I'd argue that a well-chosen soundtrack is as important to any celebration of our nation's birthday as fireworks or charcoal-grilled foodstuffs. After all, a barbecue without banging tunes is nothing but a woefully missed opportunity. But which tunes are right for a July 4 playlist?
There are countless directions one could go here. Sirius XM satellite radio is launching all sorts of special programming this weekend: the Uncle Sam Radio station will feature America-themed songs by everyone from Simon and Garfunkel to James Brown to Tom Petty, while E Street Radio will broadcast Bruce Springsteen concerts from Independence Days past (as well as one being recorded tonight), to name just two. My girlfriend and I, meanwhile, spent some time this week putting together a Michael Jackson mix for our own July 4 shindig — not technically holiday-themed, I’ll grant you, but can you name another artist whose career says more about late-20th-century America? There's also the evergreen "patriotic songs" option, whether you go for "The Star-Spangled Banner" or, say, "This Land Is Your Land," which will always be the real national anthem to me. Or maybe you'd just prefer to repurpose a barbecue mixtape that has nothing to do with July 4, like the one I assembled for Memorial Day last year.
So let's hear it: Which songs, if any, will be blasting at your July 4 festivities? There are still a few hours left to make last-minute tweaks to your playlist…
More from EW's Music Mix:
Admit it: You are (I am?) excited about the new Blake Lewis CD!
Michael Jackson's musical legacy: Tell us how you remember him
Salt n Pepa's Pepa and TLC's Chili enter the celebreality fray
Mariah Carey as Eminem: Yes, that's really her
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I’m a total showtunes dork, so I always manage to squeeze in at least one time through the soundtrack to 1776. It always give me chills.
all Lee Greenwood, all the time.
Lee Greenwood, Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel, The Americans: A Canadians Opinion by Gordon Sinclair and other musicians. I want to hear music about the USA on July 4th. I also love to watch the movie 1776 on TCM, as well as docs. about the Revolutionary War on the History channel, and the fireworks.
Jeff Buckley, “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield, Brian Wilson’s “Smile,” and a healthy dose of 80’s era Kinks. (Maybe some Reel Big Fish too, just for sh@ts & grins).
A lot of Celine Dion. and Movie Soundtracks
A lot of Celine Dion, and a lot of movie soundtracks
The soundtrack to the movie Independence Day. Cheesy, yes, but it’s a popcorn classic that 12-year-old me still thinks is the COOLEST, man.
Anything by Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, John Mellencamp, Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakam, U2 and Madonna-Heartland Rock!
Im buying Rob THomas and Brad Paisley new albums right after work today!!!
Oh and if i can find any MJ album ill buy that too…
Bruce is the best!
http://www.NSFWYouTube.com/
“America” from ‘West Side Story’.
My 4th July playlist doesnt really consist of patriotic americana songs etc. It’s just a cd of music i love. Such as songs from bands Silvergun, Cutting Jade, Day Minus 7, Seether, Papercut Massacre, Tragic Orange, O’Shea, Three Days Grace, Shinedown, 12 Stones, Daughtry, Nickelback, Etc. Although I don’t have anything planned this yr. for 4th. Not into fireworks the ozone n global warming r bad enough dont need to add to it as my friend says lol.
Don’t really have any plans for today. Staying Home. But if I had to create a playlist it wouldn’t have 4th july patriotic americana songs on it. It just be a list of songs from my fav bands such as Silvergun, Day Minus 7, Cutting Jade, Seether, Papercut Massacre, Walt, Tragic Orange, Three Days Grace, 12 Stones, O’Shea, Daughtry, Shinedown, Etc.
Wow, J28…that’s some really good music you listen too (tried to write that with a straight face and instead shot coffee out of my nose from laughing).
Really? Michael Jackson playlist? Really? Jump on the bandwagon much? If he didn’t die, would you be doing that? Nope. What a trend setter you are.
Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American”, and “God Bless America”
First thing that gets played in my house:
The Star Spangled Banner — Marvin Gaye
This year it’s a mix,
AMERICA — Prince
America The Beautiful — Ray Charles
Give More Power To The People – The Chi-Lites
People Make The World Go Round – The Stylistics
Love Train – The Ojays
Revolution – Arrested Development
That’s The Way Of The World – Earth Wind and Fire
Give The People What They Want – The OJays
Try Jah Love — Third World
I Will Bless The Lord — Byron Cage
Born In The USA — Bruce Springsteen
The Cup of Life — Ricky Martin
Free – Ultra Nate
I’m digging the poster who put “America” from West Side Story. I’m gonna add that this year!
