Songs About America That Don't Suck

Things are tough. Let's enjoy some music.

It’s America Week! Can you smell the ongoing collapse of a dynasty? *Snifffffff*

Every day this week we’re publishing a post about a different pillar of American culture or history. To wrap up the week, crank up the patriotic music.

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Let’s face it: patriotic songs stink. It’s the lowest genre of music — lower than kid’s music, novelty songs, Christmas carols, even commercial jingles! In fact, I was originally going to write a post today ranking the worst America-themed songs in history.

But it’s been a tough week for the USA. A tough year. A tough millennium.

I don’t think anyone needs a reminder about America’s flaws right now, so I’ll save my 1,000-word screed about Lee Greenwood for another time. (I am generally against capital punishment, but I would make an exception to hang him from the top of the Washington Monument for crimes against music.)

Instead, here’s a playlist of songs about America that don’t suck at all. Many of them are quite brilliant. I hope it makes for good summer listening as we await better days ahead.