Playlists: American Patriotic Songs- Updated 2013
This is an update to last year’s American Patriotic Songs post because it was pointed out to us that we neglected some parts of the country! Well, as much as we love America, it’s hard not to play favorites with the regions of the country. We are definitely East Coast and Southern people and I think that’s reflected in our music! But, we were happy to include California and of course, New York ( how did we forget about them last year?) along with a few other patriotic or state related songs!
It’s almost time to say Happy Birthday to America! I know that America isn’t perfect. I cringe and weep over some of the mistakes that we make as individuals and as a country. However, I am so blessed to be an American and live in this beautiful country and to have the opportunities that are offered here. I’m thankful for a time of reflection of what we’ve accomplished and what we need to accomplish. The election is still months away so let’s put that all that stress aside. I would ask my fellow Americans to forget about everything except how grateful we should be for our country and how we should all help to care for our home.
I love the 4th of July! It’s warm! It’s our nation’s birthday! We love fried chicken, corn on the cob, watermelon so that’s always on our menu! Of course we always have a lot of music, too! We wanted to share with you some of our favorite songs about America and even some shout outs to our favorite states!
I’m (Kari) our official household DJ so this post is mostly written from my perspective. But it’s definitely an our house playlist!
(Clicking on the links will take you to Amazon.com for a preview of the song. Purchasing the song will help to support The He Said She Said Experience!)
1. All I Owe Ioway– Cast of State Fair
I love State Fair! What better time of the year is there to listen to a song that praises and thanks your home state ( whether it’s actually Iowa or not)?
2. America the Beautiful– Ray Charles
America is beautiful and I think that the Ray Charles version is lovely!
3. Rocky Top– The Osbourne Brothers
I may be a Virginia girl now, but I’ll always be a Tennessee girl. This song sounds like any patriotic occasion, any sporting event and every school program of my life all rolled in one!
4. Blue Moon of Kentucky– Patsy Cline
Hooray for Kentucky! I love the jazziness of this version, too!
5. Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
This song rocks! I know everyone loves to fist pump and be proud of our home. But, really listen to the lyrics. It’s recently come to my attention that we need to take better care of our veterans.
6. Carolina in the Morning– Dean Martin
He doesn’t say which of the Carolinas that he’s in so it celebrates both of them! You gotta love those Carolina beaches!
7. Chicken Fried– Zac Brown Band
We’ve already mentioned our love of fried chicken! We also really love riding around with the windows down and the radio up!
8. Forty Hour Week– Alabama
We are very thankful for all the hard working people in this country. I have family and friends who work in all kinds of service and manufacturing jobs and they do such great work for not nearly enough money. Thank you!
9. Georgia on My Mind– Ray Charles
We love the state of Georgia!
10. God Bless America– Celine Dion
I’ve always thought that Celine Dion was so nice to record this song. She’s got an amazing voice. We were just talking this morning about how sweet it was to offer this song as encouragement when we needed it so badly.
11. God Bless the U.S.A– Lee Greenwood
We’ve been hearing this song since we were little kids! Our prayer is that God does continue to bless the USA. God’s been so good to us!
12. Heartland– George Strait
It’s a great picture of life in the Heartland of America!
13. Home– Dierks Bentley
This song is so beautiful. I love that it talks about loving your home and knowing that we still have work to do to help it! It’s very inspiring and hopeful.
14. It’s America– Rodney Atkins
I think this song paints a picture of some of the lovely things about America- optimism, ingenuity and volunteerism.
15. Midnight Train to Georgia– Gladys Knight and the Pips
I told you, we love Georgia! I think there are so many awesome songs about Georgia! We sing this song all the time. The song is about second chances and getting back to the simple life- hello, that’s totally something you hear Americans saying all the time!
16. My Tennessee Mountain Home– Dolly Parton
Well, I wouldn’t do a playlist that includes music about some of our favorite states and forget my Tennessee! I love Tennessee! This song always makes me homesick. RJ even loves it! But, this is definitely a “not when Kari’s already homesick song” because I’ll cry. I can see home when I hear it.
17. Oklahoma– Cast of Oklahoma
This is a wonderful song from a great musical. This song may be about Oklahoma but it paints a great picture of hope and patriotism, too!
18. Only in America– Brooks and Dunn
It’s a great song about the opportunities and gifts of living in America
19. Party in the U.S.A– Miley Cyrus
This song is just so much fun! It’s great to dance to!
20. Pennsylvania 6-500– Glenn Miller Orchestra
Well this song not only mentions awesome Pennsylvania but it’s a great example of American big band music!
21. Pink Houses– John Mellencamp
There are good things about America but there are also a lot of forgotten people. This song reminds us that there are a lot of people who help make up this country who aren’t CEO’s or on reality television.
22. The Star Spangled Banner– Whitney Houston
This is the most beautiful version of our national anthem, EVER! I can’t hear it without getting tears in my eyes. I’m so thankful that Whitney gave us the gift of this performance.
23. Stars and Stripes Forever– John Phillips Sousa
How can you hear this song and not want to march! I’m always ready to get into marching band formation and start playing ( even though I don’t play any marching band instruments).
24. Tennessee River– Alabama
I wasn’t going to just have one Tennessee song on this playlist!
25. This Land is Your Land– Everclear
I loved this song since I learned it in 3rd grade ( do kids still learn this song?). We used to be huge Everclear fans but as we’ve tried to start watching what we listen to more carefully we’ve had to abandon most of their music. I’m glad we can enjoy their sound and a great song with this!
26. 4th of July– Shooter Jennings
I’m ready for the 4th of July anytime I hear this song- January, November or whenever! This is perfect song for eating a drippy ice cream cone with the radio up and the windows down!
27. 1812 Overture– Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Well this isn’t an American song at all. But, we love to use it to close out our fireworks. It’s beautiful and majestic.
28. Tennessee Waltz-
My favorite versions are by Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. But, there are a million versions out there! I didn’t even like this song until a year ago and now I really think it’s beautiful.
29. Small Town– John Mellencamp
This song very much sums up what it’s like to be born and raised in a small town.
30. Moonlight in Vermont– Frank Sinatra
I’ve just discovered this little gem. It has me dreaming of snow, it’s such a sweet and pretty song!
31. Virginia Bluebell– Miranda Lambert
Virginia, we need a state song. We haven’t had an offficial state song since 1998. Let’s adopt this hopeful song!
32. Another Hundred People– from Stephen Sondheim’s Company
This song really describes the city of New York in such a beautiful and real way. The Big Apple is definitely a city of strangers and people chasing their dreams.
33. Lullaby of Broadway– Doris Day
Here’s another great song about New York! Can’t you just here the street noise and see the lights when you hear it?
34. Chattanooga Choo Choo– The Glenn Miller Orchestra
Why not celebrate America by celebrating vintage transportation?
35. California, Here I Come– The Cast of I Love Lucy
I love the excitement of the song! Who doesn’t like to dream of California sunshine, flowers and the golden opportunities of the West Coast?
Happy 4th of July!
Happy 4th of July, whenever and however you celebrate this year! I know that with it being in the middle of the week celebrations are scheduled for all kinds of times. We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday! Enjoy some fireworks and some ice cream! Happy Birthday America!
Wow. You seems to have a good taste. My favorite is America the Beautiful by Ray Charles
Thank you! I was just listening to that this morning and it always makes me tear up a bit.