Independence Day 2011 Playlist
God Bless America!
1. An American Trilogy – Elvis Presley
– Elvis is as American as Mickey Mouse or Coca Cola. He left the spotlight during the height of his fame (the late 50s) to serve his country in the US Army. Later in his career Elvis found a way of including patriotic songs into his already diverse set of rock, pop, gospel, blues, and country. If this performance doesn’t move you, you ain’t American.
2. America – Simon & Garfunkel
– This song perfectly captures the journey many young Americans were on in the 1960s. I love how this song was used in the movie “Almost Famous.”
3. Back in the USA – Chuck Berry
-The Architect of Rock and Roll perfectly describes the joy every American feels when returning home.
4. This Land is Your Land – Woody Guthrie
-An often misunderstood song about freedom from the great Woody Guthrie.
5. Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen
-Another powerful, but often misunderstood anthem.
6. If Heaven Ain’t A Lot Like Dixie – Hank Jr.
-Great tune about Hank Jr’s love of the American south.
7. America – Bernstein/Sondheim (West Side Story)
-I’m a big Bernstein and especially West Side Story fan, so I had to include this great anthem of immigration.
8. America the Beautiful – Ray Charles
-Brother Ray singing from his heart about the country he loved.
9. America, Fuck Yeah! – Team America
-Another reason I love America: we can laugh at ourselves.
10. Star Spangled Banner – Jimi Hendrix
-To me this 1969 Woodstock performance captures the beginning of the end of the dream of the 60s.
Bonus: The National Anthem – Marvin Gaye
– In Marvin’s hands, our National Anthem sounds like a come-hither bedroom jam.