Nearly one billion people worldwide suffer from some form of mental health condition, according to the United Nations. An estimated one in four people globally will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime. Almost one million people die due to suicide every year. We are experiencing a pandemic of loneliness and isolation.

This year’s World Singing Day (WSD) will highlight the importance of mental health as people around the world enjoy and connect by singing together in their communities on Saturday, October 21, 2023. This year’s WSD Song-of-the-Year that everyone is invited to sing, is “Lean On Me,” fitting for this year’s focus.

Studies have shown that feelings of depression and loneliness lessen when singing with others. Endorphins, a hormone that is released by singing, is associated with feelings of pleasure. Oxytocin is also released while singing, which can alleviate anxiety and stress. Oxytocin also enhances feelings of trust and bonding. 

“Every day from the media, we see stories of what’s wrong with the world,” says WSD founder Scott Johnson. “It’s stressful and depressing.  Yes, there are problems but there are a lot more things going right. Our focus on the worst of humanity often disconnects us from one another and blinds us to the fact that we’re all part of a global family sharing the same planet, doing the best we can.”

Founded by Johnson in 2012, WSD invites people around the world to share a positive human experience by singing together. “Unlike politics and religion,” says Johnson, “music has the unique power to bring people together of all ages and backgrounds. And it just feels good.”

Participation on Oct. 21, 2023 can range from singing with friends and family in pubs, parks and homes, to singing with the whole community in the center of town. In Boulder, Colorado, for instance, over a thousand people gather downtown and sing along to the original recordings of songs, from the Beatles to Katy Perry. Lyric booklets are provided.

“Singing makes you feel good,” says Johnson.  “And singing with others makes you feel less lonely and more part of the community. As Earth, Wind, and Fire sang: ‘Sing a song, it’ll make your day.’”

To join an existing WSD event, host your own, or sing the WSD Song-of-the-Year, visit www.WorldSingingDay.org.

By Scott Johnson

Ever since I started writing songs as a teenager, music has always been my way of getting in touch with that joyful part of myself. In a way, World Singing Day is an extension of that desire that we all have to connect with the joyful part of ourselves, and to each other. And given the state of the world these days, I think we’re all longing to experience more joy in our lives.

A lot of the music I write has universal, life affirming messages, from themes like creating one’s own unique path in life, to celebrating life’s passages, from birth to death. And World Singing Day is really a universal celebration of what we all share as human beings, expressed through the international language of music.

I first had the idea in 2011 of starting some sort of day of singing, which quickly evolved into a global singing celebration, where everyone around the world – not just experienced singers and musicians – would be invited to participate.

TV shows like The Voice are fun to watch, but these singing competitions shine a spotlight on only the most gifted, talented singers in the world. It’s easy to feel self-conscious about your own singing compared to these singers. We’ve gotten so far removed from the social cohesion that was created by our ancient ancestors who used to sing together around the fire.

So I wanted to create a safe and welcoming experience that was fun and joyful, to build a sense of community in cities around the world, using something most everyone can do. Like singing.

My vision for World Singing Day is to have millions of people in countries around the globe gather in their communities each year and sing together – and to experience joy that so many of us long for.

Singing has not been cancelled!

We’re not letting a global pandemic stop us from singing on (and before) World Singing Day.

Here are links to several things you and your family and friends can do on, or before, World Singing Day (Oct. 17, 2020):

1. Around the World in 80 Songs video project

2. “To me, a wonderful world looks like…”

3. Sing It Forward
Share short videos on social media and tag friends, challenging them to do the same and “sing it forward” on WSD.

4. WSD Song of the Year videos

5. WSD Theme Song “Till the Whole World Sings” videos

Confined to your home during the Covid-19 quarantine?

Don’t let that stop you from singing with others.

You’ve probably seen videos of people standing on their balconies singing together in Italy. This simple act of singing together can unite us as we face uncertainty during this challenging time.  

Here are a few places online for you to stay safe and keep singing together.

Heard about another place to sing together on-line? Email us at music@worldsingingday.org

Online virtual community sing-alongs:

Choir! Choir! Choir! (March 17 at 8 pm Eastern)

Jake Runestad (March 17 at 8 pm Eastern)

Michael Franti

Pub Choir 

Sister Cities Choir

Joy Crew Community Singers

Sing for Joy