Poet, author, essayist, naturalist, and philosopher Henry David Thoreau advocated for a life of simplicity. Thoreau is best known for his book Walden, where themes of nature and symbolism are weaved into personal experience. His essay, Civil Disobedience, went on to inspire leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817. Each year, National Simplicity Day marks the occasion. Let’s go into the weekend by keeping things simple … with music.

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs relating to simplicity would you like to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played

The Meters – Sing A Simple Song
The Shins – Simple Song
Enya – Orinoco Flow
Commodores – Easy
Ray LaMontagne – Such A Simple Thing
Indigo Girls – Closer to Fine
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Simple Man
Alvvays – Easy On Your Own? (bonus)