'Born in the USA' boss of July 4th songs
A woeful tale about a Vietnam vet disguised as a rousing anthem is the favorite Fourth of July song for most of the USA.
But in a handful of states, residents prefer a country tune about driving around (with the windows down, natch). And Nevadans, a unique lot, get their independence on to the strains of We Are Young by pop group Fun.
That's what the Spotify music streaming service learned in analyzing Fourth of July playlists across the country. According to data released Thursday, Bruce Springsteen's 1984 hit Born in the USA is the top July 4 song In 42 states and the District of Columbia.
In seven other states — Alaska, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico South Dakota and West Virginia — the most common song on Fourth of July playlists is Cruise by Florida Georgia Line.
Spotify also determined which states last year had the most time spent listening to popular Fourth of July music per capita. The top 10 most patriotic states, musically, are:
1. Texas
2. Pennsylvania
3. Washington
4. Wisconsin
5. Utah
6. D.C.
7. Ohio
8. Colorado
9. South Carolina
10. Illinois
The bottom 10:
51. Vermont
50. West Virginia
49. South Dakota
48. Rhode Island
47. New Hampshire
46. Wyoming
45. North Dakota
44. Maine
43. Tennessee
42. Montana
Here are the most popular Fourth of July songs, as compiled by Spotify from last year's user playlists labeled for the holiday.
Mixed in with patriotic anthems, such as God Bless the USA and America, are a number of songs that merely reference the country (Surfin' USA, American Girl), others that examine the American experience (Jack and Diane, Born on the Bayou) and some that are just party tunes (Brown Eyed Girl, More Than a Feeling).