Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

15 Best Patriotic Country Songs For Memorial Day

15 Best Patriotic Country Songs For Memorial Day
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Country songs for Memorial Day are absolutely one of the best gifts the genre has given to its listeners, especially those who have lost a loved one in war. It’s also a great way to honor those men and women in uniform who gave their lives to uphold the liberty and security of the United States.

RELATED: 12 Patriotic Country Songs Perfect For Your Fourth of July Party

So, to celebrate the impact of our soldier’s dedication on this very special holiday, we’ve created a playlist of country songs that honor our heroes and the sacrifices they make. Here are a few Memorial Day songs you can stream right now.

1. “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood

Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” is undoubtedly among the most cherished ballads of all time. For Americans across the country, the patriotic track still manages to give them chills whenever they listen to it and often brings tears to their eyes. 

2. “Soldier’s Last Letter” by Merle Haggard

The country’s outlaw king has sung several patriotic songs through the years, but “Soldier’s Last Letter” is absolutely among the most touching. Though he had never served in the military, Merle Haggard never missed the opportunity to show his great admiration for our troops.

3. “Only In America” by Brooks & Dunn

Only a few songs could fill Americans with as much patriotic pride as Brooks & Dunn’s “Only in America.” Through a rock-solid riff, stunning lyrics, and catchy melody, this chart-topping patriotic has become a favorite not only by country radio stations everywhere but also by political leaders. It’s been among the most played songs in American culture ever since it was released in 2001.

4. “50,000 Names Carved in The Wall” by George Jones

Country legend George Jones paid tribute to the fallen American soldiers with a song about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial – a wall spanning two acres in Washington, D.C. composed of names of the fallen heroes engraved onto it.

5. “More Than a Name on a Wall” by The Statler Brothers

In 1989, The Statler Brothers released such an emotional patriotic song in the history of country music – telling the tale of a soldier who died during the war and the heartbroken mother paying a visit at her son’s memorial. It’s definitely one of the best songs to honor fallen soldiers.

RELATED: A Tribute to the Top Male Country Singers of All Time

6. “Travelin’ Soldier” by Dixie Chicks

Dubbed as one of the most depressing country songs ever written, the country trio honored the courageous men of the United States military with a heartbreaking song. It will take you on the course of a soldier who fell in love with a girl he met shortly before he was deployed to fight in the Vietnam War.

7. “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” by Toby Keith

One of the most powerful songs released during the September 11, 2001 attacks was Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue,” which was also inspired by the death of the country singer’s father six months prior. The patriarch had a strong sense of patriotism and love for his country.

8. “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)” by Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson wrote the emotionally charged ballad briefly after tragedy struck on September 11, 2001, with lyrics focusing on his reaction to the attacks in the form of questions.

9. “America Will Always Stand” by Randy Travis

Randy Travis tugged at our heartstrings with such a heart-wrenching song. Through the years, it’s amazing how the country has indeed proven that it’s “still the home of the brave.”

10. “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie

This timeless folk song was written by Woody Guthrie over seven decades ago and has been an enduring part of musical history. So it was no longer a surprise when the song is now being brought back to the foreground by various new artists.

11. “American Soldier” by Toby Keith

In 2003, country music singer and proud military supporter Toby Keith released “American Soldier,” one of the best Veterans Day songs to date – which he wrote for all the times he gets to meet the troops during his USO tours.

12. “Some Gave All” by Billy Ray Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus wrote “Some Gave All” himself – which he did after visiting a Vietnam veteran – to pay tribute to those that give the ultimate sacrifice. He re-recorded the powerful track for his 2011 patriotic album I’m American.

13. “Arlington” by Trace Adkins

Trace Adkins has perfectly captured the heartbreaking reality of how war can never be described with justice in this poignant ballad, “Arlington”.

14. “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen did his best in showing that even though America isn’t a perfect creation, it’s still moving, and some people are striving to lead it on a proper path.

15. “If You’re Reading This” by Tim McGraw

This tear-jerking ballad “If You’re Reading This,” from Tim McGraw tells the tale of a soldier who sadly failed to make it home from the battlefield, and the song’s lyrics served as a letter he wrote to those he left behind.

