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Help me build my “woke” Fourth of July playlist
As the holiday comes up, I’m building a tongue-in-cheek party playlist that speaks to the full color of this beautiful country we Americans call home.
I’m kicking it off with these songs, but what would you add to this playlist?
- Uncle Sam Goddamn by Brother Ali
- This is America by Childish Gambino
- National Anthem by Lana Del Rey
- American Pie by Shea Diamond
- Holiday / Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
- Know Your Enemy by Rage Against the Machine
- Gentrify by Propoganda
What songs would you add to this playlist? I’ll add songs to my playlist as we go!
There’s a couple classics that are designed to be ironic, but that just seems to be ignored by the F150s with confederate flags blasting them down the highways. Namely “Born in the USA” by Springsteen. I’ve also seen “Fortunate Son” by Credence Clearwater Revival played in similar circumstance, which is especially funny because that song is just outright angry rather than hiding anything behind irony.
This Land Is Your Land is in that category too. Everyone remembers the first verse that's all "ooh pretty landscapes" and forgets the parts that make it clear it's sarcasm from a communist.
Not even a Bruce fan but born in the USA is what came to mind immediately. It's played like a kick ass ode to America but really is social commentary on how poorly we treat our vets.
Tangentially related but not ironic is Metallica "One". Same message and not dinner party music, but quite a banger for a BBQ.
"Ohio" by Neil Young and "times they are a changin" by Dylan might fit the bill here also.
Lastly I know you have the Lana dey Rey version on your list, but the hendrix Woodstock star spangled banner is the most quintessential 4th if July I can possibly think of
Rockin’ in the Free World by Neil Young should definitely be on this list.
Oo I like that. I love Killing in the Name by rage - which wasn’t made to be ironic but many seem to miss the message. But it unfortunately ain’t really good dinner party music so I’m going to leave it off the playlist.
Grilling in the name of...
I'd also leave Wake Up off of the list. It is what it is, but what it is ain't party music.
Tbf playing songs that are meant to be critical of your side with pride is a time honored tradition.
Play Born in the U.S.A. (Introduction, Pt. 1) & (Introduction, Pt. 2) off Springsteen on Broadway before the song and even the most innocent listener cant miss the intent of that song.
Punk:
Kill the Poor and Stars and Stripes of Corruption Dead Kennedys
Fuck the Flag Anti-Flag
Franco Un-American and The Idiots Are Taking Over NOFX
Fuck America Choking Victim
And one more that isn't punk:
Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore John Prine
I’ll also add ’Merican by The Descendents to this list
Oooh plus one for John Prine!
"While digesting readers digest in the back of a dirty book store"
Every one of these were the first to come to mind after I read OPs list. Great work!
What are thoughts on "Die For Your Government" by Anti-Flag being added?
Absolute banger, its amazing live because they used to bring their instruments into the crowd to play (I think that honor is reserved for Brandenburg Gate these days).
The one that came first to mind when I saw the title is Stars and Stripes by Anti-Flag. Another honorary mention that came to mind after I read the top comment of this thread is We Called It America by NOFX.
Edit:
American Jesus - Bad Religion is also an amazing choice, from a comment down below.
Mmm American Jesus is also perfect. They really nailed the future with that, and The Idiots Are Taking Over.
"Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)
"American Idiot" by Green Day (2004)
"Born in the U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen (1984)
"Masters of War" by Bob Dylan (1963)
"Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1970)
"Fight the Power" by Public Enemy (1989)
And within the last decade?
"Formation" by Beyoncé (2016)
"Alright" by Kendrick Lamar (2015)
"Glory" by Common and John Legend (2014)
"American Oxygen" by Rihanna (2015)
All these songs are critical of America.
I've run into rather a lot of stuff that's on topic for this while cratedigging. Musicians have been getting generally more pissed off every year since 2018 and it's glorious. I think we've dropped the concept of a 'protest song' though, because that makes people think of whiny folk music from the 60s. Now it's 'socon' or socially conscious music.
This list is fantastic. I'm really enjoying the vibes. Thank you!
