4th of July Songs To Play While Watching A Parade and Fireworks

Updated on January 6, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell

Celebrate America’s Independence Day. What better way to celebrate America’s Independence Day than by song? Our list of the Top 10 4th of July songs celebrates American pride. The July 4th songs include music genres Country, Pop, Rock, and R&B.

What better way to top the list than a mainstream release of one of America’s official songs than Ray Charles’s “America The Beautiful”. I spoke to a person who became an American citizen several years ago. He told me that when he finally became a U.S. citizen, they played a video that featured the song America by Neil Diamond. Awesome!

4th of July songs stir up pride in every American heart. Music is a huge part of American culture. It is only natural that songwriters would embrace the themes of independence and freedom in their songwriting.

When a song like Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” is played at a 4th of July event, everyone stands and sings along. Some popular 4th of July songs have even inspired listeners to rise to their feet and salute. It is nice that we can embrace patriotic songs other than the National Anthem on special occasions.

Why Are 4th of July Songs Popular?

Songs like “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue” by Toby Keith resonate with audiences for a number of reasons. The biggest of these is that many of these songs emerged at a time when the country needed to embrace the differences of its citizens and come together for the common good.

When Keith released his hit in 2002, America was reeling from the horrible attacks of 9/11. We all needed to sing and feel strong again, and this song and others like it gave us that opportunity.

A Strong Musical History of Patriotic Pride

Do you get chills when you hear the opening chords of “America” or other songs which are often played on the 4th of July? There is a good reason for this reaction. In the United States, there is a rich history of 4th of July songs that dates back many years.

Songwriters use these songs to convey their own feelings about the country. Merle Haggard’s 70’s hit “Fighting’ Side of Me” was a response to those critical of American war veterans. Springsteen wrote, “Born in the USA” for the same reason. Our talented musicians have used their unique voices to bring attention to important issues.

Not all 4th of July songs are steeped in protest. Many are written for no other purpose than encouraging every American to celebrate the good things about our country. We are often too focused on things that divide us, but we can all enjoy a patriotic tune.

From the drums that were used in the Revolutionary and Civil wars to the marching bands that are part of our military branches today, patriotism and music are forever linked in America.

Check out this list of the best 4th of July songs. You will find an entire playlist that you can use to enhance your holiday barbecue this year. Don’t forget to raise a glass to all the men and women that have worn the uniform to keep us free.

Similar song lists for further reading:

• Christmas songs
• New Year’s Eve songs
• St. Patrick’s Day songs

Fourth of July Songs List

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10. Where the Stars & Stripes & the Eagle Fly – Aaron Tippin
2002, Stars & Stripes
Country

9. Party In The U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus
2009, The Time of Our Lives
Pop

8. Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue – Toby Keith
2002, Unleashed
Country

7. America – Neil Diamond
1981, The Jazz Singer Soundtrack
Pop

6. Living In America – James Brown
1985, Rocky IV Soundtrack
R&B

5. Our Country – John Mellencamp
2007, Freedom’s Road
Rock

4. R.O.C.K. in the USA – John Mellencamp
1985, Scarecrow
Rock

3. Fourth of July – Shooter Jennings
2005, Put the “O” Back in Country
Country

2. God Bless The U.S.A. – Lee Greenwood
1984, You’ve Got a Good Love Comin’
Country

1. America The Beautiful – Ray Charles
1972, Ray Charles appeared on The Dick Cavett Show performing the song
R&B

Other Best 4th of July Songs

More Than A Flag – Brandon Davis
2021, More Than A Flag
Country

Red, White, Black and Blue – Frank Foster
2021, Red, White, Black and Blue
Country

Happy Birthday America – Toby Keith
2021, Happy Birthday America

Am I The Only One – Aaron Lewis
2021, Am I The Only One

American Thread – Tim Montana
2019, American Thread
Country

God’s Country – Blake Shelton
2019, God’s Country
Country

Red, Wild & Blue – Thomas Finchum
2019, Red, Wild & Blue
Country

This is America – Childish Gambino
2018, This Is America
Hip Hop

Mr Red White and Blue – Coffey Anderson
2016, Boots and Jeans

Springsteen – Eric Church
2011, Chief
Country

Frontlines – Nonpoint
2010, Miracle
Metal

Firework – Katy Perry
2010, Teenage Dream
Pop

It’s America – Rodney Atkins
2009, It’s America
Country

American Boy – Estelle
2008, American Boy
R&B

All Summer Long – Kid Rock
2007, Rock n Roll Jesus
Rock

Arlington – Trace Adkins
2005, Songs About Me
Country

American Soldier – Toby Keith
2003, Shock’n Y’all
Country

Only In America – Brooks & Dunn
2001, Steers & Stripes
Country

American Badass – Kid Rock
2000, The History of Rock
Rock

American Woman – Lenny Kravitz
1998, 5
Rock

This Is America – Ray Boltz
1997, Honor and Glory

Heartland – George Strait
1993, Pure Country Soundtrack
Country

Rockin’ In The Free World – Neil Young
1989, Freedom
Rock

Centerfield – John Fogerty
1985, Centerfield

Real American – Rick Derringer
1985, The Wrestling Album
Rock

American Made – The Oak Ridge Boys
1983, American Made
Country

All American Girls – Sister Sledge
1981, All American Girls
Disco

In America – Charlie Daniels
1980, Full Moon
Country

Living in the USA – Linda Ronstadt
1978, Living in the USA
Pop

American Girl – Tom Petty
1976, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Rock

Philadelphia Freedom – Elton John
1975, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
Pop Rock

We’re An American Band – Grand Funk Railroad
1973, We’re an American Band
Rock

American Pie – Don McLean
1971, American Pie
Rock

Living in the U.S.A. – Steve Miller Band
1968, Sailor
Rock

Surfin’ U.S.A. – The Beach Boys
1963, Surfin’ U.S.A.
Rock

4th of July Songs You Should Skip By Their Meaning

Independence Day – Martina McBride
1994, The Way That I Am
Country
The song is about domestic violence.

Born In The U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
1984, Born in the U.S.A.
Rock
The song describes a Vietnam War veteran who returns home down on his luck.

If you have a favorite Fourth of July song not on our list, be sure to share it below so that we can add it.

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