Let's face it: the "Star Spangled Banner" is flawed. It was written to not include African-Americans; the verses beyond the one we sing is not reflective of an American attitude. So I decided to compile a list of five songs that could do the job:
1. Bad and Boujee - Migos
Migos hit song, "Bad and Boujee," took off in 2016. If there's anything we learned at the BET Awards when all of them were ready to fight Joe Budden, it's that the Migos show family values. Not a single one of them did not stand up to protect one another. This country was founded on family values and any group that shows that deserves to be in consideration. "My country's bad and boujee" anyone?
2. Fireflies - Owl City
Twitter in the last month and a half has bonded over the reemergence of Owl City's hit song "Fireflies." Unity should be the key aspect of a new national anthem and the country is never closer than when "You would not believe your eyes" starts playing.
3. I'll Be There For You - The Rembrandts
AKA the Friends theme song. It would be so lit to be in a stadium of 20,000-75,000 people clapping along at the right time. Other than that, there is no reason for this song to be in that conversation, but that one moment would bring everyone together like never before.
4. Family Don't Matter - Young Thug
This song may be too new for consideration. However, Thugger is bridging the racial divide by being a rapper that has crossed over into country music. This is the kind of leadership we need in this country and Young Thug is the man for the job.
5. America the Beautiful
This is a more serious suggestion. I understand the pride of winning a war and seeing your flag waving in the aftermath. However, America the Beautiful encompasses an American message that speaks on the beauty of the country itself. Singing about the physical aspects of our land is something that every inhabitant of the United States can appreciate.