From the Ledger — Operation Song Sessions
Every so often our friends at Operation Song send over something that makes us laugh before it makes us proud. This is one of those somethings. Meet “1776,” a brand-new original written by Nashville songwriter John Forte — and quite possibly the most fun anthem Operation Song has ever put on tape.
The Work Tape
Recorded on a Couch, Built for a Tailgate
No studio, no polish — just a guitar, a phone camera, and a songwriter having entirely too much fun. John Forte cut this work-tape version of “1776” at the end of June, and it captures exactly what this Fourth of July is supposed to feel like: tailgate speakers, backyard barbecue, stars and stripes, and zero chill.
The Song
“Party Like It's 1776”
The premise is simple: it's America's 250th birthday, and nobody's sitting this one out. Somebody's uncle is on barbecue duty, everybody's in red, white and blue, and the Liberty Bell is apparently audible over a DJ.
The Chorus
Gonna party like it's 1776 / American whiskey on your lips / Stars and stripes wave as the band still rips / Everybody lose your mind like it's 1776
— “1776,” written by John Forte for Operation Song
We'll be honest: the “American whiskey on your lips” line is the reason this song exists on our blog and not just in a group text. Somewhere between the tailgate speakers and the Liberty Bell, John managed to write the exact soundtrack for a Fourth of July that also happens to be the country's 250th.
Healing Through Music
About Operation Song
Operation Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering veterans, active-duty service members, and their families to tell their stories through songwriting — no musical experience required. We partnered with them earlier this year on 4547, our 250th Anniversary Bourbon, with a portion of every bottle helping fund more of these sessions. You can read that full story here.
Their Mission
Bringing them back, one song at a time.
— Operation Song
Free Download
Grab “1776” for Yourself
Download the work tape, crank it at your next tailgate, and consider it our gift for the Fourth. Full credit — and our thanks — to John Forte and Operation Song.
Download the MP3Visit Operation Song
