There’s no better song to get you in the mood for a party in the U.S.A. than “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus. No, really, it has “party” and “U.S.A.” right there in the title! Co-written by British pop star Jessie J, this was a big hit for Cyrus in 2009.
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“R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” – John Mellencamp
After you “Party in the U.S.A.” it’s time to “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” with John Mellencamp. The 1985 homage to ’60s rock also served as a valuable spelling lesson.
“On the boats and on the planes / They’re coming to America.” An ode to the Department of Homeland Security? No, it’s a fist-pumping, flag-unfurling anthem about the people who came to the U.S. with nothing but a dream — and it was a big hit for Neil Diamond in 1981.
“Born in the U.S.A.” – Bruce Springsteen
You don’t have to be born in the U.S.A. to tap your foot to Bruce Springsteen’s classic “Born in the U.S.A.” Despite its serious message about the Vietnam War, the track became an anthem when it was released in 1984.
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“Living in America” – James Brown
Get up now! Put on your tightest slacks (that’s right, we said slacks) and shimmy across the floor while the late James Brown extols the virtues of “Living in America.” This 1985 song was featured in Rocky IV, in which the titular American boxer (spoiler alert!) knocks the borscht out of the big Soviet boxer. How can you get any more American?
“American Pie” – Don McLean
Not to be confused with the pastry-defiling movie, “American Pie” is the 1971 Don McLean ditty about the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. Despite its dark subject matter, the song became a patriotic hit. Go ahead, you know you want to sing along.
Now that you’re in a folky mood, light one up and crank up “America” by Simon & Garfunkel. Released in 1968, it’s the story of two lovers hitchhiking through the U.S. east. Fun fact: The song appears on the Almost Famous soundtrack.
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“American Idiot” – Green Day
Don’t want to harsh your buzz, but in 2004 Green Day released a musical attack on idiots in America and — so as not to confuse those idiots — titled it “American Idiot.” So what if it’s not very patriotic. It’s a blast to jump around to at full volume.
“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” – Toby Keith
Speaking of angry Americans, no July 4th playlist would be complete without country star Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” After all, who doesn’t want to raise a plastic cup of warm beer to someone singing: “You’ll be sorry that you messed with the U.S. of A. / ’cause we’ll put a boot in your a** / it’s the American way.” Oh, snap!
“American Girl” – Tom Petty
If you’re not into Tom Petty’s “American Girl,” there’s always Lenny Kravitz’s version of “American Woman.” This air-guitar classic rocks for one very big reason: It was written by Canadians. Can you Guess Who?
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