An Eclectic Fourth of July Playlist for Independence Day Parties

Fourth of July celebrations typically start with barbecues and end with fireworks and music.

As you fire up the grill this Fourth, taste this top 10 eclectic blend of traditional and newly favored paeans to our country:

1: "America"- Neil Diamond

The song that launched 1,000 fireworks displays.

Neil Diamond struck gold with the 1980 Red, White and Blue anthem hailing how "on the boats and on the planes they're coming to America."

The perennial fireworks soundtrack that detailed how immigrants sought out the "Sweet Land of Liberty" found a spot on a list of songs Clear Channel Communication suggested not be played after Sept. 11, 2001, according to the article "It's the End of the World as Clear Channel Knows It" by Eliza Truit. Slate Magazine published the article Monday, Sept. 17, 2001.

Guess what, they're still coming to America and this song still stirs the soul.

2: "America the Beautiful"- Ray Charles

Who cannot be moved by Ray Charles' interpretation of the classic song found in church hymnals and often played during events like the Super Bowl? Charles' performance becomes yet more stirring when one considers the singer's background.

"America the Beautiful" first appeared in print in the weekly journal The Congregationalist, on July 4, 1895, according to the Songwriters Hall of Fame entry for the song's writer, Katherine Lee Bates, an English Professor at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Bates wrote the lyrics while on an 1893 summer lecture series at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, inspired by the view from Pike's Peak.

3: "American Patrol" - Glenn Miller Band

This entry proves just too ebullient and bouncy to leave out of the list. Though originally penned by F.W. Meacham in 1885, Miller's performance ties it to World War II and swings forever as part of the era's soundtrack.

4: "Ballad of the Green Beret" - Barry Sadler

Anyone who lived through the 1960s, even as a child as I did can't forget this ballad. The tune doesn't top my list were it organized in order of favorites. However, its lyrics, beat, and stirring melody evoke a vision of a strong fighting force defending our freedoms.

5: "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" - Toby Keith

A tune reportedly written in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the lyrics manage to capture the best and worst of U.S. foreign policy and patriotism. The best would be the stirring patriotism evoked and view of the singer's father - a patriot who fought for freedom - while the worst would be the nation's boot up another nation's backside a la "might makes right" mentality. Regardless, when interviewed for several articles about the controversial song Keith indicated he didn't write the song with politics in mind - just good old-fashioned patriotism and vengeance.

6: "Don't Tread on Me" - Metallica

Heavy Metal bands may produce patriotic paeans too as this head-banging homage to an American Revolution slogan shows. The songwriter displays a grasp of "Peace through Strength" in the first verse that reads:

"So be it

Threaten no more

To secure peace is to prepare for war."

7: "God Bless America" - Gene Autry

The most reassuring version of this standard Independence Day song even though Kate Smith's version runs a close second. Autry's appeal comes through his rich baritone. Thought better known for his rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Autry's roots go back to the Alamo. His music helped define Country & Western Music, a large part of America's heritage.

8: "God Bless the USA" - Lee Greenwood

This tune soared to popularity during the first Gulf War though it was penned years before and used throughout Ronald Reagan's administration. Fond memories of its use as troops returned make it an emotional favorite.

9: "Happy Birthday America" - By Kids For Kids

Kids singing Happy Birthday to America - what more can you ask for if seeking a high cute factor? Fozzie Bear singing "America" in 1979's "The Muppet Movie" ranks a close second on the cute factor if not way off musically.

10: "Living in America" - James Brown

The "Godfather of Soul" captures America's pop soul for a Rocky flick (Rocky IV). Guaranteed to get the crowd dancing, the fluffy tune is not necessarily patriotic but a stirring description of the U.S. from interstate highways to fatback.

There were several other songs considered for this list but knocked out either due to seeking an eclectic and diverse mix or trying to keep an upbeat tone. Using a search engine with the criteria "Fourth of July Songs" will turn up site with samples.

A partial list of the tunes turned down here are:

"National Holiday" by Timbuk3.

"Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

"This Land is Your Land" by Woodie Guthrie.

"Star-Spangled Banner" by Jimi Hendrix.

Hendrix's version of the national anthem almost beat out "Ballad of the Green Beret" but failed due to two reasons - the ballad is more accessible to most and "America the Beautiful" is my favorite for a national anthem. "Don't Tread on Me" harkens back to the Revolutionary War versus the "Banner's" account of events during the War of 1812.

A minor point, but enough when the fact ANY version of the "Star-Spangled Banner" is hard to tap your foot to.