4th of July Instrumental Music to Get You in the Mood
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Check out these 4th of July instrumental songs to get you in the mood for America’s birthday celebration!
“The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key
sung by Whitney Houston
“The Star-Spangled Banner” is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from “Defence of Fort McHenry”, a poem written on September 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the large American flag, the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the U.S. victory.
“Yankee Doodle”
One of the most popular songs associated with the 4th of July is “Yankee Doodle.” This tune has been around for centuries and has been adapted and re-adapted countless times. No matter what version you hear, “Yankee Doodle” is sure to get you in the mood for some patriotic celebration!
“You’re a Grand Old Flag”
This classic American song was written by George M. Cohan in 1906. It is one of the most patriotic anthems ever written, and is sure to get you in the mood for the 4th of July!
“America the Beautiful”
“America the Beautiful” is an American patriotic song. The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates, and the music was composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward at Grace Episcopal Church in Newark, New Jersey. The two never met. The poem was first published in TheCongregationalist on July 4, 1895, with the title “Pikes Peak”. It quickly became popular among United States citizens.
“God Bless America”
“God Bless America” is an American patriotic song written by Irving Berlin in 1918 and revised by him in 1938. The later version has been referred to as “one of the most performed songs in the twentieth century”, with more than two million performances since 1938.
“The Battle Hymn of the Republic”
This American patriotic song was first published in 1862 and was popular during both the Union and the Confederate armies during the Civil War. It was also used as a marching song by the United States armed forces during both World Wars.
“Stars and Stripes Forever”
“Stars and Stripes Forever” is a patriotic American march widely considered to be the quintessential patriotic song. The music was written by John Philip Sousa and first performed in 1897. The piece has been adapted or rearranged for virtually every musical instrument, making it one of the most popular and recognizable tunes in existence. “Stars and Stripes Forever” is still commonly played at Fourth of July celebrations across the United States.
“Dixie”
“Dixie” is a popular song in the Southern United States, with a history that dates back to the Civil War. The song was written by Daniel Decatur Emmett, a Northerner who was living in the South at the time. It quickly became a favorite of Confederate soldiers, who used it as a marching tune. After the war, “Dixie” became widely known throughout the United States and has since been associated with Southern culture.
The lyrics of “Dixie” are written in blackface minstrelsy, a form of entertainment that was popular in the 19th century. In the song, Emmett celebrates life in the South and pokes fun at Northern “yankees.” “Dixie” is considered to be one of the most famous examples of minstrelsy.
Despite its origins, “Dixie” has long been considered an unofficial anthem of the American South. It has been covered by many artists over the years, including Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
