It’s Fourth of July weekend, which means Americans all around the nation are hosting kickbacks, cookouts or just throwing a little something on the grill.
And since no party is complete without music, we’ve compiled a list of songs you may want to consider this year, including classic patriotic tunes celebrating the U.S.A, as well as misunderstood protest songs that touched on dark periods of American history.
Our playlist also includes some fun, summertime anthems that just scream outdoor party time, so there’s a little something for everyone – songs dating back to the 19th century and more modern tunes ranging from country to funk and pop.
Here are our suggestions for the perfect playlist at this year’s Fourth of July kickbacks.
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‘The Star-Spangled Banner’
For sentimental types who want to play this classic at least once, there are tons of renditions to choose from, including Whitney Houston’s iconic January 1991 performance at Tampa Stadium for Super Bowl XXV.
‘My Country, ‘Tis of Thee’
“My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” is also known simply as “America.” Baptist minister Samuel Francis Smith originally wrote the song while studying at Andover Theological Seminary in 1831, according to the Library of Congress.
The song made its debut on July 4, 1831 at a children’s program at the Park Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts.
Since then, it has been performed by numerous famed singers, including the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin, at then-president Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009 and Kelly Clarkson in 2013 at Obama’s second-term inauguration.
‘America the Beautiful’
This classic was first written in 1893 by author and poet Katharine Lee Bates, according to the Library of Congress.
Since then, the song has been covered by a slew of musicians, including soul singer Ray Charles. Charles performed the song at the 2001 MLB World Series, bringing some fans to tears.
‘God Bless America’ by Irving Berlin
There are few versions of this song patriots can choose from, including the original written in 1918 by Irving Berlin, which he later revised.
He wrote the song after becoming an American citizen and convinced his commanding officers to let him write a musical comedy review to raise money and increase morale among service members. He titled it “God Bless America” but then decided it was too somber for his comedy review and shelved it for 20 years, according to the Library of Congress.
In fall 1938, he revised the song, fashioning it as a peaceful song with more speed; then 63 years later after the September 11th attacks, Canadian songstress Céline Dion sang the song as part of a televised program called “America: A Tribute to Heroes.” The song has also been covered by country singer Martina McBride.
‘This Land is Your Land’ by Woody Guthrie
Written in 1939 and released the following year, Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” was written in response to all the airplay “God Bless America” was getting at the time. Irving Berlin had written the latter song during World War I and Guthrie thought it was too sappy and “blindly patriotic,” according to a post from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
While the song is often compared to the National Anthem, it is actually a critique of American affairs at the time, especially the gaps between wealthy Americans and those barely getting by, according to the Library of Congress.
‘Surfin’ USA’ by the Beach Boys
This summertime song will make your Fourth of July cookout feel like an epic beach day.
The 1963 song is considered the Beach Boys’ first hit. From there, the group quickly rose to success. The song features lyrics by Brian Wilson, who set them to “Sweet Little Sixteen” by Chuck Berry, according to Genius.
We’ll all be planning that route.
We’re gonna take real soon.
We’re waxing down our surfboards.
We can’t wait for June.
We’ll all be gone for the summer.
We’re on surfari to stay.
Tell the teacher we’re surfin’.
Surfin’ U.S.A.
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‘Fortunate Son’ by Creedence Clearwater Revival
This 1969 rock single by Creedence Clearwater Revival was released in response to the Vietnam War and critiques then-president Richard Nixon and his administration, as well as rich, privileged people.
Yeah, some folks inherit star-spangled eyes.
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord.
And when you ask ’em, “How much should we give?”
Ooh, they only answer, “More, more, more, more!”
It ain’t me, it ain’t me.
I ain’t no military son, son, Lord.
It ain’t me, it ain’t me.
I ain’t no fortunate one, one.
‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ by John Denver
Here’s another classic for your list off John Denver’s fourth studio album, “Poems, Prayers & Promises,” released in 1971.
The song is an ode to West Virginia and was originally written by Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert as they traveled through Maryland, according to the Library of Congress.
They met Denver in December of 1970 and when he heard the song, he decided to add the song’s bridge to a recording of his own.
‘Sweet Home Alabama’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Sweet Home Alabama” was written in response to Neil Young’s 1970 song “Southern Man,” which calls out the south for its role in the bloody, traumatic history of slavery, according to NPR.
Sweet home, Alabama, where the skies are so blue.
Sweet home, Alabama. Lord, I’m comin’ home to you.
