, some are reflective and reassuring, but all of them capture something of the spirit of harmony.

1. Different but the Same by The Mik Maks

This song captures one of Harmony Day’s central ideas beautifully: that our differences do not diminish our shared humanity. Its message is simple, direct and easy for children to understand, while still carrying real emotional weight. It is the kind of song that opens the door to meaningful conversations about identity, respect and belonging. In essence, 'we're all different but the same in different kinds of ways'. 

2. Better Together by Pevan and Sarah

As the title suggests, this is a song rooted in togetherness and unity. Its upbeat feel makes its message especially accessible, turning inclusion into something joyful and celebratory rather than abstract. It is easy to imagine this one bringing people together in classrooms, assemblies or community events. After all, 'our world is full of diversity' and all the better for it because although 'we come from different places we all belong'.

3. The Hand of Friendship by the Fabulous Lemon Drops

Warm and inviting, ‘The Hand of Friendship’ celebrates kindness as something active and generous. The image of friendship being offered so openly gives the song an immediate sense of welcome.

Together, these opening songs set a warm and welcoming tone, showing how music can make ideas like inclusion and belonging feel immediate, joyful and real.

4. To Everyone in All the World by Raffi

There is something expansive and generous about this song, reaching outward with a message that feels broad, inclusive and full of empathy. It suggests a view of community that goes beyond the immediate and embraces a wider sense of shared humanity where 'we can all shake hands'. That makes it especially fitting for Harmony Week, which encourages children to think beyond themselves and appreciate the world around them.

5. We Belong Together by Ukubebe

This song speaks directly to the desire for connection and community. Its message is reassuring, offering a sense of unity that feels both personal and collective. In the context of Harmony Week, it reinforces the powerful idea that belonging is not something reserved for a few, but something everyone deserves to feel. Because in the final analysis 'I like you and you like me', and 'we belong together'.

6. Harmony Day Song by Spotty Kites

Sometimes the most effective songs are the most direct, and ‘Harmony Day Song’ wears its purpose proudly. It captures the values of the day in a straightforward, accessible way that makes it ideal for younger listeners. Beautifully sung, clear in message and celebratory in spirit, it feels perfectly designed for group participation. Where we get to 'sing out for peace, sing out for hope and sing out for love'.

By this point, a clear thread has emerged: each song approaches harmony in its own way, yet all of them point back to the same core values of welcome, respect and togetherness.

7. Harmony by Fyütch and Aura V

Fyütch often brings thoughtfulness and energy together in a way that feels both engaging and purposeful, and ‘Harmony' is no exception. The song’s hip hop feel helps its message land with freshness, while still centring ideas of unity and mutual understanding. A song about gratitude, that gives the playlist a slightly different texture, showing that songs about harmony can be contemporary, dynamic and full of personality.

8. Culture Everyday by Culture Queen

This is a strong inclusion for Harmony Day because it moves beyond vague celebration and points toward culture as something lived and present in every day. Rather than treating diversity as an occasional topic, it suggests that culture is woven into ordinary life, identity and community. This gives the song an added depth and makes its message particularly resonant. Where we get to 'celebrate our culture everyday'.

9. Peace by Music with Michal

Simple in title but expansive in meaning, ‘Peace’ brings a reflective note to the list. Songs like this often remind listeners that harmony is not only about celebration, but also about understanding, compassion and the hope for a gentler world. It offers a moment of calm reflection within the playlist’s broader sense of joy. For Harmony Week, it works as a reminder that harmony often begins with small gestures of openness and connection. A gentle song with a powerful message emphasising the importance of 'harmony, equality and diversity'. 

Taken together, these songs show that harmony can be expressed in many ways – through friendship, shared celebration, cultural pride, empathy and the quiet hope for peace.

10. I’d Like To Teach the World To Sing by The New Seekers

This classic closes the list perfectly because it remains one of the most recognisable musical expressions of unity and togetherness. Its melody is instantly inviting, and its message about collective joy still resonates decades later. For Harmony Week, it feels like both a celebration and an aspiration: a vision of a world connected through kindness, simplicity and song.

