The 28 Greatest Songs About America: The Ultimate Fourth of July Playlist (2023)

The United States is a gigantic country, both in terms of population and cultural production. And over the years he's had a huge impact on world culture in film, television and music. So it should come as no surprise that there are endless songs about America and the American experience.

Whether it's ancient folk songs, patriotic celebrations, spiritual thoughts, or protest music, songs about America are almost as diverse as the country itself.

So we're going to help you narrow down your 4th of July playlist with our list of the 28 best songs about America. Let's start

1. "American Pastel" by Don McLean

Recorded as part of the 1971 album of the same name, "American Pie" is one of the most classic American-themed songs. It will be hard for you to find someone who doesn't know you!

Upon its release, this song was number one in the US for many weeks and to this day remains a classic song played at parties, campfires, or anywhere else.

The relaxed tempo and repetitive lyrics are easy to remember, and the song is such a classic that it's kept by the Library of CongressNational Admissions Register.

2. "Born in the USA." von BruceSpringsteen

The song above may be a classic, but it has a more relaxing energy that puts everyone at ease at the end of a party. But Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A" is the kind of song you play at the start of the party to energize everyone.

Released on an album of the same name in 1984, this song has the pop energy that made it a radio hit.

Its publication also helped propel Springsteen as one into American culturepatriotischer Held.

3. "ROCK in America" ​​by John Cougar Mellencamp

Included on the 1985 album Scarecrow, this song by John Cougar Mellencamp is subtitled "A Salute to 60s Rock".

Consequently, the rhythm and harmony changes are simple and repetitive, always returning to a classic chorus with lyrics befitting the title.

Mellencamp had many hits before this album, Scarecrow, came out, but the 1980s were a special time.return pointfor him, with three other top ten albums coming out in the same decade.

So put this song on your party playlist and it's sure to get people singing and dancing!

4. „Rockin’ in the Free World“ von Neil Young

Even if you don't immediately recognize the verses of this Neil Young song, you'll find yourself singing along to the classic chorus.

Released as part of their 1989 album Freedom, this song is considered by many to be their best: Rolling Stone places it at theThe 500 Greatest Songs of All Time..

Inspiration for the song came after a planned tour to the Soviet Union was canceled and as the lyrics celebrate freedom they have taken on a political context over the years.

5. "Life in America" ​​by James Brown

"Living in America," a song written by Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight and performed by the famous James Brown, was released in 1985 and topped the charts for almost 12 weeks.

James Brown, often called"Godfather of the Soul"– sings the lead voice with its unmistakable energy.

And along with James Brown on vocals was Stevie Ray Vaughan on lead guitar, creating a funky, energetic backing that perfectly matched Brown's soulful vocals and screams.

Overall, the song has fantastic lyrics and a wonderful classic 80's beat.

6. Simon and Garfunkel's "America"

Simon and Garfunkel released this song on their 1968 album Bookends, and it has lyrics that capture a couple's road trip across America.

The music and lyrics have a dreamy quality that reflects the song's theme: getting to know America geographically and spiritually.

The song has a relaxing and almost meditative energy, something that's classic with Simon and Garfunkel's unique vocals and harmonies.

But while this may be one of the most relaxing songs on their "America" ​​playlist, it still has plenty of energy during the choruses. If you've ever traveled the US, you will identify with this song!

7. „American Girl“ von Tom Petty und die Heartbreakers

Tom Petty released the song "American Girl" as part of his band's 1976 debut album, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Although the song wasn't an instant hit upon its release, it eventually became one of his most famous songs and can still be heard on the radio almost 50 years later.

Musically, the song has standard harmony and form, and the lyrics of the stanzas are repeatedly incorporated into a chorus that makes it easy to sing along.

The opening lines about an American girl who "grew up on promises" echo a line from the 1963 film.dementia 13.

8. "Life in the United States" by Steve Miller Band

This Steve Miller Band song is great. Off his 1968 album Sailor, this song should be on every American playlist.

The lyrics both critique and celebrate aspects of American culture, always ending in a repetitive chorus that makes it easy for people to sing along.

Ultimately, this song celebrates the reputationAmerican Dreamand how one can achieve it if one tries hard enough. But aside from the lyrics, this song seems more danceable than anything else!

9. "America" ​​by Neil Diamond

"America", written and published by Neil Diamond in 1980, was originally part of the soundtrack to The Jazz Singer.

But in 1981, this song was a hit in its own right, with its classic rehash lines about immigrants coming to America.

The song has a unique orchestral introduction of slow, reflective music that quickly gives way to rock energy.

