20 Awesome Country Songs about America
A lot has been said about music; some believe that when words fail, music speaks while others opine that music is a language of the spirit. When it comes to country music, Waylon Jennings once said that it is not about the instruments or lyrics, but the feeling.
Therefore, country musicians have been known to make music that resonates with what they are going through. Some have even sung about events in their beloved country. Among the many awesome country songs about America, let’s look at some of the best.
20. America Will Always Stand by Randy Travis
The 9/11 terrorist attacks on US soil sent the country into a panic but creative minds like Travis saw an opportunity to remind Americans never to lose hope. The country singer wrote and recorded the song in 2001 shortly after the attacks.
It was well received, making it to the Pop and Country Charts in the fall of 2001 and winter of 2002. Travis sings that America is still the home of the brave and that enemies will be stopped. Although some lost their lives, their sacrifice will always be remembered.
19. American Flag On The Moon by Brad Paisley
When Paisley’s son, Jasper was only five years old, he learned about the astronauts who landed on the moon. So, one day while staring at the sky, he told his father that he could see the flag and asked Paisley if he could see it too.
After a while, the singer responded that he could. The conversation stuck with him, seeing that a little boy had given him a new perspective. If the American flag could be on the moon, then the future is bright for all Americans. Thus, Paisley wrote the song to inspire Americans to continue dreaming big.
18. Color Me America by Dolly Parton
According to Highway Queens, Parton said she may not be political, but she is extremely patriotic. It is, therefore, no wonder that in 2003, she released an album, “For God and Country” whose cover art depicts the singer in an American-flag-themed attire. In the song, Parton makes a patriotic prayer for America, repeating what the flag’s colors mean to her.
17. America Will Survive by Hank Williams Jr.
Williams wrote “A Country Boy Can Survive” and released it in 1982. The song did so well, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart. When America lost innocent lives during the 9/11 attacks, Williams was among the many musicians who revived hope through music. He transformed “A Country Boy Can Survive” into “America Will Survive” by having the two songs share a tune.
16. In America by Charlie Daniels Band
Daniels entered the music industry by playing bluegrass music before carving out his career as a producer, songwriter, and session musician. He even co-wrote “It Hurts” with Elvis Presley and finally decided to form the Charlie Daniels Band in 1972.
Among the top hits released by his band is “In America” which he described as a show of his patriotic spirit. He even mentions Pittsburg Steelers fans because Daniels believes that the strength of America is in those who work hard in the farms and factories.
15. American Heart by Faith Hill
Whenever you are on the verge of giving up, Hill’s “American Heart” is a sure way to lift your spirit again. She wrote it for the Americans facing struggles as a way of letting them know that as long as they have American hearts, nothing should keep them down.
The singer even confessed that even she shed a tear when she heard it for the first time. Hill was at the time trying to multitask when someone sent her a copy of the song and the message brought her to tears.
14. America by Waylon Jennings
Jennings worked at a radio station when he was only 14 and he learned to appreciate all kinds of music despite the radio program being about country music. He gravitated towards country music and is known for being one of the two artists who started the outlaw movement. Jennings teamed up with Willie Nelson to stand up for their rights.
They felt musicians lacked creative control because record labels and producers controlled the industry. The fact that Jennings was ready to fight for the rights of other musicians showed his character which was further cemented by his songs. As The Recoup cites, Jennings captured the essence of brotherhood in this song.
13. I Love My Country by Florida Georgia Line
Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley released their first single “Cruise” in 2012 and it became the first-ever country single to be diamond-certified. The duo went ahead to release “I Love My Country” and they both fell in love with it the song. It came at an appropriate time when Americans needed to have their hopes revived especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
12. Merica by Granger Smith Featuring Earl Dibbles Jr.
According to Grizzly Rose, Smith fell in love with country music as a kid. He even taught himself to play guitar at 14 because George Strait played one and he also hoped to attract girls. His love for country music led to him writing songs and selling an album from his truck’s trunk. In “Merica,” Smith talks about what he thinks makes America great like the fact that the USA is an undefeated world war champion and the first country to have a man land on the moon.
11. It’s America by Rodney Atkins
Atkins revealed that he is drawn to songs that depict real life. Therefore, it is no surprise that even his songs are relatable. In “It’s America,” the singer reiterates the moments he feels make America great.
He sings about the way people come together in times of crisis to help each other, and also about the people who sacrificed themselves to get the country its freedom. Atkins said that the first time he heard the song on the radio, it hit him as one of those songs you just clench your fist and start singing along to; some even cry when listening to the lyrics.
