Happy 4th of July….LCMF readers!

The winner of the Thistles giveaway is at the bottom of the post.

I hope most of you are out celebrating today!  But I wanted to jump in and wish everyone a happy Independence Day!

How will my little family be celebrating the 4th?  We will be celebrating by a pool with some extended family and LOTS of yummy food.  And then we’ll head back home for some fireworks in our backyard.

Even though we won’t be attending a huge fireworks show, we’ll be happy at home because when we light our fireworks….we do it to an Independence Day soundtrack.

I mentioned when I unveiled my 4th of July printable poster that I LOVE all the patriotic music I keep on my iPod.

Let’s be clear.
I love music. All kinds of music.
I own an iPod that has over 50G of music ALONE. Not kidding.
So putting together all kinds of playlists for different occasions, is one of the best ways for me to keep all that music organized.
(and if you’re thinking…..”I don’t know how to do that” hop over to my iPod Playlist making tutorial and learn how)

After my printable post, I got a LOT of e-mails and comments and requests for the songs on my iPod Independence Day list.  Sure!  I will totally share.

To start…..

My patriotic list contains almost EVERY song from The Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s album entitled, “Spirit of America”.  There’s just nothing like a gigantic choir singing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” to a fireworks display.  It makes me teary EVERY time.

Also on this album:  “Shenandoah” an absolutely gorgeous traditional American folk song.   “This Land is Your Land” an awesome one for any America celebration.  All the great traditional American songs are there, along with one that makes my heart go pitty-pat “America, The Dream Goes On”.  It seriously gives me chills.

And probably my favorite “Call of the Champions” which is an AH-MAZ-ING John Williams number that was the theme song for the Winter Olympics in 2002.  The choir sings the Olympic Motto in Latin with the symphony….and…..well….it’s beyond fantastic with a firework or two.

But the list doesn’t stop there…no way!  It’s got lots more.  The list is comprised of songs about America.  So anything mentioning a part of America or depicting traditional American life is fair game. “Rocky Mountain High”?  You betcha.  “Sweet Home Alabama?”  All the way.  Will Smith singing “Miami”?  Totally!

Then there’s a few that just seem to fit….like for some reason “Eye of the Tiger” is awesome with fireworks.  And it makes me feel weirdly patriotic.  “Break on Through to the Other Side” is used in the Forrest Gump movie with scenes from the war, and those pictures run through my mind when it plays.

*America-Neil Diamond
*American Boy (feat. Kanye West)-Estelle
*American Pie -Don McLean
*American Ride-Toby Keith
*An American Symphony (Mr. Holland’s Opus)-Original Soundtrack Mr. Holland’s Opus
*American Woman-Lenny Kravitz
*Blaze of Glory-Bon Jovi
*Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy-Bette Midler
*Born In the U.S.A.-Bruce Springsteen
*Break on Through (To the Other Side)-The Doors
*California Dreamin’    -Mama’s & the Papa’s
*California Girls-The Beach Boys
*Empire State of Mind-(feat. Alicia Keys)    Jay-Z
*Eye Of The Tiger-Survivor
*Firework-Katy Perry
*Fortunate Son-Creedence Clearwater Revival
*Freedom 90-George Michael
*God Bless America-Barbra Streisand
*God Bless the U.S.A.-Lee Greenwood
*Good Morning Baltimore-Original Soundtrack Hairspray
*I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man)-Kenny Loggins-Original Soundtrack Footloose
*Independence Day-Martina McBride
*Kansas City-Wilbert Harrison
*Land of 1000 Dances-Wilson Pickett
*Living In America-James Brown
*Miami-Will Smith
*Mountain Music-Alabama
*Mr. President (Have Pity on the Working Man)-Randy Newman
*New York State of Mind-Billy Joel
*R.O.C.K. In the U.S.A.-John Mellencamp
*Rhythm Nation-Janet Jackson
*Rocky Mountain High-John Denver
*San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)-Scott McKenzie
*The Star-Spangled Banner (As Performed At Super Bowl XLIII)-Jennifer Hudson
*Surfin’ U.S.A.-The Beach Boys
*Sweet Home Alabama-Lynyrd Skynyrd
*Top Gun Anthem-Top Gun Original Soundtrack
*Viva Las Vegas-Elvis Presley
*We Are The Champions-Queen

So there you go….for those that asked. My list for America. It’s probably missing a few! And I love suggestions. If you see something missing….let me know in the comments. Then we can all have awesome “Coming to America” lists for our fireworks shows.

Now, without further adieu…the winner of the $25 gift certificate to Thistles.

Brooke

Who said she’d love one of the Rose Rings. (me too Brooke!)

I’ll get your information to them.  Thanks everyone for entering.

And if you didn’t win….don’t worry!

using code “LCMF”

at checkout over on the Thistles Website will get you 10% off your purchase.  So head over there and get the things you wanted.  Yay!