Songs To Celebrate America's Independence Day

Independence Day ….. better known today as “The Fourth of July” has different meanings and thoughts for different individuals, and it can vary by age, location, demographics and how you were brought up. For many today, in means backyard BBQ get-togethers, pool parties, block parties, sporting events, beach parties, dancing – for others it’s a family visit to a cemetery or memorial event – and still others it’s watching or participating in a parade, street fair, out in the boat on a lake, river rafting, at a carnival, maybe a concert – All followed by the grand extravaganza, fireworks after dusk or dark. Some will have their own street show while others will go to a larger public event at a fairgrounds, stadium, park, beach, lake or shopping mall lot.

Well, along with the BBQ steak, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon and other summer fruits, deserts and a ton of ice cold refreshments, a musical soundtrack of appropriate yet fun music is definitely in order. 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, dancing, etc. Enjoy the selection and have a very happy, safe and sane holiday weekend. :)

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. America – Neil Diamond
7. America – Simon & Garfunkel
8. America Is My Home – James Brown
9. America We Stand As One – Dennis Madalone
10. America Will Always Stand – Randy Travis
11. America Will Survive – Hank Williams Jr.
12. American Girl – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
13. American Made – Oak Ridge Boys
14. American Pie – Don McLean
15. American Soldier – Toby Keith
16. American Trilogy – Elvis Presley/Mickey Newberry
17. American Tune – Paul Simon
18. Americans – speech recited by Gordon Sinclair/Byron MacGregor
19. An American Child – Phil Vassar
20. Arlington – Trace Adkins
21. Back In The USA – Chuck Berry
22. Ballad of Ira Hayes – Johnny Cash
23. Ballad of The Green Beret – SSgt. Barry Sadler
24. Battle of New Orleans – Johnny Horton
25. Blowin’ In The Wind – Bob Dylan/Peter, Paul & Mary
26. Born Country – Alabama
27. Born In The USA – Bruce Springsteen
28. Born On The Bayou – Creedence Clearwater Revival
29. Born On The Fourth of July – Tom Paxton
30. Breakfast In America – Supertramp
31. California Girls – The Beach Boys
32. Celebration – Kool & The Gang
33. City of New Orleans – Arlo Guthrie/Willie Nelson
34. Courtesy of The Red, White & Blue (The Angry American) – Toby Keith
35. Days of America – Blackhawk
36. Dixieland Delight – Alabama
37. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
38. Fightin’ Side Of Me – Merle Haggard
39. Fireworks – Roxette
40. Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival
41. Forty Hour Week – Alabama
42. Freedom – Paul McCartney
43. God Bless The USA – Lee Greenwood
44. Guitars, Cadillacs – Dwight Yoakam
45. Hands That Built America – U2
46. Have You Forgotten – Darryl Worley
47. Heartland – George Strait
48. Here Comes The Freedom Train – Merle Haggard
49. Here For The Party – Gretchen Wilson
50. Homeland – Kenny Rogers
51. If Everyone Cared – Nickelback
52. If I Had A Hammer – Trini Lopez/Peter Pal & Mary
53. If You’re Reading This – Tim McGraw
54. The Immigrant – Neil Sedaka
55. In America – Charlie Daniels Band
56. Independence Day – Bruce Springsteen
57. Independence Day – Martina McBride
58. I’ve Been Everywhere – Johnny Cash
59. Let’s Roll America – Bellamy Brothers
60. Letter From America – The Proclaimers
61. Living In America – James Brown
62. Living In The Promised Land – Willie Nelson
63. Living In The USA – Steve Miller Band
64. New York, New York – Frank Sinatra
65. Night They Drove Old Dixie Down – Joan Baez/The Band
66. Oh Freedom – Pete Seeger
67. On The 4th of July – James Taylor
68. Only In America – Brooks & Dunn
69. Only In America – Jay & The Americans
70. Our Country – John Mellencamp
71. Philadelphia Freedom – Elton John
72. Pink Houses – John Cougar Mellencamp
73. Point of Light – Randy Travis
74. Promised Land – Elvis Presley
75. Ragged Old Flag – Johnny Cash
76. Red, White & Blue – Brian McKnight
77. Red, White & Blue – Lynyrd Skynyrd
78. Riding With Private Malone – David Ball
79. R-O-C-K In The USA – John Cougar Mellencamp
80. Rockin’ In The Free World – Neil Young
81. Route 66 – Nat King Cole/Chuck Berry/Depeche Mode
82. Some Gave All – Billy Ray Cyrus
83. Song Of The Patriot – Johnny Cash
84. Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
85. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
86. Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
87. This Ain’t No Rag (It’s A Flag) – Charlie Daniels Band
88. This Is My Country – The Impressions (Curtis Mayfield)
89. This Land Is Your Land – Woody Guthrie/Peter, Paul & Mary/The Kingston Trio
90. Tie A Yellow Ribbon (’Round The Ole Oak Tree) – Tony Orlando & Dawn
91. Travelin’ Soldier - Dixie Chicks
92. United We Stand – The Brotherhood of Man
93. We Shall Be Free – Garth Brooks
94. We’re An American Band – Grand Funk Railroad
95. What Made America Famous – Harry Chapin
96. Where Eagles Fly – Sammy Hagar
97. Where The Stars & Stripes & Eagles Fly – Aaron Tippin
98. You Can Still Rock In America – Night Ranger
99. Young Amnericans – David Bowie
100. 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 can also be used during other patriotic events, especially during Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day and especially Patriots Day (September 11) also known as 911.