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Music often sets the tone for a party — don't you agree? Whether you simply need some background noise or full-on dance hits to encourage some boogying on the dance floor, music is a great ice-breaker and can really get your event bumping and grooving. Certain songs lend themselves better to holidays better than others. Take Christmas, for example. There's the ballad, "All I Want for Christmas Is You," and the tear-jerker, "I'll Be Home for Christmas." During Halloween, we love to dance to "Love Potion No. 9" and "Thriller." But, what about the Fourth of July?
With the patriotic holiday fast approaching, you might find yourself wanting to curate the perfect playlist for your outdoor cookout, pool party, or other holiday-themed festivities. And, we don't blame you! With the plethora of music streaming services at your fingertips, it's easier than ever to compose the perfect playlist for your big holiday event. If you need a little help getting started, here are three absolute gems that span genre and era to get you started off on the right foot!
Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus
Get the party started with the ultimate party anthem, and who knows how to party better than Miley Cyrus? Her early hit, "Party in the U.S.A." is the perfect addition to your Fourth of July playlist, too! Although the tune is more about her personal struggles after moving to Los Angeles to pursue her career, Miley sings about American music being the great uniter. So, despite the song not being advertently patriotic, it still pays homage to a part of U.S. culture we can all appreciate — one that brings us all together, no matter what state or local culture we are taking part in, and that’s music!
“American Pie” by Don McLean
Don McLean’s “American Pie” dates back to 1971, and the song has enjoyed a great deal of longevity — and no, we don't just mean in the song's actual length. It's experienced many rehashings, from Madonna to Weird Al Yankovic. The song tells a story, and it's the one of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens. When McLean sings, "The day the music died...," this is the event he is referring to. Again, it is not blatantly patriotic, but it is significant to American history, and ultimately, it’s one heck of a jam for your Fourth of July playlist that you can sing along to for 8 minutes and 42 seconds!
“American Woman” by Lenny Kravitz
Take it from pop to rock with Lenny Kravitz’s cover of The Guess Who’s song, “American Woman,” which he recorded for the movie release of Austin Powers 2. The musician took home the Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1999 for the song — which was funny to many, considering he was a little hesitant to record it in the first place. Kravitz, who is more devoted to making original music, was concerned about making a cover his own, all while respecting the original song. Obviously, he achieved the feat with an awesome version, worthy of your patriotic playlist!