If you wanted to explain life in America to aliens, but could only do so with one song...

[Bucky]

Which song would you choose? Which song (as Walt Whitman said) "sings America" for you?

My nomination would be something from the Coasters, who were fun, automotive, and youth-obsessed... just like America. Either "Charlie Brown" or...

[Irish_Dem]

1. I would definitely choose a love song. The most redeeming human quality.

(Any other genre might scare the heck out of an alien.)

But, which love song? It has to be the most perfect love song ever written.
So many to choose from....

[Upthevibe]

8. Irish_Dem....One of my favorite love songs

Is "Your Song" by Elton John/Bernie Taupin.

I'm not under any circumstances saying it's the greatest love song. It just happened to be one of the first that came to mind.

[Irish_Dem]

11. I will go listen to this song. I am making playlists of perfect songs.

Of course, highly subjective, but I like a perfect little gem of a song.

Thanks for suggesting this one.

If you think of the greatest love song ever, let me know.

[Irish_Dem]

12. Oh of course! This is a classic. Didn't know the name of it.

It is going into my Love Song playlist.

Thanks!

[Shrike47]

2. America from West Side Story, both the stage version and the movie version.

[Irish_Dem]

13. Classic American soundtrack. Yes good choice.

[overleft]

3. "One Tin Soldier"

[yonder]

4. Don't know why Warren Zevon popped into my head

but something from him I think.

[Chipper Chat]

5. Louie - what a wonderful world.

[Irish_Dem]

14. Very good choice.....

[WheelWalker]

6. With God On Our Side (Dylan)

[Irish_Dem]

15. You can't beat Joan Baez singing Dylan.

[TlalocW]

7. My choice

TlalocW

[Cartoonist]

9. Tell the truth

[JoeOtterbein]

10. Unfortunately this:

[Irish_Dem]

16. Most accurate depiction, and would have the added bonus of scaring off the aliens.

[Upthevibe]

18. JoeOtterbein....

Excellent choice when we're in particulart situations. Their album "American Idiot" came out during the Bush years and the entire album is fantastic. One of my favorites of all time.....

[Upthevibe]

17. Bucky.....

I guess I'm in a different mood. I've never heard of this song until Rosanne Cash, who I follow on twitter, tweeted about it during the BLM protests around the murder of George Floyd during the summer..... "We Americans" - The Avett Brothers....

[cinematicdiversions]

19. John Mellencamp - Pink Houses

[First Speaker]

20. Take the A Train

[Karadeniz]

21. We Shall Overcome. There are many problems and bad people, but others keep fighting for Good.

[2naSalit]

22. From the 80s but still fits...

[Glorfindel]

23. "America" by Simon and Garfunkel