Tribute to Independence Day

In honor of July 4th, we're paying tribute this week with seven spectacularly patriotic songs to celebrate America and our Independence.

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SONG OF THE monDAY

Written by Bruce Springsteen, Born in the U.S.A. was released on Oct. 30, 1984 from the album, Born in the U.S.A. (1984). The song is about the harmful effects of the Vietnam War had on soldiers and the treatment of veterans after they return home. It landed on the charts in 13 countries and peaked at No. 9 in the US on Billboard Hot 100.

SONG OF THE tuesDAY

America was written by Neil Diamond and included on his 1980 soundtrack, The Jazz Singer. The song hit No. 8 on Billboard Hot 100 and became Diamond's sixth No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary charts. It was recorded in a studio but crowd tracks were put in to give it a live performance feel.

SONG OF THE wednesDAY

Written by Aimee Mann, 4th of July is from her 1993 debut solo album, Whatever. Elvis Costello included the album, with special note for 4th of July, in his Costello’s 500 for Vanity Fair. Though the song was never released as an official single, it is featured on Mann’s 2010 album, Live at St. Ann’s Warehouse.

SONG OF THE thursDAY

Written by Gretchen Peters, Independence Day was recorded and released as the third single from Martina McBride’s 1993 album, The Way That I Am. Originally offered to Reba McEntire, Independence Day is one of our favorite songs of all-time. Tackling the tough issue of domestic violation, the song peaked at No. 12 on Billboard Hot Country. Currently, CMT has it ranked it at 50 in their 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music.

SONG OF THE friDAY

Firework was released as the third single from Katy Perry’s third studio album, Teenage Dream (2010). She co-wrote the song with Ester Dean and producers StarGate and Sandy Vee. It hit No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 and landed in the top five on 20 charts around the world. It was nominated for two Grammys and, according to Nielsen, was the fifth most-played song on the radio in 2011.

SONG OF THE saturDAY

America was released from Simon & Garfunkel's fourth studio album, Bookends (1968). Written by Paul Simon and inspired by a road trip he took with his girlfriend Kathy Chitty in 1964. It was re-released as a single in 1972 to promote the album, Simon & Garfunkel Greatest Hits. It was also performed for the 1983 live album, The Concert in Central Park. To date, it is considered one of Simon's best songwriting efforts.

SONG OF THE sunDAY

God Bless the U.S.A. was written by Lee Greenwood and first appeared on the 1984 album, You’ve Got a Good Love Comin’. The song reached No. 7 on Billboard Hot Country and was used as the theme for the 1984 Republican National Convention. In 1990, it was used heavily as a way to boost troop’s morale in 1990 during the Gulf War. It rose to prominence again after the September 11 attacks.

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PRIVATE
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