Songs of Patriotism and Celebration #4M

I’m taking a bit of liberty today to do the Monday’s Music Moves Me on Thursday. See, Monday is right smack in the middle of a holiday here, and I plan to take some time off and enjoy myself.

Being that is it the 4th of July holiday (or Independence Day, however you wish to call it) our theme is “songs of Independence, picnics and celebration”  I’ve put together a setlist of patriotic songs that I hope that you will enjoy. I tried to pick a set of songs that have not been overly done.

• Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan 

         This was a civil rights anthem during the 1960's during the drive to end segregation. While Dylan's vocal quality has a lot to be desired his lyrics were spot on.  It captures the inner turmoil facing the nation over racial injustice.

• This Is My Country

         Al Jacobs and Don Raye wrote this Folk Song during The Great Depression in 1940 just prior to American entrance into World War II.

• This Land Is Your Land - Woody Guthrie

          This Folk Song was composed in response to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America".  Guthrie Did not feel Berlin's song was true to the real America as he saw it through his pro-Communist vision of America.  The song was written in 1940 during The Great Depression.  It did not receive widespread acceptance until the 1950's.

• You're a Grand Old Flag

          This George M. Cohan song was written in 1906 inspired by a Civil War vet with a tattered old flag.  The song was included in a musical by Cohan called George Washington Jr.  The song was a massive hit. It found renewed popularity during both World Wars. It has appeared in numerous films including the 1942 movie Yankee Doodle Dandy.

• (There Coming To) America - Neil Diamond

         This song penned by Diamond is a pro immigration song.  It was released as a single in 1981 and was a huge hit.  It was used in the re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty's centennial celebration. It praises those who have come to America and helped to build it into the nation that it is today. It found renewed popularity following the 9/11 attacks. The song was written before the controversial issues surrounding illegal immigration from Latin America and Mexico in particular and as such was not directed towards the issue of illegal immigration.

• Ballad of The Green Berets - SSGT Barry Sadler

         Patriotic song in the ballad style about the Green Berets, an elite special force in the U.S. Army. It is one of the few popular songs of the Vietnam War years to cast the military in a positive light and in 1966 became a major hit, reaching No. 1 for five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and four weeks on Cashbox. Ultimately, the song was named Billboard's #1 single for the year 1966. It was also a crossover smash, reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart and No. 2 on Billboard's Country survey. The song was written by then Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, beginning when he was training to be a Special Forces medic.

• Living In America - James Brown

         Disco/Electronic music written by Rock and Disco songwriters Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight during the mid eighties of the 20th. Century.  It was James Brown's, the Godfather of Soul, last huge hit. The song was featured in the motion picture Rocky IV in a patriotic context, The song sings the praises of living in the United States.

• The Stars And Stripes Forever

       John Phillip Sousa penned this song in 1897, just before the outbreak of The Spanish-American War,  and it has become the national march.

• There She Stands - Michael W. Smith

     Christian recording artist gives us one of the better songs about 9/11 and America.

• In America - Charlie Daniels Band

      This song dates back to 1980 but saw renewed interest following the 9/11 attacks.

It is my hope that you have a wonderful and safe holiday, and for those that don’t celebrate this holiday, that you can enjoy the music as well.

Today’s post is part of the Monday’s Music Moves Me blog hop, hosted by X-Mas Dolly, and co-hosted by JAmerican Spice, Stacy Uncorked and Curious as a Cathy.  Be sure to stop by the hosts and visit the other participants.