100+ Songs To Celebrate America’s 4th of July

Independence Day ….. better known today as “The Fourth of July” has different meanings and interpretations  for each individual, and that can vary by age, location, demographics and how or where you were brought up. For many folks today it means backyard BBQ get-togethers with family and friends, pool parties, block parties, sporting events, beach parties, camping, dancing, etc. — for others folks it’s a special time to visit a cemetery or memorial event  to pay tribute to those who served our nation and lost their lives — and still others it’s watching or participating in a parade, street fair, out in the boat on a lake, river rafting, at a fair or carnival, maybe  attending an amusement park or concert — All of this followed by the grand extravaganza at dusk… the spectacle of fireworks … just as the sun disappears beneath the horizon. Some choose to have their own street show (if it’s legal to have them in your area) while others will go to a larger public event at a fairgrounds, stadium, park, beach, lake or shopping mall lot.

Well, along with that BBQ of grilled steak, chicken, ribs, fish, stir fry, hamburgers, hot dogs,  corn dogs, hush puppies, corn-on-the-cob, watermelon and other summer fruits, deserts and a ton of ice cold refreshments, a musical soundtrack of appropriate music is definitely in order. I guess “appropriate” may be a matter of personal  taste. At any rate, a  wide assortment of country, pop, rock, soul, R & B, oldies, folk, pop standards, classical and especially patriotic have been listed below to help you put together your ultimate soundtrack for all to enjoy. Some of these are slower or more meaningful ballads and spoken word while others are for rocking out with, singing, jamming, jiving, grinding, dancing, and simply having a blast!

