American Thoughts and American Songs

Hello, world...

With Independence Day upon us, here are a few thoughts and a few songs about the greatest country in the world. I don't give a damn if you call yourself Republican, Democrat, independent, conservative, liberal, populist, tea party, keg party, uninterested party or party of the first part.

Quote whomever you want, Charlie Daniels "We'll all stick together and you can take to the bank. That's the cowboys and the hippies and the rebels and the yanks" (In America) or James Brown "Black and white, we may fight. But the enemy comes, we'll get together and run him out of sight." (America Is My Home) We are Americans. God bless us all.

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The American In Me - Steve Forbert

If there were true justice to be found in the music industry, Steve Forbert would be a household name. But there isn't; he isn't; and that just makes him all the more special. This video of the title song from his 1992 album features scores of vintage cars from the early decades of America's love affair with the automobile.

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An American Tune - Paul Simon

"An American Tune" was on Paul Simon's 1973 multi-Grammy-winning album "There Goes Rhymin' Simon." The song did not achieve the chart success of other songs on that LP, such as "Kodachrome" and "Loves Me Like A Rock." Yet it stil holds a timeless place, striking a note of the American courage that brings endless optimism in the face of adversity. Simon sang it on the first post-9/11 episode of Saturday Night Live, and it fit perfectly. This 1975 performance is from the BBC's "Parkinson" talk show

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Red White and Blue - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Like any Southern boy, I grew up worshiping at the altar of Lynyrd Skynyrd. They have always been "one of us," and always will. This live clip is from a 2003 Nashville concert.

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American Storm - Bob Seger

Call this a matter of timing. This gem was the lead track on Bob Seger's "Like A Rock" CD, and was used as the brand for his 'American Storm' tour in 1986 and '87. It has been mostly forgotten by all but Seger purists. Had it been released a few years later, during the patriotic fervor of war, it easily could have been an anthem to our troops.

("It's like a full force gale... atop a mountain of coal... you tell your story again and again... and it never gets old... you face a wall of mirrors... you charge tham at full speed... you cover up, you hear the shattering glass... but you never bleed... it's like a full force gale... an American storm...") Though not written about battle, the lyrics fit like a glove.

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America, F**k Yeah! - Team America: World Police

LANGUAGE WARNING: Not for the easily offended

This is from the sountrack of the 2004 movie Team America: World Police. Like the video says, it's a parody. If you're not in the mood for a loud, vulgar, in-yer-face joke, just skip it. But those things aside, it's still a great song to crank down the windows and sing/yell/chant at the top of your voice. F**k Yeah!