9 Soul-Stirring Patriotic Country Songs

It's hard to not feel a surge of good old fashioned American pride when a truly patriotic country song comes on the radio. Although tones of such pro-military, pro-soldier offerings range from boot-in-the-bum angry to demure and reflective, each of the tunes mentioned below works to affirm the greatness of the life and liberty we enjoy in the USA. More importantly, they remind us to take seriously the daily sacrifices of our service men and women.

Patriotic Country Song #1 - American Soldier, Toby Keith. This soft, almost understated offering from Keith narrates, in poignant detail, the life of a serviceman. It expresses his deep devotion to keeping America safe regardless of the consequences, even if those consequences include death.

Patriotic Country Song #2 - Angry American, Toby Keith. Perhaps better known as Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue, everything about this post-911 piece from Keith is just what the title advertises: Angry. And aggressive, with a hearty side of vindictive thrown in for good measure. If ever there were a 'don't mess with the USA' song, this boot-stompin' hit is it.

Patriotic Country Song #3 - God Bless the USA, Lee Greenwood. It's an oldie, but a bona fide, no-doubt goodie. I remember hearing this as a child; I heard it so often, in fact, that its words are indelibly printed in my memory. In all of its beautiful imagery, at the core it's about being proud of being an American and grateful to live in the USA.

Patriotic Country Song #4 - Have You Forgotten, Darryl Worley. Written in the aftermath of 9/11, Have You Forgotten encourages listeners to remember the pain of that terrible day, and to channel that emotion into national pride, even if it means setting aside personal sensibilities about war.

Patriotic Country Song #5 - Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagles Fly, Aaron Tippin. The premise of Tippin's tune is super simple: If you're luck enough to live in the USA, be grateful and enjoy the benefits of living under the freedom of the "stars and stripes".

Patriotic Country Song #6 - Riding with Private Malone, David Ball. Riding with Private Malone may not be particularly well-known, but Ball's narrative simply stirs my heart and brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. The premise? A former soldier connects, via a beloved Corvette, with one from the previous generation who didn't make it home from the war.

Patriotic Country Song #7 - If You're Reading This, Tim McGraw. If you're open to the emotion, this one from Tim McGraw will break your heart a thousand times over, so have tissues handy. The popular crooner takes the perspective of a deceased soldier who offers up words of comfort to loved ones left behind. It'll make you think.

Patriotic Country Song #8 - Letters From Home, John Michael Montgomery. This one hammers home the sheer necessity of remembering our troops in a tangible way, via letters and notes from home. If you'd like to send a letter to a deployed soldier, simply do a web search for 'how to write a soldier a letter'. You'll find dozens of opportunities to make someone's day brighter.

Patriotic Country Song #9 - Some Gave All, Billy Ray Cyrus. Miley's dad scored a memorable hit with Some Gave All, which, in beautiful simplicity, reminds us that the old saying is absolutely true: Freedom isn't free. Some make the ultimate sacrifice and we should remember them for their bravery.

Whether you're building an Independence or Memorial Day playlist or simply feeling proud of your roots, check out and enjoy these tunes.