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\n\tIt is impossible to live in any of the 50 states in the U.S.A. and not know about schoolhouse classics like \u201cThe Star-Spangled Banner\u201d and \u201cThis Land Is Your Land,\u201d but those famous odes aren\u2019t the only way to give a musical shout-out to America. Far from it \u2014 songs about America have been gracing the Billboard Hot 100 since it began in 1958.<\/p>\n
\n\tIn fact, since the country\u2019s inception in 1776, artists have been tackling the complexities of living life under the stars and stripes with songs that both trumpet and deconstruct the concept of the American dream. Just as there\u2019s a lot to be said in the country\u2019s favor \u2014 the diverse cities, beautiful scenery, advancements in technology, culture and of course, music \u2014 there\u2019s also a lot to be improved upon, as several of these musicians point out. Political divides, prejudice and poverty are unfortunately ever-present in the land of the free and the home of the brave, but hey, at least we\u2019re free to talk \u2013 or sing<\/em> \u2013 about what we need to do to fix it.<\/p>\n \n\tNo matter your stance on the current state of things, there\u2019s no shame in being proud of where you come from while simultaneously seeking change. Even that, in itself, is a deeply American value that we can all celebrate this July 4th.<\/p>\n \n\tSo, in honor of the U.S.\u2019s birthday, Billboard <\/em>has hand-selected 40 songs talking about this big, great, complicated country of ours in their own special ways \u2014 from the critical (Bruce Springsteen\u2019s \u201cBorn in the U.S.A.\u201d) to the full-on celebratory (Miley Cyrus\u2019s \u201cParty in the U.S.A.\u201d).<\/p>\n \n\tFind your next July 4th anthem below.<\/p>\n