The "Songs Of America...With A Splash Of My Daughter"

 It was an ordinary day.  A day to celebrate "The United States of America."  A special day to celebrate America in music.  There is no one piece of music that can define our great land, but certain themes and emotions keep coming up such as individuality, freedom, loyalty and awe.  But wait, there are also a few great songs that express a healthy sense of dissent.  The diversity of music that follows will give you a bit of what the United States of America is all about.  Follow along as I list some of my favorite songs which have special meaning on July 4, our Independence Day in the United States of America.  (I must also add that my daughter was born on this day of celebration.  Any one of the following songs would work great to celebrate her birth.)

Simon & Garfunkel

"AMERICA" by Simon & Garfunkel.  This song was written in 1968 about a real-life road trip that Paul Simon took with his girlfriend that inspired one of the nation's greatest songs of searching.  The song follows two young lovers on a bus trip that served as a metaphor for their journey to find both themselves as well as the character of their country.  The lyrics that Paul wrote didn't include a single rhyme.  The beauty of the song is found in the song's poetic cinematic detail.  Paul and singing partner Art Garfunkel sing lines in unison to try and capture the synchronicity of its character.  Art says that "We come from the identical place."

"AMERICAN GIRL" by Tom Petty and the Hearbreakers.  This piece was written in 1976 and captures the heart of the country's restless spirit of a woman "raised on promises" that driveler to constantly seek something "more to life."  The 12 string guitar of musician Roger McGuinn creates the chiming sounds.  To give the song more importance, Petty recorded it on July 4 to capture the theme of our nation's birthday.  It was one of the first songs recorded with the Heartbreakers.  It was just over a week after they ended a 2017 show with "American Girl" that Petty died from an accidental overdose.

Neil Diamond

"AMERICA" by Neil Diamond which was recorded in 1980.  It was one of Neil's most personal songs which resonated across our nation.  His lyrics honor the bravery and contributions of immigrants everywhere which pay tribute to Neil's own family.  It's the story of his grandparents coming to America.  His grandmother Bubbe Molly was escaping Jewish oppression in Russia while his other grandparents arrived from Italy and Poland.  Perhaps that's why the song is "a musical expression of being free."

"AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL" by Ray Charles which was recorded in 1972, but written by Samuel A. Ward to a poem by Katharine Lee Bates.  Just about everyone in America has shun some version of this ode to the beauty of the nation's land.  The soulfulness of Ray's version is what gave it an enduring significance.  Ken Burns used Ray's version to highlight the emotional moment in his documentary on the Vietnam War when American POWs returned home.  Charles performed the song weeks after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 on a piano at home plate in Phoenix's Bank One Stadium when the Diamondbacks were playing the Yankees in game two of the World Series.  Soldiers and first responders unrolled a flag that covered the entire outfield.  You had to see to see it to feel the emotion in the song that day.  

James Brown

"LIVING IN AMERICA" by James Brown from 1985.  Featured on the soundtrack to the 1985 film Rocky IV.  The song's lyrics honor the coast-to-coast superhighways that represent the nation's breadth and openness. The song mentions nine U.S. cities declaring that "somewhere on the way your might find out who you are."  

"THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND" by Woody Guthrie recorded in 1951.  This is one of America's most famous folk songs.  The lyrics stressed that this land was made, and owned, by everyday citizens.  It did protest income inequality and the vast sufferings brought by the Great Depression.  His granddaughter said that the piece became his most famous since "it wasn't just something nice to listen to.  There's enough to keep you thinking."

The Mamas & the Papas

"CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'" by The Mamas & the Papas from 1965.  It is said that few songs evoke the warmth and freedom of America's expansionist dream with more beauty and charm than this hit.  A band member, John Phillips wrote the song.  It captured the nation's dream of endless summer.  

There are probably a dozen or more songs that celebrate July 4th, but I have picked out my favorites to share with you.  Pull them up on your phone or laptop and give them a listen if you want to get into the mood for Independence Day.  As for my family...a cake with a bunch of candles on it usually works.  Happy Birthday, Brynn.  We all love you.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

My beautiful little girl back in 19??
Photo from the Lancaster Newspaper.