What if every song you streamed helped heal the planet? Sounds far-fetched, right? Not anymore. Thanks to Irish singer-songwriter Hozier, your next listen could help protect forests, oceans, and wildlife around the globe.

In a move that beautifully blends art with activism, Hozier has re-released his 2014 hit "Like Real People Do" with a new collaborator, our Big Mama herself. This special 10-year anniversary version features the gentle hum of crickets, the patter of Irish rain, and the call of local birds from his hometown in Wicklow, Ireland. And... half of the royalties from every stream go directly towards global conservation projects.

Turning streams into impact

The project is part of a global initiative called Sounds Right, led by the Museum for the United Nations: UN Live.The Sounds Right campaign began with a simple yet powerful idea: combine the world’s universal love of music with the urgent need to protect the planet.

From recording local dawn choruses to remixing hits with real soundscapes, the campaign does something never done before: it officially credits “NATURE” as a verified artist on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. That means every time you hit play, a share of the royalties flows straight into environmental projects managed by the nonprofit EarthPercent, which funds biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. 

Since its launch in 2024, Sounds Right has raised more than $200,000 for conservation through artist royalties and public donations. The initiative aims to reach 600 million people worldwide and raise $40 million for nature protection. Now that’s what we call a chart-topper for change.

A harmony between humans and the planet

Hozier’s remix is more than a song; it’s a love song to the natural world that shaped his art. The inclusion of authentic sounds from his hometown gives the track an earthy depth that connects listeners to the living world beyond their earbuds.

By treating nature as a creative collaborator rather than a silent backdrop, the Sounds Right campaign challenges how we value the environment. Instead of viewing nature purely as a resource to exploit, this project wants us to recognise nature as an artist, a storyteller, a source of creativity.

Joining artists like Ellie Goulding, Brian Eno, Lykke Li, and Raveena, Hozier shows that sustainability and self-expression can make perfect harmony. With 50% of royalties from this track supporting conservation, fans don’t need to march, donate, or overhaul their lives, simply listening makes a real difference.

Hitting the right note for the planet

Every play of Hozier's, Like Real People Do (featuring NATURE), and the other tracks on the feat. NATURE playlist creates a small but meaningful act, a ripple that collectively funds ecosystems, empowers communities, and sparks conversation about how we value our Earth.

So next time you pop your headphones in, remember that soothing rain or chirping bird you hear might be doing more than setting the mood, it could be helping restore real habitats.

Because when we make nature part of the rhythm, we’re one step closer to living in tune with the planet. Pun intended!

I hope you loved this story as much as we did, GFZ's. For more Earth-loving stories, you can pick from so many others here!

With Love, 
Ellie xx