Top Songs for Your July 4th Party Play list!

July 4^th is almost here! As you're gearing up for your celebrations, whether that be a cookout, pool party, or beach/lake gathering, you may need some July 4^th tunes to play for the day. Top Notch has got you covered! Top Notch has deejayed countless July 4^th parties, so many in fact that I've composed 2 list here, depending on the theme, the message and the age of music you're desiring to play for your event. Yes, there is a “generic” list of patriotic, July 4^th songs that is available on many sites, including Spotify and more, however, not all songs necessarily apply to the concepts of freedoms nor patriotism that one may hope to hear at a July 4^th party, (for example, many July 4^th play lists may include “Independence Day” by Martina Mcbride, but did you know that song is actually about domestic abuse, not necessarily about America's great birthday). 

     In contrast, others simply desire to hear fun, contemporary songs that include the words “America”, aka Tom Petty's “American Girl”, Phil Vassar's “American Child”, Miley Cyrus's “Party in the USA”. Therefore, below are 2 list, one for the top 10 most patriotic songs that Top Notch recommends for a July 4^th party, as well as a Top 10, fun, contemporary list. Please note, the below songs are usually the most requested, and most popular songs Top Notch is asked to play at past events, not necessarily my personal recommendation of the best July 4^th songs to play. Feel free to check out the list below, and even mix song selections from both lists together for your playlist this July 4^th. 

     As always, thanks for reading and whatever you do to celebrate Independence Day, be safe, have fun and make sure to take a moment to reflect on the reasons for this holiday.

Happy Birthday America!!

Top 10 Patriotic Songs recommended by Top Notch-

1. Lee Greenwood- “God Bless the USA”
2. Ray Charles- “America, the Beautiful”
3. Bruce Springsteen- “Born in the USA
4. Celine Dion- “God Bless America”
5. Jimi Hendrix- “Star Spangled Banner
6. Neil Diamond- “Coming to America”
7. Toby Keith- “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue
8. Aaron Tippin- “Stars and Stripes and Eagles Fly
9. Brooks and Dunn- “Only in America”
10. John Mellencamp- “Pink Houses”

Top 10 Current/Contemporary and Fun songs relevant to Independence Day

1. Miley Cyrus- “Party in the USA”
2. Katy Perry- “Firework”
3. Taio Cruz- “Dynamite”
4. Kid Rock- “Born Free”
5. James Brown- “Living in America”
6. John Mellencamp- “ROCK in the USA”
7. Lenny Kravitz- “American Woman”
8. Tom Petty- “American Girl”
9. Three Doors Down- “Citizen Soldier”
10. Kim Wilde – “Kids in America” (made popular by The Muffs from the movie Clueless)

Other jams that did not make the Top 10 include

• Lady Antebellum-” American Honey”
• John Mellencamp- “This is Our Country”
  -Rick Derringer- “I Am a Real American” (Hulk Hogan theme song)
  -Demi Lovato- “Made in the USA”
  - Grand Funk Railroad- “We're an American Band
  - Billy Ray Cyrus- “Some Gave All”
  -Martina Mcbride- “Independence Day”
  -Phil Vassar- “American Child”
  -Johnny Cash- “Old Ragged Flag”
  -Don McClean- “American Pie” 
  -Creedence Clearwater Revival- "Born on the Bayou"