While protest music has always garnered the most attention, odes to patriotism and national praise have been around for just as long, despite their reluctance to spur controversy.

Throughout the decades, paeans to America have been penned in all genres and styles. Here are some of the best songs to help you avoid defaulting to Bruce Springsteen’s synthesizer-clad ’80s cliche, “Born in the USA,” at your Independence Day celebrations.