Everyone has different traditions on how they celebrate the Fourth of July, whether it’s grilling up a big meal, going boating on the lake, watching a firework show, or hiding indoors from a dire heat wave. In every celebration though, there’s pretty much one thing that’s inescapable: music.
Music is inextricably intertwined with the holiday, from country songs about the good ol’ US of A to music timed exactly to city-specific firework shows. While, most of the time, the music soundtracking fireworks tends towards themes of patriotism, fun, and sunshine, there’s always that moment in your celebrations when your “USA playlist” runs out, and the top song of the summer takes its place.
What better way to celebrate the history of our country than to celebrate the history of top hits for the Fourth of July over the past few decades? It’s a fun jaunt through time that will spice up your playlist and give you an alternative to playing Drake’s new Scorpion album on repeat.
While the last decade or so seems to have similar trends in the top hits, you can really see the transition through genres as you go all the way back to the ’70s. If you’re hankering for more of the top patriotic hits through the years, you can look up past hits here.
2017
Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber — “Despacito”
2016
Drake — “One Dance”
2015
Lost Frequencies — “Are You With Me”
2014
Oliver Heldens, Becky Hill — “Gecko (Overdrive)”
2013
Icona Pop, Charli XCX — “I Love It”
2010
Katy Perry, Snoop Dogg — “California Gurls”
2005
2Pac — “Ghetto Gospel”
2000
Eminem — “The Real Slim Shady”
1995
The Outhere Brothers — “Boom Boom Boom”
1990
Elton John — “Sacrifice”
1985
Sister Sledge — “Frankie”
1980
Don McLean — “Crying”
1975
10cc — “I’m Not in Love”
Oh, and if you need tips and tricks on making it through the rest of the week after your Fourth of July celebrations, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
