There are a few must-haves for every Independence Day celebration – hot dogs, fireworks, ice-cold lemonade, and watermelon. Of course, you can’t forget the music. Gen Xers, people born between 1965 and 1980, are lucky to have grown up on some of the best all-American hits that have become the soundtrack of the generation. From John Mellencamp to Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen to Green Day, a Gen X playlist is the perfect addition to your 4th of July celebration, whether that’s backyard cookout or a day at the beach.
#1: “Born in the U.S.A.” – Bruce Springsteen (1984)
The catchy refrain of The Boss’s mega-hit, “Born in the U.S.A.”, is sure to get everyone’s patriotism going. But behind that dose of American pride are some heartbreaking lyrics about the struggles Vietnam War veterans faced when they returned home.
