American flag (Photo by Charles "Duck" Unitas)
Let’s be honest: there’s something magical about a good ol’ American anthem. Whether you’re road-tripping across the country, lighting up the sky with Fourth of July fireworks, or just trying to survive your neighbor’s endless barbecue playlist, there’s a song about America that perfectly captures the moment. From the heartfelt to the hilariously over-the-top, the soundtrack of our nation is as diverse and colorful as the country itself. From North to South, East to West, we’ve put together the best American songs based on the consensus from five expert lists. Don’t happen to see your favorite song on the list? Let us know by dropping a comment below!
StudyFinds compiles lists of consensus picks featured on credible review sites. We aim to lay out top consumer research finds for you by bringing expert rankings to one place.
The List
1. “America the Beautiful” by Ray Charles
Oh, beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self, their country loved
And mercy more than life
America, America, may God thy gold refine
'Til all success be nobleness
And every gain divined
And you know when I was in school
We used to sing it something like this, listen here
Oh beautiful, for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
But now wait a minute, I'm talking about
America, sweet America
You know, God done shed His grace on thee
He crowned thy good, yes He did, in brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
You know, I wish I had somebody to help me sing this
(America, America, God shed his grace on thee)
America, I love you America, you see
My God, He done shed His grace on thee
And you oughta love Him for it
'Cause He, He, He, He crowned thy good
He told me He would, with brotherhood
(From sea to shining Sea)
Oh Lord, oh Lord, I thank you Lord
(Shining sea)
Dubbed the “loveliest of all American anthems” by Time Out, “America the Beautiful” by Ray Charles is a rendition that has become synonymous with the iconic song originally composed by Katherine Bates and Samual Ward. In fact, President Barack Obama called it, ‘the most patriotic piece of music ever performed” which is among one of the many reasons why this song holds a special place in the hearts of many Americans.
“We have Katharine Lee Bates to thank for this gorgeous song,” says Yahoo Money. Spanning across genres and generations, “America the Beautiful” by Ray Charles helps capture the rich history, beautiful landscapes, and resiliency of the American spirit. Despite Katherine’s poem “America” being composed in 1895, America “continued to resonate deeply throughout the century that followed.”
This rendition of “America the Beautiful” has had a lasting impact on popular culture and what it means for songs to be patriotic for Americans. As expressed by Funny Jokes Today, “with just about everything Charles played or sang, he delivered a passionate, soulful performance that all Americans can appreciate.”
2. “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood
If tomorrow all the things were gone
I worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife
I'd thank my lucky stars
To be livin' here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can't take that away
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up
Next to you and defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA
From the lakes of Minnesota
To the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas
From sea to shining sea
From Detroit down to Houston
And New York to L.A.
Well, there's pride in every American heart
And it's time we stand and say
That I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up
Next to you and defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land (love this land)
God bless the USA
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up
Next to you and defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land (love this land)
God bless the USA
As a timeless anthem, “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood can bring tears to your eyes and goosebumps to your skin. As stated by Yahoo Money, “You can’t have a patriotic playlist without ‘God Bless the U.S.A.’ With Lee’s rich voice delivering powerful lyrics that help remind us of the countless sacrifices of many, this song instills pride and love in being American among all those who listen.”
As explained in Funny Jokes Today, God Bless the U.S.A. was “written in 1983 as a patriotic tribute.” While the song wasn’t much of a hit at the start, it ended up rallying to become the signature song of the Greenwoods. Then after the “US went to war with Iraq, it became popular again after many conservative politicians, including George Bush, used it during their campaigns.”
Giving credit to our brave soldiers, Greenwood first wrote “this song to unite Americans,” says A-Z Animals. Helping evoke a deep sense of pride, this American classic transcends societal and political differences and has grown into “one of the most beloved songs about the United States.” It has been performed at countless patriotic events and will continue to inspire future generations of Americans to cherish and honor their nation.
3. “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie
This land is your land, and this land is my land
From California to the New York island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me
As I went walking that ribbon of highway
And I saw above me that endless skyway
I saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me
I roamed and rambled, and I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
All around me, a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me
There was a big, high wall there that tried to stop me
A sign was painted said "Private Property"
But on the backside, it didn't say nothing
This land was made for you and me
When the sun come shining, then I was strolling
And the wheat fields waving, and the dust clouds rolling
The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting
This land was made for you and me
This land is your land, and this land is my land
From California to the New York island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me
You may have grown up singing this song in elementary school. Funny Jokes Today writes, “There is no doubt that Guthrie’s classic is one of the greatest folk songs ever written.” Resonating with people across all walks of life, this song has transcended generations of Americans and continues to express inclusivity, unity, and shared opportunity. Additionally, by emphasizing the lyrics “this land was made for you and me,” Woody challenges exclusive ownership in exchange for equal opportunity.
