50 Fourth of July Songs, from Patriotic Classics to Country and Rock

What are the most popular 4th of July songs?

"God Bless the U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood and "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus are among the most-played July 4th songs today, alongside the classics "America the Beautiful" and "This Land Is Your Land". For the fireworks, "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" are the traditional choices.

Patriotic classics

1. "The Star-Spangled Banner": the national anthem.
2. "America the Beautiful": the hymn many people wish were the anthem.
3. "God Bless America", Kate Smith: Irving Berlin's classic.
4. "My Country, 'Tis of Thee": the old patriotic hymn.
5. "This Land Is Your Land", Woody Guthrie: the folk anthem.
6. "Yankee Doodle": the Revolutionary-era song.
7. "The Stars and Stripes Forever", John Philip Sousa: the national march.
8. "You're a Grand Old Flag", George M. Cohan: a cheerful marching song.
9. "Battle Hymn of the Republic": the Civil War-era anthem.
10. "God Bless the U.S.A.", Lee Greenwood: the modern patriotic anthem.
11. "America", Neil Diamond: a song about the immigrant story.
12. "Living in America", James Brown: high-energy funk.

Rock songs for the Fourth of July

13. "Born in the U.S.A.", Bruce Springsteen: a big anthem that is really about a veteran's struggles.
14. "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.", John Mellencamp: a tribute to American rock and roll.
15. "American Girl", Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: a jangly classic.
16. "American Pie", Don McLean: the epic singalong.
17. "Back in the U.S.A.", Chuck Berry: glad to be home.
18. "Fourth of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)", Bruce Springsteen: a boardwalk summer night.
19. "Pink Houses", John Mellencamp: a bittersweet look at small-town America.
20. "Rockin' in the Free World", Neil Young: a loud song with a critical edge.
21. "Surfin' U.S.A.", The Beach Boys: summer and coastlines.
22. "Kids in America", Kim Wilde: an 80s singalong.

Pop songs for July 4th

23. "Party in the U.S.A.", Miley Cyrus: the modern July 4th favorite.
24. "Firework", Katy Perry: made for the fireworks.
25. "American Boy", Estelle featuring Kanye West: a fun transatlantic hit.
26. "Summer of '69", Bryan Adams: nostalgia for summer nights.
27. "Celebration", Kool & The Gang: the party classic.
28. "Dancing in the Street", Martha and the Vandellas: a summer street party.
29. "Walking on Sunshine", Katrina and the Waves: instant good mood.

Country Fourth of July songs

30. "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)", Toby Keith: the post-9/11 anthem.
31. "Only in America", Brooks & Dunn: an optimistic singalong.
32. "Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly", Aaron Tippin: a proud country anthem.
33. "American Made", The Oak Ridge Boys: an 80s favorite.
34. "Firecracker", Josh Turner: a fun summer love song.
35. "Made in America", Toby Keith: about hard work and pride.
36. "American Kids", Kenny Chesney: a snapshot of growing up.
37. "Fly Over States", Jason Aldean: about the heartland.
38. "Chicken Fried", Zac Brown Band: a toast to the simple things.
39. "Small Town USA", Justin Moore: proud of a small town.
40. "Independence Day", Martina McBride: a powerful song set on July 4th, about escaping an abusive home.

Cookout and backyard party songs

41. "Summertime", DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince: the barbecue anthem.
42. "Sweet Caroline", Neil Diamond: everyone shouts the chorus.
43. "Cruise", Florida Georgia Line: a summer country hit.
44. "Margaritaville", Jimmy Buffett: life on the beach.
45. "Wagon Wheel", Darius Rucker: the singalong.

Music for the fireworks

46. "1812 Overture", Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: the cannons-and-fireworks classic.
47. "Fanfare for the Common Man", Aaron Copland: bold and stirring.
48. "The Washington Post March", John Philip Sousa: another Sousa favorite.
49. "The Yankee Doodle Boy", George M. Cohan: a Broadway patriotic classic.
50. "Lift Every Voice and Sing": the hymn known as the Black national anthem.

Patriotic songs for kids

For a school program or a family parade, "This Land Is Your Land", "You're a Grand Old Flag", "Yankee Doodle", "America the Beautiful" and "Fifty Nifty United States" are easy for kids to learn. Add "Party in the U.S.A." for the older ones.

Songs for Memorial Day

Memorial Day honors those who died in military service, so the music is more reflective: "Taps", "Amazing Grace", "American Soldier" by Toby Keith, "Arlington" by Trace Adkins, "Some Gave All" by Billy Ray Cyrus and "8th of November" by Big & Rich. For Veterans Day, see our Veterans Day songs.

How to build a July 4th playlist

• Morning parade: Sousa marches and the patriotic classics.
• Afternoon cookout: rock, pop and country singalongs.
• Golden hour: "American Pie", "Summer of '69" and "Pink Houses".
• Fireworks: "Firework", "The Stars and Stripes Forever" and the "1812 Overture".

Fourth of July songs with a message

Some favorite July 4th songs are more complicated than they sound. "Born in the U.S.A." and "Rockin' in the Free World" are critical of how the country treated its people, and "Independence Day" is about a woman escaping abuse. They are powerful songs, but worth knowing before you choose them for a party.

A song for your family's Fourth of July

If your family has a July 4th tradition, the lake house, the same backyard, the same fireworks spot every year, a personalized song can capture it with everyone's names and your favorite memories. It also makes a meaningful tribute for a veteran in the family.

How to create a song for July 4th

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: country, rock, pop and more.
2. Add the names of the people in the song.
3. Share three summer or holiday memories.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Add your family's story to the playlist: create a song and hear four previews for free.