Jam out to your favorite tunes and enjoy your 4th of July!
It’s almost the 4th of July and one can tell from the fireworks that are being let off early, the food that’s being stockpiled in freezers and refrigerators, and of course, the music that’s heard around this time of year. Okay, so not everyone listens to music based in America, but there’s a lot to say about songs that show the pride that a lot of people have in this country. Some of those on this list might be a little confusing, but they’re no less effective when it comes to getting people pumped up for the holiday. When it comes to taking pride in America on the 4th of July, it’s fair to say that good music can do the trick in a way that a lot of other stuff simply can’t.
Food on the 4th of July is great, fireworks are a lot of fun, but music, that’s something that can make you get up and dance or leave a feeling of inspiration behind when it’s all over and done with. The music that inspires us as Americans and as people is absolutely necessary since it’s not just entertaining, it’s also one of the many ways that people become capable of creating wonders that others haven’t seen and coming up with innovations that manage to stretch into one decade after another. That sounds kind of ridiculous, doesn’t it? I mean, how can music possibly push humanity to the kind of heights that have already been accomplished? Well, the truth is that humans can live without music, but a lot of us don’t really want to. There’s almost always a need for a great tune, and the 4th of July is one of those days when people want to shout out and remember why our country is still a great place, no matter what has happened.
Hell, if anyone happened to judge their country solely based on the most horrible things that have happened, there would still be music, but it would be damned depressing. Americans, most Americans, know that horrible things have happened in the forming of this nation. But a lot of them also know that a number of great things have happened as well, and those are worth celebrating through song. Some of the songs might not be as uplifting as others and some might even be a little confrontational. But the main point is that they tell a story of America, good or bad, or both.
So let’s dive in and see why these are some of the best 4th of July songs you can listen to this holiday weekend.
Living in America-James Brown
One of the main reasons a lot of people remember this song today is that it was featured in Rocky IV when Apollo Creed made his customary over-the-top entrance, which was also his last. But it is a fun song that might take a lot of broad strokes when it comes to being a song that’s all about America, but it does hit a few interesting points. When all is said and done, James Brown was definitely one of the best artists to put on this list since he’s an American icon, and this song is one of those that says it loud and proud.
American Pie-Don McLean
The amusing thing about this song is that Don McLean has stated that the lyrics are beyond analysis and that they don’t mean what a lot of people think. But this is one of those times when the fans cling to their own explanations and don’t necessarily care what the artist meant. It does come off as a nostalgic piece that carries a lot of emotion and has been taken as such over the years. But like many wistful songs that have been dropped over the last several decades, it’s a classic that helps calm the mood but keeps the fires stoked.
Kids In America-Kim Wilde
This song is pretty much to the point when it talks about the experiences of young people in America back in the day and how things were so much better between one country and another. It does sound as though this was an accidental hit as it came together in a way that sounds like a lot of happenstance. It was even thought to be part of a scam at one point because it sold so many singles in a day. But as of now, it’s still one of the more nostalgic songs that a lot of people still remember from their youth since it has a very persistent chorus that people can easily harmonize with.
Born in the U.S.A.-Bruce Springsteen
There’s no denying the importance of this song around this time of year and why it would be popular. The Boss, as he’s still known to this day, is one of the most influential artists to ever grace a stage, and his rendition of this song numerous times over the years has made him one of the most popular individuals in the history of music. ON the 4th, this is the kind of song you can imagine hearing over and over since a lot of people still believe that Springsteen managed to set one of the best examples back in the day.
Party In The U.S.A.-Miley Cyrus
A lot of people feel a certain way about Miley Cyrus, be it good or bad, but this song was put out back in a time when she had yet to become the full-on, tongue-wagging woman that didn’t mind being seen as controversial. In essence, this is just a fun song that people can dance to and kind of hearkens back to the supposed innocence of the singer when she wanted to have a good time.
Ragged Old Flag-Johnny Cash
The way people feel about the American Flag has become complicated over the past few years, but Johnny Cash knew how to simplify that a bit. His pride in the flag and all it stands for, no matter how ragged some might think that the beliefs it holds are, has been one of the best things about this song for a long time now. As Mr. Cash stated, more or less, you’re allowed to burn the flag because of your freedoms, but one has to be willing to take the consequences for such a freedom.
My Town-Adam Calhoun
This is another song that’s pretty straightforward and to the point. Don’t disrespect my town, plain and simple. Adam Calhoun is a rapper and online personality that has made his stance on all things American pretty clear. He loves his country and isn’t about to watch it get taken over by such things as bad manners or bad habits. While he does believe in a lot of things, including being respectful and kind to each other, he’s not about to let America be torn apart without having his say on the matter.
I’ve Been Everywhere-Johnny Cash
Interestingly enough, the original version of this song focused on Australia. But Johnny Cash managed to fiddle around with the lyrics and made it into a song that spoke of several places around America, listing them off before diving into the chorus once again. This is a fun song that a lot of people get into because they’re fans or because it has an interesting cadence to it.
American Woman-Lenny Kravitz
It’s kind of funny to think that a lot of people have thought that this song was political in nature originally, and even after Kravitz got hold of it. But the originator of the song apparently wanted Canadian women to know that he favored them since he thought American women grew too old too quickly. That’s a sad generalization, isn’t it? But it’s been a fun song ever sing and it’s one of those that a lot of people take to mean a lot of things.
Take Me Home, Country Roads-John Denver
It’s tough to not feel anything deep and resonant when this song comes on, so to be honest, even being a coastal boy I can relate to the feeling that Denver put into this song. It might not be as distinctly American as other tracks, but it’s still one of those that reminds us that we’ve grown and lived in a great country for quite a while now, and we’ll continue to remember it fondly as the years pass on by.
WTR? (Why’s That Radass?)
It’s great to take pride in where you live, no matter what country that might be. For Americans, the USA is home, hearth, and headache all at once sometimes. But the pride that we take in being Americans can be found in more than our words, as the music we create and listen to is a good indication of how we feel at times. So enjoy your favorite tracks on the 4th and have a great day.
