Presented by Budweiser.

July 4. Independence Day. A booze-infused day that celebrates America’s signing of the Declaration of Independence to formally declare their independence from Britain in 1776 – something Australia still hasn’t been able to do.

But we have more in common with American than being colonized and functioning alcoholics. During the American Revolution, many Americans were taken prisoner by Great Britain and sent to Australia to help kickstart the joint after ol’ James Cook spotted the place in 1770.

And, of course, we also share a love of all things pub rock. Which because it’s July 4, we’ll call dive bar tunes.
We’re not talking modern hits but timeless classics. And not the obvious ones either. Just because you put “America” in the title of a song does not make it a good American song!

Here are 10 of our favourite classic American rock songs to help you celebrate July 4 over a PBR, some buffalo wings and a dickload of high fructose corn syrup. Yyyyum!

Bruce Springsteen – Darlington County
Yeah, yeah, we overlooked Born in the USA. Fun fact: Born in the USA is a protest song lamenting the US administration’s treatment of Vietnam veterans. So not exactly patriotic.
But Darlington County? It’s classic Boss and all about getting boozed on the Fourth of July and scamming some chicks.

Tom Petty – Mary Jane’s Last Dance
Too many Petty songs to pick from but this one is considered a Californian anthem and conjures up thoughts of every beautiful girl we’ve ever met and shot. American Girl is a close second.

Francis Dunnery – American Life in the Summertime
A typical 1990s pop-rock ballad. Classic small town boy making it big in LA. And the chorus? Let’s go drink ’til the beer runs dry, American Life in the summertime. Right on.

Kid Rock – All Summer Long
“OK, so the main lick is stolen from a British band but this is the anthem of Redneck America. We dare you to listen to this song and not think about snaking someone’s truck and trying your luck at tuning some strange by the river.

John Cougar Melloncamp – R.O.C.K in the USA
1980s small town American spirit bottled into one song. Even some epic flute in there. And what’s a rock song without random organ? Not human ones. The piano type. Melloncamp is classic US blue collar and this song speaks to batters everywhere.

Don McLean – American Pie
It was this or Lynyrd Skynyrd. And Kid Rock already has the token redneck spot. And hell, this one is just a classic and sums up near two decades of political and social struggle in the 1950s/60s. Don’t let Madonna’s abomination of a remake sway you from liking this song. It’s catchier than herpes. And will stay with you just as long.

Jefferson Airplane – Volunteers
Holy fuck. This song is just the best. 1960s, hippie America. Fighting against the man. San Francisco. A ripping riff. Smashing piano. Get involved, man. Peace.

The Band – The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down
The Weight was an easy choice. But this lesser known rock ballad is a classic and catchy as hell in its own right. The Band originally got their name as Bob Dylan’s backing band when he went electric and fans worldwide revolted and called them “the band that ruined Bob Dylan”.

David Lee Roth – California Girls
The Beach Boys are the biggest selling band in US history. There’s no denying it. And this song is synonymous with the US, California and the American Summer. Yeah, we could have gone with Surfin’ USA but Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth’ cover of this song and the corresponding epic film clip he dropped on the world in 1985 meant we couldn’t leave this out.

Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline
No American dive bar or self-respecting band finishes a night without playing this song at least once. And if there’s one thing Americans will unite on as a whole it’s getting to their feet and chanting the chorus of this epic singa-long. Bah, bah, bahhh!

For a laugh: God Bless America – Lee Greenwood
It’s well intentioned and you wind for more patriotic lyrics. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s a woeful song.

Special mention: Bob Seger: Hollywood Nights, The Eagles: Hotel California, CCR: Fortunate Son, Jimi Hendrix: All Along the Watch Tower, Lenny Kravitz: American Woman, Bon Jovi: Livin’ On a Prayer… The list goes on.

July Fourth Playlist Below-

Talent – Emmaliana Donovan | @_sweetlikecinnamon__
Stylist – Susannah Best | @susibest
MUA – Rachel Sophie | @rachelsophiemakeup
Location – Sydney
Agency – Jaz Daly | @jazdaly_management

Fashion Credits – One Fell Swoop, River Island, Minkpink, Tony Bianco, Bardot, Sol, Paint It Red.