July 4th, 2026, is a big day for America. It’s a big day for everyone who understands and loves American liberty. It’s the 250th birthday of American independence. It’s the 250th anniversary of the newfound American nation telling the King of England and his empire where to get off, and in the next few years, we proceeded to show them what that had meant.
250 years is a long time.
For this Friday, I’ve made some fitting selections for songs celebrating America. Most of them ended up being country songs, and that’s probably not surprising; the kind of folks who listen to country songs may well be a little more inclined to appreciate what the Founders called the blessings of liberty.
At any rate, let’s dive in.
Brooks & Dunn, Only in America (2001): I’ve always liked this song, and the vivid picture it paints of small-town and rural life, mixed with some more urban scenes. The story of America isn’t just the cities, after all. This nation wouldn’t even be possible without all that “flyover country.” People would do well to remember that.
Read More: Start Your Weekend Right With Six Great Songs From the Man in Black
Toby Keith, American Soldier (2003): Toby Keith was a great one, taken from us far too soon. Whenever I hear this one, in the back of my mind, I see a photo set I keep on a shelf in the house, a three-frame setup with three photos: My grandfather in uniform in 1917, my Dad in uniform in 1944, and me in uniform in 1991. In this work, Toby Keith heaps a great deal of praise on the American service members, all they deal with, all their sacrifices, their sense of duty, their commitment, and their courage. This nation wouldn’t be possible without them, either.
Rodney Atkins, It’s America (2008): Another great country song, this work, from Atkins’s 2008 album of the same name, celebrates Americans and American life, from kids selling lemonade to military service and sacrifice. It’s about community, freedom, opportunity, and grit, and without those things, this nation again wouldn’t be possible.Read More: Start Your Weekend Right With Five (Six) Great 'Merica Songs
Riley Green, Different ‘Round Here (2019): Again, this one’s quintessentially American, a paen to American rural pride. The lyrics speak eloquently:
'Round here fast is how the grass grows
Lost is what you find on a back road
Proof's in the whiskey, red's in the dirt
And hard work stops at the fence row
We stand for the flag and if you don't like it, we don't care
'Cause we do things a little different 'round here
Great words. And again, these are the small communities without which this nation wouldn’t be possible.
Jason Aldean, Try That In a Small Town (2023): I remember very well the fuss that resulted from this song and the accompanying video, but honestly, who cares about the whiners? This is a great song and a great warning; people (the left) may be able to riot, loot and burn in a big city, but were they to come out to the small towns, the small communities, the rural areas, and try the same, it would end very, very badly for them. That’s the takeaway:Well, try that in a small town
See how far ya make it down the road
'Round here, we take care of our own
You cross that line, it won't take long
For you to find out, I recommend you don't
Try that in a small town.
The message to the arsonists and rioters is clear, and it’s one I’ve been repeating for years: They, the violent left, need us. But we don’t need them.
These two require special mention:Lee Greenwood, God Bless the USA (1984): I have a story for this song. In 1991, my company was on the Freedom Bird back home after what we called Operation Desert Storm, having spent the last six months or so kicking some and taking some. The captain of the big chartered airliner we were on had been pointing out various things as we were on the journey, and most of them passed with little notice; Greenland from 37,000 feet just looks like a white blob in a bigger blue blob, after all.
Then, the captain announced, “We have just crossed into United States airspace.” One of our NCOs had a boom box, and he played this song; hearing it, one of the flight attendants had him bring his box to the galley, where she held the PA mike up so the whole plane could hear Lee Greenwood’s signature song.
There wasn’t a dry eye on the airplane. Including mine. We were home.
And, finally…Francis Scott Key, The Star-Spangled Banner, performance by the United States Army Field Band and the Soldiers’ Chorus (2016): This is necessary, today of all days, and who better to perform it than the United States Army Field Band and the United States Army Soldiers’ Chorus? Check it out:
Happy Independence Day, everyone, and happy 250th birthday to the United States of America. Long may that star-spangled banner yet wave.
