An Immigrant holds the American flags before taking the Oath of Allegiance during the naturalization ceremony at the United States District Court on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Today is the 85th anniversary of Woody Guthrie's American anthem "This Land is Your Land." The iconic singer-songwriter wrote the lyrics February 23, 1940.
The Guthrie classic couldn't be more resonant now than it was when written in 1940. The song was misconstrued as an up with America tune but that was a misnomer.
The radical song, which was penned in response to "God Bless America," is about how everyone should have access to the bounties of America. During the 100th anniversary of Guthrie's birth in 2012 Bruce Springsteen would play his hero's signature song and detail the significance of the classic. It wasn't the first time Springsteen sang the song either. He occasionaly would sing it in concerts and he also sang it alongside Pete Seeger at the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
The galvanizing tune is one of the greatest songs about America. Guthrie has inspired countless songwriters, such as Bob Dylan and Springsteen and has moved many songsmiths to write about a country that is about to turn 250 years old.
There are so many amazing songs about America. Here are the 25 greatest tunes about what was once known as "The New World."
An example of how funk can unite a divided country. George Clinton's band out of Plainfield, N.J. encourages fans to get on their feet and embrace diversity while destroying racial barriers.
Who says nothing good came out of "Rocky IV?" This is the perfect track to play while on a long road trip. "Super highways/Coast to coast/Easy to get anywhere/On the transcontinental overload/Just slide behind the wheel/How does it feel?'
This year is the 100th anniversary of the road leading from Chicago to Los Angeles. Depeche Mode's moody version of the Bobby Troup classic is the perfect track for a cross country journey.
A decade after the East Bay band's debut album "Dookie" catapulted Green Day to superstardom, the trio finally earned respect with "American Idiot." Green Day was derided by some pundits as a pop-punk band that could never be mentioned with such punk icons as The Buzzcocks and The Clash. Well, Green Day scored critical acclaim with this punk rock opera inspired by the disillusionment and dissent of a generation coming of an age in a post 9/11 world.
A brilliant paean to the last universally beloved President. Dylan, on the edge of octogenarian status, crafted another masterwork with his brilliant album "Rough and Rowdy Ways." "Murder Most Foul," which is the standout track, is a songwriting clinic with JFK's assassination as the focal point with clever nods to the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac.
The epitome of the American dream, who went from a hard knock life to ridiculous success as a rapper/mogul. The man behind Philly's "Made in America Festival" crafted an exceptional and loving tribute to his hometown. The Hova's unlikely story could only happen not only in New York but in America. Keys' sublime vocal catapults the inspiring tune to the upper echelon.
Sir Elton crafted the song as a favor to his friend, Billie Jean King. The iconic tennis player was part of the Philadelphia Freedoms. The infectious tune wasn't intended to be patriotic but became the unofficial theme of the Bicentennial. What song will be the theme of the Semiquincentennial?
Willie scored more ink for reluctantly paying the IRS than for being a patriot. The well-constructed track is a gem of a song that's catchy and touching. "Living in the promiseland/Our dreams are made of steel/The prayer of every man/is to know how freedom feels."
The Man in Black delivered this incendiary anti-Vietnam tune at the White House. Richard Nixon was not pleased but Cash was defiant. "The ones that you're calling wild are going to be the leaders in a little while."
Diamond's signature song possesses a great melody which details the story of immigration during the early 20th century. Diamond belts out "My Country 'Tis of Thee" to close the tune, which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard charts.
The finest and most consistent indie rock band of the moment nails it with a playful song about driving across the country. "I said, "Excuse me," to the ocean/Because I thought I had got in the way/At first, I didn't think it heard me/ But then, I saw it wave." Hail , CSH singer-songwriter Will Toledo!
Like Springsteen's "Born in the USA,' many folks thought the Heartland rocker crafted a rallying cry for America but the song is much deeper than that. "Pink Houses" is about how the American Dream is out of reach for most. It's a clever tune about class distinction and disparity. Mellencamp's high water mark, "Scarecrow," which was inspired by American farmer's struggles, is equally as worthy.
The year 1989 inspired another American anthem. George Bush was president and the Berlin Wall was about to come down. Neil Young and Crazy Horse were slated to play in Russia as part of a cultural exchange. However, a Russian promoter took the money and ran. That prompted Crazy Horse guitarist Pancho Sampedro to tell Young that the band "Will just have to rock in the free world." That inspired Young who nailed the moment. "I see a woman in the night/With a baby in her hand/ There's an old street light/Near a garbage can/And now she puts the kid away and she's gone to get a hit/She hates her life and what she's done to it/There's one more kid that'll never get to go to school/Never get to fall in love/never get to be cool/Keep on rockin' in the free world."
The end of the '80s was a turbulent time in a divided country a generation ago when Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" hit screens. The soundtrack single was an anthemic salvo that disses such American icons as Elvis Presley and John Wayne. However, "Fight the Power" is more relevant now than ever considering the Black Lives Matter movement. "Got to give us what we want (uh)/Gotta give us what we need (hey)Our freedom of speech is freedom or death/We got to fight the powers that be/Lemme hear you say fight the power."
"Star-spangled eyes" is one of the greatest phrases in rock history. John Fogerty not only wrote those words but delivered his song with such raw emotion when he barked "I ain't no senator's son." This song, which was released during the peak of the Vietnam War, was about who fought wars and how unfair it has always been. "It's the old saying about rich men making war and poor men having to fight them," Fogerty said.
"I remember when Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' 'American Girl' came out, and somebody thought it was my song," Byrds singer-songwriter Roger McGuinn told me during a 2016 interview. There's no doubt that Petty appropriated from the kings of jangle rock. But the wistful hit exudes all of the possibilities of a young woman coming of age in America.
Some of the greatest harmonies of all time. The melded voices can compel anyone to buy a one-way ticket to Los Angeles.
A myriad of singers have recorded and performed the patriotic classic, which was penned over a century ago. No vocalist touches Charles' soulful and unique version, which is boosted by his improvisations. "America the Beautiful" might be the most unifying song about the USA.
When Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash 66-years ago in Iowa, it wasn't just the final note of a musical era but the end of innocence. McLean's well-detailed tune inspired by "The Day the Music Died" has become one of the greatest sing-a-along songs of all-time.
The Boss could fill a top 25 songs about America list himself. It's so difficult to select one song but "Land of Hope and Dreams" stands out. The brilliant cut is a hopeful take on the American Dream. The song is about what many Springsteen songs touch on, which is perseverance, redemption and resilience. "Dreams will not be thwarted/This Train/Faith will be rewarded/This Train/Hear the steel wheels singin'/This train/Bells of freedom ringing.' Other Springsteen classics like "American Skin (41 Shots)," "Darlington County," "Glory Days" and the stripped down acoustic version of "Born in the USA" are right up there with "Land of Hope and Dreams."
Hendrix' version of Francis Scott Key's anthem is still mind-bending today. How did the fans at Woodstock process this instrumental, which somehow packs sorrow, pain and hope? Hendrix even incorporated "Taps" into the anthem. The greatest version of "The Star Spangled Banner" and arguably the highlight of Woodstock. Just an incredible performance by the greatest guitarist of all time. Guthrie would have shed tears with pride experiencing Hendrix' otherworldly rendition.
No great list is complete without a list of songs that maybe, could have, should have, possibly but didn't make the cut. Here are a few that just missed:
1. The Beach Boys - "Surfin USA"
2. John Denver - "Take Me Home, Country Road"
3. Jay-Z - "American Dreamin'
4. Kenny Chesney -"American Kids"
5. The Cast of West Side Story - "America"
