This rendition of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” is one of my favorite music videos of all time.  It comes from the award-winning documentary “Playing For Change: Peace Through Music.”  What’s so great about it is that it splices together all different kinds of people from around the world singing the song with their own voices and instruments.

Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world.

It’s just so cool how it all fits together; it sounds like all the musicians sat down in a recording studio together!  There is this sensation of peace and unity that overcomes you when you listen to the music and watch the videos.  And there’s more where this came from.  Playing Through Change the album is available on iTunes; the deluxe version includes videos for “Don’t Worry,” “One Love,” “War/No More Trouble” and others.  I urge you to download a copy of this album, listen to the music, and watch the videos.  This international collaboration showcases the transformative power of music in a way you have likely never seen before.

Note: I am aware this video was published in 2008.  In fact the project itself began in 2004.  However, the album was released this year and that is when I (and I’m sure many others) discovered it.

[Via PlayingForChange]