In Honor of Flag Day – Tad Pole’s 5 Favorite Patriotic Songs

Celebrating Flag Day today, gets my patriotic dander up.  In honor of that, here is my list of the top patriotic songs.  You’ll find it a little different form other lists.  If not because of my selections, but that some may not be considered songs, especially the top two.At number 5 is the one that probably tops most lists, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”  It sends a chill up my arms every time I hear it.

Number 4 is the National Anthem or Star Spangled Banner.  An obvious choice and by no means a slight not being number one on the list.  I always thought Faith Hill’s performance at the Super Bowl was one of the best renditions ever, maybe the screaming of thousands of fans after makes it even more special.

http://youtu.be/7yx1t11E3yc

Now here comes the unusual ones.

At number 3,  Kate Smith “God Bless America.”  I have always loved hockey and growing up I remember the Philadelphia Flyers always bringing Kate Smith out to sing “God Bless the USA” before an important game.  They were rarely beaten when she sang and I can even remember their opponents complaining about it.

John Wayne comes in at number 2.  He always seemed bigger than life to me in the movies and when I first heard his “Why I Love Her”, I was speechless.

And at number 1, Red Skelton’s “Pledge of Allegiance.”  Some of my earliest childhood memories are of the Red Skelton show.  For several years as a young adult, I lived in Red’s hometown of Vincennes, Indiana and he was my first brush with fame.  One of my first radio jobs was producing a show starring Red Skelton.  He was a man that seemed pure of heart.