The ultimate 'America' playlist for your Fourth of July

If we could pick just one of the many songs called “America” for a playlist, it would definitely be Neil Diamond’s “America.” In addition glorifying the experience of becoming an American citizen in a positive way, the song is incredibly popular at Diamond’s concerts around the world, where he often displays an American flag to coincide with the lyrics: “Every time that flag's unfurled / They're coming to America.” Plus, the tune ends with a charged-up version of the American standard, “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.”

America is known for its self-depreciating humor, so of course we have to include at least one comedic song in this slideshow. Getting it out of the way early, we decided to go with “America, **** Yeah,” off the “Team America: World Police” soundtrack. Sure, it’s overly profane (we counted 37 F-bombs in two minutes), but it’s also hilariously boisterous and pretty darn catchy. Don’t be surprised when people start singing along.

British singer/songwriter Estelle has found her fair share of success, but her biggest hit by far was the 2008 single “American Boy.” Not only does Kanye West rap along with her on the track, but the two actually share the song’s writing credits with will.i.am and John Legend, as well as a couple other songwriters. In addition to being extremely catchy, the song makes America seem cool to foreigners for once, while mentioning cities like New York, Los Angeles and Miami.

Tom Petty loves singing about the ladies, whether it’s a girl who grew up in an Indiana town with a good-looking momma who never was around or a good girl who’s crazy about Elvis and loves horses. In this case, however, Mr. Petty and the Heartbreakers discuss an American girl who was raised on promises (a line borrowed from Francis Ford Coppola's 1963 film “Dementia 13”) and couldn't help thinking that there was a little more to life somewhere else. In addition to being a solid song both musically and lyrically, 1977’s “American Girl” also has some intergenerational crossover appeal, as it was re-released in 1994, when it found much more success and charted for the first time.

No matter if you fall on the right or left side of the political spectrum (or somewhere in between), you probably have an “American Idiot” you don’t care for, even if Green Day was directing its 2004 hit at one person in particular. The song was and still is incredibly popular, it earned four Grammy nominations, and it also spawned a Broadway show in 2010.

Don McLean’s 1971 hit “American Pie” has since become one of the most popular singalong songs in history, even though many people don’t realize it was about the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. However, the general upbeat tone makes the song seem less like a funeral dirge and more like a celebration of these three heroes’ lives, so feel free to crank up the volume and sing along. We know you know the words.

It’s about time we include something for country fans, and Brad Paisley’s “American Saturday Night” is sure to keep the party rocking. Not only is the song an up-tempo celebration of the United States, but it reminds us all that one of the best things about America is the plethora traditions immigrants have brought to this country and added to the melting pot.

Some people prefer Lenny Kravitz’s 1999 version of “American Woman,” since Kravitz has a smooth voice and is easy on the eyes — and that’s just fine. Us? We prefer the original 1970 “American Woman” by the Guess Who, mostly due to Burton Cummings' raspier voice and the fact that the band is from Canada, meaning the song actually makes sense. Think about it: Why would Kravitz, a U.S. citizen, be telling an American woman to stay away?

After taking a trip to Australia and seeing the conditions in which Aborigines live, Chuck Berry returned to America and immediately wrote the song “Back in the U.S.A.” In the lyrics, Berry praises the everyday conveniences of American life, such as freeways, skyscrapers, drive-ins and jukebox music, while also rattling off locations like New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis. The 1959 tune happens to be perfect for your Fourth of July barbecue, with Berry mentioning “hamburgers sizzl[ing] on an open grill.” Plus, adding the song to your playlist is a wonderful tribute to the late Chuck Berry himself, who sadly passed away earlier this year at the age of 90.

While Chuck Berry sang about returning to the U.S.A., Bruce Springsteen sang about being born there. However, most people misunderstand the lyrics. It is often belted out by patriotic Americans wishing to express pride for their home country, even though the Boss wrote the lyrics ironically in order to address the hostile treatment of Vietnam veterans after they returned from overseas. Still, it’s far from an anti-American song and is more of a “my country, for better or worse” sort of situation.

Supertramp’s “Breakfast in America” isn’t actually a song about life in America, but instead what co-front man Roger Hodgson dreamed life in America was like while he was growing up in England. (Unless all Texans really are millionaires who eat kippers for breakfast every day.) Still, the 1989 song should be a hit on your Fourth of July playlist, even for slightly younger listeners, who will recognize the melody as the sample used in the 2005 song “Cupid’s Chokehold” by Gym Class Heroes featuring Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy.

In response to both the March 2001 death of his patriotic father and the attacks of 9/11, country musician Toby Keith wrote “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” a song that by no means minces words. It is a patriotic, unapologetic promise to retaliate against anyone who tries to harm the United States of America. Although lyrics like “Soon as we could see clearly / Through our big black eye / Man, we lit up your world / Like the fourth of July” may seem corny 15 years later, it was just the kind of anthem that we needed after those devastating attacks. And just in case any foe forgets what the U.S. is capable of, it should remain a standing reminder.

