Must-Hear, All-American 🇺🇸 Songs, Pt. 2 | Playlist 🎧

Must-Hear, All-American 🇺🇸 Songs, Pt. 2 features music by Beyoncé, Cole Redding, Estelle, Green Day, and Ray Charles.  

After more than five years, it’s time to celebrate all-American songs again! Sure, we recently finished Celebrating The United States 🇺🇸 Through Song (select cities and states) but the songs didn’t necessarily feature America… in their titles. Must-Hear, All-American 🇺🇸 Songs, Pt. 2 is the long-awaited sequel to 15 Must-Hear, All-American Songs (2019). Must-Hear, All-American 🇺🇸 Songs, Pt. 2 features music by Beyoncé, Cole Redding, Estelle, Green Day, and Ray Charles. So, without further ado, won’t you join The Musical Hype in celebrating America 🇺🇸 with these must-hear, All-American 🇺🇸 Songs?

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~ Table of Contents ~

1. Charles Bradley, “God Bless America”

2. Beyoncé, “AMERIICAN REQUIEM”

3. Cole Redding, “Gay Americana”

4. SNOW WIFE, “AMERICAN HORROR SHOW”

5. Mad Tsai, “All-American Bitch!”

6. Olivia Rodrigo, “all-american bitch”

7. Green Day, “The American Dream Is Killing Me”

8. Taylor Swift, “The last great American dynasty”

9. Prince, “Welcome 2 America”

10. Sufjan Stevens, “America”

11. Estelle, “American Boy”

12. The 1975, “Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America”

13. Bruce Springsteen, “American Skin (41 Shots)”

14. Ray Charles, “America The Beautiful”

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1. Charles Bradley, “God Bless America”

Changes // Daptone // 2016

“Hello / This is Charles Bradley / A brother that came from the hard licks of life / That knows that America is my home.” Charles Bradley (1948 – 2017) –  the Screaming Eagle Of Soul – was a talented, talented man.  Despite experiencing the hard licks of life,  he eventually overcame and became a critically acclaimed solo artist signed to Daptone. “God Bless America” appears as the introductory record on his 2016 album, Changes, which is led by his marvelous, reinterpretation of the Black Sabbath gem, “Changes”.  Before he wows on “Changes,” or begins singing the familiar lyrics and melody of the patriotic record at hand, Bradley provides spoken commentary about his life and his appreciation and love for America. 

“America, you’ve been real honest, hard, and sweet to me / But I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Bradley asserts in the intro, later adding, “America represents love for all humanity and the world / I say it from my heart.” From there, Bradley, his backing band (Menahan Street Band), and backing vocalists (Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens) bless us with just a taste of the Irving Berlin patriotic gem.  Rest assured, the Screaming Eagle Of Soul makes the most of this short but utterly inspired record.  Think of this as the churchy, soulful edition. 

“God bless America 

My home, sweet home 

God bless America 

My home, sweet home.”  

  Appears in 🔻:

• Charles Bradley, God Bless America: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 37 (2022) 

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2. Beyoncé, “AMERIICAN REQUIEM”

COWBOY CARTER // Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia // 2024

“American Requiem / Them big ideas (Yeah), are buried here (Yeah) / Amen.” “AMERIICAN REQUIEM” is the first track from COWBOY CARTER, one of the most buzzed-about albums of 2024. COWBOY CARTER is the second part of the Renaissance trilogy by Grammy-winning superstar, Beyoncé.  With RENAISSANCE embracing dance, COWBOY CARTER embraces country music. Beyoncé makes a bold opening statement.  It commences slowly with stunning, harmonized vocals that give chills.  Following the intro, “AMERIICAN REQUIEM” establishes itself as a distinct, experimental track.  It incorporates plenty of country music cues, particularly with the presence of guitars, but it’s also distinctly Beyoncé.  There are lots of cooks in the kitchen that make “AMERIICAN REQUIEM” possible. Beyoncé produces alongside Jon Batiste, Camaron Ochs (Cam), Tyler Johnson, Derek Dixie, No I.D., and Khirye Tyler.

With the shift post-intro, it shouldn’t be surprising that sampling comes into play. “AMERIICAN REQUIEM” samples Jay-Z (“Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love) – Live”) and Buffalo Springfield (“For What It’s Worth”).  With the Buffalo Springfield sample going strong, Beyoncé sings in her lower register.  The form seems nebulous initially, but things settle in eventually.  Beyoncé asks lots of questions relating to how she’s perceived as a black woman and as an artist.  “Can you hear me? (Huh) / Or do you fear me? (Ow),” later asking, “Can you stand me? /… Can we stand?” She addresses the adversity she’s faced and criticism, specifically for recording country music (remember “Daddy Lessons” from Lemonade) as well as being a ‘country’ girl:

“The grandbaby of a moonshine man

Gadsden, Alamaba

Got folk down in Galveston, rooted in Louisiana

Used to say I spoke too country

And the rejection came, said I wasn’t country ‘nough.”