Together, these ten songs make a fitting soundtrack for Harmony Week, each reflecting the values of inclusion, respect and belonging in its own way. Some celebrate friendship, some highlight cultural diversity, and some remind us of our shared humanity, but all of them point toward the same hopeful idea: that harmony is something we create by listening, welcoming and making space for one another.

Looking for more?

I’ve also curated a Spotify playlist around this theme with all of these songs plus additional tracks for teachers, families and young listeners who want to keep exploring.

Single Review: Ride the Wave – Again Again

'Ride the Wave' is the latest single from the effervescent family-music duo Again Again. It’s a highly melodic song steeped in empathy, capturing the kind of connection that defines the finest examples of the genre. In essence, a jaunty slice of pure pop brimming with positivity and irresistible harmonies.

Written and performed by Anne Montone and Jen Cook and produced by the irrepressible Mista Cookie Jar, the track is undeniably catchy. It offers reassurance for anyone feeling low and reminding listeners that things will ultimately work out and that ‘it’s okay to cry'. The production is deft and understated, employing a lightness of touch that never overwhelms the message, instead allowing the song’s emotional core to breathe.

Beginning with a minimalist arrangement, the music gradually unfolds into something richer and more textured. Imagine an innocence-tinged echo of 'Strawberry Fields Forever' that gently expands into something resembling a small concerto for a rainy afternoon. The lyrics reinforce the point, persuading the listener that despite life’s inevitable setbacks, we are encouraged to ‘ride the waves’, because hard times are only temporary. This gradual musical expansion mirrors the song’s emotional arc, reinforcing its central message without ever becoming heavy-handed.

Featuring soaring harmonies and buoyant energy, the performance is delivered with a fullness of heart that feels entirely genuine. The instrumentation charms throughout, blending sounds that entice and delight in equal measure. At times the music feels as though Bob Marley has wandered into a studio session with Debbie Harry on the set of Sesame Street – playful, warm and simplistic, and yet harnessing a level of musical sophistication rarely encountered in family pop.

This is a confident and uplifting single celebrating empathy, creativity and connection, offering proof that kindness, courage and a glimmer of musical magic can wipe away even the deepest tear stain. Its message is quietly powerful: whatever comes our way, we can cope, with a tear in our eye or a smile on our face. And in doing so, we will not only survive, but thrive.

Again Again – always look on the bright side of life.

YouTube Channel Review: TOCK.earth

TOCK.earth is the brainchild of New Zealand children’s musician and teacher June Burney and her husband Ian. Together, they have created a charming and thoughtful YouTube channel, Tock-dot-Earth, that blends music, storytelling, and environmental awareness.

At the centre of the project is TOCK, a time-travelling robot on a mission to help save the planet. With a steady beat in his circuits and a big-hearted desire to save the Earth, TOCK guides viewers through a colourful musical world where catchy songs meet powerful environmental messages.

The care and effort behind the project are obvious. Burney and her husband have collaborated with children, families and schools around the world, weaving together a global montage of beautiful clips that give the channel a warm, authentic feel.

There are only about a dozen videos on the channel so far, but teachers would be wise to take notice. This is very much a case of quality over quantity. The creators are not chasing algorithms or trends; their work is driven by a genuine love of music and a heartfelt desire to inspire young people to care for the planet.

The songs themselves are engaging, melodic and instantly accessible. Covering themes such as biodiversity, forests and ecosystems, the channel delivers environmental education in a way that feels joyful rather than didactic. It’s easy to imagine these songs becoming classroom favourites, or perhaps even household sing-alongs.

Two videos in particular stand out.

