Memorial Day is a U.S. holiday that celebrates the service men and women who have lost their loves protecting America; thank you for your service. To celebrate that, millions of Americans will set up their grills outside and flip burgers while slugging Bud heavies and listening to music. Here are five essentials for your Memorial Day playlist.
Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen: While Born in the U.S.A. isn’t the most pro America song out their (Come back home to the refinery, Hiring man says, "Son if it was up to me", Went down to see my V.A. man, He said, "Son, don't you understand") no one at the barbecue is really listening to the words; all they will hear is “Born in the U.S.A.”. Absolute essential that will get the Bud Lights flowing while you wait for your burger.
When It Rains It Pours by Luke Combs: Country music will always be a good play at a barbecue, but Luke Combs is a must. I toiled between When It Rains It Pours and Beer Can, but When It Rains It Pours is my favorite song by him. Hearing that first verse, “Sunday morning, man, she woke up fighting mad” just hits so nice on a sunny summer day. This ones a party pleaser.
Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl) by Looking Glass: There are two people in this world; people who love yacht rock and people who pretend to not love yacht rock. While country music at a Memorial Day party is a tried and true tactic, you simply have to mix in some of the yacht rock classics. Brandy is a soft toe tapper that the vast majority around the grill or in the pool will know.
Made in America by Toby Keith: “She's golden rule, teaches school, Some folks say it isn't cool, But she says the Pledge of Allegiance anyway”. America and Toby Keith mix together like Jack Daniels and Coke. If you’re having any type of soiree revolving around America, you legally have to put four Toby Keith songs on your playlist. Made in America is one of my all time favorite country songs and is one that makes you feel more patriotic than Obama sending a drone strike to a middle eastern village.
Right Down the Line by Gerry Rafferty: I could have given you another country song for today, but I need to give yacht rock its due. Right Down the Line hits you right in your sweet spot and scratches a musical itch that you didn’t really know you had. I mean when you hear that first saxophone, it’s game over. This might be one that doesn’t get played early on, but one that gets played when the majority of the crowd has cleared out and the grill master is finally sitting down with a drink in their hand.