My pleasure. I'll look forward to reviewing your entire playlist. I have some friends coming over for the 4th and I think I'll put your setlist on for the bonfire. :)
Franco un-american NOFX
Don’t forget
A few years ago, I made a 25-song “America” playlist as part of a group challenge. I really liked where I got with it:
This Is America - Childish Gambino
Bolt Cutter - Doomtree
Close Your Eyes (And count to fuck)- Run The Jewels
Cold Cash and Colder Hearts - Thrice
American Jesus - Bad Religion
Bleed American - Jimmy Eat World
Do-Re-Mi - Woody Guthrie
The Happiest Place on Earth - Desaparecidos
Welcome to the Terrordome - Public Enemy
Americans - Janelle Monae
Superstitious - Stevie Wonder
I’m Afraid of Americans - David Bowie
A More Perfect Union - Titus Andronicus
Breakdance Beach - Hail Mary Mallon
We Shall Not Be Moved - Mavis Staples
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - Gil Scott-Heron
We The People… - A Tribe Called Quest
Fuck Tha Police - NWA
American Hearts - AA Bondy
When The President Talks to God - Bright Eyes
Pussygrabber - Genital Panic
Nazi Punks Fuck Off - Dead Kennedys
Song #1 - Fugazi
yankee and the brave - Run The Jewels
I’m So Bored With the USA - The Clash
In this order, it’s a pretty solid flow (I think). Am I allowed to share Spotify links here? If yes, I’m happy to do so, save you some time…
A heavier song I haven't seen here yet is "State of the Union" by Rise Against.
Absolutely, please share the playlist. :)
Here you go!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0txev2Uu2jxJC8zqXTwUp2?si=NKEL-ib1QLyO1n9FoI0wcQ
We The People... by a Tribe Called Quest
Lift Yourself 2
Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)
JU$T - Run The Jewels
Long Violent History - Tyler Childers
This Land - Gary Clark Jr
JU$T from RTJ is so damn good.
I don't think this belongs on your playlist sound-wise as it's slow tempo and morose and frankly nobody would want to listen to it at any sort of gathering, but I'm sharing it for the thematic fit.
Father John Misty - Bored In The USA
I always enjoyed this live performance in particular.
I LOVE this song!
Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - Winter In America
Public Enemy - By The Time I Get To Arizona
Living Colour - Which Way To America?
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - What If We All Stopped Paying Taxes
Frank Zappa and the Mothers - Trouble Every Day
Steve Earle - Copperhead Road (lyrics)
about a man whose father and grandfather illegally distilled moonshine.
he volunteered to fight in Vietnam (because "they draft the white trash first round here anyway")
when he gets back, he has the idea of growing marijuana on that same property where they used to make moonshine.
the DEA comes around looking for his grow op...and he fights them using guerrilla tactics he learned in Vietnam.
Bob Dylan - Hurricane (lyrics)
the story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer who was falsely accused of a murder in New Jersey and imprisoned for 20 years before being exonerated.
Johnny Cash - The Ballad of Ira Hayes (lyrics)
about Ira Hayes, a Native American who fought in the Marines in WW2 and is one of the men in the famous Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima photograph. he died in 1955 after suffering from PTSD and alcoholism.
Rush - Subdivisions (lyrics)
yes, I am including a Canadian band on this list, and there's nothing you can do about it
about how much the suburbs suck ("nowhere is the dreamer or the misfit so alone")
A few ideas (I've already voted on a bunch up top that are great! Gary Clark, RTJ, Zappa)
USA by Jeff Rosenstock
This is Not America, by Residente. Warning...the video is intense.
A section that pinpoints the reason for the title:
My rough translation (not word for word, but this is me trying to get the tone across):
Finally, John Brown's Body fits the playlist the least, because it's the most patriotic sounding, but it's about John Brown, so I think it's at least conceptually adjacent.
Fuck yeah John Brown. Going to tour Harpers Ferry in a few days, pretty excited
Hell yeah! I just went there a few months back, and it was absolutely worth the trip!
Amerika by Rammstein is a good one.
America, FUCK YEAH; theme from Team America.
Walking in the Snow by Run The Jewels
Reagan by Killer Mike
Neither is ironic or subtle haha
This list is going to be all over the place, but let's see.
Hero of War by Rise Against.
Jesus of Suburbia by Green Day. (American Idiot is more overt, of course, but that goes past ironic into just regular criticism)
One that I haven’t seen elsewhere in the thread yet is “Land of the Free” by The Killers.
Then on a more uplifting note there’s “Blueneck” by Chris Housman.
For a relaxed party atmosphere, the entire album "I'm wide awake, it's morning" from Bright Eyes is a great choice. It was written in the Bush era and the Iraq war, and draws on the folk protest traditions of Woody Guthrie. Every song is easy to have on in the background, and is still a beautiful lyrical protest that remains relevant.
I'd swap Know Your Enemy with Take the Power Back, and add add Eyeless by Skipknot. And I second everything @zhanteimi said.
Ghost of Tom Joad, Coal miners Daughter, Ballad of John Henry, 16 tons, Erie Canal, Bread and Roses,Brother Can you Spare a Dime, King of the Road,Check out the song Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out. There are many many versions of the song!
I’m particularly partial to the 1929 Bessie Smith Version.
But really love the Nina Simone version also.
