Turntable Talk #50 – Yankee Doodle. That’s a Dandy … Song!

This month, America celebrates birthday #250! Another big milestone this month is that Dave from A Sound Day‘s Turntable Talk celebrates golden topic #50. He was once again picked a great topic for us to write about. This time around it is Yankee Doodle. That’s A Dandy…Song. 

This will have already posted on Dave’s page earlier today. I usually wait a day or two before reposting my contribution to Turntable Talk, but today I am posting it on the same day. The reason for that will be explained shortly.

His simple instructions to the contributors is to just pick a song you like that’s about the States – it could be one with “America” or “USA” in the title, or the lyrics, or one about a part of the country or just one dealing with the idea of “Americans”. There is no shortage of great songs to choose from.

The first one that I thought of was Neil Diamond’s America. When my dad was playing in a wedding band, they played this one. I remember how cool it was to hear them do it. The second one I thought of was America, The Beautiful by Ray Charles. I’ve always loved his version of that song. After thinking it over, though, I remembered a song that really boosted the pride of our country at a very difficult time.

In 2000, Aaron Tippin was recording songs for his album People Like Us. He had co-written a song with writers Kenny Beard and Casey Beathard that he wanted to put on that album. For whatever reason, the song wasn’t cut and never made the album. Later, Tippin said, “But now, I know exactly why it didn’t. It had a bigger purpose.” 

On September 11, 2001, Americans were horrified by the attacks on the World Trade Center and the other events of that day. Two days later, Aaron went into a Nashville recording studio and finally cut the song – “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Flies.” The song was released just four days later and became a huge hit for him. It was one of many great songs about patriotism and America.

The song also raised money to help those in need. All proceeds from the single went to the Red Cross and its relief efforts for the families of the victims. According to then label president, Randy Goodman, the single raised approximately $250,000!

The only reason the song was not a number one was that Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) held that spot. The song was a top 20 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, too. The song would be Tippin’s last song to reach the Top Ten on the country charts.

Aaron is truly one of the coolest artists I’ve had the chance to hang out with. He’s a huge Frank Sinatra/Dean Martin fan, so you know we spent a lot of time talking about that. He puts on one heck of a live show, too. Coincidentally, (and the reason I am posting this now), today just happens to be Aaron’s 68th birthday.

Thanks again to Dave for hosting another great round of Turntable Talk. Can’t wait to read the other picks.

Well, if you ask me where I come from
Here’s what I tell everyone
I was born by God’s dear grace
In an extraordinary place
Where the Stars and Stripes and the eagle fly

It’s a big ol’ land with countless dreams
Happiness ain’t out of reach
Hard work pays off the way it should
Yeah, I’ve seen enough to know that we’ve got it good
Where the Stars and Stripes and the eagle fly

There’s a lady that stands in a harbor for what we believe
And there’s a bell that still echoes the price that it cost to be free

I pledge allegiance to this flag
If that bothers you, well, that’s too bad
But if you got pride and you’re proud you do
Hey, we could use some more like me and you
Where the Stars and Stripes and the eagle fly

Yes, there’s a lady that stands in a harbor for what we believe
And there’s a bell that still echoes the price that it cost to be free

No, it ain’t the only place on earth
But it’s the only place that I prefer
To love my wife and raise my kids
Hey, the same way that my daddy did
Where the Stars and Stripes and the eagle fly

Where the Stars and Stripes and the eagle (fly) fly