25 Songs for Your Patriotic Rock Playlist

Source: Graphic by Jarrett Huff / Radio One

The Fourth of July is quickly approaching, and like all holidays, music goes hand-in-hand with the patriotic holiday celebrating the founding of the United States of America – especially rock music.

July 4 celebrates summer, freedom, patriotism and the American spirit, something that’s endured for over 200 years. On this playlist, you’ll find songs that represent those sentiments.

While songs like Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Fortunate Son have become synonymous with the holiday and patriotism, their messages portray more of a critical view of certain aspects of the country, despite the sound of the song itself telling you otherwise. Both are great songs, but are a different kind of patriotic.

Here are 25 positively-patriotic rock songs for your playlist:

1. ‘Never Give An Inch’ – 38 Special

2. ‘(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)’ – Beastie Boys

3. ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ – Damn Yankees

4. ‘Yankee Rose’ – David Lee Roth

5. ‘We’re An American Band’ – Grand Funk Railroad

6. ‘American Woman’ – The Guess Who

The Lenny Kravitz cover of this song is also fantastic.

7. ‘Star Spangled Banner – Live at The Woodstock Music & Art Fair, August 18, 1969’ – Jimi Hendrix

8. ‘R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to 60’s Rock)’ – John Mellencamp

9. ‘Danger Zone’ – Kenny Loggins

10. ‘Rockin’ in the U.S.A. – Live at Capitol Theatre, New Jersey / 1977′ – KISS

11. ‘Back in the U.S.A.’ – Linda Ronstadt

12. ‘Free Bird’ – Lynyrd Skynyrd

13. ‘Red White & Blue’ – Lynyrd Skynyrd

14. ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ – Lynyrd Skynyrd

15. ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ – Metallica

16. ‘(You Can Still) Rock in America’ – Night Ranger

17. ‘Fat Bottom Girls’ – Queen

Despite nothing directly patriotic about it, while also coming from a British band – Fat Bottomed Girls just feels so perfectly American that it felt necessary to place it on this list.