America Through Music
When folks get together for a celebration there are, in my opinion, three critical needs: Food, beverages, and music. When I revel in my love for America, the latter is very important. Of course, all music commemorates some aspect of my country: patriotism, diversity, pride, freedom, tolerance, faith, allegiance, hope, or any of a nearly limitless and fully debatable (the beauty of the 1st Amendment) list of attributes that define the United States. I collected some in an Apple iTunes iMix (Red, White & True), but of course in the iTunes Essentials library you will find a larger, more varied group called America: Pride (links work if you have iTunes).
Of the 75 tracks in the catalogue pictured above, I have but two in my collection: "God Bless the U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood and "Red White and Blue" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Greenwood song has been on my mind for a few days now, but the latter is the one that really catches my mood today. It's a strong combination of the sentiments behind Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," Don McLean's "American Pie," "This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag" by the Charlie Daniels Band, and their own "Sweet Home Alabama." Look at the lyrics and you'll see what I mean:
"Red, White & Blue"Nearly every value that was instilled in me as a youth by my true-blue, patriot-to-the-core father is in this song. Sure, deep down I'm also an Anglophile, but it is part of my heritage; part of my pride in America. Other parts of that pride are found in this song, and I'm glad that it's part of the soundtrack of my life.
We don't have no plastic L.A. Frynds,
ain't on the edge of no popular trend.
Ain't never seen the inside of that magazine GQ.
We don't care if you 're a lawyer, or a Texas oil man,
or some waitress busting ass in some liquor stand.
If you got Soul
We hang out with people just like you
My hair's turning white,
my neck's always been red,
my collar's still blue,
we've always been here
just trying to sing the truth to you.
Yes you could say
we've always been,
Red, White, and Blue
Ride our own bikes To Sturgis
we pay our own dues,
smoking camels, drinking domestic brews
You want to know where I have been
just look at my hands
Yeah, I've driven by the White House,
Spent some time in jail.
Momma cried but she still wouldn't pay my bail.
I ain't been no angel,
But even God, he understands.
My hair's turning white,
my neck's always been red,
my collar's still blue,
we've always been here
just trying to sing the truth to you.
Yes you could say
we've always been,
Red, White, and Blue
Yeah that's right!
My Daddy worked hard, and so have I,
paid our taxes and gave our lives
to serve this great country
so what are they complaining about
Yeah we love our families, we love our kids
you know it is love that makes us all so rich
That's where were at,
If they don't like it they can just
get the HELL out!
Yeah!
My hair's turning white,
my neck's always been red,
my collar's still blue,
we've always been here
just trying to sing the truth to you.
Yes you could say
we've always been,
Red, White, and Blue
