Music for Independence Day!
Patriotic Music is expected by Americans on the Fourth of July – what would a celebration of America’s Independence be without some exciting nationalistic music? Ranging from the genuinely touching to the irreverent-though-informative, here’s a roundup of songs and videos for the 4th!
https://youtu.be/uZfRaWAtBVg Here’s a fun parody video of One Republic’s song “Apologize” as a backing track to the First Continental Congress – watch out for some intense fiddle solos and flying wigs.
https://youtu.be/TRUjr8EVgBg What would the Fourth of July be without a listen to Ray Charles’ rendition of America the Beautiful?
https://youtu.be/sxaN6jtP61U?list=PL9D969624A3F5E84C How about the original musical about the founding of our country (no, offense, Hamilton…)? 1776 was the Tony-award winning Best Musical of 1969 – follow John Adams as he and Thomas Jefferson work to convince the First Continental Congress to agree to the Declaration of Independence!
https://youtu.be/xQhyWv-PeVE Johnny Cash’s rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
https://youtu.be/MKvnQYFhGCc Here’s a little Jimi Hendrix playing a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner live at Woodstock.
https://youtu.be/sEH9I_oJfqY?list=PLUSRfoOcUe4avCXPg6tPgdZzu–hBXUYx If you haven’t heard of the smash-hit musical Hamilton, you’ve probably been living under a rock – this retelling of founding father Alexander Hamilton’s life story gives audiences a new perspective on our country’s history by using hip-hop and rap.
https://youtu.be/EPhWR4d3FJQ Since we’ve heard our national anthem interpreted on electric guitar, why not hear it again as sung by opera great Renee Fleming?
https://youtu.be/EPhWR4d3FJQ This one was the number one must-hear on Fourths of July from my childhood – Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA.”
https://youtu.be/Mm1wuKvrxAw “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” as sung by the Andrews Sisters is sure to get your toes tapping!
https://youtu.be/a-7XWhyvIpE Listen to the United States Marine Band play the John Phillip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
