Celebrating 250 Years of Iconic American Music

WHO:

CBS News Entertainment - Notable Americans contributing to the Essential American Songbook include Jason Alexander, Ken Burns, and Misty Copeland.

WHAT:

CBS News Entertainment - The Essential American Songbook features 90 contributors and 250 songs.

CBS News - The most-cited song in the songbook is "This Land is Your Land," with contributors primarily selecting Woody Guthrie's original recording.

CBS News - Top-cited artists include Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Sam Cooke, Simon & Garfunkel, and Woody Guthrie.

CBS News - More than 100 songs from the 1960s were chosen by contributors, with three of the five top songs released in that decade.

WHERE:

CBS News - The songbook is part of the celebration for the United States' 250th birthday.

WHEN:

CBS News - The United States' 250th birthday is being celebrated.

WHY:

CBS News - The project aims to identify essential American songs written and performed by Americans, defined as anyone born in the United States or who became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

HOW:

CBS News - Contributors were asked to submit three songs, although some submitted more, and their lists were edited down for inclusion.

(UPDATED June 25, 2026 16:01 UTC)

The Essential American Songbook, featuring 90 contributors and 250 songs, celebrates the United States' upcoming 250th birthday. Notable figures like Jason Alexander, Ken Burns, and Misty Copeland have contributed, with "This Land is Your Land" being the most-cited song, primarily from Woody Guthrie's original recording. The project aims to highlight essential American songs written and performed by those born in the U.S. or who became naturalized citizens, with over 100 songs from the 1960s included in the final selection.