The 4th has been a day to sing about, yesterday in La Crosse

Some 12 score years ago, our forefathers declared independence on the 4th of July. And many songwriters have included that date in their lyrics. Chicago did so in the 1970’s, with ‘Saturday in the Park.’

A century ago, George M. Cohan claimed he was ‘born on the 4th of July’ in his song ‘The Yankee Doodle Boy.’ Jimmy Cagney won an Oscar for singing it in the movies. In the 50’s, Maurice Chevalier did his own version on TV, with Desi Arnaz conducting.

Elton John may not be a Yankee Doodle Boy, but around the time of the Bicentennial, he sang about ‘Philadelphia Freedom’ and about a girl named ‘Pinky,’ who was ‘as perfect as the 4th of July.’

And Katy Perry had a hit song called ‘Firework,’ where she gives advice to ‘own the night like the 4th of July.’

May the 4th be with you.