Happy July 4th! From cookouts to pool parties, this American holiday is best celebrated outdoors with family and friends. And, of course, one secret ingredient to the perfect Independence Day festivities is fireworks! But we’re not just talking about the red and blue sparklers that light up the sky. At idobi, we are major fans of the Detroit pop-punk band Fireworks.
A cult favorite in the scene, Fireworks formed in 2004 and signed to the iconic Run For Cover Records just a year later. Known for their mix of bright guitar tones and introspective lyrics, the band hit their stride opening for bands like New Found Glory, The Wonder Years, and Four Year Strong during the early days of their career. Their 2011 album Gospel, followed by its successful sequel 2014’s Oh, Common Life, put them on the map as more than just a Midwest emo band. They found the perfect balance between pop and punk elements that still feels like a breath of fresh air.
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Every July 4th party needs a strong playlist, and we got you covered. Here are the 5 best Fireworks songs to listen to for July 4!
1. Bed Sores
“Bed Sores” is the quintessential “finding yourself in your 20s” anthem and remains a staple in the Fireworks catalog. When frontman David Mackinder sings, “I keep telling myself/Everybody’s hell’s better than my own/And my hell’s my own,” it reminds us that everyone is going through something. Yet, at the end of the day, we can all come together and celebrate the fact that we’re still alive, free, and with the people we love.
2. Arrows
As their most popular song on Spotify, “Arrows” is the perfect banger to sing along to while lighting up sparklers. Its dynamic arrangement incorporates distorted guitars, fun bass lines, and light piano leads that will keep you engaged from beginning to end. The song is also about accepting the mistakes you make rather than wishing they never happened. On July 4, America ratified the Declaration of Independence, and it’s about time we free ourselves from our pasts. We highly recommend blasting this song at the peak of your holiday plans.
3. Detroit
Ah, yes, we love a song about a band’s hometown. And for Fireworks, “Detroit” is a love letter to the city they grew up in rather than a goodbye text. Nothing says American pride like singing about bike rides and the sidewalk cracks that we romanticize as kids. Released on the band’s first full-length, All I Have To Offer Is My Own Confusion, the 2009 track is a celebration of the places that make us who we are. What better way to celebrate America than singing about the cities we love unconditionally?
4. How Did It Use To Be So Easy?
“How Did It Use To Be So Easy,” the final track off of the band’s post-hiatus record Higher Lonely Power, is a theatrical yet introspective song. Combining the orchestral strings with a more atmospheric rock sound, it is reminiscent of bands like Young The Giant and Cage The Elephant. It is the band’s final statement on a concept record about the corrupt yet universally-powerful aspects of religion. The track makes us think about where America is today and the progress we need to keep making for the betterment of society.
5. The Sound Of Young America
Last but certainly not least, we couldn’t forget “The Sound Of Young America.” Its anthemic chorus, hard-hitting drums, and driving rhythm guitars keep the song energetic from beginning to end. We promise this will be a crowd-pleaser for all ages, whether you’re at the beach with your family or grilling out! Turn it on and turn it up just as loud as the fireworks you’re blasting off.
