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Centuries Collide

Cody Crouch: America's Playlist | Centuries Collide

March 8, 2025 | S2:E16

Cody Crouch: America's Playlist | Centuries Collide
In this episode, America’s Top 40 becomes America’s Top 4! This is a countdown of our nation’s greatest patriotic hits. We’re uncovering the stories behind the iconic All American tunes you most likely know, even if you don’t every word.
#Faith #Freedom #AmericanHistory #War #History #Government #Military #Music #WordofGod #inActive #CodyCrouch #Humor #Documentary

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Show Timecode
Centuries Collide | Cody Crouch: America's Playlist | Centuries Collide | March 8, 2025
  • - i'm cody crouch.
  • 00:00:01.657 --> 00:00:03.158
  • On my new show, "centuries collide: american history,"
  • 00:00:03.158 --> 00:00:05.727
  • I'm traveling across the united states,
  • 00:00:05.727 --> 00:00:08.464
  • Uncovering the incredibly true history
  • 00:00:08.464 --> 00:00:10.933
  • Of what makes our nation so great.
  • 00:00:10.933 --> 00:00:13.702
  • We're recreating some of american history's
  • 00:00:13.702 --> 00:00:15.604
  • Greatest moments, exactly how they happened.
  • 00:00:15.604 --> 00:00:18.207
  • - didn't you think the rock would be bigger?
  • 00:00:18.207 --> 00:00:20.442
  • - welcome to the craziest, strangest,
  • 00:00:20.442 --> 00:00:23.045
  • Most whatever-est crash course on american history.
  • 00:00:23.045 --> 00:00:26.181
  • Buckle up, it's time for "centuries collide."
  • 00:00:26.181 --> 00:00:28.851
  • (horse neighing) (plane whooshing)
  • 00:00:28.851 --> 00:00:30.686
  • You know those songs that like, really take you back?
  • 00:00:30.686 --> 00:00:33.422
  • Whether it's to like, christmas as a kid
  • 00:00:33.422 --> 00:00:35.557
  • Or a high school dance or your first crush,
  • 00:00:35.557 --> 00:00:38.460
  • Or that one time your mom found your ipod,
  • 00:00:38.460 --> 00:00:40.929
  • And like, freaked out over the music
  • 00:00:40.929 --> 00:00:42.431
  • You actually listened to?
  • 00:00:42.431 --> 00:00:44.633
  • (dramatic music)
  • 00:00:44.633 --> 00:00:47.903
  • As americans, we have songs that really take us back.
  • 00:00:47.903 --> 00:00:51.740
  • These songs are incredibly important.
  • 00:00:51.740 --> 00:00:54.243
  • They remind us who we are as a nation,
  • 00:00:54.243 --> 00:00:56.845
  • And they express thanks for all of the sacrifices
  • 00:00:56.845 --> 00:01:00.249
  • That made our freedoms possible.
  • 00:01:00.249 --> 00:01:02.584
  • You know the songs,
  • 00:01:02.584 --> 00:01:04.119
  • But do you know the stories behind the songs?
  • 00:01:04.119 --> 00:01:07.322
  • This is america's top four.
  • 00:01:07.322 --> 00:01:09.391
  • That's right, just four,
  • 00:01:09.391 --> 00:01:10.926
  • In which we count down some of america's
  • 00:01:10.926 --> 00:01:12.928
  • Most memorable and iconic tunes.
  • 00:01:12.928 --> 00:01:16.665
  • ♪ america's top four
  • 00:01:17.166 --> 00:01:19.868
  • ♪ tee - cut, cut, cut!
  • 00:01:19.868 --> 00:01:22.771
  • Ben, it's just four, just four.
  • 00:01:22.771 --> 00:01:26.408
  • - so not 40. - four.
  • 00:01:26.408 --> 00:01:28.210
  • We don't have the budget for 40.
  • 00:01:28.210 --> 00:01:30.245
  • - our first song is "the defense of fort mchenry."
  • 00:01:30.245 --> 00:01:33.982
  • Definitely not a catchy title,
  • 00:01:33.982 --> 00:01:36.118
  • But it is what they called this hit song back in the day.
  • 00:01:36.118 --> 00:01:38.754
  • Long story short,
  • 00:01:38.754 --> 00:01:39.855
  • An american lawyer was held captive
  • 00:01:39.855 --> 00:01:41.757
  • By the british in a boat offshore.
  • 00:01:41.757 --> 00:01:44.660
  • From the boat, he watched the battle of fort mchenry.
  • 00:01:44.660 --> 00:01:48.363
  • But the next morning, instead of the british flag flying,
  • 00:01:48.363 --> 00:01:51.533
  • He saw old glory still waving.
  • 00:01:51.533 --> 00:01:54.236
  • So all of that i remember, but here's what i didn't.
