NATIONAL ANTHEM

The Star Spangled Banner was adopted as America's National Anthem on March 3, 1931. We sing this wholesome refrain at sporting events mostly, and fun is had by all. The Fourth of July is a wonderful holiday for celebrating American staples and principles such as sports, hot dogs, fireworks, puppies, peace, sky, land, war, buildings, expansion, sex, beer, drugs, art, rock and roll, grills, love, freedom and each other. Today I am pondering upon a more appropriate national anthem for America--with a little help from my friends. (written by John & Paul, perhaps performed most famously by Joe Cocker)

My father has always claimed many songs as personal 'National Anthems'--too many to count he would say. There is Ohio Players, I Want to be Free, Jimmy Cliff's, Many Rivers to Cross, and Otis Redding's Call me Mr. Pitiful, on bad days. The ownership my father practices over these songs is a way of defining his own personality, experience, raising, emotions, principles, morals, and ambitions. Obviously, I am reading great value into many off-hand comments Daddy made with flared nostrils and tears brimming, but I like the idea of personal National Anthems as spiritual touchstones, complements or anecdotes to prescribed religion and practice. 

Lana del Rey released the single, National Anthem, from the album Born to Die on July 6, 2012 breathing yet another meaning into the idea of a National Anthem. In del Rey's twisted, patriotic world of acrylic nails, big hair and painted lips, she herself longs to be another's defining beat. The chorus goes like this: 

"Tell me I'm your National Anthem,

Tell me I'm your National Anthem, 

Red, white, blue's in the sky, 

Summer's in the air and baby, 

Heaven's in your eyes. 

I'm your National Anthem."

Del Rey's lyrics express a desire for someone to beat to her drum or perhaps, act as one beating to the same drum--an idea, seemingly, buried deep in a romantic past. Nevertheless, I urge you, readers, to feel passion for the pulse, riot for the rhythm, and breath to the beats that move you this fourth...ha! And tomorrow let the fourth be with you ha ha! And please, enjoy the suggestions below that I have received for America's new National Anthem...

The New National Anthem:  Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, Everyday People by Sly & The Family Stone, American Pie by Don McLean, This Land is your Land by Woodie Guthrie, Wild World by Cat Stevens, Kiss by Prince, George Michael !, Dear Mr. Fantasy by Traffic, Wicked Game by Chris Issak, basically anything by Cher,  Free Your Mind by En Vogue, I'm Proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free...jk, Love's in Need of Love Today by Stevie Wonder, Rocky Top (for the volunteers) National Anthem by Radiohead, The Southern Anthem by Iron & Wine. more to come!

-Jessica for Mirth