Music unites people and is at the heart of every culture. Classical music came from Europe. The Native Americans had tribal music. Trinidad and Tobago have calypso music. New genres are often created when new cultures are formed. Flamenco music was created in Spain when the Moors mixed with the Spanish. America is no different. America has been influential in the creation of jazz, rock, hip hop, punk, and electronic. Music resonates within our souls and can even change the way we feel and act. It is important in building a sense of community, and we as Americans are connected with music.
There is one great song that connects all Americans -- the Star-Spangled Banner. Whether we attend a football game or gymnastics meet, the Star-Spangled Banner is always played before the event begins. This is because it carries a simple message about the competition that is about to take place: even though somebody will win and somebody will lose, we stand united as Americans. Every time we hear the Star-Spangled Banner play, we know we are connected to each other and to our shared history as a nation.
When I was a child, I used to help my dad prepare dinner. My dad would often play John Denver, and we would sing along together. Today, every time I hear John Denver, it reminds me of the times I helped my dad cook dinner.
There are now songs that talk about Doctor Fauci, Joe Biden’s Hairy Legs, being patriotic and the culture war that we are living through. These songs also bring people together. Here are a few:
Sad Little Man by Five Times August
Hairy Legs by The Gregory Brothers
This is a War by Hi-Rez, Jimmy Levy (language)
Am I the Only One by Aaron Lewis (language)
Maga’s Most Wanted by Bryson Gray
I Will Not Comply by Blind Joe
Red Bucket Hat by Bryson Gray
These songs resonate with us because we have been through these events together. Songs like these bring back memories and make us feel the emotion of the time. There is a reason patriotic music is played on the Fourth of July, why people listen to sad music when they are having a bad day, and why celebratory music is played at weddings. Music can change our emotions, it can make us relive memories, it can change our beliefs, and it can motivate us to take action.
Toby Keith’s Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue was released in May 2002, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Here are the lyrics:
My daddy served in the army where he lost his right eye
But he flew a flag out in our yard ‘til the day that he died
He wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and me
To grow up and live happy in the land of the free
Now this nation that I love has fallen under attack
A mighty sucker punch came flying in from somewhere in the back
Soon as we could see it clearly through our big black eye
Man, we lit up your world like the Fourth of July
Hey, Uncle Sam put your name at the top of his list
And the Statue of Liberty started shaking her fist
And the eagle will fly and it’s gonna be hell
When you hear Mother Freedom start ringing her bell
And it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on you
Oh, brought to you courtesy of the red, white, and blue
Oh justice will be served and the battle will rage
This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage
And you’ll be sorry that you messed with the U.S. of A
‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your ass, it’s the American way
This song of pure propaganda has a catchy tune, is easy to memorize, and unites Americans by mentioning some shared symbols and traditions such as the Fourth of July, Uncle Sam, and the American Flag. It uses an inferred reference to the Liberty Bell that Americans easily recognize. It evokes our anger by telling us we have been attacked and then provides us with the simple, straight forward solution of fighting back. Anyone who enjoys this song is more likely to support a war effort and even enlist.
Americans today are sadly divided on a number of topics, but we still enjoy many of the same songs. With their ability to inspire and recall the events of our lives, mutually appreciated songs will play a role in bringing us back together. Music is influential, and there is one song that will forever connect all Americans for generations to come. That song is our national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner.