If you love country music and the U.S.A. — we sure do! — we have the perfect playlist for you: Powerful, pump-up-the-volume patriotic country songs that make you want to sing out loud, will warm your heart and put a kick in your step.
Although all country music songs aren't inherently patriotic, (heck, some of our favorite tunes are about keying a jilted ex-lovers car!) the the genre is uniquely American, stemming from a rich blend of bluegrass, rhythm and blues, gospel and grass-roots sounds that beautifully melded together over time as our nation grew and evolved.
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The result is a genre of music that became beloved for reflecting the best qualities of being American: hardworking, hopeful and proud, a love for family, honor for our troops and a gratitude for the freedom that protects us all.
Related: 10 Classic Country Songs About Gratitude — Guaranteed to Lift Your Heart
As you prep for your celebration, crank up these 25 patriotic country songs for a joyful soundtrack that is as American as apple pie — or grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, if you prefer. We guarantee you'll be singing and boot-scooting in no time!
1: "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood
Perhaps one of the most well-known patriotic songs of the last 50 years, just about every person living in the United States knows and has proudly sung the famous lyric, "And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free." There couldn't be a patriotic playlist without this iconic 1984 track.
2: "Only in America" by Brooks & Dunn — Patriotic country songs
"Only in America" tells various stories of regular Americans living out and pursuing whatever their version of the American dream may be, emphasizing the fact that only in the United States of America, can you dream as big as you want to.
3: "Some Gave All" by Billy Ray Cyrus — Patriotic country songs
This 1992 song by Billy Ray Cyrus pays tribute to the men and women who served in the military. The poignant line, "All gave some and some gave all," speaks volumes to the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who serve, as well as their families and loved ones.
4: "In America" by The Charlie Daniels Band
This upbeat 1980 track emphasizes the sentiment that as different as we all may be, the one thing that can bring Americans together is that one simple thing — that we're Americans.
5: "American Soldier" by Toby Keith
Although Toby Keith didn't serve in the military, this 2003 track, written from the perspective of an American soldier, recounts the sacrifices they bravely take on from day to day. The song was partially inspired by Keith's veteran father, but also by the people he met throughout the duration of his career.
"It's written for all the times that I get to meet the troops on these USO tours and since 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,' the P.O.W.s and the families and stuff that have come and brought me back my old CD covers and stuff that they had and shown how much support they had, this is my support for the American fighting men and women," he told Larry King.
6. "Arlington" by Trace Adkins
Another emotional tribute to our troops, "Arlington" is a song written from the perspective of a soldier who died while serving and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
7. "The Bumper of My SUV" by Chely Wright
Chely Wright sings in support of the military in "Bumper of My SUV," taking inspiration from a woman on the road who angrily disapproved of her US Marines bumper sticker. Her response to the incident came in the form of this song, where she explains her perspective on where her support stems from.
8. "Home" by Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley's "Home" is a celebration of the nation we call home. Bentley sings, "It's been a long hard ride/Got a ways to go/But this is still the place/That we all call home."
9. "American Heart" by Faith Hill
Faith Hill's 2012 song "American Heart" pays tribute to the resilience of the American people, She sings, ""It bleeds, it scorns, but it shines when times get hard/You can't break an American heart."
10. "If You're Reading This" by Tim McGraw
This extremely emotional track was written in the form of a letter from a deceased soldier to his wife. "I'm laying down my gun/I'm hanging up boots/Tell dad I don't regret that I followed in his shoes," he sings.
11. "Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly" by Aaron Tippin
Aaron Tippin's upbeat country tune is the pinnacle of patriotic, celebrating the flag, hardworking Americans, and the country as a whole.
12. "I Love My Country" by Florida Georgia Line
Tapping more into the pop-country realm, "I Love My Country" is a fun, upbeat song to add to your patriotic playlist, with the constant declaration of "I love my country," to keep the patriotic vibes going.
13. "They Also Serve" by John Conlee
"They Also Serve" is an emotional tribute to the families and loved ones of those in the military, recognizing the sacrifice and hardship that they also endure.
14. "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" by Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson reflects on the 9/11 attacks in this heartfelt tribute to the lives lost on that day.
15. "Ragged Old Flag" by Johnny Cash
Easily one of the most iconic tributes to the United States of America, Johnny Cash beautifully honors the American Flag. "So we raise her up every morning/We take her down every night/We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up right/On second thought, I do like to brag/'Cause I'm mighty proud of that ragged old flag."
16. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver
Perhaps not the first song many would think of when they think of patriotism, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is beloved for its catchy melody, but also for the way it celebrates the beauty of America.
17. "American Flag on the Moon" by Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley encourages listeners to reach for even their most impossible dreams, "Cause after all, there's an American flag on the moon."
18. "America" by Waylon Jennings — Patriotic country songs
The message behind Waylon Jennings' 1984 track titled "America" is simple: It pays respect to all the people that make this country so great, no matter what our backgrounds may be.
19. "American Kids" by Kenny Chesney — Patriotic country songs
Kenny Chesney paints a nostalgic picture of growing up in America with this upbeat tune, perfect for your summer BBQ.
20. "American Saturday Night" by Brad Paisley
When you're looking to pump up your party, this upbeat Brad Paisley track should be your go-to. It's an upbeat tribute to the way that the different cultures that make up the United States come to be celebrated and a part of our everyday life.
21. “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band — Patriotic country songs
Perhaps not inherently patriotic, “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band paints a lighthearted picture of the good things in life, and some of the happy and positive memories associated with growing up in the American south — from sweet tea to pecan pie.
However, the group doesn’t forget to pay tribute to those who allowed them to enjoy such privileges:
“I thank God for my life/And for the stars and stripes/May freedom forever fly, let it ring/Salute the ones who died/The ones that give their lives/So we don't have to sacrifice/All the things we love.”
22. “American Crazy” by Brothers Osbourne — Patriotic country songs
This upbeat country tune sends the message that no matter who we are and what our differences might be, we all have more in common than we might think.
“Straight A's and drop-outs, up north, and down south/We all bleed the same blood/Paycheck to paycheck, sun up to sunset/We're lovers and leavers, and we're sinners and believers/And we're lost, we're found, we're up, and we're down/We're all just American crazy.”
23. “American Style” by Old Dominion — Patriotic country songs
“American Style” by Old Dominion is the perfect song for your Fourth of July barbecue. The upbeat, summery sound pairs perfectly with the lyrics that paint a picture of things we associate with America, from fireworks to baseball.
“Yeah, it's Ferris wheels and firecrackers/Red Corvettes and big green tractors/Happy ever after in American style/Rock and roll and peace and love/And breaking in your baseball glove/Ain’t ever gonna go out of American style/American style (I got)/American style (You got)/We're never gonna go out of American style.”
24. “Color Me America” by Dolly Parton — Patriotic country songs
While not one of her most well-known tunes, Dolly Parton’s “Color Me America” is a patriotic song full of pride in her country. In it, she sings, “I'm red and white and blue, these are colors that ring true/To all I am and feel and love and do/I stand proud and brave and tall, I want justice for us all/So color me America, red, white and blue.”
25. “Mr. Red White and Blue” by Coffey Anderson and Drew Jacobs
On “Mr. Red White and Blue,” Coffey Anderson and Drew Jacobs pay tribute to the men and women who serve every day, risking their lives and leaving their families and loved ones behind to fight for our freedom.
The lyrics paint a poignant picture: “It's the pledge of allegiance on the fourth of July/It's them hand written letters from home/It's the sleepless nights alone/It's his new born baby he left with his wife.”
Read on for more fantastic playlists!
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