40 Best 4th of July Songs, From Patriotic Tunes to Summer Anthems
We've got classics that are must-plays, as well as new hits that will set off the party vibe.
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There’s no more quintessential summer holiday than 4th of July, situated smack-dab in the dog days when the weather is warmest and the mood is lightest. It’s the perfect time for a celebration of Independence Day, whether that’s a BBQ, picnic, beach party or pool party.
And for that epic summertime bash, you’ll need the perfect 4th of July playlist — upbeat, patriotic and tinged with nostalgia. Our list of the best 4th of July songs is here to help you compile your ideal list of tunes across all genres — country, rock, pop, hip-hop and more. Some of these are on-the-nose patriotic, with themes about country and liberty. Others riff on cherished American states and places. And some on our list are just plain happy, with uptempo beats and lyrics nodding to summer, vacation and having fun with friends.
So fill up your Amazon or Spotify accounts with some of these favorites and get ready for a 4th of July party to remember.
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The whole album is gold, but to kick off your celebrations right, start with track number 12. It's the iconic, nearly four-minute long Star Spangled Banner that Jimi performed in 1969.
Beyoncé's new earworm nods to her home state with a hook you won't be able to get out of your head all summer long. Trust us when we say, people will be waiting to hear this one at your party.
Summertime plus patriotism equals the Beach Boys' classic "Surfin' USA," a hit especially perfect for beach parties.
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This song about roaming from Georgia to California only to fritter away time sitting on the dock. It's a slower, more melodic tune, but it's hard to beat Otis Redding's voice.
The Go-Go's' high-energy song about getting away on vacation is the perfect mid-summer playlist song for a pool party or BBQ.
Katy Perry's celebration of the West Coast featuring Snoop Dogg is an uptempo summertime favorite.
Channel all the lighthearted fun and energy of an American summer with this classic party song.
This Black Eyed Peas party anthem will get the mood up, and the crowd singing along enthusiastically.
Released in 2019, Blake Shelton sings this southern rock anthem about the simple things in life, God's power and how connected one can feel to their home state.
This quintessential song about lazy, social, fun-packed summer days is sure to bring you back and "spark up nostalgia," as the lyrics go.
With lyrics like, "I'm taking my own freedom, putting it in my song, singing loud and strong, grooving all day long," plus it's positive beat, it's hard not to sing along to Jill Scott's song.
Originally recorded by Canadian musician Tom Cochrane, the Rascal Flats' version is likely the one you've been dancing to for years.
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You might not be able to keep up with the fast-paced lyrics, but Billy Joel mentions major moments and figures in America's history.
It's hard to think of American songwriters and not mention John Mellencamp a.k.a. the king of Heartland rock. Jack & Diane just happens to be one of his greatest hits.
The most iconic rendition of The Star Spangled Banner has to be played on the 4th of July. Houston's take during the 1991 Super Bowl will move you to tears.
In 2003, Dolly Parton put out an entire album dedicated to America. One of the most moving tracks is Color Me America, a ballad that declares: "I am red, white and blue."
Miley Cyrus was still a teenager in 2009 when she came out with this smash hit — with autobiographical lyrics about her move from Nashville to Los Angeles to make it as a pop star. This all-ages-friendly tune will make everyone want to get up and dance.
Katy Perry’s 2016 hit is perfect for the fourth of July, with its endlessly catchy verses and the inspirational chorus: “You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine. Just own the night, like the Fourth of July, ‘cause baby you're a firework, come on show 'em what you’re worth … ”
Don McLean’s '70s tune famously mourns “the day the music died,” a reference to the 1959 plane crash that killed Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and the Big Bopper all at once; its lyrics also reference American music superstars Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan. The enduring classic is overall steeped in nostalgia and Americana.
From Neil Diamond’s movie The Jazz Singer, this powerful song celebrates immigration to America: “On the boats and on the planes, they’re coming to America. Never looking back again, they're coming to America.” And it ends with a moving spoken-word version of “My Country, ’Tis of Thee.”
Alesandra is a digital travel and lifestyle journalist based in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, Insider, Glamour, Shondaland, AFAR, Parents, TODAY, and countless other online and print outlets. Alesandra has a masters degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley. An avid traveler, she trots the globe with her husband and their twins.
Yaa Bofah is an editorial fellow at Good Housekeeping. She is a freelance illustrator and created original cover art for The Fashion Bomb Daily’s first e-book series. She enjoys supporting philanthropic endeavors and being an advocate for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
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