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…
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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).