What is Memorial Day? It’s a day to remember those who have died in service to our nation and it is a federal holiday that is observed in the United States on the last Monday of every May.
When Americans get a 3 day weekend, they tend to spend it with family and friends, relaxing and barbequing. Even while enjoying a long Memorial Day weekend, we do not want to forget those brave men and women who have served in our armed forces and made the ultimate sacrifice. These top 10 songs for Memorial Day will allow you to enjoy your Memorial Day while still keeping those servicemen and women in your thoughts.
Top 10 Memorial Day Songs
10-Linkin Park “Not Alone”. This song was written for the earthquake victims in Haiti, but it still fits the American soldier on Memorial Day, with lyrics such as, “You go giving up your home, go leaving all you’ve known.”
9-Bon Jovi “We Weren’t Born To Follow”.The servicemen and women of the United States armed forces were definitely not born to follow. They are leaders and should be remembered for all they have done to protect our nation.
8-Bruce Springsteen “Born In The USA”. This Boss song is always good for Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the 4th of July.
7-Carry Underwood “Just a Dream”. This country song will tear at your heart. Underwood sings about a young woman who will never marry her soldier because he was killed in the war.
6-Melissa Etheridge “This War Is Over”. The lyrics and music are haunting yet accurate for the soldier coming home from war, even those not coming home alive. “Tell them I’m alright, I’m coming home. Tell them I’m alright, I am alone. This war is over, I’m coming home.”
5-Foo Fighters “There Goes My Hero”. If you listen to this song on Memorial Day, it’s easy to envision a young soldier or marine heading off to serve our nation. “There goes my hero, watch him as he goes.”
4-Lee Greenwood “Proud To Be an American”. This song is almost as well known as our National Anthem. You can’t listen to it and not be proud of the men and women who have sacrificed everything to defend our country.
3-Toby Keith “American Soldier”. This could be our soldier’s anthem, “I don’t do it for the money, there’s bills that I can’t pay. I don’t do it for the glory, I just do it anyway.” It is a terrific country song to listen to and remember our lost veterans on Memorial Day.
2-Tracy Lawrence “If I Don’t Make It Back”. This country singer sings of friends saying goodbye to their buddy who is about to go off to war. “Boys, if I don’t make it back…have a beer for me, don’t waste a tear for me.” It is a touching tribute to all our armed forces members; those who made it back, and those who did not.
1-Dixie Chicks “Travelin’ Soldier”. This is my top choice for a Memorial Day song. It is hard to hear it and not get a tear in your eye. It will remind you of all of those young men and women, who will never get to finish living their lives, get married and have a family. “Our love will never end, waiting for the soldier to come back again.” On Memorial Day we remember them and thank them for their sacrifice.
Sources: Lyrics.com, YouTube and the authors music collection.