Having grown into an enduring anthem of social change and equal rights protest, “This Land Is Your Land” is “by far the most famous and meaningful” song of Guthrie, says Yahoo Money. Now deeply ingrained in American culture, this song is often taught in schools and is an all-time Fourth of July favorite.
First “written as a response to and critique of God Bless America by Irving Berlin,” “This Land is Your Land” was written in 1940 but wasn’t released until 1945, reports A-Z Animals. As explained, the first few verses present a vision of how Woody Guthrie envisions America, from sparkling gold sands to the majestic redwood forests, then ending with the unifying lyrics that we all know and bring us all together, “this land was made for you and me.”
4. “American Pie” by Don McLean
A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music
Used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while
But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step
I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
Something touched me deep inside
The day the music died
So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Did you write the book of love
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now, do you believe in rock 'n' roll
Can music save your mortal soul
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that you're in love with him
'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage bronckin' buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died
I started singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Now, for ten years we've been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin' stone
But that's not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the king and queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me
Oh, and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lenin read a book on Marx
A quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died
We were singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and falling fast
It landed foul on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast
Now, the halftime air was sweet perfume
While sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance
'Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?
We started singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So, come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
'Cause fire is the Devil's only friend
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in Hell
Could break that Satan spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died
He was singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
And in the streets the children screamed
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died
And they were singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
They were singin', bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die"
As described by A-Z Animals, “American Pie is part epic poem, part ode to American culture, and part classic American folk song.” Released in 1971, “American Pie” encapsulates the spirit of a generation that aimed to change the social, political, and cultural landscape and goes on to cryptically mention “many pop culture references from the 1960s, like the rise of Bob Dylan, the first moon landings, and a 1959 plane crash that killed three famous musicians.” Despite being over eight minutes long, this song grew into a monumental hit and helps depict American life.
Rated as one of the best American songs, Yahoo Money states that McLean’s hit has had a lasting impact beyond the music scene and has been “in innumerable movies and tv shows.” Inviting listeners to ponder the present state of society with a sense of reflection and nostalgia, “American Pie” will continue to leave a lasting legacy and be remembered by many as “the day that music died.”
“With an overall length of about eight minutes and fifteen seconds, McLean’s masterpiece is similar in quality to a motion picture,” jokes Funny Jokes Today. Neither patriotic nor controversial, this popular song has been written “about the loss of American innocence” and “it just seems to sum up life in America, the highs and lows alike.” As one of the more thought-provoking American songs, “American Pie” will continue to resonate across eras.
5. “Only in America” by Brooks & Dunn
Sun coming up over New York city
School bus driver in a traffic jam
Starin' at the faces in her rearview mirror
Looking at the promise of the Promised land
A one kid dreams of fame and fortune
One kid helps pay the rent
One could end up going to prison
One just might be president
Only in America
Dreaming in red, white, and blue
Only in America
Where we dream as big as we want to
We all get a chance
Everybody gets to dance
Only in America
Sun going down on an L.A. freeway
Newlyweds in the back of a limousine
A welder's son and a banker's daughter
All they want is everything
She came out here to be an actress
He was a singer in a band
They just might go back to Oklahoma
And talk about the stars they could have been
Only in America
Dreaming in red, white, and blue
Only in America
Where we dream as big as we want to
We all get a chance
Everybody gets to dance
Only in America
Only in America
Where we dream in red, white, and blue
Only in America
Where we dream as big as we want to
We all get a chance
Everybody gets to dance
Only in America
Yeah, only in America
Only in America
Yeah, they dream in red, white, and blue
Yeah, we dream as big as we want to
Only in America
America
Only in America
Released in June of 2001, “Only in America” “discusses various scenes of common Americans living their lives with their hopes and dreams,” writes A-Z Animals. Sharing the notion that “everyone has opportunities to succeed in The United States,” this song became “even more popular after 9/11.” From uplifting listeners to inspiring positive action, this song embodies what it means to be an American.
As an anthem of the American dream, “Only in America” reminds us that dreams can and do come true for those that are willing and determined to work hard. As stated by Yahoo Money, “Only in America” is “where we dream as big as we want to.” With “big country lyrics featuring a heartwarming chorus,” “Only in America” reminds us of the importance of resiliency when pursuing our dreams.
“Less than three months before the terrorist attack on New York City on September 11, 2001, Brooks & Dunn recorded and released the patriotic ‘Only in America,'” adds Funny Jokes Today. Resonating across many Americans, this song “quickly grew as an unofficial anthem of healing, not only for the city but for the whole country.” Since then, this song has been used in political campaigns, for celebrating national holidays, and serves as a reminder of the unique opportunities that are available to each of us.
Sources used to create this consensus list
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