‘Celebration’ by Kool & the Gang
This funky tune strays from the classic ballads and sentimental patriotic songs often thought of on the Fourth of July. It’s no doubt a classic party song though, one that’s likely to get even the shyest partygoers out of their seats.
‘Born in the U.S.A.’ by Bruce Springsteen
This rock song is a classic at Fourth of July events, so we couldn’t leave it out. The song is the title track of his seventh studio album and chronicles the life of a Vietnam war veteran who has returned to the U.S.
I had a brother at Khe Sanh, fighting off the Viet Cong.
They’re still there, he’s all gone.
He had a woman he loved in Saigon.
I got a picture of him in her arms now.
Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
‘Summer Of ’69’ by Bryan Adams
This summertime single from the early ’80s has been credited with giving people feelings of nostalgia they didn’t experience themselves.
Oh, when I look back now, that summer seemed to last forever.
And if I had the choice, yeah, I’d always wanna be there.
Those were the best days of my life.
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‘God Bless The U.S.A.’ by Lee Greenwood
There ain’t no doubt this song belongs on this list. The 1984 classic by country singer Lee Greenwood is a staple in patriotic playlists.
Greenwood wrote the song at the back of his tour bus after Soviet missiles shot down Korean Air Lines Flight 007, according to his website.
“My love of the land came from being raised on a farm in California and singing for USO shows while I was still in high school,” he has previously said about the song. “I’m honored this song is still being shared, and more importantly, being recognized as a song which unites, because that is exactly the reason why I wrote it.”
‘R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.’ by John Mellencamp
This 1980s song is bound to get patriotic party goers up and out of their seats. Mellencamp said he wrote the song as a tribute to 1960s rock.
“The great thing about the 60s was the different types of music you’d hear on one radio station,” he said. “FM radio wasn’t available to people at the time so as a kid I would listen to one station and I would hear folk, rock, pop, soul, folk rock … All different types of stuff and it was a great education.”
‘Kokomo’ by the Beach Boys
This single by the Beach Boys is more chill but definitely worthy of including in this year’s playlist. It’s hard not to sing along once the boys start singing the chorus.
Aruba, Jamaica.
Ooh I wanna take you to Bermuda, Bahama.
Come on, pretty mama.
Key Largo, Montego. Baby, why don’t we go?
Ooh, I wanna take you down to Kokomo.
‘I’ve Been Everywhere’ by Johnny Cash
This country tune was released in 1996. Listeners can hear the Grammy award-winning singer laugh as he chronicles his travels throughout the U.S.
I’ve been to Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana, Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana, Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa, Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa, Tennessee to Tennessee, Chicopee, Spirit Lake, Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete’s sake.
I’ve been everywhere, man.
‘American Woman’ by Lenny Kravitz
This one’s definitely getting people up and moving on the Fourth of July. The song was originally released in 1970 by Canadian rock band The Guess Who.
Lenny Kravitz recorded it in the 1990s for the “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” soundtrack. Kravitz’s cover of the song won him recognition in the best male rock vocal performance category at the 42nd annual Grammy awards.
‘Follow Me’ by Uncle Kracker
This single from Uncle Kracker is the perfect summertime song to sway to when you’re busting out your grill.
‘America’ by Neil Diamond
This 1980s song by Neil Diamond will make any Fourth of July party a good time.
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No Fourth of July party would be complete without three songs by country singer Toby Keith.
His singles ‘Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American),’ ‘Made in America’ and ‘Happy Birthday America’ are popular Independence Day must-haves for your playlist.
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‘All Summer Long’ by Kid Rock
This single by Kid Rock screams barbecue, beer and Fourth of July.
The song samples Bob Seger’s “Night Moves”, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” and Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London.”
‘Party in the U.S.A’ by Miley Cyrus
We didn’t forget about you, Smilers.
Although Miley’s all grown up now and her sound has changed, her 2009 single “Party in the U.S.A” will live in our hearts forever.
So go on, blast this one at your party and think about the days where you’d ride around with your windows down, the wind in your hair and sing your heart out.
‘Firework’ by Katy Perry
This 2010 pop song by singer Katy Perry speaks for itself.
You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine.
Just own the night like the Fourth of July.
‘Cause baby, you’re a firework.
Come on, show ’em what you’re worth.
Make ’em go, “Oh, oh, oh” as you shoot across the sky.
Have a safe, fun, Happy Fourth of July!
