Merriam-Webster defines patriotism as a “love for or devotion to one’s country.” While people often link patriotism to political stances, it’s more than that. That love and devotion can be tied to America’s culture and history. It’s about a real-life experience, good or bad. We created the most patriotic playlist and used Spotify streaming statistics to rank each song’s popularity. (Some of these songs also appear in “The Most Popular Protest Songs in History.”)

25 – God Bless America

This is a stunning rendition of Irving Berlin’s classic song about patriotism.

• Artist: Martina McBride
• Year: 2004
• Streams: 1,162,140

24 – Song of the Patriot

Cash and Robbins talk about the joys of freedom and life in the U.S.

• Artists: Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins
• Year: 1980
• Streams: 4,884,719

23 – Living in America

It’s a tribute to the country’s beauty and ease of traveling from one coast to the other.

• Artist: James Brown
• Year: 1985
• Streams: 7,869,430

22 – The Stars and Stripes Forever

The U.S. Congress adopted Sousa’s famous marching song as the National March of the United States in 1987.

• Artist: John Philip Sousa
• Year: 1896
• Streams: 8,084,587

21 – The Star-Spangled Banner

Scott Key originally wrote a poem about the bombing of Fort McHenry and music was added after. Hendrix’s instrumental version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009.

• Artist: Francis Scott Key, performed by Jimi Hendrix
• Year: 1969
• Streams: 10,089,727

20 – America the Beautiful

Katharine Lee Bates wrote a poem that became the lyrics for this entry on the most patriotic playlist. Charles’ cover reached #98 on Billboard’s R&B charts in 1976 during the nation’s bicentennial.

• Artist: Ray Charles
• Year: 1972
• Streams: 12,370,715

19 – America (West Side Story)

This song from the musical “West Side Story” is a Puerto Rican’s view of both New York City and the U.S. island territory they left behind.

• Artist: Stephen Sondheim
• Year: 1957
• Streams: 14,225,950

18 – This Land Is Your Land

Guthrie’s song was a response to “God Bless America,” and Guthrie’s observation of how a small percentage of the population controlled a large portion of the wealth and land during the Depression.

• Artist: Woody Guthrie
• Year: 1940
• Streams: 18,091,436

17 – Ragged Old Flag

While it may not be as streamed as others on the most patriotic playlist, this song is an ode to patriotism. It’s the tale of a battered flag and the journey it took over the decades.

• Artist: Johnny Cash
• Year: 1974
• Streams: 22,731,859

16 – The Ghost of Tom Joad

Springsteen has several songs that capture all that America is to some, especially those who struggle.

• Artist: Bruce Springsteen
• Year: 1995
• Streams: 24,157,915

15 – Only in America

In America, a child can grow up to be anything. That’s the meaning behind the lyrics in this song.

• Artist: Brooks & Dunn
• Year: 2001
• Streams: 26,069,928

14 – America

Diamond wrote this song about the excitement and hope immigrants feel when becoming residents in the U.S.

• Artist: Neil Diamond
• Year: 1980
• Streams: 33,523,360

13 – God Bless the USA

The original meaning of this song has gotten lost over the years. It was Greenwood’s feelings after the Soviet Union shot down a Korean Air plane killing 269 people.

• Artist: Lee Greenwood
• Year: 1984
• Streams: 50,424,933

12 – Pink Houses

For some, a love of your country means different things. Not everyone lives in a penthouse, and not everyone makes money without blood, sweat, and tears. This song captures the diversity.

• Artist: John Mellencamp
• Year: 1983
• Streams: 105,452,272

11 – America

In this classic Simon & Garfunkel song, it paints the picture of an American who’s been away for a while. When he returns to America, he finds it’s not the same, and he longs to find a place that’s the same as he remembers.

• Artist: Simon & Garfunkel
• Year: 1968
• Streams: 124,606,187

10 – Small Town

If you’re from a small town, you understand Mellencamp’s passion for his home and all the fun he’s had there, even if money was tight and jobs were hard to come by.

• Artist: John Mellencamp
• Year: 1985
• Streams: 128,899,969

9 – American Oxygen

Think of the U.S. from a different point of view. Imagine being an immigrant who comes to the U.S. chasing your dream and all that America means to you as a newcomer.

• Artist: Rhianna
• Year: 2015
• Streams: 142,654,632

8 – Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)

Keith’s angry song was written after September 11th. It’s something that many felt after those attacks.

• Artist: Toby Keith
• Year: 2002
• Streams: 227,669,970

7 – These Times They Are A-Changing

Songs about patriotism can lean politically, and Dylan’s song does just that. Times are changing, and he’s telling politicians to listen to the people and represent their changing beliefs.

• Artist: Bob Dylan
• Year: 1964
• Streams: 228,736,802

6 – Take Me Home, Country Roads

Denver’s ode to West Virginia paints a stunning picture.

• Artist: John Denver
• Year: 1971
• Streams: 361,359,094

5 – God’s Country

It’s up to the listener to determine what “God’s Country” means to them. It’s a song about the beauty of the land you live on and the people you’re surrounded by.

• Artist: Blake Shelton
• Year: 2019
• Streams: 389,816,018

4 – Born in the USA

Springsteen wrote about his disillusionment watching how Vietnam soldiers were treated when they returned home.

• Artist: Bruce Springsteen
• Year: 1984
• Streams: 496,763,604

3 – American Pie

While this song may make you nostalgic for days passed, it’s a song written in honor of musicians The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, and Rickie Valens, who were killed in a plane crash. McLean sings about driving to the levee that’s all dried up and how music died that fateful day.

• Artist: Don McLean
• Year: 1971
• Streams: 777,527,095

2 – American Idiot

Some may disagree that this song is patriotic. Circle back to the definition of a “love of country.” What used to be known as a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities has become a country where people chant “build that wall” to keep immigrants out. The song makes it clear that propaganda and paranoia are the new norm, and that’s not okay.

• Artist: Green Day
• Year: 2004
• Streams: 1,039,634,635

1 – Fortunate Son

CCR’s song was written when men were being drafted to fight a war they didn’t believe in and some got out of the draft using daddy’s money or political pull. Yet, it’s one of the first songs mentioned on lists of patriotic songs.

• Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Year: 1969
• Streams: 1,520,886,658

I’ve tried to pull from multiple genres. If you’re looking for a more classic list of patriotic songs, check out “America’s Most Famous Patriotic Songs.”