The ultimate 4th of July playlist

People across the nation use the 4th of July as a day off for celebration and community, and one of the perfect songs to play is Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” The track finds Cyrus detailing the feelings of leaving home to pursue new adventures. 

In 2008, Estelle released her breakthrough single “American Boy.” Produced by will.i.am and featuring Kanye West, Estelle uses the track to highlight her attraction for American guys. As she sings on the hook, “Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day / Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA / I really want to come kick it with you / You'll be my American boy.” 

In 1997, Mariah Carey released her sixth studio album Butterfly, which featured her deep cut “Fourth of July.” On the track, Carey describes an intimate 4th of July evening with a lover. As she sings on the hook, “Then you put your hand in mine / And we wandered away / I was trembling inside / But I wanted to stay / Pressed against you there and leave the world behind / On that Fourth of July.”

In 2019, country star Blake Shelton released a compilation album Fully Loaded: God’s Country, which was led by the single “God’s Country.” On the track, Shelton reflects on his hometown and the pride he has for America as he sings, “We turn the dirt and work until the week's done / We take a break and break bread on Sunday / Then do it all again / 'Cause we're proud to be from God's country.”

In 2010, Katy Perry released her third studio album Teenage Dream, which featured her hit song “Firework.” While people tend to use fireworks in their 4th of July celebrations, Perry uses the track to describe how people need to find the spark within themselves. As she sings on the track, “You just gotta ignite the light / And let it shine / Just own the night / Like the Fourth of July / 'Cause baby, you're a firework / Come on show 'em what you're worth.”

The Beach Boys believe that every state would be a lot better if it were similar to California, on their hit song “Surfin’ U.S.A.” As they sing on the first verse, “If everybody had an ocean / Across the U.S.A / Then everybody'd be surfin' / Like Californ-i-a.”

On John Denver’s 1971 single “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” the singer describes his desire taking long drives across America. As he sings on the hook, “Country roads, take me home / To the place I belong / West Virginia, mountain mama / Take me home, country roads.”

Drake teamed up with Alicia Keys on his 2010 track “Fireworks,” and besides the title, the song starts off with firework sounds to give a 4th of July feel. On the track, Drake uses fireworks as a metaphor to describe his career and relationships.

Beyoncé is paying respects to her upbringing and pride in her home state with her single “Texas Hold ‘Em.” This time around, Beyoncé takes on the country genre as she sings, “This ain't Texas (Woo) / Ain't no hold 'em (Hey) / So lay your cards down, down, down, down / So park your Lexus (Woo) / And throw your keys up (Hey).”

Since 4th of July is during the summertime, it’s the perfect time for people to travel. It’s no wonder that “Vacation” by The Go-Gos made the playlist, it’s an essential track that describes a person’s desire for a getaway.

In 1972, Van Morrison released his sixth studio album Saint Dominic’s Preview, which featured his deep cut “Almost Independence Day.” On the track, Morrison describes how the 4th of July is approaching and he sees people celebrating early and hears fireworks in the distance. 

Katy Perry teams up with Snoop Dogg on their hit single “California Gurls,” which reflects on how proud they are for hailing from California and the beautiful women that reside there. As she sings on the hook, “California girls, we're undeniable / Fine, fresh, fierce, we got it on lock / West Coast represent, now put your hands up.”

In 2012, pop singer Lana Del Rey released her EP Paradise, which featured the deep cut track “American.” On the track, Del Rey is proud of her country and the people there as she sings on the hook, “Be young, be dope, be proud / Like an American.” 

Childish Gambino had everyone talking in 2018 when he released his music video for “This Is America.” Directed by his frequent collaborator Hiro Murai, Gambino uses the video to depict the different nuances of being Black in America. He shows everything from children playing, to gun violence, to police brutality. 

In 2003, country legend Dolly Parton released her album For God and Country, which featured the track “Color Me America.” In the song, Parton reflects on her desire to live in a country that’s unified among everyone. As she sings on the third verse, “Oh, sweet freedom, may you stay / In our land and lives always / And may peace and beauty fill our hearts anew / And may we all stand up for you / May our thoughts and deeds be true / And be worthy of your stripes, red, white and blue.”

The national bird of the United States is the bald eagle, which makes the Steve Miller Band’s hit single “Fly Like an Eagle” the perfect addition to a July 4th playlist. The band uses the eagle as a symbol of freedom for a better future, as they sing on the hook, “I want to fly like an eagle / To the sea / Fly like an eagle / Let my spirit carry me / I want to fly like an eagle / 'Til I'm free / Fly through the revolution.”

In 1986, James Brown released his album Gravity, which was led by the single “Living In America.” On the track, Brown describes how the country is built and allows people to travel from state to state. As he sings on the hook, “(Living in America) Wow! Eye to eye, station to station / (Living in America) Hand to hand, across the nation / (Living in America) Got to have a celebration.”

One of Bruce Springsteen’s most popular songs came in 1984 with his single “Born in the U.S.A.” While the song has been used in previous presidential campaigns, many people seem to misinterpret the lyrics. Springsteen may use the hook to reflect on how he was born in America, but the rest of the song details how a war veteran returns to America and feels alienated. 

In 2001, country music duo Brooks & Dunn released their patriotic tune, properly titled “Only in America.” On the track, the duo reflects on how people believe in the “American dream” that has historically been depicted in media and pop culture. As they sing on the hook, “Only in America / Dreamin' in red, white, and blue / Only in America / Where we dream as big as we want to / We all get a chance / Everybody gets to dance / Only in America.”

In 2015, rock band Fall Out Boy released their sixth album American Beauty/American Psycho, which featured the deep cut “Fourth of July.” On the track, the band uses the holiday as a metaphor to describe sparks flying between a couple. The band’s feelings are evident from the hook as they sing, “It was the fourth of July / You and I were, you and I were fire, fire, fireworks / That went off too soon / And I miss you in the June gloom too.”