The lyrics have a central theme about America as a country of immigration, and musically it takes on a spiritual sort of patriotic energy.

10. "We're an American Band" by Grand Funk Railroad

As the song title suggests, this song by Grand Funk Railroad is about celebrating American music and the rock band lifestyle.

Released as part of her eponymous album in 1973, the song quickly became her first hit single.

One can think of the lyrics to this song as an autobiography of the band's experience touring the United States.

The music's driving beat combined with the solemn chorus makes it one of America's greatest rock songs.

11. "God Bless America" ​​by Lee Greenwood

Released in 1984 as part of Lee Greenwood's album You've Got a Good Love Comin', this song is often referred to with an alternative title: "Proud to Be an American".

And unsurprisingly, it's all about America and American patriotism -- it celebrates freedom, American pride and thatSoldiers who died fighting for them.

With country-style music and vocals, the song was a hit at the time but fell out of popular culture.

But after the September 11 attacks, the song became popular again and took on a profound new meaning in American culture.

12. "Banned in the US." by 2 Live Crew

Banned in the USA opens with a familiar theme song reminiscent of the Bruce Springsteen song Born in the U.S.A. –Springsteen allowedthem to parody the music.

But the song isn't rock 'n' roll at all; It's instead a Miami bass style of rap music with lyrics protesting a court decision the band didn't like.

With audio samples masquerading as Ronald Reagan speeches, the song is primarily a political statement about the challenging history and politics of the United States.

13. "Rosenhauser" by John Cougar Mellencamp

"Pink Houses" probably doesn't need much introduction given how ingrained it is in American culture.

This song was released in 1983 as part of John Cougar Mellencamp's album Uh-huh and topped the charts in 1984.

The inspiration for the song came from a trip Mellencamp took through Indiana and references a man he saw sitting in front of a pink house on the highway.

Like many of the songs on this list, traveling across America is often an inspiration for great music.

14. „American Idiot“ von Green Day

While many of the songs up to this point were from the 1970s and 1980s, this Green Day song captures a new era of music about America.

It was released on an album of the same name in 2004, and the song and album were big hits that helped the band recover from an earlier career slump.

The song has that classic Green Day punk rock sound, but this album was more political than their previous releases.

"American Idiot" in particular criticized the fear and propaganda of the American media and how they are creating fear and tension across the country.

15. "America the Beautiful" by Ray Charles

Ray Charles' "America the Beautiful" is perhaps one of the most patriotic songs in this collection.

The lyrics and melody of this song predate Ray Charles, and the poem was written in the 1890s by Katharine Lee Bates, a professor at Wellesley College. You probably know those1911 version of the poem.

And Ray Charles' 1972 recording offers a particularly spiritual rendition of the song, with beautiful jazzy harmonies and soaring vocal lines.

The slow tempo and swinging rhythms help make this song's patriotism particularly emotional.

16. "My Shot" by Hamilton Cast

Almost everyone has heard of the hip-hop musical Hamilton, which made waves when it was released in 2015.

The musical is about the life of Alexander Hamilton, and this song is specifically about Hamilton's hope for a better future.

With music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the energy of the music and vocal style sounds like 1990s hip-hop music.

But the rhythms are much more complex and the impressive vocals float above the beat in an unpredictable but steady way. All of this creates a unique insight into American history.

17. "American" by Lenny Kravitz

If you're like most people, the title of this Lenny Kravitz song probably got the opening guitar riff playing in your head.

Although this hit version of the song was released on their 1998 album 5, the original song is not by Kravitz and was originally released by the band Guess Who in 1970.

But Kravitz' version of the song became famous for its use in the hit film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.

Compared to the Guess Who version, Kravitz's recording is slower and less aggressive.

18. „Empire State of Mind“ von Jay-Z mit Alicia Keys

Released on the 2009 album The Blueprint 3, this song pays homage to the great city of New York, and considering NYC is an iconic symbol of America, it also pays homage to the whole country.

The song quickly found success, topping the charts, including three Grammy nominations.

The song has a hip hop/rap style but it has unique piano melodies/harmonies and Alicia Keys brings a special sound to the choruses.

If you put this in a party playlist, you can guarantee that people will be singing and dancing.

19. "Times Are Changing" by Bob Dylan

This Bob Dylan song is another classic that almost everyone can hear in their head just by looking at the title.

Written in 1964 and released on an album of the same name, this song and the album as a whole capture the decade's complicated political and social energy.

Although the song wasn't as popular as their previous releases, it eventually made it to the top of the charts.

