What's on your 4th of July music playlist?

God Bless the USA-Brucie

Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue-Toby

Free Bird

Weights and measures by Nate Burgatze.

Desperately Wanting

Because I remember running through the wet grass.



Blister in the Sun

Because I sweat my sheets.

Made in America - Toby Keith

Asked ChatGPT this:

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List popular songs from 60s-2000s by only American artists and the songs are pro America. Good for party atmospheres for 4th of July.

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And it responded with this:

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Here’s a party-friendly 4th of July playlist filtered for American artists and songs that are patriotic, pro-America, or strongly Americana/USA-themed. I avoided non-American artists like Kim Wilde and Queen, and mostly avoided protest/ironic songs. Some common July 4 playlists include “Born in the U.S.A.,” but I’d treat it as optional because its lyrics are more critical than celebratory.

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Decade

Song

Artist

Vibe

1960s

“Surfin’ U.S.A.”

The Beach Boys

Sunny beach party

1960s

“Only in America”

Jay & The Americans

Upbeat oldies patriotism

1960s

“America”

Simon & Garfunkel

Mellow Americana

1970s

“Sweet Home Alabama”

Lynyrd Skynyrd

BBQ / singalong

1970s

“We’re an American Band”

Grand Funk Railroad

Classic rock party

1970s

“Philadelphia Freedom”

Elton John Band / with American soul-pop feel, but skip if strict artist-only since Elton is British

1970s

“Take Me Home, Country Roads”

John Denver

Everyone sings it

1970s

“American Pie”

Don McLean

Big singalong closer

1970s

“America the Beautiful”

Ray Charles

Patriotic fireworks moment

1980s

“America”

Neil Diamond

Big patriotic anthem

1980s

“God Bless the U.S.A.”

Lee Greenwood

Classic flag-waving anthem

1980s

“Living in America”

James Brown

Dance-floor friendly

1980s

“R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.”

John Mellencamp

High-energy rock

1980s

“Pink Houses”

John Mellencamp

Americana singalong

1980s

“American Made”

The Oak Ridge Boys

Country-pop patriotism

1980s

“In America”

The Charlie Daniels Band

Southern-rock patriotic

1990s

“American Honky-Tonk Bar Association”

Garth Brooks

Country party

1990s

“Born Country”

Alabama

Country pride / Americana

1990s

“Some Gave All”

Billy Ray Cyrus

Military tribute; slower

1990s

“Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly”

Aaron Tippin

Patriotic country

2000s

“Only in America”

Brooks & Dunn

Great opener

2000s

“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”

Toby Keith

Rowdy patriotic

2000s

“American Soldier”

Toby Keith

Military tribute; slower

2000s

“Made in America”

Toby Keith

Country patriotism

2000s

“Party in the U.S.A.”

Miley Cyrus

Best pop-party pick

2000s

“Chicken Fried”

Zac Brown Band

Backyard BBQ vibe

2000s

“American Saturday Night”

Brad Paisley

Upbeat country party

2000s

“All-American Girl”

Carrie Underwood

Country-pop friendly

2000s

“Made in the USA”

Demi Lovato

Pop patriotic

2000s

“Firework”

Katy Perry

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Best party-flow order: start with “Only in America,” “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” and “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.”; put “Living in America,” “Party in the U.S.A.,” “Chicken Fried,” and “American Saturday Night” in the peak party block; save “God Bless the U.S.A.,” Ray Charles’ “America the Beautiful,” and “Firework” for fireworks time. Lists from The Bash, Spotify playlists, and Fox include many of these as common 4th of July picks.

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Fat Bottom Girls and Strokin by Clarence Carter RIP on repeat