After careful party planning and kitchen prep, it’s finally time for your perfect Fourth of July bash to begin. But wait – who’s in charge of music?! Your tunes are what set the tone for any good party, and is not a detail to be forgotten. Check out our various playlists designed to keep your party rocking from day through night.

Click here for a complete list of Fourth of July party ideas, recipes, playlists and events! 

I. American BBQ Classics (Classic rock, light metal, country?)
Every Fourth of July deserves a great barbeque, and every barbeque deserves great music. Get your barbeque rolling with some of these classic American jams to get everyone in the patriotic spirit.
Eric Church – Drink In My Hand
Zac Brown Band – Chicken Fried
Florida Georgia Line – Cruise
Mountain Music – Alabama
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – American Girl
Warrant – Cherry pie
Grateful Dead – Sugar Magnolia
Johnny Cash – Folson Prison Blues
Old Crow Medicine Show – Wagon Wheel

grateful_deadII. Drinking ‘Murica Music (Aggressive rage songs)
Barbeque over but people haven’t left? They’re probably celebrating the birth of America with a few drinks. Amp up the tribute with some of these classics by American artists (and make sure you have enough beer to last the night).
R Kelly – Ignition (Remix)
Scissor Sisters – Let’s Have A Kiki
Semisonics – Closing Time
Nelly, P. Diddy & Murphy Lee – Shake Ya Tailfeather
Gym Class Heroes – Cookie Jar ft. The-Dream
Taylor Swift – 22
Bruce Springsteen – Born In The USA
Rad Omen – Rad Anthem
Chief Keef – Hate Being Sober
Snoop Dog – Gin & Juice
TNGHT – Higher Ground (disclaimer – TNGHT is not American. But this song will make people want to drink)

III. American House & Electronica (Only American DJs)
Your barbeque is officially over but your impromptu rager has only begun. Honor the Fourth by leaving European DJs behind and bumping the best electronic music that America has to offer. Enjoy some of these grimy beats from the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.
Skrillex – Bangarang
Skrillex – First of the Year (Equinox)
xxyyxx – About You
Porter Robinson – Unison (Knife Party Remix)
Diplo – Express Yourself
Azealia Banks – 212
Dillon Francis – I.D.G.A.F.O.S.
Flosstradamus – Rollup (Baauer Remix)
Baauer – Dum Dum
Baauer – Harlem Shake

Skrillex is SkrillexIV. American Date Night (Classic love songs)
At this point, you’ve either had an amazing Fourth of July Party or the cops were finally called on your “small get-together” (or perhaps both). In either case, mellow out the postgame and find someone with whom you can share these classic American love songs.
Mariah Carey ft. Miguel – #Beautiful
Jackson 5 – I Want You Back
Beyonce – Love On Top
R Kelly – Bump and Grind
Boyz II Men – I’ll Make Love To You
Method Man & Mary J. Blige – All I Need
Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On
Miguel – Adorn
Kendrick Lamar – Poetic Justice

V. Throwback ‘Murica Greatness (Patriotic covers)
The Fourth of July is on a Thursday this year, and this series of playlists wouldn’t be complete without some #throwbacks. Take a few minutes to listen to these mind-blowing covers of true American classics like Star Spangled Banner and This Land Is Your Land by some legendary artists.
Los Lobos/Grateful Dead “This Land is Your Land” 07-02-1989
Jimi Hendrix – Star Spangled Banner @ Woodstock
Mariah Carey – America the Beautiful
Tyrese & Jamie Foxx – Nat’l Anthem & America the Beautiful
Ray Charles – America the Beautiful
Beyoncé – National Anthem
Whitney Houston – National Anthem
Sinatra – America the Beautiful
Marvin Gaye – American National Anthem
Springsteen & E Street Band – This Land Is Your Land