And more than fifty years later, the song is still a popular way to remember the flawed but hopeful changes America has gone through and will continue to go through.

20. „Fight the Power“ von Public Enemy

If Bob Dylan's earlier song was a quiet, thoughtful way to think about American politics, Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" has the opposite energy: It's a powerful, aggressive call to fight the powers that be responsible for greater justice are.

The song was released as a single in 1989 and was also featured in the Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing.

\Especially in hip-hop and rap, this song is world famous and thirty years later Public Enemy's most famous song.

21. "Made in the USA" by Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato released "Made in the USA" as part of her 2013 album Demi, and the song is a country-pop song about relationships in America; The effect was further achieved by the release date around Independence Day.

The song is fast paced and the musical accompaniment is positive and uplifting.

Add in Lovato's soaring vocals and you have an overall great pop song that's similar in quality to Miley Cyrus' upcoming song. In short, this song works on any July 4th playlist.

22. "Party in America" ​​by Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus' patriotic pop song "Party in the U.S.A." from her 2009 album Pop It Rock It 2: It's On reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100.

If you know the song, and let's be honest, who doesn't know it? The famous lyrics and melody of the chorus are probably on your mind right now.

The lyrics of this song are about Cryus' move to Hollywood and the experiences he has in the process.

Though some of the lyrics capture her nostalgia, the celebratory chorus keeps coming back, describing the "Party in America."

23. "American Heart" by Faith Hill

Jim Beavers and Jonathan Singleton wrote the song "American Heart," but it was Faith Hill's beautiful country voice that made the song famous when it was released in 2012.

The song was supposed to be part of his Illusion album, but the album never materialized and the song remained a single track.

The song is about the American spirit and how it survives difficult times.

The lyrics refer to various locations in the United States, such as California, Texas and New Orleans, and repeatedly emphasize that the American heart is too big and strong to be conquered.

24. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver

Do you even need a description of this legendary John Denver song? "Take Me Home, Country Roads", released in 1971, is a quintessentially American song.

Sometimes referred to as "Country Roads," the song is about West Virginia and the thoughts one has while driving through it.

Set to a soothing and thoughtful background music and Denver's calm vocals, the song became one of Denver's most popular and successful.

And because it's such a big tribute to the state, it's one of those places in West Virginia.official state songs.

25. „This Is America“ von Childish Gambino

Transporting you many decades into the future from this John Denver classic, come now to Childish Gambino's This Is America.

Gambino is the stage name of famous actor and artist Donald Glover and this song was released in 2018 as part of his album This Is America.

Like many of the songs in this article, the song makes a political commentary on many of the issues America faces, in this case gun violence, mass shootings, and racism.

Many rappers make guest appearances on this track, and the gospel-style music makes interludes throughout.

26. "Rock in America" ​​by Kiss

Released on their 1977 album Alive II, this Kiss song will add an energy boost to almost any playlist.

In general, it's a patriotic song that compares the United States to other countries in the world. But the closing chorus always returns to the singer's penchant for keeping "Rockin' in the USA."

Musically, the song has the typical alternative rock 'n' roll sound you'd expect from Kiss, which is particularly unique considering it came out in the 70's.

And with classic guitar riffs and a driving beat, the music also invites you to dance.

27. „American Girl“ von Carrie Underwood

Released on Carrie Underwood's 2007 album Carnival Ride, "All-American Girl" is a country-pop song with laid-back energy.

The lyrics focus on a father who meets his little daughter and falls in love. Despite her father's desire to have children, the new "All-American Girl" immediately wins his heart.

Musically, the song flows between different textures, from relaxed verses to soaring choruses.

As is typical of Underwood's music, these transitions between verse and chorus utilize Underwood's powerful voice.

28. "This Country Is Your Country" by Woody Guthrie

This Woody Guthrie song might not be the biggest hit on your party playlist, but it would be impossible not to include it in a list of the best songs about America.

Guthrie wrote the lyrics in 1940, set to a tune taken from an earlier gospel hymn.

The lyrics speak of the vast expanses of America, coast to coast, and always return to the song title at the end of each chorus.

Because it was an American classic, this song is included in theNational Admissions Register.

Let's summarize our list of songs about USA.

Hopefully you now have a deeper appreciation for America and the musical culture it inspired.

From old Woody Guthrie folk songs to new music by Miley Cyrus, there is a wide variety of United States themed music.

Some of these songs patriotically celebrate freedom, while others capture the spirit of protest and conflict.

And whether it's rock 'n' roll, funk, or hip-hop music, songs about America come in all sorts of unique flavors.

So get to know these great songs and add them to your US playlist!