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Today, we celebrate the birth of the good ol' U.S. of A. We gather in back yards, pools and lakes. We roast hot dogs and hamburgers and let watermelon juice trickle down our chins. We light fireworks smuggled in from less pansy states. But at some point, these wonderful traditions are marred by the schlocky strains of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." (as they will be on CBS' Early Show today). Call me an unpatriotic snob, if you will, but I believe we as a nation can do much better when it comes to celebrating America in song. I don't care if he is a member of the National Council on the Arts, there are plenty of better songs to add to your patriotic playlist. Give a listen to the following 12, and drink an American small-brewery craft beer for me.
1. Bruce Springsteen - "Born in the U.S.A."
While critical of the war, and fully aware of the struggles that affect blue-collar America, Springsteen makes no apologies about his birthplace, repeatedly letting the world know where he's from. It's the kind of reality check necessary to true patriotism. "The Rising" would have been another great addition to this list. Come to think of it, I'd like to nominate him for the National Council on the Arts. Or Secretary of the Interior.
Plus there's always that scene in Canadian Bacon where John Candy and crew scream down the highway in full windows down, road-trip mode belting out the chorus...because they can't remember the verses.
2. Johnny Cash - "Ragged Old Flag"
The intro is almost as great as the song itself—a simple, compelling tune about loving one's country for what it stands for, and despite its mistakes. No one was ever as earnestly cool as Johnny Cash. My kind of patriot.
3. Paul Simon - "American Tune"
It basically tells the story of America set to chords he stole from Bach. And it's just beautiful.
4. Ray Charles - "America, the Beautiful"
I'm proud to be from the same country as this guy.
5. Estelle featuring Kanye West - "American Boy"
I mean, it mentions L.A. and New York and everything, and she's liking it all.
6. Wilco - "Ashes of American Flags"
Tweedy sings with some regret for what America has become, but to me, patriotism doesn't gloss over the problems we face. Twitter follower @benmcneely also suggests "The Jolly Banker."
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You had me at the first picture! Bruce Springsteen will always BE America to me... His rendition of This Land is Your Land is one of my favorite Youtube videos ever.
How about "City of New Orleans" by Arlo Guthry. I know the train only goes down the center of the nation from Illinois to Louisiana, but the mood, the celebration of the Coleman porters (and therefore the other folks in the American working middle class and supported by a union), the whole idea is about traveling through our country (the heartland, in fact) is in it, and he does have that chorus
The selection here is good and almost comprehensive, and yes, anything would be better than "God Bless the USA".
Sufjan Stevens - The 50 States Song
I feel like The Roots rendition of the Star-Spangled banner should be considered. I saw them perform it on The Colbert Report and it was great.
How 'bout "Living in America" by James Brown? I'm cool with your picks, but what's more American than soul & R&B? Even if this isn't one of his funk classics, it's still JB.
"This land is your land", Woody Guthrie, is probably the earthiest celebration of the U.S.
Grand Canyon by ani difranco on Educated Guess...
"i love my country
by which i mean
i am indebted joyfully
to all the people throughout its history
who have fought the government to make right"
I'll go with "With God On Our Side" over the jingoistic crap
4th of July by Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers
She was on fire, wild, and American
She burns it out probably just because she can
And if I had a dollar for everything I should have said
Id probably still be busted I would throw it all away again
Lightning bugs light up all across the Southern sky
Some guys get it all and they dont even need to try
I watched you roll away, but you didnt even say Goodbye
And now I hate the night, Im guessing thats the reason why
And this, this is my life on the 4th of July
It isnt much, but at least its mine.
Good lord. Anything is better than Lee Greenwood! Well, except maybe Toby Keith.
Joe Henry's "Our Song".
Neil Diamond - "Coming to America"
That's as patriotic as it gets!
Of course he forgot the words.
Shows what a HEATHEN COUNTRY we live in today.
Just wait and see how long there will be ANY FREDOM in the
USA.
How about another Bruce Springsteen song, THE LAND OF HOPES & DREAMS.
I just need to say this because a lot of people seem very misinformed about patriotic music.
Born in the USA is NOT patriotic. The author acknowledges that it is critical of the war but thinks that Springsteen repeating where he is from is patriotic. The Chorus is saying that he is born in the USA and the verses describe why that isnt a good thing. The entire song is critical of the USA. Those bad things are what happen when you are "born in the USA"
Also, someone's comment stated that Arlo Guthrie's This Land is Your Land is patriotic. Again, no it is not. Most versions of the song leave out Guthrie's verse criticizing private property (which conflicts with this being my land your land our land). The seemingly patriotic parts are set-up to draw the contrast with the critical parts. These artists are gushing over America in an extremely cynical manner to make a point. Unfortunately, some people actually misinterpret their cynicism as patriotism and completely miss the entire point of the song.
Oh, and that Kanye West song sucks. Sorry, lol.
This is indeed a song of protest, but that doesn't make it any less patriotic. The not so hidden theme is that this land SHOULD belong to you and me, not just to the rich, politically powerful few. But if you take in the political landscape of the moment you will observe that Big Business and Big Money, with their armies of hired guns (lobbyists, that is) are shaping health care legislation for their benefit, not ours, and when they have done their work, health reform may turn out to be a return to the status quo. So maybe we all should be singing loud and clear, "THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND. THIS LONG IS MY LAND. THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME."
Sorry about the lapse in the next to the last line; Should read:
"THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND. THIS LAND IS MY LAND. THIS LAND WAS MADEE FOR YOU AND ME."
Of course, Josh, you can find a whole bunch of songs that YOU say are better than Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA", couldn't you! First of all, you can't even spell it correctly. You said "Good Bless America", not "GOD Bless The USA". The only reason YOU say that there are so many songs better than Lee Greenwood's song is that Lee is a Christian and that his song gives the credit and glory to this great country to where it belongs...GOD.
Of course your selections are from extreme leftists such as Bruce Springsteen, Tweedy, and Kayne West, where there is no mention of God. In fact, Tweedy's song slanders this great country. Nice "patriotic" tune that besmerches this great country. Isn't that an oxymoron?
You did mention Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, who honors God in his rendition of "America" (...God shed His grace on thee), and Paul Simon. Thank you. But how can you possibly say that Born in the USA or ANYTHING from Kayne West and Tweedy is better than "God Bless The USA" by Lee Greenwood?
I think you are bothered by the fact that "God Bless The USA" is by far the most patriotic song next to our National Anthem (which the youth of today can't even remember the words to)and "America, The Beautiful", because it honors God and attributes Him to why we have such a blessed country that we have the honor and priviledg of living in.
Josh, you can do better.
Just another anti-American, anti-Christian, Anti-conservative comment from the looney left.
Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A."
is the greatest Patriotic song ever.
Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" is still the only one that leaves me with tears streaming down my cheeks and my chest bursting with pride and gratitude to live in this great country.