Other Patriotic Country Songs For Memorial Day

  • “God Bless America Again” by Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty
  • “The Ones Who Didn’t Make it Back Home” by Justin Moore
  • “Galveston” by Glen Campbell
  • “Dear Uncle Sam” by Loretta Lynn
  • “Angel Flight” by Radney Foster
  • “Color Me America” by Dolly Parton
  • “American Flag on the Moon” by Brad Paisley
  • “An American Heart” by Faith Hill
  • “Something to Be Proud Of” by Montgomery Gentry
  • “Homeland” by Kenny Rogers

How about you? What are your favorite country songs for Memorial Day?

Latest Stories

Allie Colleen performs on stage with a big smile and acoustic guitar, showing confidence and independence as she builds her music career on her own terms—far from her father Garth Brooks’ shadow.

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Says She Doesn’t Represent Him and Wants No Part of His Shadow

In a world where name-dropping can open every door in Nashville, Allie Colleen is out here trying to slam it shut. The 28-year-old country artist and youngest daughter of Garth ...

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Moved On, But Did They Ever Make Amends?

Country music fans watched their fairytale unfold like a damn movie until the credits rolled too soon, and the lights came up on something way messier. Blake Shelton and Miranda ...

Gwen Stefani smiles at Blake Shelton on the red carpet of the Academy of Country Music Awards—despite new song lyrics fueling speculation about trouble in their marriage.

Gwen Stefani’s New Song Is Stirring Talk of Marriage Trouble With Blake Shelton and It’s Not Just the Lyrics

It doesn’t take much to set the rumor mill spinning, but Gwen Stefani just handed it a full tank of gas and a match. Her new single “Still Gonna Love ...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban smile on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, showing off their unshakable bond—even if a professional collaboration isn’t on the table.

Nicole Kidman Reveals Disappointing News About Keith Urban and Why They Won’t Work Together

Hollywood’s favorite Aussie power couple just crushed a longtime fan dream with one word. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may have the kind of private fairy tale that gives tabloid ...

Cody Johnson performs at an outdoor concert in front of an American flag, shown here during a previous show, before he paused his Tailgate N Tallboys set to address anti-Trump protests and lead the crowd in a "God Bless America" sing-along.

Cody Johnson Blasts Anti-Trump Protests and His Crowd Responds With a “God Bless America” Sing-Along

Cody Johnson doesn’t tiptoe. He stomps. During his June 14 stop at the Tailgate N Tallboys festival in Bloomington, Illinois, CoJo grabbed the mic, hit pause on the hits, and ...

HARDY performing live onstage in the U.S., shown here during a past show, ahead of canceling the European leg of his Jim Bob World Tour to prioritize family and crew.

HARDY Cancels European Leg of Jim Bob World Tour Ahead of First-Ever Headlining Dates

The long-awaited European run for HARDY’s Jim Bob World Tour just hit the brakes, and fans across the pond are understandably bummed. On the morning of June 16, HARDY dropped ...

Billy Ray Cyrus stands on the red carpet in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, unintentionally becoming the center of family drama after Trace Cyrus called him out online.

Trace Cyrus Blasts Billy Ray for Skipping Grandma’s Funeral to Chase Fame and It’s About as Ugly as It Gets

When your son calls you “the l𝐚mest man to ever walk planet earth,” it’s safe to say things have gone past the point of no return. Trace Cyrus is not ...

Holly Dunn performs passionately under soft stage lights with her guitar in hand, capturing the emotion behind her heartfelt classic “Daddy’s Hands.”

Holly Dunn Wrote “Daddy’s Hands” for Her Dad and Somehow Spoke for an Entire Generation

This is the kind of song that makes grown men stare out the truck window in silence and pretend it’s just the pollen getting to them. When Holly Dunn wrote ...

Oliver Anthony belts out raw heartbreak in a dimly lit studio session, his face scrunched in pain, strumming a resonator guitar with the kind of fury only divorce can fuel.

Oliver Anthony Poured His Divorce Hell Into “Scornful Woman” and It’s Flat-Out Devastating

You can smell the smoke coming off this one before the first note even hits. Oliver Anthony isn’t one for PR gloss or neatly packaged pain. He’s raw, gravel-throated, and ...

Brad Paisley strums his guitar under a spotlight—looking like he’s about to sing the song that breaks every stepdad’s heart wide open. Not the original performance, but you can feel the same lump in your throat.

Brad Paisley’s “He Didn’t Have to Be” Is the Ultimate Tribute to Men Who Chose to Be Dad

It’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you, then hits like a freight train made of soft memories and old regrets. Before Brad Paisley was co-hosting the CMAs ...