American Idiot by Green Day has become my new, traditional Independence Day music for the last 8 or so years.
Would love to replace that with something more patriotic, but we've got a lot of turning around to do before "Proud to be an American" is back in my playlist rotation.
Edit: And while I'm on my soapbox here, I'd like to extend a big 'fuck you' to any republicans celebrating today. You don't get to celebrate the founding of the nation you're trying so hard to destroy.
Adding the "lost verse" for 'This Land is Your Land":
“One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple,
by the relief office I saw my people.
As they stood hungry,
I stood there wondering if God blessed America for me.”
What a coincidence, I’m listening to American Idiot in full right now. Looks like we’re in a similar frame of mind.
I’d also recommend ‘Merican by The Descendants. Also released in 2004, it perfectly captures that dichotomy of being so proud of all the good our country has brought us while holding the deep shame of all our missteps. Sadly these days it seems like we’re growing the list of things to feel shame about.
Anyway, enjoy your last 4th of July of the old republic.
My 4th of July songs are "woods of love by the embarrassment" which is about barbaric acts America has committed and "Not proud of the USA by the Mice" about anti war. I think you'll like both if you like green day. They have cited the mice as an influence.