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| Celebrating July 4th - My three favorite songs about America |
As your Canadian neighbor, I've grown up on all things Canadian and American. It's always been the music that had me at hello - from both of our countries.
I was a young child in the 1960s, and a teenager in the 1970s and honestly feel for people who didn't get to live in those decades, lol: The clothes, the hair, the music, the tv shows! Before there was internet, bank cards, and cell phones - it was the best!
My Three Favorite Songs About America - Spanning Mulitple Decades
1. America The Beautiful
The first time I heard America The Beautiful was in the late 1960s featured in the movie Pollyanna. The song was sung by Haley Mills, and as an 8-year-old, I was utterly mesmerized. I actually had the album from the film and could be heard continually singing America The Beautiful. Pollyanna was originally a 1913 novel written by Eleanor H. Porter and was made into multiple movie versions. The 1960 Disney version of the movie was the one that got me hooked as a little girl.
Here's a Gorgeous Rendition of America The Beautiful by The United States Navy Band - Enjoy!
2. America by Neil Diamond
This song still gives me chills! Of course, the first time I heard it was in the 1980 remake of the film classic The Jazz Singer featuring Neil Diamond. If you've never seen this movie, treat yourself! The film stars Neil Diamond, Laurence Olivier, and Luci Arnaz. The video below features the final scene of the movie when Neil Diamond belts out the moving song about the American dream ... America.
3. American Heart by Faith Hill
The song is fantastic, but it's the combination of the video with the song that takes it to the next level. The song was written by Jim Beavers and Jonathan Singleton, and the video features Faith Hill along with 10-year-old T.J. Jones performing a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers inspired dance number. The lyrics primarily focus on the resilience of the American heart. It's my favorite country song about America. If you need more songs about America, I've put together a playlist featuring additional country tunes here.
Happy 4th to my American neighbors xxoo
What a lovely tribute to the spirit of the American people and the holiday they just finished celebrating. May they rise up stronger after all these trying times we are all going through. Nice playlist Barbara! p.s. Happy Independence Day to all my American friends and family....
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara. Your selection of favorite songs about America is perfect. Love them all. The Ray Charles version of America the Beautiful is also very moving.
ReplyDeleteOh! How right you are Barbara about the hair, clothes, and music. I'd say especially the music. These are perfect selection, I love all three of these songs.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute to America and a reminder to us all of how much we have to be thankful for. It is a great country and a great place to live. I'm definitely "proud to be an American" (a line from one of my favorite songs about America). And, I agree, the 70s & 80s were a fabulous time for clothes, hair, & music. Bell bottom jeans, Farrah Fawcett hair & collecting albums by the very best ever. Treasured memories for sure! Thank you for the reminder!
ReplyDelete#3 is my favorite! Thank you for highlighting three classic songs to celebrate the 4th!
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