There have been exactly 10 hits reach the Hot 100's Top 10 with "America" or "American" in the title. Those 10 hits give a surprisingly poignant picture of America's vibe check throughout the years.
Hey Matt, quick notes on a couple of these. It was the great country singer Bobby Bare who recorded The All American Boy; a label mistake put Parsons on the record. Bobby Bare had a lot of hits afterward including God Bless America Again, he recently turned 90. Also, the Grand Funk hit came from drummer Don Brewer argued for American bands. Have a great July 4 weekend!
Matt, I was a pre-teen when "The Americans" was on the radio...I remember the war on TV, longs lines for gas, impeachment underway, etc. Actually, the youth I mentor talk about their frustrations with 'the world' today like everything was 'easy' and 'smooth' in the past. Nope. Anyway, I loved giving the record another listen...and found my 45rpm. A great read...Thank you! Happy 4th.
Hey Matt, quick notes on a couple of these. It was the great country singer Bobby Bare who recorded The All American Boy; a label mistake put Parsons on the record. Bobby Bare had a lot of hits afterward including God Bless America Again, he recently turned 90. Also, the Grand Funk hit came from drummer Don Brewer argued for American bands. Have a great July 4 weekend!
Woah, "drop kick me Jesus through the goalposts of life," I somehow missed that Parsons was really Bobby Bare! Thank you for adding these details!
Matt, I was a pre-teen when "The Americans" was on the radio...I remember the war on TV, longs lines for gas, impeachment underway, etc. Actually, the youth I mentor talk about their frustrations with 'the world' today like everything was 'easy' and 'smooth' in the past. Nope. Anyway, I loved giving the record another listen...and found my 45rpm. A great read...Thank you! Happy 4th.
I feel your pain! My own teenager doesn't believe the Cold War was scary. It's easy to think the past was easier--we know how it ended.