Let’s be honest: most Fourth of July playlists feel like they haven’t been updated since your uncle bought his last pair of cargo shorts. It’s either all country, all classic rock, or all nostalgia with no pulse. That’s why I built a real patriotic playlist, one that mixes iconic anthems with modern heat, brings the energy, and makes room for voices across genres.
And yes, it opens with Miley Cyrus. On purpose.
I’m a huge Miley fan, and “Party in the U.S.A.” is one of the most instantly recognizable and unironically joyful songs to kick off any American celebration. If you’re setting up lawn chairs and figuring out how to light a grill with one hand, this is the song that says, we’re here, we’re loud, and we’re starting this thing right.
Pop Bangers, Then and Now
The playlist rolls into Katy Perry’s “Firework”, because yes, sometimes the obvious choice is the right one. It’s glittery, empowering, and still sounds massive over backyard speakers. Bonnie McKee’s “American Girl” follows with just the right amount of pop fizz and literal theme. And Lenny Kravitz’s cover of “American Woman” gives us the gritty, defiant energy that keeps things interesting.
We also go back a bit with “Surfin’ U.S.A.” by the Beach Boys and “American Bad Ass” by Kid Rock are two radically different sides of the same red-white-and-blue coin. One’s beachy and retro, the other’s loud and unfiltered. Both slap.
Beats, Gen Z Energy
From there, things get more current, with purpose. I didn’t want this playlist to be a museum.
We bring in Kygo’s “Freedom” and Mia Vaile’s “American Dream” for those who want their patriotism with a beat drop.
Then we shift to Rihanna’s “American Oxygen,” a complex and soaring track that hits different every year.
And because we’re in the 2020s, yes, Jay-Z & Kanye’s “Made in America” made the cut, but I used the clean version for this playlist. I wanted it to be shareable and respectful to all audiences, even if I’m grading this set a soft PG-13. (More on that in a sec.)
Olivia Rodrigo’s “All-American b****” is very much a Gen Z lens on what patriotism, womanhood, and rage can sound like. And yes, she drops a few f-bombs. This isn’t a sanitized kids’ playlist. But it’s real. And real is better.
Benson Boone’s “Young American Heart” rounds out this stretch as a fresh, emotional entry from a rising voice.
Legacy Tracks
Once the sun starts going down, we hit the classic American rock stride: Tom Petty’s “American Girl,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.,” and John Mellencamp’s “Pink Houses.” Literal, loud, and iconic.
Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” is loud, unapologetic, and made for backyard speakers. Morgan Wallen’s “American Nights” brings in a softer, more nostalgic tone before we land in Lana Del Rey’s surreal world with “National Anthem,” where glamour and critique blend into something uniquely American.
Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” isn’t just about fireworks: it’s about a woman breaking free from domestic violence on the 4th of July. That double meaning turns it into one of the most powerful anthems on the list.
And then there’s “Born for Freedom” by the Jordan Band, a lesser-known indie track that hits personal for me because I have a film credit on the video. It follows McBride like a quiet answer: a reclaiming of voice, purpose, and the American promise of self-determination. Plus, there’s a section that feratures Donald Trump giving a speech.
Then comes the country set: Kenny Chesney’s “American Kids” picks the mood back up with its clever, laid-back energy, followed by Kid Rock’s return in “Born Free” — this time swapping rage for reflection. Brad Paisley wraps this stretch with “American Saturday Night,” a song that captures everyday American joy with a wink.
We then hand it off to soul legend James Brown with “Living in America.” And from there, Neil Diamond takes us home with “America.” You can practically see the flag waving in slow motion.
The Fireworks Finale
The final three songs are sacred ground.
Whitney Houston’s 1991 rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” is — let’s not argue — the greatest version ever recorded. Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” is the emotional group sing-along moment, and Ray Charles’ “America the Beautiful” is how we land the plane: smooth, reverent, and timeless.
Final Thoughts
This playlist isn’t trying to be edgy. It’s not ironic. It’s patriotic, but with taste. I intentionally mixed generations, genres, and moods so that everyone from your Gen Z cousin to your grandma has something to connect to.
The truth is if the song playing isn’t for you, the genre and mood will change again in a few minutes.
Whether you’re lighting sparklers with the kids, flipping burgers, or watching fireworks from the back of a truck, there’s something in this mix that says:
This is still your country. This is still your soundtrack.
And if all else fails, just press play on Miley again.
Full playlist here:
This article was written with the assistance of AI.