Lots to unpack, which is a reason why “AMERIICAN REQUIEM” is brilliant. “AMERIICAN REQUIEM” closes much like it began, returning to those lush, high-flying, harmonized vocals.  Perhaps more meaningful is the text: “A pretty house that we never settled in / A funeral for fair-weather friends / I am the one to cleanse me of my Father’s sins / American Requiem / Them big ideas (Yeah) are buried her (Yeah) / Amen.”

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3. Cole Redding, Gay Americana

“Gay Americana” // Cole Redding // 2024

“Shy boy with too many secrets / I know what it’s like to be him.” In an Instagram post, Cole Redding describes “Gay Americana” as the song he wished he had growing up gay. In an earlier IG post, promoting the song, he captions the cover art as “MY WHOLE HEART. The scared, shy, self-hating 13-year-old me is real proud.” The handsome, talented pop musician released an anthem that is authentic and moving. He penned “Gay Americana” with Stephan Santa Teresa and Rachel Kennedy. “Gay Americana” thrives for many reasons with songwriting and inclusivity topping the list.  Redding advises this gay young man, “Promise it won’t make the world end / If you say you don’t want a girlfriend.”  This is one example of the freedom exhibited by the songwriting.  Don’t box yourself into the heteronormative world – be who you want to be and live true. In “Gay Americana,” “You can be anything you wanna.” Redding offers up so many meaningful, inclusive thoughts including:

“Put the stars and stripes

On a rainbow flag 🏳️‍🌈

And we’ll fight for love

Cause it’s all we have

We were born this way

And they can’t change that

No, we won’t go back.”

Beyond the songwriting and theme, the musicianship is turned up. Redding sings beautifully and easily on this uplifting pop joint.  He’s authentic, selling the text superbly. The melodies are tuneful, particularly when he celebrates gay Americana in all its liberating glory. The instrumental is fire, incorporating the sheen of modern pop with some classic music cues.  “Gay Americana” is a great addition to any Pride 🏳️‍🌈 list. It’s also an inclusive pop song that everybody needs to hear.

Appears in 🔻:

• 50 Bops from 2024 That Make You Beam with Pride 🏳️‍🌈
• Bops That Pop: June 2024
• 40 Best Songs of 2024 (So Far)

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4. SNOW WIFE, “AMERICAN HORROR SHOW”

QUEEN DEGENERATE // SNOWGLOBE // 2023 

“What I gotta do to find a sub who down to choke me? / Tie me up and hold me down and get a little dirty.” Holy shiitake mushrooms, SNOW WIFE 😳! The singer is bold and unapologetic on “AMERICAN HORROR SHOW”, the seventh track from her 2023 EP, QUEEN DEGENERATE.  She adds in the first verse, “Haven’t tasted boujee spit since homie hit on Thursday / I’ll be there in 30 ‘cause a bitch is getting thirsty.” Damn 😬!

SNOW WIFE doesn’t stop there. She keeps things sexual, mentioning blowing her back out and the skill of older men in the bedroom. Ooh-wee! Later, she sings, “Hey baby / Take a picture when we fuck,” and “It’s a freak snow, baby, I’m a ring leader.” That part seems true! Fittingly, before the chorus, SNOW WIFE is a “stone-cold monster.”  Of course, it’s the chorus where this American Horror Show goes down, in all its grotesque glory:

“I kiss freaks that treat me like an animal

Fuck on me and eat me like a cannibal

I’m miss fish, that Rocky Horror Picture hoe

They call me an American Horror Show.” 

“AMERICAN HORROR SHOW” is… something else.  That’s the best way to describe this two-and-a-half-minute show produced by Stryv, Mac & Phil, Slush Puppy, and Jahs. 

Appears in 🔻:

• SNOW WIFE, AMERICAN HORROR SHOW: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 1 (2024)
• 13 Fabulous, Showstopping Show Songs (2024)

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5. Mad Tsai, “All-American Bitch!”

