On Wednesday we’ll be marking Independence day with barbecue and fireworks. Such activities require an appropriate soundtrack, so here’s some music for my American readers to listen to while reflecting on their amazing good fortune to live here.
Ray Charles “America The Beautiful” (comp. Katharine Lee Bates)
The last time I posted this song I was taken to task by a reader for my alleged “political correctness.” So I want to be very clear that I love my country and I appreciate the opportunities that I have because my grandparents came here. I also appreciate that America has a strong military full of brave men and women willing to sacrifice their lives for the benefit of their country.
Having said that, I still believe that this song would be a much better national anthem than “The Star Spangled Banner.” That song’s melody is incredibly difficult to sing, many Americans can’t remember the words, and it’s about a military victory during the War of 1812. I happen to think that there are many things besides our military might that make this country great and strong, and I think that our national anthem should celebrate everything that we love about our nation. Besides, “America The Beautiful” is much easier to sing and the lyrics are more memorable. They’ll never change the national anthem though. The folks in Washington never listen to me.
The Germs “You’re A Grand Old Flag” (comp. George M. Cohan)
When I think of the Germs, “patriotic” is not the first word that comes to mind. After listening to this song it still isn’t.
Me First And The Gimme Gimmes “Coming To America” (Neil Diamond)
This is one of those songs that every American should listen to every once in awhile. It reminds us of our immigrant origins and the promise of a better life that drew the immigrants here.
David Crosby “My Country ‘Tis Of Thee” (comp. Samuel Francis Smith)
I guess one way to piss off your former colonial master is to steal the melody of their national anthem and rework it as a patriotic ditty for your own country. David Crosby does a very nice job with it.
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings “This Land Is Your Land” (Woody Guthrie)
This is one of the most unlikely popular patriotic songs that you’ll ever hear. Woody apparently wrote it because he didn’t like “God Bless America” and was sick of hearing Kate Smith sing it on the radio. Woody was a committed socialist, which is why this song included the verse about the sign that said “no trespassing” on one side. The other side “didn’t say nothin” and that was the side that was written for you and me. All in all, it’s about as far away from Kate Smith as you can get.