10 Songs to Have Handy at a 4th of July Party or Barbecue

It's that time of year again; it's the 4th of July, when we celebrate America's independence by becoming overtly patriotic through lighting fireworks and sparklers and throwing parties and barbecues. Many of us also choose to show our patriotism by blasting music out of our car windows or into our ears through iPods. Of course, The Star-Spangled Banner is nice, especially at baseball games, but for those of us who are craving music that encourages us to shout "I love the USA," here is a list of songs to get everyone at your party or barbecue loud and proud.

You can't have a 4th of July barbecue or party without a little Martina McBride. She knows just how to celebrate Independence Day. In fact, that's the first song on our list. "Independence Day," by Martina McBride.

Or country really is quite beautiful, isn't it? Why not sing along with Ray Charles as he tells us just that in number two on our list, "America the Beautiful," performed by Ray Charles.

Toby Keith certainly shows his patriotism through his song entitled, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," as it comes in third on our list.

Everyone probably knows the next song on our list, so why not play it loudly? "God Bless America," performed by Celine Dion. A popular artist sings a popular song, how unique!

Lee Greenwood originally wrote the next song on our list in 1983, but it wasn't until after 9/11 when politicians were using it in their campaigns that the American people really took hold of it. Play it, and love it- "God Bless the USA."

Bruce Springsteen was born in the USA and is glad to sing about it. The next song on our list asks you, Why not blast his popular rock hit from 1984? It's strangely enough entitled, "Born in the USA."

Do you know anyone who doesn't like John Mellencamp? If you do, you shouldn't invite them to your party or barbecue, because the seventh song on our list is "Our Country," by John Mellencamp.

Not all songs about patriotism need to have words to express what they mean. Keep that in mind as you listen to the eighth song on our list, "Stars and Stripes Forever," by John Phillip Sousa."

What's more American than Baseball? Exactly, nothing. The ninth song on our list is entitled, "Take Me out to the Ball Game," and it really doesn't matter which version you have. Whoever is singing the song just wants to go see some baseball.

The last song on our list was not originally written to be patriotic, but is actually from the movie Armageddon's soundtrack. Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" has been used in politics, commercials, and films. Why not used it at your party?

So that's the list. The top ten songs you should have handy at your 4th of July barbecue or party. Now go into the attic or the basement, wherever you keep your patriotism. I'm sure it'll need some TLC.