10. American Saturday Night by Brad Paisley
According to The Outsider, Paisley had created a reputation for comedic songs but he wanted to move far from them. Therefore, He asked songwriters Kelley Lovelace and Ashley Gorley for help to steer him in the right direction. Although they knew the song would be about a Saturday night, they had no idea how to move forward.
Fortunately, Paisley flexed his brain and he write the chorus of what would be “America Saturday Night.” The song is about traditions that make America great and the song did so well that it peaked at No. 2 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
9. God Bless The USA by Lee Greenwood
Greenwood learned to appreciate music from an early age thanks to his mother being a piano player. He was exposed to all types of music and in junior high school he played different musical instruments.
He had formed his band by the time he graduated and when he listened to Elvis Presley’s “An American Trilogy,” Greenwood was determined to record a similar song as soon as he landed in Nashville. Well, “God Bless the USA” wound up as the song, and people have learned to appreciate it as one encouraging patriotism even in the darkest times.
8. Only In America by Brooks & Dunn
Kix Brooks, Don Cook, and Ronnie Rogers put together minds together to pen this song, not knowing that it would carry a lot of significance a few moments later. It was released just before the 9/11 attacks in 2001 after Brooks and his friends were in the woods and realized how lucky they were to have been born in America.
Brooks was taken over by patriotism and decided to write the song. He wrote half the song there and then, finishing up the other half later that night in his hotel room. Dunn upon hearing it exclaimed that it was great so the duo recorded the song.
7. Where the Stars & Stripes & The Eagle Fly by Aaron Tippin
According to Country Rebel, Tippin has always been patriotic and even wrote this song for his album “People Like Us.” Unfortunately, it was included in the album, but for good reason, as Tippin believed it was destined for greatness.
Indeed it was because, after the 9/11 attacks, the country musician felt it was time to release the song. He recorded it in two days and released it on September 17, 2001. The sale proceeds went to support the families affected by the attack.
6. Independence Day by Martina McBride
It took 18 months to write this song because, at first, all that McBride could come up with was the chorus, wondering where it would lead. Eventually, bit by bit, she found lyrics to fill up the song, choosing to tell the story from the child’s perspective.
Although “Independence Day” is metaphorical of the freedom the mother of the child finds after burning down the house with her abusive husband inside, it still touches on America’s history and traditions. The woman torched the house on July 4th, America’s Independence Day.
5. Ragged Old Flag by Johnny Cash
According to Country Thang Daily, Cash had always been a Nixon supporter until the Watergate scandal made him question his loyalty to the president. Upon Present Nixon’s resignation, Cash felt betrayed. The country was plunged into political turmoil. the legendary singer turned his anguish into a song, “Ragged Old Flag.” It was about giving hope to Americans saying that despite the many challenges the country had experienced, the flag still stood high.
4. Some Gave All by Billy Ray Cyrus
America has always been referred to as the land of the free and the home of the brave. Among the brave is the military who keep showing up for battle to fight for their country. Cyrus appreciates their efforts and bravery in this song he recorded in 1992.
He even spoke to a Vietnam war veteran to write the lyrics with lots of empathy for what the military goes through. In 2011, the country singer re-recorded this song after visiting Afghanistan and Iraq and watching the sacrifices of the American troops.
3. Made In America by Toby Keith
In this song, Keith talks about his father who loved America so much that he would not buy any foreign goods. Keith’s father always went for “Made in America” products. He however clarifies that buying domestic products even if priced at a premium does not mean hatred towards foreign countries. Keith even says his father goes the extra mile of showing how much he loves America by having the American flag on his farm and “Semper fi” tattooed on his arm.
2. Small Town USA by Justin Moore
Moore had been in Poyen, Arkansas until when he graduated high school and moved to Nashville. It was not an easy moment for the teenager who felt homesick most of the time. Therefore, he began writing songs and collaborated with Jeremy Stover and Brian Dean Maher to write “Small Town USA.”
He had been in Nashville for about eight months and kept missing his hometown so even the video was shot in Poyen. He thought the song had the potential to be a hit and it was because it topped the Country chart.
1. All-American Girl by Carrie Underwood
Among the many American traditions is the way fathers of teenage boys push them to engage in sports so they can join an ivy league college on a scholarship. Well, this song depicts such dreams a father has for his sons. However, such fathers still learn to love their little girls the same way. Underwood sings of an all-American girl who has her father wrapped around her fingers despite him having wanted a son.
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