THE POP FILTER MIXTAPE

AMERICA- FUCK YEAH!

99 Problems – Danger Mouse

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This song is AMERICA! A DJ (Danger Mouse) took some of the best work of people that are more talented than he is (The Beatles and Jay-Z) and made something artistic out of it. This song encapsulates the American spirit of making pre-existing things better with less work than it would take to create something from scratch on your own. Do you really want an example? Fine. The chili cheese dog. America! – JRN

Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z and Alicia Keys

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Can we get any more American than Jay-Z rapping about New York with Alicia Keys singing chorus? I think not. Well actually I could have picked Miley Cyrus’ ‘Party in the USA’ but I couldn’t bring myself to write a paragraph about that or even willingly listen to that song. I do dig this song though. I fully admit this isn’t the best America has to offer. It does however have enough of an America, Fuck Yeah! Vibe. There are so many references to places in New York and people who live in America that this makes the list. Just watch the video. It’s sooo American. Plus if you were confused about where this video takes place Alicia Keys is there to show you that it is in fact America. New York to be exact. There she is playing her piano in the middle of times square. While they both wail on about NEWWW YOOOOORK, the concrete jungle where dreams are made of.  If this song wasn’t already too played out for you I’m throwing it back in your face one last time. -RC

American Music – Violent Femmes

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This song just tells it like it is; American music is the best. Sure other parts of the world have given us some excellent contributions but as a whole America fucking owns music. Everyone knows foreign artists simply don’t count until they hit American charts. You know how bands are described as big in Europe or Japan? It means not real, not good enough.  Also we’re all about prom and taking lots of drugs apparently. And something about a lake and the moon that I never really understood…but that’s Merrica baby. Fuck yea. – AS

Gold On The Ceiling – The Black Keys

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This song is so America, I can’t even.  Blues rock – check; Guitar riffs – check; Lyrics about gold and stealing – check.  Every time you hear this song I guarantee you will want to bob your head back and forth to the bass and clap along.  You might not always do it, but you’ll want to.  It somehow manages to be both old-school and modern all at once, just like America. -SB

Jimi Hendrix – The Star Spangled Banner

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There is nothing more American than a crazy hippie tripping balls and bastardizing the national anthem in front of thousands more tripping hippies and a couple cameras. -LF

This Is Why We Fight – The Decemberists

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Off their “American” folk album, The King Is Dead, this song by The Decemberists has themes of rebellion and a musical style that should ring true with everyone whose blood runs red, white and blue.  Also I’m pretty sure there’s a steel guitar in there, it doesn’t get much more American than that. -SB

American Anthem – Norah Jones

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America, fuck yeah! I get it.  But let’s bring it down a notch for just a quick second here.  This song isn’t going to be as hard-hitting as the rest of this playlist.  Norah Jones croons along with some light piano music but the lyrics are uplifting and patriotic without being overbearingly so. It’s a song about sacrifice and the American spirit. It may even bring a tear to your eye on this day after Independence Day. -SB