23 Songs About America
One of the greatest things about America is its patriotism. It’s one of the big reasons America is flourishing. Patriotism took a hold of the music industry and people embraced their patriotism through their songs.
If you came to embrace your patriotism, you are in the right place. I spent some time putting together a couple of classic songs about America to bring out that uncle sam in you. Hope you enjoy!
1. “Born in the U.S.A” by Bruce Springsteen
“Bron in the U.S.A is a patriotic anthem that was released on October 30th, 1984. Interstingly, Bruce Springstein write this song out of anguish. He was extremely disappointed about the issues vietnam veterans went through after serving this country. Many people misinterpret the song to be written about american pride, in reality its more about his disappointment in the American soldiers were being treated.
Born down in a dead man’s town
And the first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that’s been beat too much
‘Til you spend half your life just to cover up
Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
2. “American Pie” by Don McLean
50 years ago, this song hit No. 1 on billabord charts. This song is about the nostalgia that comes with closing a great chapter in life. This song starts in post WWII times when America was still distraught by the war. For McLean it got difficult once his favorite start passed away in plane crash.
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee
But the levee was dry
Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singing, “This’ll be the day that I die”
This will be the day that I die
3. “Only in America” by Brooks & Dunn
“Only in America” tells over the state of working-class Americans who are living the so-called “American dream”. This country song was released in 2001 and was the second in three consecutive Number one hits from that album. It reached its peak on the billboard hot country singles and tracks.
One kid dreams of fame and fortune
One kid helps pay the rent
One could end up going to prison
One just might be president
Only in America
Dreamin’ in red white and blue
Only in America
Where we dream as big as we want to
4. “America the Beautiful” by Ray Charles
The lyrics to “America the Beautiful” was published in 1895 by a college english professor. It was a time where the country was just called United States. But after the country claimed other regions like Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, etc. , it was much more than just a collection of states, rather an empire known as America. This song helped popularized the term. Its lyrics talk about alot of great features about America and admiring its beauty.
Oh beautiful, for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
But now wait a minute, I’m talking about
America, sweet America
You know, God done shed his grace on thee
He crowned thy good, yes he did, in brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
5. “Party in the U.S.A” by Miley Cyrus
“Party in the U.S.A” is one of the first big hits released by Miley Cyrus. This song was released in 2009 when Miley was known mostly for her role in the Disney Channel TV show “Hannah Montana”. The song is about the mixed feeling a young American girl seeking fame.
So I put my hands up
They’re playin’ my song, the butterflies fly away
I’m noddin’ my head like, yeah
Movin’ my hips like, yeah
I got my hands up, they’re playin’ my song
They know I’m gonna be okay
Yeah, it’s a party in the U.S.A.
Yeah, it’s a party in the U.S.A.
6. “America” by Simon & Garfunkel
This song was written by an American duo Simon and Garfunkel in 1968. It is about two young lovers hitchhiking their way across America in a figurative and literal sense. It was inspired by a road trip in 1964 that simon took with his then girlfriend Kathy Chitty. This song has been regarded as one of Simon’s strongest songwriting efforts and one of the dous best songs.
“Let us be lovers, we’ll marry our fortunes together
I’ve got some real estate here in my bag”
So we bought a pack of cigarettes and Mrs. Wagner pies
And walked off to look for America
“Kathy”, I said as we boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh
“Michigan seems like a dream to me now”
It took me four days to hitchhike from Saginaw
I’ve gone to look for America
7. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
This song is from John Denver’s 1971 album “Poems, Prayers and Promises”. It peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s top 100 in April, 1972. The idea started when John was traveling with his wife to a family reunion. To kill time they started to make a song. The song is about roads that lead you back home. To a lot of people America is called home.
Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin’ like a breeze
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
8. “Living in America” by James Brown
“Living in America” was a single released in 1985 and hit No. 4 in the Billboard top 100. This song was also featured in the film Rocky IV, it was used in reference to the character’s patriotic image. Its a song that paints a picture of the freedom enjoyed by people living in America.
When there’s no destination that’s too far?
