My second favorite holiday, July 4th, is right around the corner.
I love this holiday so much. Not just for the fireworks, day off, food and fun; but for the fact that we get to celebrate the country we (I) live in.
America has it's problems, but I really can't imagine growing up anywhere else.
These songs make me not only nostalgic, but proud to be part of the greatest country: USA.
Now, I'm not talking about patriotic odes, I am talking about rock and pop music that made the charts. These songs are some of the best tunes to listen to when celebrating the red, white and blue!
We have to start of with “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood. I mean, every word makes your heart burst with pride. It is also a great karaoke tune if you want everyone in the bar to like you. Trust me.
Best line: “And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died and gave that right to me.”
Next up is Bruce Springstein's “Born in the U.S.A.”
Bruce is so great at getting me pumped up about living in the 50 states. How can you not love Bruce?
Best line: “Born in the U.S.A., I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A., I'm a long gone daddy in the u.s.a.
One of my favorite artists of all time, Ray Charles, does a number on this take on “America the Beautiful.” I get teary eyed every time I hear this song. It just speaks to my soul. It also makes me think of the fireworks scene in The Sandlot so then I'm really beside myself with memories of childhood.
You know, God done shed his grace on thee”
I like to think we all have a little “American Girl” in all of us and Tom Petty just captures the feelings of heartbreak in this song.
Best line: “Well, she was an American girl, Raised on promises, She couldn't help thinkin' that there was a little more to life somewhere else”
Best line: ” Living in America,
I got to have a celebration, rock my soul”
Best Line: “So bye-bye, miss American pie
Drove my chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing…
This'll be the day that I die”
Lenny Kravitz's version of “American Woman.” The original was sung by The Guess Who, a Canadian Rock band. But I like Kravitz's funky version and his funky self.
Best Line: “American woman, stay away from me
American woman, mama let me be.”
Can't have this list without Miley Cyrus's “Party in the USA”
I don't care who you are, this song is a jam.
Best line: “Noddin' my head like yeah
Movin' my hips like yeah
I got my hands up,
They're playin' my song
I know I'm gonna be OK
Yeah, it's a party in the USA”
Well that's my list and now I'm good and ready to get my pride on. Hope you can add this to your playlist for the Fourth of July. What songs make you proud to be an American?!
