This week, to commemorate two hundred and fifty years of the American experiment, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz present an American playlist. On this special episode, the hosts hear from listeners regarding the songs that best encapsulate their feelings about the U.S. today—and offer some tracks of their own. The resulting compilation reflects the country’s turbulent history, its uncertain present, and, crucially, listeners’ hopes for its future. “What we think of as nation-building—at least if you care about art, that’s not where the real action is,” Cunningham says. “The action is in our creative response to the circumstances that we’re given. And that’s what music is all about.” 

Listen to a playlist of songs from this episode here. Featured tracks:

“Kids in America,” by Kim Wilde
“Miss America,” by David Byrne
“All-American Bitch,” by Olivia Rodrigo
“Django Jane,” by Janelle Monáe
“Help Save the Youth of America,” by Billy Bragg
“Almost Cut My Hair,” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
“Free Fallin’,” by Tom Petty
“America,” by Simon & Garfunkel
“Battle Hymn of the Republic,” covered by Joan Baez
“Sleep Now in the Fire,” by Rage Against the Machine
“Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore,” by John Prine
“Compared to What,” by Roberta Flack
“Ohio/Machine Gun,” by The Isley Brothers
“Bob Dylan's 115th Dream,” by Bob Dylan
“Wild Goose Chase,” covered by Nora Brown
“That’s Life,” covered by James Brown
“Billy The Kid Suite,” by Aaron Copland
“A Change Is Gonna Come,” by Sam Cooke

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Critics at Large is a weekly discussion from The New Yorker which explores the latest trends in books, television, film, and more. Join us every Thursday as we make unexpected connections between classic texts and pop culture.

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