“All-American Bitch!” // Mad Tsai // 2024

“Why do I feel so jealous? / Of things I know don’t exist / Oh, it’s a self-destructive way to think.” Agreed, Mad Tsai.  There is nothing mad about those lyrics from the second verse of “All-American Bitch!”. Speaking of MADness, Mad highlights his name in the bridge: “M! (a mess but I’m obsessed) / A! (always have to be perfect) / D! (don’t know what is my purpose).” “All-American Bitch” is NOT a cover of the Olivia Rodrigo song from her sophomore album GUTS – it’s a brand-new song. As always, the handsome, bisexual pop musician is fierce AF.  He penned “All-American Bitch!” alongside Nick Lopez and producer, Jason Suwito. What makes “All-American Bitch!” bitchin’– the sugar honey iced tea? The sound and production are a selling point.  Set in a minor key, there’s a celestial darkness.  The songwriting also shapes the excellence.  The lyrics are memorable and honest.  Mad Tsai emphasizes chasing and being “raised on the American Dream.” “I want blonde hair and a new address,” he asserts in the memorable pre-chorus, continuing, “I want a body that’ll make ‘em wish / That their boyfriends didn’t exist / I’m just an all–American bitch.” Ooh-wee! Not only is the pre-chorus great, but so is the chorus.  Mad Tsai brings awesome vocals and a big personality to the table on “All-American Bitch!”.

Appears in 🔻:

• 50 Bops from 2024 That Make You Beam with Pride 🏳️‍🌈

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6. Olivia Rodrigo, “all-american bitch”

GUTS // Olivia Rodrigo / Geffen // 2023 

“I know my age, and I act like it.” WOO! Ah, one of many colorful lyrics from “All-American Bitch,” the bitchin’ opener from GUTS, the sophomore album by Grammy-winning pop superstar, Olivia Rodrigo.  Notably, in the verses, Rodrigo sings with a kinder, gentler sound, even when she curses (“I’ve got sun in my motherfuckin’ pocket, best believe”).  The chorus is bold, heavy, and loud AF – those roaring guitars rock 🤘!  

“Forgive and I forget

 I know my age and I act like it

Got what you can’t resist

I’m a perfect all-American bitch

With perfect all-American lips

And perfect all-American hips

I know my place

I know my place and this is it.” 

“All-American Bitch” is deeper than its immature title suggests. It explores the expectations for her as a young, successful artist, as well as the expectations for women, as unfair as they may be. This is a tone-setting joint.  

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7. Green Day, “The American Dream Is Killing Me”

Saviors // Green Day / Reprise //2024 

“The American dream is killing me.” “The American Dream Is Killing Me” was the promo single from their Saviors, the 2024 by Grammy-winning, alternative collective Green Day. Billie Joe Armstrong is turned TF up criticizing the attainability of the American dream, In fact, following exuberant, loud guitar riffs at the onset, the frontman unveils the honest, tuneful chorus:  “When it’s all double-talk of conspiracy / The American Dream is killing me.”  One of the pros of “The American Dream is Killing Me” is the clear, youthful-sounding vocals by Armstrong.  Thematically, he highlights all the problems that have derailed The American Dream.  In the first verse, he asserts, “Bulldoze your family home / Now it’s a condo.” There is a nice change of pace during the bridge before the second verse, which embraces more chamber pop music sensibilities:   

“People on the street  

Unemployed and obsolete  

Did you ever learn to read the ransom note?”   

Other moments from “The American Dream Is Killing Me” also shine. The instrumental section is a strong selling point. Also, the American nature of the third verse is cool 😎 too (“From sea to shining sea / Whitewashed upon the beach / My country under siege / On private property”). All told, “The American Dream Is Killing Me”, a thought-provoking record from Green Day F🤬CKIN’ ROCKS 🤘!   

 

Appears in 🔻:

• 15 Electrifying Songs That Utterly KILL It (2023) 

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8. Taylor Swift, “The last great American dynasty”  

folklore // Taylor Swift // 2020  

“The last great American dynasty” marks another utterly sublime gem from folklore, one of the best albums released by Grammy-winning superstar, Taylor Swift. “The last great American dynasty” features top-notch songwriting. Swift imparts a compelling narrative where Rebekah ends a great American dynasty or so is the perception of those who knew Bill.  In the chorus, Taylor sings:   

“And they said  

There goes the last great American dynasty  

Who knows, if she never showed up, what could’ve been  

There goes the maddest woman this town has ever seen  

She had a marvelous time ruining everything.”   

Eventually, there’s a plot twist, where Taylor becomes Rebekah, living as she deems fit, yet also being judged as “the loudest woman this town has ever seen.” It’s a fantastic moment on a stacked album – the most deserved of her four wins for AOTY.

