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7. Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Fortunate Son"
Have we learned to stop questioning the patriotism of protesters yet? Right now, one need only to look to Iran to see that the biggest acts of patriotism don't always fall in line with the governing bodies. We love Cat Power's cover, shown above.
8. Aaron Copland - "Appalachian Spring"
This wakens a sense of patriotism in us that little else can. It's an orchestral suite, so it's not technically a "song," but the music is so uniquely American (borrowing from the traditional Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts") and so sonically vivid, that it expresses the beauty of our country better than any set of lyrics we know. Copland was undoubtedly the Norman Rockwell of music—both intensely patriotic and populist but in a gentle and agreeable way. The piece premiered as a ballet score during the tail end of WWII, and was rearranged as suite the following year during the height of American patriotism.
9. Ryan Adams - "New York, New York"
The upbeat hook "But I still love you New York" paired with the video, featuring Adams performing in Brooklyn with the WTC in the background on Sept 7, 2001, always gives us goosebumps.
10. Violent Femmes - "American Music"
What's more American than rock 'n' roll?
11. Bob Dylan - "With God on Our Side"
Leave it to Dylan to take the arrogance, pomposity and aggression out of patriotism so that we can move on to the better aspects: love, thankfulness and a desire to keep making our country even better. Thanks to Twitter follower @twit_atgunpoint for the suggestion. And check out Buddy Miller's awesome cover.
12. Jimi Hendrix - "The Star-Spangled Banner"
Some people were offended at the time, but those people can go listen to this instead. Jimi himself considered this beautiful and patriotic, and we couldn't agree more.
And a Dozen Honorable Mentions
1. The Dixie Chicks - "Travelin' Soldier"
A beautiful and sad love story about a Vietnam soldier.
2. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - "This Land Is Your Land"
The video linked here shows the impressive bunch of participants on The Dark Was the Night concert butchering the song until Sharon and her Dap Kings came to the rescue.
3. Aimee Mann - "Fourth of July"
Not so much patriotic as just a beautifully sad song, appropriate to the holiday.
4. David Bowie - "Young American"
Suggestion from Twitter follower @thegayplaces
5. Shooter Jennings - "4th of July"
Suggestion from Twitter follower @cwalrondhood
6. Beastie Boys - "Fight for Your Right to Party"
Suggestion from Twitter follower @ideasbychuck
7. Team America soundtrack - "Freedom Costs a Buck-o-Five"
Suggestion from Twitter follower @raisedbyclowns
8. Little Stevens - "I Am a Patriot"
Suggestion from Twitter follower @sky_bluesky
9. Tom Petty - "American Girl"
Suggestion from Twitter follower @JeremyMeyers
10. Ozomatli - "Who Discovered America"
Suggestion from Twitter follower @FemmeFM
11. The Muffs - "Kids in America"
Suggestion from Twitter follower @emilyhogan
12. The Weepies - "All This Beauty"
Suggestion from Twitter follower @blackbirdcoffee
Follow Josh Jackson on Twitter at @joshjackson and have a wonderful 4th of July.
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American Music-The Blasters
Fourth Of July-Dave Alvin
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American Music-The Blasters
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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.