60 Songs About American Dreams

Want to take the stage at IOTA  on the 4th of July? Of course you do! Sign-up before June 6 to be a part of the American Dreams showcase. All 8 bands will play one 15 minute set, with at least one original song and one song fitting the theme.

This simmering show will be packed full of hits, classics and fresh originals. Pay homage to American greats like James Brown, Nirvana, Katy Perry, The Beastie Boys and Johnny Cash.

Need some ideas? Want to get your band inspired? Hosting a summer BBQ? Check out our hand-picked favorite songs about our big, complicated country. Some celebrate (Beyonce, Proud to be an American); some criticize (Public Enemy, Fight the Power). But all of them are as American as cold beer and an apple pie.
Listen to the whole thing on this Spotify playlist.

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Portugal the Man - So American
Fun. - The Gambler
Ben Folds - Still Fighting it
Estelle - American Boy
The Decemberists - 16 Military Wives
Regina Spektor - Small Town Moon
White Stripes - Hotel Yorba
Jimi Hendrix - Star Spangled Banner
Green Day - American Idiot

Simon & Garfunkel - America
The Guess Who - American Woman
Don McLean - American Pie
Tom Petty - American Girl
Steppenwolf - Born to be Wild
Elvis Presley - In the Ghetto
The Doors - L.A. Woman
James Brown - Living in America
Jimmy Buffett - Margaritaville
Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom

Demi Lovato - Made in the U.S.A.
Katy Perry - California Girls
Miley Cyrus - Party in the U.S.A.
Kelis - Fourth of July (Fireworks)
Beyonce - Proud To Be An American
Lady Gaga - Americano
Drake feat. Alicia Keys - Fireworks
Mariah Carey - Fourth of July
Madonna - Freedom
Akon - Freedom
Katy Perry - Firework

Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come
Sly & The Family Stone - Everyday People
Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
John Legend - If You’re Out There
Aretha Franklin - Respect
Stevie Wonder - You Haven’t Done Nothin’
Marvin Gaye - What’s Goin’ On
Allen Watty - Hurricane Song

Public Enemy - Fight The Power
Mos Def - Rock n’ Roll
Young Jeezy - My President is Black
Beastie Boys - Paul Revere
Big Baby Ghandi - American Experience
Nas - America
Nas - I Can
Lil Wayne - God Bless Amerika
Kanye West and Jay Z (The Throne) - Made in America
Eminem - White America
2 Live Crew - Banned in the U.S.A.

Toby Keith - American Soldier
Brooks and Dunn - Only in America
Johnny Cash - Ragged Old Flag
Chely Wright - Bumper of My S.U.V.
Waylon Jennings - America
Trace Adkins - Arlington
Lee Greenwood - God Bless the USA
Charlie Daniels - In America
Aaron Tippin - Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly
Neil Diamond - America