Songs For Japan

By Rachel Hwang

It’s hard to be good.

I will admit that I, like many burgeoning young Scrooges, have occasionally forgone donating to a worthy cause because I’ve been too lazy. Or too forgetful. Or had too much of a desire to spend my donation money on frozen yogurt. Does that make me, and all of you similarly guilty readers, bad people?

I’m not going to think too much about that, because here is an opportunity for redemption.

Japan needs as much help as it can get right now. The earthquake left many injured, homeless, jobless… I could go on. That should be motivation enough for us all to get our butts into gear and contributing to a relief fund. But in case you need an extra push past that bystander effect passivity, in a fit of genuine altruism, a group of our favorite stars have compiled a great album whose proceeds directly benefit the relief effort. Songs for Japan, now available on iTunes for $9.99, is a collection of 38 smash pop singles and classic hits, with everything from Lady Gaga to Josh Groban.

This album is chock full of stand out songs, starting with John Lennon’s “Imagine,” and ending appropriately, and optimistically, with Norah Jones’ “Sunrise”.

So here at the intersection of things you should do and music you want to buy, these generous artists have made it easy to do the right thing for once. Do it.

Tags: earthquake, Japan, Josh Groban, lady gaga, Relief Effort, Songs For Japan