Show pride for your nation this Fourth of July with red, white and blue apparel, attending a parade or firework display or host your own party. 

Remember, though, no party is complete without a themed playlist. Whether you need a playlist for the car ride to a party, hosting your own, heading to the beach or need some inspiration to get you in a patriotic mood, these songs will help you get the party started.

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"God Bless the USA" is a must-have on any Fourth of July playlist. This song was released in 1984 off of Greenwood’s album "You’ve Got a Good Love Comin.’ 

The song is full of patriotic lyrics, especially in the chorus when Greenwood sings "And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me, and I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, ‘cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God Bless the U.S.A." 

This upbeat song was released in 2001 off country artists Brooks & Dunn’s "Steers & Stripes" album. 

"Only in America, Dreamin’ in red white and blue, only in America, where we dream as big as we want to," the chorus of the song states. 

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This popular Skynyrd song was released in 2003 and is often played for Fourth of July. 

"Take Me Home, Country Road" is a classic from 1971 off Denver’s "Poems, Prayers & Promises" album. 

This country hit is still popular today and is one that people will likely be familiar with, especially in West Virginia. Pop this one on your playlist and let everyone sing along to the catchy chorus. 

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You may recognize this song from "Rocky IV." This song was sung by Brown and was written specifically for this movie. 

In the scene from the movie where this song is used, Brown performs the song during Apollo Creed’s entrance in his fight against Ivan Drago. During the scene, Creed is covered in American themed gear as the song is sung. 

This fast-paced jam will make you want to dance and celebrate the nation. 

While "Party in the USA" may not be as "patriotic" as the other songs listed, it’s still a great song to play for the occasion. 

It’s catchy, it’s upbeat and fun. It came out in 2009 and is sung by Miley Cyrus.

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While country and pop hits are great additions to a Fourth of July playlist, don't forget to mix in classics. Include "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Phillip Sousa to your 4th of July playlist. 

The song kicks off with "The Stars and Stripes Forever Let martial note in triumph float And liberty extend its mighty hand; A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers, The banner of the Western land. The emblem of the brave and true."

Brad Paisley is the country artist behind the 2009 hit, "American Saturday Night." This is a song that you will want to play again and again. 

Included in the lyrics are "It's a French kiss, Italian ice, Spanish moss in the moonlight. It's just another American Saturday night. Oh, that's exactly what we have right here."

This is an oldie with a release year of 1968 off the album "Bookends." The Simon & Garfunkel song has a slow, calming sound but is still a great addition to your playlist. 

"America the Beautiful" is a classic that will spark the national pride in everyone. You won’t want to hit the skip button when this song comes on during your Fourth of July festivities. 

If you're looking to add America's national anthem to your playlist, this version sung by Houston in 1991 is a beautiful rendition. 

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Johnny Cash, the country artist behind songs like "Ring of Fire" and "I Walk the Line" also released the patriotic hit "Ragged Old Flag" in 1974. 

"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there when Washington took it across the Delaware. And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key sat watching it writing say can you see. And it got a bad rip in New Orleans with Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams," sings Cash.

Toby Keith released "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" in 2002. This rugged country song will surely have everyone bursting with pride. 

"You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine, just own the night, like the Fourth of July." This Perry song is a from her 2010 album "Teenage Dream" but should certainly get the crowd excited at your party.

No playlist is complete without a classic song from Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band. "Born In The U.S.A. is one of Springsteen's most well-known songs and most of the guests will likely know it. If not, it's one of those songs that's easily recognizable and fun to singalong to.

This patriotic song was recorded after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The entirety of "The Rising" album covers a number of emotional hits honoring the lives lost that day.

The song reads, "Sky of blackness and sorrow, sky of love, sky of tears, sky of glory and sadness, sky of mercy, sky of fear, sky of memory and shadow. Your burning wind fills my arms tonight. Sky of longing and emptiness, sky of fullness, sky of blessed life.

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North Dakota higher education officials are deeply worried about losing students and revenue in 2024 when neighboring Minnesota makes public college and university tuition free for thousands of residents.

Officials estimate around 15,000 to 20,000 Minnesota students a year will use the free North Star Promise program, and North Dakota education officials are projecting an $8.4 million loss in combined tuition and fees in the first year alone, under one scenario.

Roughly 1,400 Minnesota students attending North Dakota colleges and universities might be eligible for the new program.

"This has catastrophic implications," said David Cook, North Dakota State University's president, at a recent State Board of Higher Education meeting. "This is a very serious situation for us."

Minnesota students make up close to half the student body at North Dakota State in Fargo, their No. 1 out-of-state pick in their first year. They accounted for nearly 40% of the first-year students at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton in fall 2021.

"Probably half of our football team comes from Minnesota, so that’s kind of a big deal to us," College of Science President Rod Flanigan said.

North Star Promise will cover undergraduate tuition and fees at Minnesota's public post-secondary schools for students whose family income is below $80,000 after they've tapped other sources of financial aid. It will take effect in fall 2024.

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Kari Rod, 38, of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, said North Star Promise will help her go back to college and finish her degree without taking on more student loans, and encourage her 13-year-old stepson to enroll in-state after high school.

"Our family had seriously considered moving" so the teen could take advantage of a program that covers college tuition for students who graduate from public schools in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Rod said. But after Minnesota’s program passed, they decided to stay.

The program also "opens up the world of possibilities" for her 5-year-old’s future, Rod said.

According to the Campaign for Free College Tuition, a national nonprofit, more than half the states now offer some kind of free college tuition, often with the word "Promise" in their program names. Seven set few eligibility limits.

Many others, like Minnesota, have income limits, have merit requirements, or are limited to specific schools or majors. The group says making higher education affordable for everyone is imperative to a workforce with the skills needed for the U.S. to compete in the global marketplace.

Democratic state Sen. Tim Mathern said he is drafting a bill similar to Minnesota’s program but for North Dakotans. He acknowledged the headwinds Democrats face in North Dakota’s Republican-supermajority Legislature.

"I don’t think we should decry what Minnesota has done," Mathern said. "We should be spending our time being creative about what our abilities are."

North Dakota education officials estimate it would cost over $17.2 million annually to pay tuition and fees for all students eligible for federal Pell Grants, amounting to about 4,300 students at five schools.

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Minnesota’s move hasn’t sparked the same fears in other neighboring states. University of Wisconsin officials are expanding a free tuition program that started at its flagship Madison campus to 12 more schools this fall.

The presidents of North Dakota State and the University of North Dakota are leading a group to address the potential impacts of Minnesota's free tuition on their schools, which are already recruiting students for fall 2024.

Lawmakers also plan to explore the implications through an interim legislative panel ahead of the next session in 2025.

"When we have all these alternate (education) delivery methods, and we have a traditional student base that is shrinking, and we have workforce issues — all of these things are creating an issue that’s bigger than a one-state response," said Republican Rep. Mark Sanford, who chairs the panel.

Republican House Majority Leader Mike Lefor said he doesn't want to "rush into a decision" on responding.

"We can’t just be reacting to different situations from different states," Lefor told reporters. "We have to have good, solid policy going forward."

North Dakota’s Legislature this year froze tuition statewide for all students for the next two years, a move meant to be competitive with neighboring states, including Minnesota.

Lawmakers need to respond while acknowledging that campus programs will still draw out-of-state students, said North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott.

"I'm confident we can avoid catastrophe," he said.