And somewhere on the way you might find out who you are, woo
Living in America (ow)
Eye to eye, station to station
Living in America
Hand in hand, across the nation
Living in America
Got to have a celebration
Rock my soul, huh, ow, huh
9. “R.O.C.K in the U.S.A” by John Cougar Mellencamp
“R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.”, subtitled “A Salute to 60’s Rock”, is a rock song written and performed by John Mellencamp. It was the third single from his 1985 album Scarecrow and a top-ten hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Top Rock Tracks charts. In this song Melencamp intends to portray a mournful U.S.A that have slowly been eaten from the inside, but R.O.C.K.
They come from the cities
They come from the smaller towns
And beat up cars with guitars and drummers
Goin’ crack boom bam
R O C K in the U.S.A.
R O C K in the U.S.A.
R O C K in the U.S.A., yeah
Rockin’ in the U.S.A.
10. “Empire State of Mind” by JayZ (Ft. Alicia Keys)
“Empire State of Mind” is a song performed by American rapper Jay-Z featuring American singer Alicia Keys. It was released on October 20, 2009. The lyrics were originally written by Brooklyn-native singer, songwriter and producer Angela Hunte and writing partner Janet “Jnay” Sewell-Ulepic. While on a trip in London, Hunte recalled, “We said to ourselves, ‘we complain so much about New York — about the busy streets, about the crowds and the pushing, about the subway system — but I would trade that for anything right now.’ Before we left the hotel that night, we knew we would write a song about our city.’
In New York
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There’s nothin’ you can’t do
Now you’re in New York
These streets will make you feel brand-new
Big lights will inspire you
Let’s hear it for New York
New York , New York
11. “Made in the U.S.A” by Demi Lovato
“Made in the USA” is a song by American singer Demi Lovato. The song was released on July 16, 2013, as the second single from her fourth studio album, Demi. The patriotic love song was composed by Corey Chorus, Lovato, Jason Evigan, Jonas Jeberg and Blair Perkins. Lyrically, “Made in the USA” is inspired by “American romantic love stories” in the 1930s.
No matter how far we go, I want the whole world to know
I want you bad, and I wont have it any other way
No matter what the people say,
I know that we’ll never break
‘Cause our love was made, made in the USA
Made in the USA, yeah
12. “This is America” by Childish Gambino
“This Is America” is a song by American rapper Donald Glover, under his musical stage name Childish Gambino. Written and produced by Glover and Ludwig Göransson, with additional writing credits going to American rapper Young Thug, it was released on May 6, 2018.The central message is about guns and violence in America and the fact that we deal with them and consume them as part of entertainment on one hand, and on the other hand, is a part of our national conversation.
This is America
Don’t catch you slippin’ now
Don’t catch you slippin’ now
Look what I’m whippin’ now
This is America (woo)
Don’t catch you slippin’ now
Don’t catch you slippin’ now
Look what I’m whippin’ now
13. “American Heart” by Faith Hill
“American Heart” is a song written by Jim Beavers and Jonathan Singleton, and recorded by American country music artist Faith Hill. It was released on September 30, 2012. This song addresses the hard times many Americans are facing these days
It beats like a drum down in New Orleans
Sings like a Motown melody
It dreams like California
Bigger than a Texas sky
It bleeds, it scorns, but it shines when times get hard
You can’t break an American heart
14. “Rockin’ in the U.S.A” by Kiss
“Rockin’ in the U.S.A” by the bank “Kiss” is a song that was released in 1977. In this song, they compare America to other countries and found it better to rock in the U.S.A than to do anything anywhere else.
In France really had the chance
Yeah, there was plenty romance
I’ve been to England too, there wasn’t much to do
One thing I know is true
What I would rather do
Is rockin’ in the USA
Nowhere else I’d rather stay
Rockin’ and a-rollin’, rockin’ and a-rollin’
Rockin’ in the USA
15. “This Land is Your Land” by Woodie Guthrie
“This Land Is Your Land” is one of the United States’ most famous folk songs. Its lyrics were written by American folk singer Woody Guthrie in 1940. In 2002, “This Land Is Your Land” was one of 50 recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.
This land is your land
This land is my land
From the Californias to the New York island
From the redwood forests
To the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me.