  • 00:01:54.236 --> 00:01:57.873
  • That song wasn't written during the revolutionary war.
  • 00:01:57.873 --> 00:02:01.043
  • It was written during the war of 1812,
  • 00:02:01.043 --> 00:02:03.612
  • And america was officially the new kids on the block.
  • 00:02:03.612 --> 00:02:07.316
  • (upbeat music)
  • 00:02:07.316 --> 00:02:10.185
  • ♪ to party
  • 00:02:10.185 --> 00:02:13.822
  • ♪ it was 1812, and we were fightin' a war ♪
  • 00:02:13.822 --> 00:02:17.259
  • ♪ we had to restate our case to old king george ♪
  • 00:02:17.259 --> 00:02:20.462
  • ♪ ya know he's crazy
  • 00:02:20.462 --> 00:02:23.565
  • America is a brand new nation,
  • 00:02:23.565 --> 00:02:25.701
  • Relatively untested in the world.
  • 00:02:25.701 --> 00:02:28.003
  • Britain was at it again, interfering with american trade.
  • 00:02:28.003 --> 00:02:32.374
  • The royal navy blockaded our coasts,
  • 00:02:32.374 --> 00:02:35.210
  • Occupied washington, torched the capitol
  • 00:02:35.210 --> 00:02:38.981
  • And the president's mansion.
  • 00:02:38.981 --> 00:02:40.983
  • Aka, you know, the white house,
  • 00:02:40.983 --> 00:02:42.684
  • ♪ white house
  • 00:02:42.684 --> 00:02:43.819
  • - wait guys, it's burnt, so.
  • 00:02:43.819 --> 00:02:46.655
  • ♪ black house
  • 00:02:47.055 --> 00:02:48.757
  • ♪ the british are
  • 00:02:48.757 --> 00:02:50.993
  • ♪ burnin' the white house
  • 00:02:50.993 --> 00:02:54.329
  • - yeah. - we weren't,
  • 00:02:54.329 --> 00:02:56.198
  • How do i put this to a nation of overachieving
  • 00:02:56.198 --> 00:02:58.133
  • Pioneers bent on freedom?
  • 00:02:58.133 --> 00:03:00.269
  • We were losing, but don't lose hope.
  • 00:03:00.269 --> 00:03:02.638
  • The american navy defeats the british in new york.
  • 00:03:02.638 --> 00:03:06.208
  • (leaders chattering)
  • 00:03:06.208 --> 00:03:08.443
  • - we sent those commies packin', baby!
  • 00:03:08.443 --> 00:03:10.545
  • - we were winning!
  • 00:03:10.545 --> 00:03:11.880
  • And then we started losing.
  • 00:03:11.880 --> 00:03:13.682
  • Two days later, here in maryland, just
  • 00:03:13.682 --> 00:03:16.018
  • Outside of baltimore,
  • 00:03:16.018 --> 00:03:17.152
  • One of america's most strategic forts, fort mchenry,
  • 00:03:17.152 --> 00:03:20.389
  • Took an absolute thrashing.
  • 00:03:20.389 --> 00:03:22.391
  • - no, no, no! not today, we're, we're losing!
  • 00:03:22.391 --> 00:03:26.695
  • - what this country needs
  • 00:03:26.695 --> 00:03:28.263
  • Is a picker-upper. - you.
  • 00:03:28.263 --> 00:03:30.465
  • - u-s-a.
  • 00:03:30.732 --> 00:03:31.633
  • - [chanters] u-s-a, u-s-a.
  • 00:03:31.633 --> 00:03:34.403
  • - no, no. - u-s-a!
  • 00:03:34.403 --> 00:03:35.937
  • - guys, guys, guys, that's not a song,
  • 00:03:35.937 --> 00:03:39.341
  • That's just a chant.
  • 00:03:39.341 --> 00:03:41.176
  • (chanters groan)
  • 00:03:41.176 --> 00:03:43.211
  • - what we need is someone to write a song.
  • 00:03:43.211 --> 00:03:45.981
  • (bell rings) (gentle music)
  • 00:03:45.981 --> 00:03:47.149
  • (dramatic music)
  • 00:03:47.149 --> 00:03:49.985
  • (light gentle music)
  • 00:03:49.985 --> 00:03:53.422
  • - this low point in the story that we pick up the trail
  • 00:03:54.556 --> 00:03:57.626
  • For our very first song.
  • 00:03:57.626 --> 00:03:59.161
  • The attorney, francis scott key,
  • 00:03:59.161 --> 00:04:01.196
  • Was taken prisoner by the british,
  • 00:04:01.196 --> 00:04:03.198
  • And he watched the absolute bombardment
  • 00:04:03.198 --> 00:04:06.368
  • Of fort mchenry from a ship out here in the chesapeake bay,
  • 00:04:06.368 --> 00:04:10.539
  • Kind of near where that bridge is.
