Top 10 Patriotic Songs

Kicking off the list on a strong point, Neil Young's 'Rockin' in the Free World' is a great example on why Americans love the old red, white and blue. Spawning from Young's 1989 release Freedom, two songs were originally released, an acoustic arrangement and an electrical arrangement which is the most commonly known. In this video you'll see the star of the next song, Bruce Springsteen singing in the second verse.

How could I not include this song in a list of patriotic songs? Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the USA' off the 1984 album of the same name is a narrative to his friends that went over to Vietnam and never made it back. The song also protest the hardships that the Vietnam vets faced after returning from the war.

Lynyrd Skynyrd's 2003 patriotic song 'Red, White and Blue' is another ode the great American flag. Written shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it goes to show how American bands love the country they are from, and Lynyrd Skynyrd is as American as they come.

Grand Funk Railroad, our local national stars, so of course they're an American Band. Everyone from this area either knows one of the band members or knows someone who knows someone that knows the band. We even changed a Grand Trunk Railroad bridge over Atherton Rd. to the Grand Funk Railroad bridge. Nothing more of a patriotic song and band.

James Brown's 1985 'Living in America' is a definition of patriotic songs. Featured in Rocky IV when Apollo Creed enters the ring is just a testament to his own patriotism. Why do we all live in America? For the rights and independence that we all have.

'Living in the U.S.A.' from Steve Miller's 1968 Sailor album is just a great example from the era of "Freedom Rock." The unmistakeable intro with cars revving, the quick drum and harmonica into is just a great feeling song to listen to while sitting around enjoying the summer air.

Johnny Cash's 'Ragged Old Flag' may not be your idea of a song, but this poem style song is all about where our American flag has been, from the Revolutionary War up to Vietnam. To this day we could add the first tour in the Middle East to the battle still going on there. I guess you could call this a poetic patriotic song.

Some may think this song was overplayed after 9/11, but it still has the meaning that Lee Greenwood had originally sang about. 'God Bless the U.S.A.' will still remain a song that shows the love of the U.S. that we should have. The song did re-appear recently after Osama Bin Laden was killed back in May. No list about the patriotic songs would be complete without it.

How could we not include one of America's most patriotic songs? Ray Charles' rendition of 'America the Beautiful' is one of the most famous versions of the song. Of course multiple artists have covered it, this by far is one of my favorites. Just listen with pride and watch for the Blue Angels to flyover head.

You're probably thinking to yourself, the number one song on the list has to be Jimi Hendrix 'Star Spangled Banner' from Woodstock. Well you are correct. I've heard many bands do their own versions trying to rip-off Jimi, but nothing can come close to this. Stand tall with your hand over your hearts as Jimi shreds the guitar.