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

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

What a better way to top the list than a mainstream release of one of America’s official songs than Ray Charles’ 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!

Fourth of July Songs

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 Cougar
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

American Soldier – Toby Keith

Springsteen – Eric Church

American Pie – Don McLean

Arlington – Trace Adkins

Frontlines – Nonpoint

Living in the U.S.A. – Steve Miller Band

This is America – Childish Gambino

American Thread – Tim Montana

We’re An American Band – Grand Funk Railroad

American Made – The Oak Ridge Boys

Living in the USA – Linda Ronstadt

American Boy – Estelle

All American Girls – Sister Sledge

American Badass – Kid Rock

Only In America – Brooks & Dunn

Firework – Katy Perry

All Summer Long – Kid Rock

American Woman – Lenny Kravitz

Red, Wild & Blue – Thomas Finchum

Rockin’ In The Free World – Neil Young

Philadelphia Freedom – Elton John

It’s America – Rodney Atkins

Real American – Rick Derringer

Heartland – George Strait

Surfin’ U.S.A. – The Beach Boys

American Girl – Tom Petty

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.

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.

4th of July song list curated by Matthew Campbell