Joywave - “Buy American”
Origami Angel - “My PG County Summer”
MARINA - “New America”
MAN ON MAN - “I Feel Good”
Americans are living like troglodytes by David Byrne
Woodie Guthrie - This Land Is Your Land
Public Enemy - 911 Is A Joke
Public Enemy - Fight The Power
The Beatles - Back in the USSR
The Coup definitely deserves to be included. "My Favorite Mutiny" is my favorite of theirs: Spotify YouTube Lyrics
You'd be remiss to forget about Asshole by Denis Leary!
For the RATM lovers, make sure not to miss Prophets of Rage.
Their self-titled album is one of my top 5 albums.
You like Metal? Probably not, but here goes
Warbringer - Off With Their Heads
Off with their heads!
Those who have lied
To us about the past
They lied about tomorrow
They promised us a future
Brought only pain and sorrow
Liars!
Metallica - ...And Justice for All
Lady Justice has been raped
Truth assassin
Rolls of red tape seal your lips
Now you’re done in
Their money tips her scales again
Make your deal
Just what is truth? I cannot tell
Cannot feel
Testament - Greenhouse Effect
Fools the ones who stray, the rain forest burns away
Know what to believe, this is the air we breathe
So the world we know is dying slow in south america
Flames are burning down, all the trees to the ground
Time is running low, we can't stay no more
Wealth these people see, fight for eternity
Lies they televise paid by the government
There on! it lingers on
And they don't even care if they...
Plenty more, but I'll leave it there for now.
Some of these might work -
Rage Against the Machine - Sleep Now in the Fire (Rap-Metal, Hard Rock)
dead prez - I'm a African (Alt Rap)
Quetzal - Migra (Latin Pop/Rock)
Antibalas - War Hero (Afro-Beat)
Sones de Mexico Ensemble - Esta Tierra Es Tuya (Woody Guthrie's folk 'This Land is Your Land' in Spanish and set to a Norteño sound)
A Tribe Called Red, feat. Buffy Sainte-Marie - Working for the Government (Progressive Folk)
G.L.O.S.S. - Give Violence a Chance (Punk)
Xenia Rubinos - Mexican Chef (Indie Rock, Pop Rock)
Ani DiFranco - Play God (Alt Folk)
Azam Ali - Hope (New Age)
Sade - When Am I Going to Make a Living (Pop Rock)
Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth (Folk Rock)
System of the Down - Boom! (Nu Metal)
Johnny Cash - The Man in Black (Country)
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (Progressive Soul)
Bob Dylan - The Times They Are a-Changin' (Folk)
Party in the CIA by Weird Al
Another classic in the same mode as "Born in the USA" - in other words, a criticism so subtle that conservatives often mistake it for praise - Pink Houses by John Mellencamp.
Beast by Nico Vega
I Should Be Proud by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Wavin' Flag by K'naan -- technically about Somalia, but counts for your use case because K'naan had to C&D Mitt Romney's presidential campaign for using it without permission, just like every other republican presidential campaign that tries to use popular music. You think they'd ask themselves why they keep being told they're misrepresenting the artists by doing that.
American Attraction by Anti-Flag
And this version of Digital Blackout by Anti-Flag. Definitely worth the watch.
Adam Freeland - We want your soul
If You Tolerate This, Your Children Will Be Next
Phil Ochs - Love Me, I'm a Liberal
Love Me, I'm a Liberal, 2022, new words by Ben Grosscup
Immigraniada - Gogol Bodello
America - Neil diamond
They Don't Care About Us - Michael Jackson (Spotify)
Baltimore - Prince (Spotify)
The Fugs - Wide Wide River
IDLES - Danny Nedelko
Written by a British band about the UK, but I think the message applies to America as well. It's also an absolute banger.
Fuck the FCC by Steve Earle
A bunch of Anaïs Mitchell songs would fit, but Young Man in America and Why We Build the Wall are the first two that come to mind. The former is subtler than the latter, but the latter doesn't mention America by name if that matters to you.
On a very very different note, Rammstein's Amerika. Most of the lyrics are in German, though.
Obligatory “American Jesus” by Bad Religion, since I somehow haven’t seen that one mentioned.
The Keepers - Santigold
... almost any rap song from the 90s, 00s.
Untitled - Nas
Off the top of my head...
Gil Scott-Heron - Winter in America
Gil Scott-Heron - H2ogate blues
Gil Scott-Heron - Whitey on the Moon
Gil Scott-Heron - Get Out Of The Ghetto Blues
Nina Simone - I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free (or the more modern cover by Bahghi)
Donny Hathaway - Someday We'll All Be Free (or one of the many, many covers)
Eddie Kendricks - My People... Hold On
Marlena Shaw - Woman of the Ghetto
Esperanza Spalding - Land of the Free
And maybe Carl Bean - I Was Born This Way
Feel like I know a lot more that could maybe fit, but my mind isn't in the right place right now.
ETA: How could I not mention "Curtis Mayfield - (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below, We're All Gonna Go"?
Blink - Blue Scholars