12 Song Mix - July 4th

As I have spent the past month painstakingly planning a huge overblown fireworks show, I have also neglected my Dogwood duties.  In the meantime, countless topics have sprung to mind only to be filed away for later posts, for less strenuous times of year.

However, as I drove home this evening making conscious effort after conscious effort to remove myself from the mind-numbing work related details swimming around in my head, "America" by Simon & Garfunkel came on the shuffle and instantly did the trick.  That wonderful piece of musical genius launched me into the creation of this very mix.

Rather than load the reader down with traditional patriotic standards, I'd prefer to offer up some choices with some substance and some unique elements.  Songs for the lake, songs for the grill.  Songs for watching fireworks, and songs for after the fireworks.  Songs for cracking that first iced down holiday brew.  I like to think there's something here for everyone.  Enjoy the Fourth.

 1. Band Of Horses - The General Specific
Pants have got to go.  We're on an island on the Fourth of July, it looks like the tide is going home.

 2. Iron & Wine - Freedom Hangs Like Heaven
And night birds digging until dawn, freedom hangs like heaven over everyone.

 3. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers -
                                                                            American Girl
God it's so painful when something that's so close, is still so far out of reach.

 4. The Decemberists - July, July!
And we'll remember this when we are old and ancient, though the specifics might be vague.

 5. The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang
And here's where we died that time last year, and where the angels and devils meet.

 6. Bruce Springsteen - Independence Day
At night they walk that dark and dusty highway all alone.

 7. Elliott Smith - Independence Day
Everybody knows you only live a day, but it's brilliant anyway.

 8. Wilco - Ashes Of American Flags
All my lies are only wishes.  I know I would die if I could come back new.

 9. American Football - Never Meant
Best friends, and better halves.

 10. Ryan Adams - Firecracker
Well everybody wants to go forever, I just wanna burn up hard and bright.

11. Bob Dylan - Chimes Of Freedom
Tolling for the wounded ones whose wounds cannot be nursed.  For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones and worse.  And for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe.


 12. Simon & Garfunkel - America
Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike, they've all gone to look for America.  All gone to look for America.