Ah, the Fourth of July – that magical time of year when Americans gather to celebrate their love for the red, white, and blue. Patriotic playlists blare out rousing anthems, and everyone feels a sense of national pride. But hold on just a second. Do you actually know what those ‘patriotic’ songs are really about? Spoiler alert: they might not be the flag-waving odes you think they are.

Here’s a list of songs with meanings that reveal much darker truths about America than their patriotic exteriors suggest. Prepare to have your fireworks fizzled by reality.

‘Born in the U.S.A.,’ Bruce Springsteen

Let’s kick things off with perhaps the most famously misunderstood ‘patriotic’ song of all: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ This 1984 anthem has been hijacked by politicians, most notably by Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, who failed to get past its booming chorus. Look past the catchy tune, and you’ll find lyrics that tell a grim story about a young man’s disillusionment with his own country after being sent to fight in Vietnam. Springsteen got so tired of the misinterpretation that, starting in the ‘90s, he switched to playing a much darker, acoustic version in his live performances. Yep, nothing screams patriotism like a tale of disenchantment and despair.

‘Fortunate Son,’ Creedence Clearwater Revival

Next up: Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Fortunate Son.’ This 1969 track has been waved around as a working-class anthem, but it’s actually a stinging critique of the injustices surrounding the Vietnam War. John Fogerty wrote it to highlight the disparity between rich and poor Americans – the former could dodge the draft, while the latter were shipped off to die. So, the next time you hear those star-spangled opening lines, remember: it’s not celebrating patriotism; it’s condemning the inequities of society.

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‘Pink Houses,’ John Mellencamp

Back in the day, when John Mellencamp was still ‘John Cougar Mellencamp,’ he wrote ‘Pink Houses’ after seeing a Black man sitting outside his modest home. The song critiques the glaring race and class inequalities in America. Yet, some politicians, including John Edwards and the late John McCain, entirely missed this subtle message, choosing instead to focus on the “Ain’t that America” refrain. How Mellencamp must have laughed – or cried.

‘This Land Is Your Land,’ Woody Guthrie

You may think Woody Guthrie’s ‘This Land Is Your Land’ is a warm-and-fuzzy alternative to the national anthem. In reality, Guthrie wrote it in 1940 as a direct response to the unrelenting optimism of Irving Berlin’s ‘God Bless America.’ Guthrie’s version includes biting social commentary, which he kept out of his original recordings to avoid being branded a commie by Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Verses about ‘private property’ and economic inequality pull no punches when it comes to criticizing the American dream.

‘American Life,’ Madonna

Madonna always knows how to stir the pot, and her song ‘American Life’ is no different. Written during George W. Bush’s presidency, it’s a biting critique of consumerism and the emptiness of chasing the American Dream. The pop queen reveals the hollowness behind the trappings of success, highlighting just how superficial America’s culture can be. Nothing like some good old-fashioned disillusionment to shake up your patriotic playlist.

‘Rockin’ in the Free World,’ Neil Young

Neil Young’s ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ has made appearances at both Trump and Bernie Sanders’ rallies, perhaps the only thing the two candidates ever agreed on. But did they even listen to the lyrics? This 1989 track is a scathing critique of George H.W. Bush-era America, highlighting issues like wealth inequality and the decline of American society. The chorus might sound patriotic, but the irony is thicker than an oil spill – it’s not a celebration; it’s a cautionary tale.

‘Independence Day,’ Martina McBride

You might assume Martina McBride’s ‘Independence Day’ is about, well, Independence Day. Guess again. This heartrending ballad narrates the story of an 8-year-old girl witnessing her mother being abused by her alcoholic father. ‘She lit up the sky that Fourth of July,’ McBride sings, but it’s not fireworks she’s talking about – it’s the house the mother sets on fire to escape her violent husband. ‘Let freedom ring’ takes on a whole new, tragic meaning here.

‘American Woman,’ The Guess Who

At first listen, ‘American Woman’ by The Guess Who sounds like a tribute to American women. But guitarist Randy Bachman would beg to differ – he called it an ‘anti-war protest song’ where the ‘American Woman’ represents Uncle Sam. Singer Burton Cummings claimed it’s about the dangerous allure of America. Either way, the song is less of an ode and more of a warning. Sorry, not sorry, patriots.

‘American Pie,’ Don McLean

Last but not least, we have Don McLean’s ‘American Pie.’ This nearly nine-minute long song is packed with cultural references, from Buddy Holly to the Vietnam War. While it’s easy to get lost in the catchy refrain, the song is actually a melancholic reflection on the disillusionment of American society. ‘Them good old boys were drinking whiskey in rye singing this will be the day that I die,’ may be fun to sing along to, but its implications are anything but. Consider your bubble officially burst.

So, there you have it – a batch of ‘patriotic’ songs that are anything but. Now that you know the truth, can’t you just feel the warm fuzzies of disillusionment and irony? Happy Fourth of July.