As i went walking
That ribbon of highway
16. “All-American Girl” by Carie Underwood
“All-American Girl” is a song composed by American country pop singer Carrie Underwood, Ashley Gorley and Kelley Lovelace. It is the second single from Underwood’s second studio album, Carnival Ride, released in the United States on December 17, 2007. The first verse tells the story of a father hoping for a baby boy to continue his legacy, but “when the nurse came in with a little pink blanket, all those big dreams changed”. The baby girl has her father “wrapped around her finger”, and his heart belongs to that “all-American girl.
Now he’s wrapped around her finger,
She’s the center of his whole world.
And his heart belongs to that sweet little beautiful, wonderful, perfect all-American girl
All American girl.
17. “God Bless the U.S.A” by Lee Greenwood
God Bless the U.S.A.” is an American patriotic song written and recorded by American country music artist Lee Greenwood, and is considered to be his signature song. The song was released in 1984 but The popularity of the song rose again sharply after the September 11 attacks and during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Greenwood wrote God Bless the U.S.A. in response to his feelings about the shooting down of Korean Air Lines Flight 007.
And I’m proud to be an American
Where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I’d gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
18. “America” by Neil Diamond
“America” is a song written and originally recorded by Neil Diamond, released in 1980. The song was a hit single in the United States in 1981, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s theme is a positive interpretation of the history of immigration to the United States, during both the early 1900s and the present.
Far, we’ve been traveling far
Without a home but not without a star
Free, only want to be free
We huddle close, hang on to a dream
On the boats and on the planes
They’re coming to America
Never looking back again
They’re coming to America
19. “Color Me America” by Dolly Parton
“Color Me America” is the fortieth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on November 11, 2003. It is considered Parton’s musical attempt to deal with the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
IAM RED AND WHITE AND BLUE
THESE ARE COLORS THAT RING TRUE
TO ALL IAM AND FEEL AND LOVE AND DO
I STAND PROUD AND BRAVE AND TALL
I WANT JUSTICE FOR US ALL
SO COLOR ME AMERICA, RED, WHITE AND BLUE
20. “Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John
“Philadelphia Freedom” is a song by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. It was released as a single in 1975. The song plays in Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute IMAX Theater before every show as a tribute to the city’s love for freedom and its impact on the country.
‘Cause I live and breathe
This Philadelphia freedom
From the day that I was born
I’ve waved the flag
Philadelphia freedom
Took me knee high to a man
Yeah
Gave me peace of mind my daddy never had
21. “Pink Houses” by John Cougar Mellencamp
“Pink Houses” is a song written and performed by John Cougar Mellencamp. It was released on 23 October 1983 album Uh-Huh on Riva Records. It reached No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1984. The song was inspired when Mellencamp was driving along an overpass on the way home to Bloomington, Indiana, from the Indianapolis airport. There was an old black man sitting outside his little pink shotgun house with his cat in his arms, completely unperturbed by the traffic speeding along the highway in his front yard. “He waved, and I waved back,” Mellencamp said in an interview with Rolling Stone. “That’s how ‘Pink Houses’ started.
Aw, but ain’t that America, you and me
Ain’t that America, somethin’ to see, baby
Ain’t that America, home of the free
Little pink houses for you and me
22. “Kids in America” by Kim Wilde
“Kids in America” is a song recorded by British singer Kim Wilde. It was released in the United Kingdom as her debut single in January 1981, and in the United States in spring 1982. This song is meant to celebrate the youth of America.
Don’t make a new storydon’t grab any glory
We’re the kids in America
We’re the kids in America
Everybody live for the music-go-round
23. “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” by Tony Keith
“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. The song was written in late 2001, and was inspired by Keith’s father’s death in March 2001, as well as the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States later that year. The reaction was so strong that the Commandant of the Marine Corps James L. Jones told Keith it was his duty as an American citizen to record the song. “It’s your job as an entertainer to lift the morale of the troops,” Jones said to Keith. “If you want to serve, that is what you can do.”
Hey Uncle Sam, put your name at the top of his list
And the Statue of Liberty started shakin’ her fist
And the eagle will fly man, it’s gonna be hell
When you hear mother freedom start ringin’ her bell
And it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on you
Brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue
Bio
Hi! My name is Abie, founder of TopMusicSpot.com. I love music! I’ve had this burning desire for any type of music ever since I was a little kid. Now, I’m a passionate musician and blogger trying to share my knowledge with the world and inspire many to reach their music goals.