Enjoy the selection and have a very happy, safe and sane holiday weekend. 🙂

Songs To Celebrate America’s 4th of July

1. 4th of July – The Beach Boys
2. 4th of July – Shooter Jennings
3. 4th of July – Soundgarden
4. 4th of July – U2
5. 4th of July – Asbury Park (Sandy) – Bruce Springsteen
6. A Soldier’s Prayer – Collin Raye
7. America (Coming To America) – Neil Diamond
8. America – Simon & Garfunkel
9. America – Waylon Jennings
10. America – Yes
11. America Is My Home – James Brown
12. America We Stand As One – Dennis Madalone
13. America Will Always Stand – Randy Travis
14. America Will Survive – Hank Williams Jr.
15. American Baby – Dave Matthews Band
16. American Child – Phil Vassar
17. American City Suite – Cashman & West
18. American Dream – Crosby Stills Nash & Young
19. American Dream – The Dirt Band (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)
20. American Girl – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
21. American Heartbeat – Survivor
22. American Honky Tonk Bar Association – Garth Brooks
23. American Life – Madonna
24. American Made – Oak Ridge Boys
25. American Music – Pointer Sisters
26. American Music – Violent Femmes
27. American Music – The Blasters
28. American Pie – Don McLean, Madonna
29. American Soldier – Toby Keith
30. American Storm – Bob Seger
31. American Trilogy – Elvis Presley/Mickey Newbury
32. American Tune – Paul Simon
33. American Woman – The Guess Who, Lenny Kravitz
34. Americana – Moe Bandy
35. An American Child – Phil Vassar
36. Arlington – Trace Adkins
37. Back In The USA – Chuck Berry
38. Ballad of Ira Hayes – Johnny Cash
39. Ballad of The Green Beret – SSgt. Barry Sadler
40. Battle of New Orleans – Johnny Horton
41. Blowin’ In The Wind – Bob Dylan/Peter, Paul & Mary
42. Born Country – Alabama
43. Born In The USA – Bruce Springsteen
44. Born On The Bayou – Creedence Clearwater Revival
45. Born On The Fourth of July – Tom Paxton
46. Breakfast In America – Supertramp
47. California Girls – The Beach Boys
48. Celebration – Kool & The Gang
49. Citizen Soldier – Three Doors Down
50. City of New Orleans – Arlo Guthrie/Willie Nelson
51. Courtesy of The Red, White & Blue (The Angry American) – Toby Keith
52. Days of America – Blackhawk
53. Deck of Cards – Wink Martindale
54. Deck of Cards – Bill Anderson (newer version to honor soldiers fighting in the Middle East)
55. Dixieland Delight – Alabama
56. Eye of The Tiger – Survivor
57. Fightin’ Side Of Me – Merle Haggard
58. Fireworks – Roxette
59. Flag of Our Fathers – Keni Thomas
60. Follow The Flag – Randy Newman
61. For Freedom – Avalon
62. Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival
63. Forty Hour Week – Alabama
64. Freedom – Paul McCartney
65. God Bless The USA – Lee Greenwood
66. Guitars, Cadillacs – Dwight Yoakam
67. Hands That Built America – U2
68. Have You Forgotten – Darryl Worley
69. Heartland – George Strait (2 different versions – both by George Strait – the slower ‘ballad’ version is also accompanied by his young son)
70. Here Comes The Freedom Train – Merle Haggard
71. Here For The Party – Gretchen Wilson
72. Homeland – Kenny Rogers
73. If Everyone Cared – Nickelback
74. If I Had A Hammer – Trini Lopez/Peter Pal & Mary
75. If You’re Reading This – Tim McGraw
76. In America – Charlie Daniels Band
77. In God We Still Trust – Diamond Rio
78. Independence Day – Bruce Springsteen
79. Independence Day – Martina McBride
80. It’s America – Rodney Adkins
81. I’ve Been Everywhere – Johnny Cash
82. Last Band of Brothers – Keni Thomas
83. Let’s Roll America – Bellamy Brothers
84. Letter From America – The Proclaimers
85. Letters From Home – John Michael Montgomery
86. Living In America – James Brown
87. Living In The Promised Land – Willie Nelson
88. Living In The USA – Steve Miller Band
89. Made In America – Toby Keith
90. New York, New York – Frank Sinatra
91. Night They Drove Old Dixie Down – Joan Baez/The Band
92. Oh Freedom – Pete Seeger
93. On The 4th of July – James Taylor
94. Only In America – Brooks & Dunn
95. Only In America – Jay & The Americans
96. Our Country – John Mellencamp
97. Philadelphia Freedom – Elton John
98. Pink Houses – John Cougar Mellencamp
99. Point of Light – Randy Travis
100. Promised Land – Elvis Presley
101. Ragged Old Flag – Johnny Cash
102. Real American – Rick Derringer (you may remember this one as Hulk Hogan’s entrance theme from the WWE Anthology)
103. Red, White & Blue – Brian McKnight
104. Red, White & Blue – Lynyrd Skynyrd
105. Riding With Private Malone – David Ball
106. R-O-C-K  In The USA – John Cougar Mellencamp
107. Rockin’ In The Free World – Neil Young
108. Route 66 – Nat King Cole/Chuck Berry/Depeche Mode
109. Some Gave All – Billy Ray Cyrus
110. Song Of The Patriot – Johnny Cash
111. Stand – Rascal Flatts
112. Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
113. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
114. Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
115. The Americans – speech recited & released by Gordon Sinclair (see lyrics below as well as audio plus video link below) [Note: Another version was recorded by Byron MacGregor]
116. The Eagle – Waylon Jennings
117. The Immigrant – Neil Sedaka
118. The Rising – Bruce Springsteen
119. These Colors Don’t Run – Iron Maiden
120. This Ain’t No Rag (It’s A Flag) – Charlie Daniels Band
121. This Is My Country – The Impressions (Curtis Mayfield)
122. This Land Is Your Land – Woody Guthrie/The Weavers/Peter, Paul & Mary/The Kingston Trio (covered by several other artists also)
123. Tie A Yellow Ribbon (‘Round The Ole Oak Tree) – Tony Orlando & Dawn
124. Travelin’ Soldier –  Dixie Chicks
125. United We Stand – The Brotherhood of Man
126. We Shall Be Free – Garth Brooks
127. We’re An American Band – Grand Funk Railroad
128. What Made America Famous – Harry Chapin
129. Where Eagles Fly – Sammy Hagar
130. Where The Stars & Stripes & Eagles Fly – Aaron Tippin
131. You Can Still Rock In America – Night Ranger
132. Young Americans – David Bowie
133. You’ve Got To Stand For Something – Aaron Tippin

Not to be forgotten, below are the ultimate patriotic songs of the past century plus. These have been recorded by several artists and musicians over the years but have listed the “best of” renditions whenever possible.

