Marge's Mixtape: A Fourth of July Medley

The Scene: America, Get In Me!

If you're like me, you grew up being told that America was the greatest nation on earth. We proudly waved the Stars and Stripes and chanted "USA!USA!" any chance we got. But, as Dylan so wisely sang, "The Times They Are A-Changin'."

We've hit a rough patch. Our economy is down and with it our spirits. America may not be having its finest hour, but I'll be damned if I give up on this country because we're in a slump. After all, we're the underdog. It's who we've been from the beginning. And it just makes it that much sweet when we rally to victory.

To the rest of the world, to those who turn up their noses at Patriotism and to my fellow American brothers and sister I say: America is more than our politicians, more than the wars we fight and more than the petty problems we argue about daily. There are two things that make this nation so great: our past and our people. I think that's an awful lot to be proud of, and it's these things that will make us great once again.

In honor of our country I have compiled a list of songs for this Fourth of July weekend. And when you play your air guitar to "Keep On Rockin' In The Free World" I hope that you'll pause, raise your beer, and remember those who fought, continue to fight and will fight to keep it that way.

The Songs:

Star Spangled Banner

America, Neil Diamond

Born In The USA, Bruce Springsteen

American Woman, The Guess Who

What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye

I Was Born In A Small Town, John Cougar Melloncamp

America The Beautiful, Ray Charles

Sweet Home Alabama, Lynard Skynard

Kentucky Woman, Neil Diamond

Carolina In My Mind, James Taylor

California Girls, The Beach Boys

New York New York, Frank Sinatra

Georgia On My Mind, Ray Charles

Fortunate Son, Creedence Clearwater Revival

American Girls, Counting Crowes

Wide Open Space, Dixie Chicks

X’s and O’s (American Girl), Trisha Yearwood

Back Where I Come From, Kenny Chesney

American Child, Phil Vassar

Take Me Home Country Roads, John Denver

Mercedes Benz, Janis Joplin

The Times They Are A-Changin’, Bob Dylan

God Bless The USA, Lee Greenwood

American Girl, Tom Petty

Rockin’ In The Free World, Neil Young

A Change Is Gonna Come, Sam Cooke

America, Simon & Garfunkel

Our Country, Mellencamp

Ragged Old Flag, Johnny Cash

Back Home Again In Indiana, Louis Armstrong