 

Appears in 🔻:  

• Great Songs by Women: 3BOPS No. 55 (2021) 
• The Greatness is Legit on These 11 Great Songs (2023) 

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9. Prince, “Welcome 2 America”

Welcome 2 America // NPG / Legacy Recordings // 2021  

In 2021, another posthumous Prince album, Welcome 2 America, was released. It was led by the five-and-a-half-minute funky, ear-catching R&B cut, “Welcome 2 America”. Prince penned and produced this previously unheard gem. Prince is socially conscious, something that has long been incorporated into his music.  He’s critical, opinionated, and skeptical regarding the state of America. For instance, he seems to ‘cry foul’ regarding modern technology, asserting in the first verse, “Welcome to America / Distracted by the features of the iPhone / (Got an application for each of situation) / In other words, taken by a pretty face.” In the second, he’s critical of lying politicians, highlighting their contradictory ways. He questions the staying power of contemporary music (verse three), speaks about faith (verse four), and fame + sex tapes (verse five).  There are both minimalist musical ideas as well as fuller, lusher moments.  Vocally, The Purple One opts for more spoken word.  Even so, he enlists backing vocals that amplify the soul factor.  Interestingly, “Welcome 2 America” bears some similarities to a beloved Prince classic, “Sign O’ The Times”. 

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: April 2021

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10. Sufjan Stevens, “America”

The Ascension // Asthmatic Kitty // 2020 

“I have loved you, I have grieved / I’m ashamed to admit I no longer believe…” “America” arrived as the promo single from Sufjan Stevens’ 2020 album, The Ascension. It is a lushly-produced, protest song.  All aspects of “America” are on point.  The music is nothing short of incredible.  Stevens provides an incredibly colorful palette that makes you forget you are listening to a 12-and-a-half-minute song. The music is as dynamic as the lyrics. The lyrics shape a message of utter disappointment with the direction America has gone –a nosedive – and Steven seems to be angry at God.    

“I have worshiped, I have cried 

I have put my hands in the wounds on your side 

I have tasted of your blood 

I have choked on the waters; I abated the flood…” 

The lyrics are dramatic and poetic, exhibiting the emotions that Stevens feels.  There seems to be a sense that Stevens is not only losing faith in America but perhaps his faith is being tested with God.  Part of the allure of “America” is the numerous spiritual and specific Biblical references and allusions.  Ultimately, it embodies and exemplifies true art. 

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: July 2020

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11. Estelle, “American Boy” (Ft. Kanye West)  

Shine // Woah Dad! // 2008  

“I really want to come kick it with you / You’ll be my American boy.” Ah, those American 🇺🇸 boys are the best 😍! As talented as she is, Grammy-winning British R&B artist Estelle (Estelle Swaray) had one big hit to her name stateside: “American Boy”. The 2008, multiplatinum, top-10 hit was produced by will.i.am. The backdrop features a sickening groove and exuberant synths. Assisting Swaray is Kanye West. Her sole Grammy win came because of “American Boy,” which she penned alongside West, will.i.am, Caleb Speir, John Legend, Josh Lopez, Kanye West, Keith Harris, and Kweli Washington. Mr. West appears in the intro, gassing up the British musician for her big moment.  What’s the premise of “American Boys”? Estelle is all-in on those hot United States boys. Can you blame her 🤭? “Like the way he’s speakin’, his confidence is peakin’ / Don’t like his baggy jeans, but I might like what’s underneath them.” Damn! You could say she wants a ‘foreign.’ Ultimately, “American Boy” is an energetic, fun cut with a great beat.  Estelle sings beautifully, will.i.am drops the perfect backdrop, and West avoids being an asshole (he’s still cocky and confident as hell, though) 😏. “American Boy” remains lit as it approaches two decades in age.  

 

Appears in 🔻:  

• 50 Awesome Boy or Girl Songs (2021)
• Estelle, American Boy: 1 Hit WONDERful 2 (2024)
• Estelle vs. Olly Alexander: Head 2 Head No. 3 (2024) 

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12. The 1975, “Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America”

Notes on a Conditional Form // Interscope // 2020 

“I’m in love with Jesus Christ / He’s so nice.” Matthew Healy of The 1975 isn’t speaking about his religious beliefs as much as the character he portrays in “Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America” from Notes on a Conditional Form. “Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America”  is a deep record, tackling faith and sexuality. The opening lyric comes over as incredibly spiritual – quite Christian.  However, the issue comes into play in the second verse, with the uncredited Phoebe Bridgers assisting: “I’m in love with a boy I know / But that’s a feeling I can never show.”  Why can’t he show it? Friction between being homosexual and Christian. After suppressing same-sex feelings earlier in the verse, she expresses her love for her next-door neighbor:

“I’m in love with the girl next door 

Her name’s Claire 

Nice when she comes ‘round to call 

Then masturbate the second she’s not there.”

“Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America” superbly depicts how complicated queer love is, particularly tied in with religion.  In the chorus, Healy uses a Biblical allusion – faith like a mustard seed (“Soil just needs water to be, and a seed / So, if we can turn into a tree, can I be the leaves?”). Healy desires faith he doesn’t possess, while simultaneously, capturing the plight of a gay Christian who is a walking contradiction. Lots to unpack in “Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America”. 

Appears in 🔻:  

• A Compendium Comprised of 100 Notable LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 Songs (2020) 
• 13 Songs That are Biblical – Sort of (2020)
• 11 Spiritual/Not-So Spiritual Jesus Songs (2021)
• 17 Songs Featuring Self-Pleasure Lyrics (2022)

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13. Bruce Springsteen, “American Skin (41 Shots)”

High Hopes // Bruce Springsteen // 2014

“41 shots / Cut through the night / You’re kneeling over his body in the vestibule / Praying for his life.” “American Skin (41 Shots)” marks the heaviest moment of High Hopes, the 2014 album by Bruce Springsteen.  It’s the most controversial song in The Boss’ catalog. “American Skin (41 Shots)” wasn’t born in 2014, despite the fact it was dedicated to Trayvon Martin, one of many senseless tragedies involving unarmed black men. The original arrived 13 years earlier, inspired by a different but equally tragic incident. Back in 1999, 23-year-old West African immigrant, Amadou Diallo was fatally shot by the NYPD sparking outrage.  Springsteen wrote this song protesting the wrongful death that same year. 41 shots are the number of shots fired toward Diallo. “American Skin (41 Shots)” first appeared on his live album, Live in New York City (2001), but wouldn’t receive the studio treatment until 2014.

“American Skin (41 Shots)” has a chilling, disturbing lyrical tone: “Is it a gun, is it a knife, is it a wallet, this is your life / It ain’t no secret, it ain’t no secret, no secret my friend / You can get killed just for living in your American skin…”  The lyrics that raised more eyebrows relate to police interaction when black in America.   

“You’ve got to understand the rules  

If an officer stops you,  

Promise me you’ll always be polite  

And that you’ll never ever run away  

Promise Mama you’ll keep your hands in sight.”

The controversy, of course, is Springsteen was criticized for being anti-police.  He’s not ‘anti-police,’ but some police officers were unhappy about the record.  They missed the point – it’s about the senseless tragedies facing blacks. Ultimately, “American Skin (41 Shots)” is food for thought, addressing a huge problem in the United States, where more work and progression are needed.  

   

Appears in 🔻:  

• 13 Powerful Songs Where Black Lives DO Indeed Matter (2020) 
• Bruce Springsteen, American Skin (41 Shots): Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 6 (2022)
• 13 Unapologetic, Controversial Tunes, Vol. 3 (2023)

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14. Ray Charles, “America The Beautiful”

 A Message From the People // Tangerine // 1972 

“Oh beautiful, for heroes proved / In liberating strife,” Ray Charles sings in the first verse of his rousing, soulful rendition of “America The Beautiful”.  The tried-and-true patriotic record features the poetic text of Katharine Lee Bates.  Charles, of course, takes more liberties in this interpretation, continuing the obscure verse, “Who more than self, our country loved / And mercy more than life.” He then delivers the chorus, though much like his first verse of this gem from A Message From the People (1972), it’s not the one you expect. No worries, of course, as in the second verse, Charles opts for the familiar, beloved ‘first verse’ and chorus (with a few ad-libs):   

“Oh beautiful, for spacious skies 

For amber waves of grain 

For purple mountain majesties 

Above the fruited plain 

…America, sweet America 

You know, God done shed his grace on thee 

He crowned thy good, yes he did, in a brotherhood 

From sea to shining sea.” 

Backtracking, some other notes must be made about this amazing rendition.  It begins with an exceptional opening snare drum cadence, followed by the addition of horns.  This sets up this uniquely Ray Charles version of “America The Beautiful”. Accentuating the beauty is the organ, which adds a gospel component, and, of course, a signature, bluesy performance by the icon, who brings ample personality to this record.  Celebrating America never sounded better 🇺🇸! 

Appears in 🔻:

• Ray Charles, America The Beautiful: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 36 (2022)

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Must-Hear, All-American 🇺🇸 Songs, Pt. 2 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Asthmatic Kitty, Bruce Springsteen, Cole Redding, Columbia, Daptone, Geffen, Green Day, Interscope, Legacy Recordings, Mad Tsai, NPG, Olivia Rodrigo, Parkwood Entertainment LLC, Reprise, SNOWGLOBE, Tangerine, Taylor Swift, Woah Dad!;cottonbro studio from Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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