“Livin’ in America” by James Brown!
Mariah Carey’s “Fourth of July” – the title says it all, plus it not overly patriotic (or patriotic at all, really)which is a definite plus.
Born In The USA/BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Pink Houses/JOHN MELLENCAMP
American Girl/TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS
American Woman/THE GUESS WHO and LENNY KRAVITZ
As it happens, I actually am Born on the Fourth of July, but I like my patriotism like my margaritas…with the occasional grain of salt…So my July 4th playlist is a bit odd:
Born in the USA (Bruuuce!)
Pink Houses (still the best song Mellencamp ever wrote)
America (Neil Diamond…cheesy, but satisfying)
Statue of Liberty (Little River Band)
Political Science (Randy Newman)
American Idiot (Green Day)
Back in the USA (Linda Ronstadt)
…And if the 1776 soundtrack ever ends up on iTunes, I’m downloading me some William Daniels. Cheers, all!
My musical embodiment of summer!
Adele – Hometown Glory
Beck – Girl
Beck – Gamma Ray
Blondie – Dreaming
Estelle – American Boy
Lily Allen – LDN
Mark Ronson ft Amy Winehouse – Valerie
She & Him – Sweet Darlin’
Vampire Weekend – Walcott
Yeah yeah yeahs – Soft Shock
Star Spangled Banner – Jimi Hendrix Surfin’ USA – Beach Boys
God Bless the USA – Lee Greenwood
Pink Houses – John Mellencamp
Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen
We’re an American Band – Grand Funk Railroad
American Girl – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
American Baby – Dave Matthews Band
America – Simon & Garfunkel
America – Prince
Kids in America – Kim Wilde
Bleed American – Jimmy Eat World
Song for America – Kansas
Livin’ in America – Steve Miller Band
Miss American – Styx
American Music – Violent Femmes
Voice of America – Asia
Red, White & Blue – Robert Plant
Rockin’ in the Free World – Neil Young
and since 9/11 it’s hard to not hear these two songs and not think of the strong patiotic response from those in NYC and elsewhere:
Walk On – U2
Superman – Five For Fighting
Happy July 4th and God Bless America!
Everyday America – Sugarland
American Girl – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
American Saturday Night – Brad Paisley
American Woman – Lenny Kravitz
America F**k Yeah – Team America
Summertime – Kenny Chesney
Whatever it is – Zac Brown Band
How You remind me – Nickelback
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood
Summertime – Kenny Chesney
Out Last Night – Kenny Chesney
Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood
Whatever it is – Zac Brown Band
American girl – Tom Petty
American Woman – Lenny Kravitz
Everyday America – Sugarland
Twist and Shout – The Beatles
Coming To America – Neil Diamond
In America – Charlie Daniels Band
Born In The USA(acoustic)- Bruce Springstein
L’America – The Doors
America – Herb Alpert & the Tijuanna Brass
Miss America – David Byrne
Do Miss America – Ryan Adams
All You Can Eat – Ben Folds
16 Military Wives – The Decemberist
See America Right – The Mountain Goats
That’s America – Bruce McCulloch
American Music – Violent Femmes
God Bless America
Living In America – James Brown
America – Prince
Captain America – moe.
America – Simon & Garfunkel
Young America – David Bowie
American Girl – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
U.S. Blues – Grateful Dead
The City Of New Orleans – Arlo Guthrie
The American Way of Love – The United States of America
Listening to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK95u0Qrowo
Time to cheer up!!!!
Definitely School House Rock: America Rock. No More Kings, Elbow Room, The Great American Melting Pot–those are Fourth of July classics.
American Girl/TOM PETTY
Born In The U.S.A./BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Pink Houses/JOHN MELLENCAMP
American Pie/DON MCLEAN
We’re An American Band/GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
Freedom/GEORGE MICHAEL
American Woman/LENNY KRAVITZ
Breakfast In America/SUPERTRAMP
Young Americans/DAVID BOWIE
Freedom/PAUL MCCARTNEY