Country music features a rich collection of tunes that reflect on the beauty of our great nation. From songs like "God Bless the USA," "Some Gave All" and "American Soldier," which honor our fallen men and women, to Brad Paisley's "American Flag on the Moon" and Mickey Guyton's "All American," which celebrates American spirit, tenacity and unity, there's no shortage of great country songs celebrating America.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Whether you're planning a curated 4th of July playlist or just want to enjoy songs that salute the USA everyday, we've rounded up the best of the best, featuring tunes from Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and more.
Here's a playlist of the 20 most patriotic country songs.
1. "God Bless The USA," Lee Greenwood
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
At sporting events and on the Fourth of July, only "America the Beautiful," "God Bless America" and the National Anthem get preferential treatment over Lee Greenwood's best-known hit.
Listen here.
2. "Some Gave All," Billy Ray Cyrus
David Crotty/Patrick McMullan
The better of Billy Ray Cyrus' two obvious songs from the early '90's, "Some Gave All" celebrates the fallen warriors and surviving veterans of past wars.
Listen here.
3. "American Soldier," Toby Keith
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Despite having a varied catalog over the past 25-plus years, Toby Keith's name is synonymous with post-9/11 country anthems, thanks in part to this memorable single.
Listen here.
4. "Arlington," Trace Adkins
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Trace Adkins arguably sang even better patriotic songs over the years than Toby Keith. Exhibit A is this moving song that speaks for those who've sacrificed their lives in the military.
Listen here.
5. "Home," Dierks Bentley
Terry Wyatt/Getty Image
One of contemporary country music's best storytellers reminds his fans that while America may not be perfect, it's the greatest nation to call home.
Listen here.
6. "Keep Us Safe," Carrie Underwood
Catherine Powell/Getty Images
One of Carrie Underwood's strongest statements of faith doubles as a prayer for the men and women of the Armed Forces.
Listen here.
7. "American Heart," Faith Hill
Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas
Faith Hill celebrates the tenacity of the American spirit on "American Heart," a celebration of hard-working dreamers from New Orleans to California.
Listen here.
8. "The Bumper of My SUV," Chely Wright
John Lamparski/Getty Images
Fiercely independent singer-songwriter Chely Wright stands her ground on a lot of worthy issues, including her support of the military.
Listen here.
9. "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," Alan Jackson
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM
Alan Jackson made television history and helped a nation heal when he first unveiled one of country music's greatest and most important patriotic songs.
Listen here.
10. "Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly," Aaron Tippin
Jason Davis/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Part patriotic country song and part Tom Petty-worthy guitar ballad, Aaron Tippin never sounded more driven.
Listen here.
11. "Have You Forgotten," Darryl Worley
Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
After a flurry of 9/11-inspired country songs, most stars went back to singing about other topics, but Darryl Worley and Wynn Varble penned a song that captured the raw emotions in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks with "Have You Forgotten." Twenty years later, Worley released a sequel to the song called "Have We Forgotten."
Listen here.
12. "Fightin' Side of Me," Merle Haggard
Beth Gwinn/Getty Images
The Hag plays a character with similar values to the ranter in the more famous "Okie From Muskogee" on this Vietnam-era single.
Listen here.
13. "American Saturday Night," Brad Paisley
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Sometimes, the best way to celebrate freedom is to have a good time. Brad Paisley reminds us of this with some guitar-slinging and clever wordplay.
Listen here.
14. "American Kids," Kenny Chesney
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Kenny Chesney tells one of the better John Mellencamp-inspired pop-country stories with this carefree trip down memory lane.
Listen here.
15. "In America," Charlie Daniels Band
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
We all may be a little different, but -- as Charlie Daniels expresses in this song -- when the American way gets put down, we're all in one accord.
Listen here.
16. "America," Waylon Jennings
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Waylon Jennings added a little Tex-Mex flavor to his best musical celebration of a great melting pot of a nation.
Listen here.
17. "American Flag on the Moon," Brad Paisley
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for The Michael J. Fox Foundation
Country star Brad Paisley celebrates American accomplishment on this track from Moonshine in the Trunk.
"Tonight I dare you to dream/ Go on, believe impossible things," Paisley sings. "Whenever anybody says there's anything we can't do/ Cause after all, after all, there's an American flag on the moon."
Listen here.
18. "Ragged Old Flag," Johnny Cash
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Expect hairs to stand up on your arms whenever you press play on this amazing prose, released by the Man in Black during the Watergate scandal.
Listen here.
19. "Only in America," Brooks & Dunn
Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Brooks & Dunn's high-octane country-rock sound makes them the ideal duo to get listeners pumped up about the endless possibilities for ambitious young Americans.
Listen here.
20. "If You're Reading This," Tim McGraw
Terry Wyatt/WireImage
Tim McGraw sings one of the saddest songs in recent memory from the perspective of a fallen soldier who's left behind a loving family.
Listen here.
This post was originally published on August 7, 2018. It was updated on July 3, 2023.
