{"id":39,"date":"2013-07-04T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-07-04T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ethanlewis.org\/icarus\/2013\/07\/04\/playlists-posts-2-songs-for-americas-birthday\/"},"modified":"2019-04-01T14:27:12","modified_gmt":"2019-04-01T18:27:12","slug":"playlists-posts-2-songs-for-americas-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.ethanlewis.org\/icarus\/2013\/07\/04\/playlists-posts-2-songs-for-americas-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"Playlists Posts #2: Songs for America’s Birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I’ve written about music before in this space, and those posts have proven to be among the most popular. \u00a0As of this week, my post on guitar solos <\/a>has received over 230 hits, my post on songs about the radio <\/a>has over 380 hits, and my post on the album Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs<\/i><\/a>\u00a0has been viewed over 1250 times. \u00a0Based on this success, I am returning with a timely post for today: songs \u00a0with titles that have something to do with America’s birthday. \u00a0The songs below are not necessarily “patriotic” and they do not necessarily relate to the United States, but their titles make them perfect for listening to today. \u00a0Let me know if I’ve missed any of your favorite tunes in the comments. \u00a0Happy listening, and Happy Birthday America!<\/span><\/div>\n
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#1: “Fourth of July”–Dave Alvin<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
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The first song on this list is by one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Dave Alvin<\/a>. \u00a0Alvin, who is almost invariably referred to as “Dave Alvin, formerly of the Blasters<\/a>“, even though he hasn’t been part of that group for decades, released this song on his first solo record, Romeo’s Escape<\/i>\u00a0in 1987. \u00a0The lyrics paint the picture of a relationship falling apart, and the singer is grasping at whatever he can to salvage things:<\/span><\/p>\n

She gives me her cheek<\/span>
\nWhen I want her lips<\/span>
\nAnd I don’t have the strength to go.<\/span>
\nOn the lost side of town, in a dark apartment<\/span>
\nWe gave up trying so long ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

On the steps I smoke a cigarette alone<\/span>
\nThe Mexican kids are shooting fireworks below.<\/span>
\nHey baby, it’s the Fourth of July<\/span>
\nHey baby, it’s the Fourth of July.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Whatever happened I apologize<\/span>
\nSo dry your tears and baby walk outside<\/span>
\nIt’s the Fourth of July.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This video<\/a> comes from a performance on Austin City Limits<\/i>, and features some nice solos from Alvin and steel guitar wizard Greg Leisz:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n