Any Major USA Vol. 2
This is the second part of songs about the USA, following Any Major USA Vol. 1 last week, to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the federation’s independence on July 4.
As in the first mix, some songs here celebrate the USA, while others are critical. French disco legend Patrick Juvet is pretty uncritical of the US, largely because he just likes funky music. Linda Ronstadt, covering Chuck Berry, clearly prefers the USA to the rest of the world, while Norah Jones’ American Anthem sees the best in the country.
Kim Wilde’s 1981 hit Kids In America is a romanticised projection of the USA as a land of drive-in movies, diners, and a more vibrant lifestyle than what the British record-buying public knew. At the time, Wilde had never actually been to the US.
Matthew Wilder’s catchy The Kid’s American from 1983 mirrors Wilde’s projection. The titular Kid is an edgy go-getter who is determined to succeed at all costs. In the 1980s, he was probably seen as admirable; in 2026, the Kid is likely an insufferable character.
On the critical side, Nina Simone’s Mississippi Goddam and Eugene McDaniels’ Love Letter To America are the most potent critiques across both mixes. Following those, I let James Brown break my one-artist-per-theme rule with his call for reconciliation and common purpose.
Opening track Back In The USA features a few name-checks of places, while a couple of other songs tell of journeying through the States. Simon & Garfunkel’s America represents a road trip on Greyhound buses and hitched rides, while The City Of New Orleans is about a train journey. The latter is included here in a live version by the song’s writer, Steve Goodman. Why not the studio original or Arlo Guthrie’s famous cover? Because soon we’ll have a Song Swarm dedicated to the track.
Talking of road trips, the American Road Trip series of mixes might make for a good companion during this time of commemoration — a coast-to-coast-and-back journey in songs through many US cities in an imaginary itinerary over seven volumes. Every song was about the city or town visited.
Oddly enough, The Pogues could have featured a few times. Their Thousands Are Sailing, a song about Irish migration, was on the shortlist, but I opted for the more obscure (except, maybe, to fans of The Wire) The Body Of An American. Migration is also the topic of Neil Diamond’s America, from the 1980 version of The Jazz Singer. The migrants are coming to America, where freedom’s light apparently burns warm. Different times.
The commemoration of the USA’s 250 years closes with Jimi Hendrix’s rendition at Woodstock of the Star Spangled Banner, which was at once a patriotic gesture and an anti-war protest, with the ferocious guitar distortions representing bombs in Vietnam.
One obvious track missing here is American Pie. For one thing, it’s too long for CD-R capacity; for another, it has been overplayed. You probably already have it in your collection and can easily add it to your own playlist.
There will be many more obvious omissions. The Ritchie Family’s American Generation narrowly missed the cut (it featured on A Life In Vinyl: 1979), as did Madness’ Uncle Sam. I also had The Proclaimers’ Letter From America shortlisted, but I don’t really like that song much. You will doubtless have your own suggestions, which you are most welcome to share in the Comments.
As always, this mix is timed to fit on a standard CD-R, and includes home-of-the-braved covers and the above text in a PDF. PW in comments.
1. Linda Ronstadt – Back In The U.S.A. (1978)
2. David Bowie – Young Americans (1974)
3. Simon & Garfunkel – America (1968)
4. Grateful Dead – U.S. Blues (1974)
5. Eugene McDaniels – Love Letter To America (1970)
6. Nina Simone – Mississippi Goddam (1964)
7. James Brown – Hey America (1970)
8. Patrick Juvet – I Love America (1978)
9. Kim Wilde – Kids In America (1981)
10. Matthew Wilder – The Kid’s American (1983)
11. Neil Diamond – America (1980)
12. Norah Jones – American Anthem (2007)
13. The Highwaymen – American Remains (1999)
14. Steve Goodman – City Of New Orleans (live) (1983)
15. Steve Miller Band – Living In The U.S.A. (1968)
16. The Guess Who – American Woman (1969)
17. The Pogues – The Body Of An American (1986)
18. Green Day – American Idiot (live) (2005)
19. Jimi Hendrix – Star Spangled Banner (Live at Woodstock) (1969)
PW = amdwhah
Thanks very much for the 2 volumes of Any Major USA.
In case you finally prepare a Volume 3, I suggest you could include Randy Newman’s “Sail Away”.
Thank you for these two mixes. Some songs are well known, some are completely new to me. Great !
Some more ‘inspiration’ for a Vol. III:
America for beginners (Latin Quarter)
Amerika (Herbert Grönemeyer)
American woman (Lenny Kravitz)
Americanos (Holly Johnson)
Groove Time USA (Zenith)
Keep on doing this incredible blog ! Highly appreciated !