I got the idea for this thread while listening to the new Chicago Greatest Hits Collection. So what are some good songs that either reference the name or spirit of the 4th or are just some good tunes to play in the summer outside by the barbecue while with friends and family. I'll start it off with: Saturday In The Park - Chicago Maybe when all is said and done we can make a cd entitles: "Hoffman Forum July 4th Party Tunes" and distribute it free to all Forum members. You see membership does have it's priviledges. Happy 4th y'all.
You might start it off with a good rendition of ... America (The Beautiful) - - any suggestions? and somewhere in there, put ... The Pledge of Allegiance - - Red Skelton and end it with a good rendition of ... The Star Spangled Banner - - any suggestions?
"America the Beautiful"--Brother Ray, of course! "Star-Spangled Banner"--Jimi, who else? Don't forget: 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)--Bruce Springsteen America--Neil Diamond America--Simon & Garfunkel In America--Charlie Daniels Only in America--Jay and the Americans R.O.C.K. in the USA--John Mellencamp God Bless the USA--Lee Greenwood I Love America--Patrick Juvet This Is My Country--Impressions
American Pie - Don McLean Rockin' In the Free World - Neil Young Hot Fun in the Summertime - Sly & the Family Stone (for the grill party)
Related or simply mentioning the 4th: AC/DC - "Badlands" Aerosmith - "Walkin' The Dog" Ani Difranco - "Fourth Of July" Dave Alvin - "Fourth Of July" (originally by X) Jackson Browne - "Of Missing Persons" Mariah Carey - "Fourth Of July" Mariah Carey - "Star Spangled Banner" Neal Diamond - "Everything's Gonna Be Fine" Paul McCartney - "Fourth Of July" Paul Revere & The Raiders - "Paul Revere's Ride" Shel Silverstein - "June 25 at the Fourth of July" The Cunninghams - "Bottle Rockets" X - "Fourth Of July" Okay, enough for now. Ain't Google cool? Wait, I'm workin' here, honest I am!
We need some parade/march music. How about a rousing rendition of ... Stars and Stripes - - any suggestions (Please don't tell me that Jimi did this one too! ) and one other suggestion ... Summertime - - Billy Stewart
Mellencamp was alreay mentioned, but specifically "Pink Houses", "Dreams in America" by Luka Bloom, "This is Your Country" by Luka Bloom "One Time One Night" (in America) by Los Lobos, "American Girl" by Tom Petty, "This Land is Your Land" by Bruce Springsteen, "Independence Day" by Bruce Springsteen, "See America" by Grant Lee Phillips, "Over the Border (to America)" by Graham Parker. Tom
Don't forget Elvis' "An American Trilogy". He also has various recordings of "America the Beautiful".
Since I shied away from the "Pledge" thread I'll suggest God Bless America Again by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn.
"Jack Straw" by The Greatful Dead. Love Bruce Hornsby's version on "Deadicated". I have an ancient RCA 45 of some Sousa marches recorded by Sousa that I play once this time of year. Tradition. Dan C
If your looking for a cd full of just basically symphony orchestrations, there is an excellent album called "American Jubilee". It's from the Telarc label and Erich Kunzel conducting and the Cincinnati Pops playing. You have very stirring versions of Liberty Fanfare, Battle Hymn Of the Republic, Stars and Stripes, America the Beautiful, etc. It's very nicely recorded and makes for a very large soundstage and some great bass.
Here's a few I forgot. 'Kids in America" by Kim Wilde (or the Muffs), "4th of July" by U2, "American Music" by The Blasters/Dave Alvin, "American Music" by The Violent Femmes, "I am a Patriot" by Little Steven. And a few more that may be a stretch lyrically for the occasion- "American Roulette" by Robbie Robertson, "Native American" by Little Steven and "American without Tears" by Elvis Costello. Tom