![]() ![]() Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY. The song touched a chord, and by the following season, it was being played at every game.Ģ4/7 Wall Street is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. ![]() It gained additional impetus in 1917, when it was played during the World Series that year to honor soldiers fighting in World War I. For the next century, "The Star-Spangled Banner" was considered as the country's unofficial national anthem. He reworked the lyrics to the tune of "Anacreon in Heaven," a song associated with a gentlemen's club of amateur musicians in London. Inspired by what he saw, he penned the words to what would become our national anthem. Key watched the bombardment from the boat and at dawn was amazed to find the American flag still flying above the fort. He was detained aboard a boat in Baltimore's harbor by the British Navy, which was shelling Fort McHenry the night of Sept. So were spring-ing to the call from the East and from the West, Shout-ing the bat-tle cry of free - dom. Francis Scott Key, a lawyer, had been trying to negotiate the release of a friend from British troops during the War of 1812. We know the circumstances of how the song's words were written. Since that time, the song has been exalted by the voice of Whitney Houston mangled by the cringeworthy strains of Roseanne Barr electrified by Jimi Hendrix's famous guitar solo and soulfully interpreted by José Feliciano. "The Star-Spangled Banner" became our national anthem in 1931. Author: Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight.If there is one theme these songs have in common, it is their message of hope and the belief that America is a place like no other. Folk singer Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” celebrated the physical virtues of the nation and reminded listeners that America belonged to all of us, not just the wealthy. Not all of the composers on this list are flag wavers. But you’ll also find more contemporary artists such as Simon & Garfunkel, Lee Greenwood and Neil Diamond on our list. Cohan, John Philip Sousa and Aaron Copland. On our list are some of the great American songwriters and composers of all time, including Irving Berlin, George M. We reviewed sources such as the Library of Congress website,, and various lists about songs and lyrics to create our list.Īs Americans, we learn many of these songs – like “God Bless America,” “America the Beautiful” and “My Country 'Tis of Thee” – while in grade school, and these songs continue to stir patriotic fervor each time we hear them. has compiled a list of songs about America’s national anthems and other patriotic songs. These songs are about freedom, liberty and opportunity, about the physical beauty of the country, about the sacrifice our military has made and the struggle to keep the nation united to ensure that the American experiment endures.Ģ4/7 Wall St. ![]() If you believe that any review contained on our site infringes upon your copyright, please email us.When we listen to songs extolling America, these marches, anthems and tunes about the United States aren’t about expressing some singular ethnic identity or celebrating the grandeur of the monarchy.
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