• America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee)
• America The Beautiful – Frank Sinatra/Elvis Presley/Ray Charles
• Anchors Aweigh (US Navy Anthem)
• Battle Hymn of The Republic – Mitch Miller & His Gang
• Caissons Go Rolling Along (US Army Anthem)
• Dixie
• From The Halls of Montezuma (US Marines Anthem)
• God Bless America – Kate Smith
• Star Spangled Banner – Whitney Houston
• Stars and Strips Forever – John Philips Sousa
• When Johnny Comes Marching Home
• Wild Blue Yonder (US Air Force Anthem)
• Yankee Doodle – James Cagney
• You’re A Grand Old Flag
• The Gettysburg Address – recited by Johnny Cash

Several of these songs are also appropriate and can be used during other patriotic celebrations and events such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day and especially Patriots Day, September 11 (9/11).

* As mentioned in the list above at #104 – this spoken word tribute is presented below.

Below are the words to a very powerful tribute to the USA delivered on Canadian radio back in 1973. I personally have both copies of the original vinyl 45 rpm, one delivered on the air by Gordon Sinclair and a second by Byron MacGregor. Both are collector’s items. They serve as a heartfelt and stirring tribute to the very root as well as the backbone of what America stands for ….. as meaningful today (probably even more so considering what this country has been through since 1973) as it was 26 years ago. I felt compelled to share this with you all on the anniversary of our nation’s birthday and Independence celebration……….

*  It should also be brought up again and listened to on Patriot Day, September 11.

Here is the You Tube link if you care to watch plus listen to it while reading below.

The Americans:

A Canadian’s Opinion

by Gordon Sinclair

[originally radio broadcast on June 5, 1973 in Ontario Canada]

The United States dollar took another pounding on German, French, and British exchanges this morning, hitting the lowest point ever known in West Germany. It has declined there by 41% since 1971, and this Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous, and possibly the least-appreciated, people in all the earth.

As long as sixty years ago, when I first started to read newspapers, I read of floods on the Yellow River and the Yangtze. Well who rushed in with men and money to help? The Americans did, that’s who.

They have helped control floods on the Nile, the Amazon, the Ganges, and the Niger. Today, the rich bottom land of the Mississippi is under water and no foreign land has sent a dollar to help. Germany, Japan, and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy, were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of those countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When the franc was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. And I was there — I saw that. When distant cities are hit by earthquake, it is the United States that hurries into help, Managua, Nicaragua, is one of the most recent examples.

So far this spring, fifty-nine American communities have been flattened by tornadoes. Nobody has helped. The Marshall Plan, as well as the Truman Policy all pumped billions upon billions of dollars into discouraged countries. And now, newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, war-mongering Americans.

Now, I’d like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplanes.

Come on now, you, let’s hear it! Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tristar, or the Douglas 10? If so, why don’t they fly them? Why do all international lines except Russia fly American planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or a woman on the moon?

You talk about Japanese technocracy and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy and you find men on the moon, not once, but several times, and, safely home again. You talk about scandals and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everyone to look at. Even the draft dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They’re right here on our streets in Toronto. Most of them, unless they’re breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from Ma and Pa at home to spend up here.

When the Americans get out of this bind — as they will — who could blame them if they said “the hell with the rest of the world.” Let somebody else buy the bonds. Let somebody else build or repair foreign dams, or design foreign buildings that won’t shake apart in earthquakes.” When the railways of France, and Germany, and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both of ’em are still broke.

I can name to you 5,000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name to me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don’t think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I am one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them kicked around. They’ll come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they’re entitled to thumb their noses at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of these. But there are many smug, self-righteous Canadians.

And finally, the American Red Cross was told at its 48th Annual meeting in New Orleans this morning that it was broke.

This year’s disasters — with the year less than half-over — has taken it all. And nobody, but nobody, has helped.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here is the You Tube link again for your convenience.