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So sings the band X in their song "4th of July." Although it is not the kind of patriotic music one thinks of for celebrating Independence Day, I listen to it every year. I'm also a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen who has several songs perfect for July 4th including "Independence Day," (lyrics, audio) "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" (lyrics, video) and his cover of Woodie Guthrie's folk classic "This Land is Your Land" which Springsteen calls "The greatest song ever written about America."
I'm not the only person who finds a connection between Springsteen's music and American themes. In an essay titled "Independence Day, Apart From the Fireworks," James D. Bloom writes that "the national holiday in classic American literature sometimes takes on an ironic or shadowed cast." About Springsteen he writes:
Against the Independence Day backdrop that Springsteen painstakingly renders, such an announcement not only bespeaks the singer's loss of innocence; it also alludes to our entrenched confidence that we can belong, friction-free, to an indivisible America while pursuing our dreams...
The U.S. State Department found Bloom's essay including his extended meditation on Springsteen's lyrics among other literary depictions of Independence Day sufficiently representative of "U.S. Life, Culture and History" to post it on their web site. For reals.
What other music are bloggers and writers recommending for the holiday?
Tim Page at the Washington Post notes that "amid a burst of fireworks and pride, holiday music, alas, often fizzles."
Spencer at arubberdoor offers a "random ten" of July 4th music starting with "Metal Firecracker" by Lucinda Williams
Seattle radio station KEXP announces on their blog that they will offer their annual special "Soul Freedom." Check the blog for some video previews and a recipe for vodka infused watermelon.
Fred Soto at White Houser offers videos of patriotic songs and peace activists to celebrate the fourth
Timothy Sandefur at Positive Liberty offers music, a movie, food, something to read and someplace to visit if you're looking for ideas on how to observe the holiday
Sean Daly of the St. Petersburg Times shares his "patriotic iPod" on his blog Pop Life
On the Music Industry Newswire, Scott G spills the "surprising secrets of patriotic songs"
So BlogHers - what are your favorite musical ways to celebrate the 4th. And, as you can see, my list is BlogHim heavy. Do you have any recommendations for BlogHers with their holiday music suggestions? Please point us in their direction in the comments. Thanks!