Not every song on this playlist needs to contain the words “America” and/or “U.S.A.,” which is why we included Katy Perry’s 2010 hit “Firework.” The song is actually about believing in yourself and embracing your uniqueness, but it contains plenty of Independence Day imagery and also specifically mentions of the Fourth of July. Interestingly, the lyrics “Just own the night / Like the Fourth of July” were actually written as “Just own the night / Like a firefly,” but the patriotic lyric somehow made its way into Perry’s live performances and was used when she eventually recorded the song in the studio.

This is one tune where we have to side with the cover version, as “I’ve Been Everywhere” was actually written by Australian country singer Geoff Mack in 1959 and contained the names of locations down under. Mack later rewrote the song for North American audiences and lent it to Hank Snow, who recorded his version in 1962. However, Snow’s rendition isn’t nearly as catchy as Johnny Cash’s 1996 cover, and Snow was actually Canadian, so we gotta go with the Man in Black on this one.

Let’s face it, Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” is a good tune to play on any occasion, especially the Fourth of July. Not only will everyone know the words, but the lyrics talk about a blue-collar, working-class couple trying to make ends meet and find the American Dream. Lead singer Jon Bon Jovi wrote the song during the Reagan era because “trickle-down economics are really inspirational to writing songs,” he said. It has been 30 years since the song was released, yet it’s still just as relatable… and popular!

Kick your party up a notch with the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. Adding his 1985 anthem “Living in America” to your playlist is sure to get people up and dancing to the funky beat as Brown belts out lyrics encouraging you to “have a celebration.” Be sure to give an extra shout if you live in a city like Detroit, Dallas, New York City, Pittsburgh or Kansas City, and don’t miss his final line at the end: “I feel good!” Finishing with a split, however, is optional.

Brooks & Dunn wrote “Only in America” for every citizen of the United States who dares to dream big, from school bus drivers to newlyweds. Since getting released in 2001, the upbeat, patriotic tune has made the rounds in numerous films and has also been used as a campaign and political event song by Republicans and Democrats alike. Its next appearance, however, should be on your Fourth of July playlist.

Back in 2009, when Miley Cyrus was still wrapping up “Hannah Montana,” she released “Party in the U.S.A.,” a relatively innocent song that has since sold more than 7 million copies. It has also been covered countless times in music, TV and film; was the official song of the United States Women’s National Soccer Team at the 2012 London Olympics; and its popularity even skyrocketed after the death of Osama bin Laden. In short, anytime people play this song, it’s a celebration of America.

Although politicians love to use John Mellencamp’s 1983 hit “Pink Houses” at their rallies, that particular song is actually a scathing critique of yuppies, Reaganomics and the greed in America at the time it was released. On the other hand, 1985’s “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” is a lighthearted tune that’s simply about R.O.C.K.-ing in the U.S.A., making it the perfect addition to your playlist. 

When Neil Young and bandmate Frank Sampedro were talking about violence in the Middle East one night in the late ‘80s, Sampedro commented that they might want to avoid touring in the region and that “it’s probably better we just keep on rockin' in the free world.” The result of this remark became Young’s 1989 single “Rockin’ in the Free World,” which has since been named No. 216 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" and has been covered by the likes of Pearl Jam, Van Halen and Bon Jovi.

To be honest, it hadn’t originally occurred to us to put Chicago’s 1972 song “Saturday in the Park” in our playlist until it randomly came on the radio while this slideshow was being created. In addition to lyrics that talk about people playing music, snacking on ice cream and celebrating, it specifically mentions the Fourth of July numerous times, which makes us wonder how we didn’t think of “Saturday in the Park” sooner!

In the Beach Boys’ world, America is all about big waves, fast cars and chasing girls. There’s no need for deeper meanings, criticisms or controversy. Brian, Dennis, Carl, Mike and Al just want you to have a good time. Adding the 1963 hit “Surfin’ U.S.A.” to your playlist is a good start.

The most patriotic song one could play is, without a doubt, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” However, putting this song on in the middle of a Fourth of July party might kill the mood when people start thinking they need to rise and remove their caps. Instead, switch out the traditional version of America’s national anthem for Jimi Hendrix’s passionate and lyric-less rendition, which includes some mind-blowing sound effects during the “bombs bursting in air” portion — all of which was executed by one man and his guitar (and a little bit of Mitch Mitchell on drums).

When Humble Pie was on tour with Grand Funk Railroad in early 1973, the two bands got into an argument one night about British bands vs. American bands. Citing his heroes Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Little Richard and Elvis Presley, Grand Funk’s drummer, Don Brewer, stood up and proudly proclaimed: “We’re an American band!” The next morning, he penned a future No. 1 hit. When this song comes on, we hope you’ll feel just as proud as Brewer.

Did you know you can still rock in America? Just in case you forgot this fact, please allow anthem aficionados Night Ranger to remind you with their 1983 hit, the aptly titled “(You Can Still) Rock in America.”