'Out in Nature' is a beautifully crafted track with a gentle Celtic flavour that celebrates the sensory wonders of the natural world. The accompanying video, told through the perspective of childhood curiosity, captures the lyrics’ invitation for children to experience nature directly through catching raindrops on their tongues, watching autumn leaves fall, or feeling snow in their hands. The video is fully signed for the hearing-impaired, making it inclusive and accessible to all viewers. It delivers these moments with considerable expertise, reminding us that nature’s greatest treasures are freely available to anyone willing to step outside.

Another highlight is 'Habitats', a colourful animated video with a playful Latin-rhythm song. Packed with lively animals and vibrant visuals, the video introduces children to the idea that every creature has a home worth protecting. The melody is infectious, the animation charming and the message clear without ever feeling heavy-handed.

In short, TOCK.earth is a creative project with heart, brought to life on the YouTube channel TOCK-dot-Earth. Through catchy tunes, playful storytelling and beautifully assembled videos, the creators have produced something both entertaining and meaningful. Whether it’s trees, oceans, wildlife, or recycling, each song on the channel nudges young listeners toward a greener future. Perfect for classrooms, living rooms and car sing-alongs alike, TOCK.earth is well worth discovering.

TOCK.earth – music with a mission.

Single Review: Try Again – Tembra Campbell & Mista Cookie Jar (feat. Lyrin Donley)

Tembra Campbell is a songwriter and storyteller whose subject matter centres on nature, imagination and emotional resilience. Through her children’s project, Tembra’s Treeehouse, she creates warm, melodic songs inspired by the natural world, animals and those quiet moments where curiosity thrives. Her music also ventures into mindfulness territory, encouraging children to slow down, take a deep breath and notice the everyday magic that surrounds. While some may dismiss the idea of miracles, Campbell recognises that each day holds its own small wonders, and that children can find comfort in persistence and in not being afraid to try again.

The new single 'Try Again' is really quite superb. It is bursting with the kind of vitality that Dylan reinvented back in the day. The music is built around a shuffle rhythm that playfully spars with a banjo, woven tastefully into the arrangement. The harmonies are excellent throughout, and the arrangement bounds forward with considerable purpose. 

Mista Cookie Jar joins the fun for this barn-dance romp, bringing a confident, rhythmic vocal that adds a fresh contemporary edge to the recording. His contribution introduces a vibrant hip-hop flavour that contrasts beautifully with the rootsy instrumentation, creating an unexpected but thoroughly engaging fusion of styles.

It’s also worth mentioning Campbell’s daughter, Lyrin Donley, who adds her own touch of sparkle, bringing an extra layer of warmth and familial charm to the collaboration. Her voice blends effortlessly into the harmonies, subtly enriching the texture and reinforcing the song’s joyful, communal spirit.

Evoking the gentle warmth of a 1930s recording, a quality that adds to its sense of character and authenticity. The song invites the listener to imagine a stroll down Tin Pan Alley, celebrating its rich musical heritage and evoking a period when music often brought people together during difficult times. One could picture it accompanying the closing scene of a Depression-era American film, where families gathered to 'feed our friends and family',  finding comfort and connection despite life’s hardships.

Irresistibly catchy from the first listen, the song circled my head all day, such is the strength of its melodic hook and lyrical charm. ‘Practice makes perfect’ may be a cliché, yet here it feels freshly minted, reinforcing the idea that repetition and perseverance are the true paths to growth. Kindness, resourcefulness and community spirit sit at the heart of this affectionate nod to the past, urging us to ‘trust the process’ because, ultimately, it will all come good in the end.

At its core, 'Try Again' is about patience, resilience and, perhaps most importantly, the sheer joy of making music together. A feel-good anthem guaranteed to lift even the gloomiest of days, it succeeds through its unpretentious charm. Rhythm and melody dance alongside gently instructive lyrics to offer a reassuring message: that life’s challenges can be unexpected blessings, building resilience and fostering hope for the future. As Samuel Beckett famously wrote, “ Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” Campbell’s song captures that unrelenting spirit, where we are encouraged to keep dancing despite any odds that may be stacked against us.

Tembra Campbell and Mista Cookie Jar – a message of hope.