  • 00:04:10.539 --> 00:04:13.008
  • But in the early light of dawn,
  • 00:04:13.008 --> 00:04:15.844
  • He was so inspired by the sight of his flag,
  • 00:04:15.844 --> 00:04:18.547
  • The american flag still flying over the fort,
  • 00:04:18.547 --> 00:04:21.483
  • That he began to compose a poem.
  • 00:04:21.483 --> 00:04:24.353
  • - whose flag is over there.
  • 00:04:24.953 --> 00:04:27.522
  • Get my binoculars and stare, put your hands in the air.
  • 00:04:27.522 --> 00:04:32.794
  • - hey, no rhyming.
  • 00:04:33.228 --> 00:04:34.963
  • - surely you can't be serious.
  • 00:04:34.963 --> 00:04:36.765
  • - i am serious.
  • 00:04:36.765 --> 00:04:38.033
  • My name is jose.
  • 00:04:38.033 --> 00:04:39.935
  • - jose, can you see by the dawn's early light?
  • 00:04:39.935 --> 00:04:44.206
  • (comical brass music)
  • 00:04:44.206 --> 00:04:45.774
  • That's good.
  • 00:04:45.774 --> 00:04:47.309
  • - he named this poem "the defense of fort mchenry"
  • 00:04:47.309 --> 00:04:50.579
  • For very literal and obvious reasons.
  • 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:53.482
  • - it's not bad, but the titles is rubbish, old boy.
  • 00:04:53.482 --> 00:04:55.917
  • - yes, you should probably rename it.
  • 00:04:55.917 --> 00:04:58.120
  • - oh, writing is hard!
  • 00:04:58.120 --> 00:05:00.589
  • Stars, spangled, banner.
  • 00:05:00.589 --> 00:05:04.659
  • - you can't do anything with those words.
  • 00:05:05.494 --> 00:05:07.529
  • - no, not at all.
  • 00:05:07.529 --> 00:05:08.463
  • (comical music continues)
  • 00:05:08.463 --> 00:05:09.798
  • - "the star-spangled banner," now that's a title,
  • 00:05:09.798 --> 00:05:12.834
  • And a catchy one too.
  • 00:05:12.834 --> 00:05:14.469
  • And to add salt to the british wound,
  • 00:05:14.469 --> 00:05:16.438
  • It was set to the tune
  • 00:05:16.438 --> 00:05:17.773
  • Of an old english drinking song. (chuckles)
  • 00:05:17.773 --> 00:05:20.509
  • (british soldiers humming) (bright patriotic music)
  • 00:05:20.509 --> 00:05:26.782
  • - don't you dare steal this
  • 00:05:27.382 --> 00:05:28.984
  • For that stupid little poem of yours.
  • 00:05:28.984 --> 00:05:31.787
  • (british soldiers humming) (bright patriotic music)
  • 00:05:31.787 --> 00:05:35.891
  • - fun fact, we only sing one stanza
  • 00:05:35.891 --> 00:05:38.794
  • Of francis scott key's original poem.
  • 00:05:38.794 --> 00:05:41.196
  • It has four, and patriot points to anyone
  • 00:05:41.196 --> 00:05:44.065
  • Who can sing more than one
  • 00:05:44.065 --> 00:05:45.534
  • And does it at the next sporting event they attend.
  • 00:05:45.534 --> 00:05:48.637
  • Which brings up an important question,
  • 00:05:48.637 --> 00:05:50.372
  • Why do we sing the national anthem at sporting events?
  • 00:05:50.372 --> 00:05:54.309
  • (dramatic music)
  • 00:05:54.309 --> 00:05:57.000
  • (dramatic music)
  • 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:57.142
  • (dramatic music)
  • 00:05:57.509 --> 00:06:01.480
  • (funky upbeat music)
  • 00:06:01.947 --> 00:06:05.584
  • In 1916, president woodrow wilson decided
  • 00:06:06.452 --> 00:06:09.455
  • That the national anthem should be played
  • 00:06:09.455 --> 00:06:11.557
  • At all official events, but still, only occasionally
  • 00:06:11.557 --> 00:06:16.161
  • Was the national anthem played at sporting events,
  • 00:06:16.161 --> 00:06:18.397
  • Like maybe on 4th of july or memorial day.
  • 00:06:18.397 --> 00:06:21.800
  • - come on red sox! let's go boston, come on!
  • 00:06:21.800 --> 00:06:24.403
  • (audience cheering) (light comical music)
  • 00:06:24.403 --> 00:06:25.571
  • - excuse me, excuse me, excuse me.
  • 00:06:25.571 --> 00:06:28.373
  • Sorry, sorry, excuse me.
  • 00:06:28.373 --> 00:06:29.641
  • - oh, i bet you didn't even get my coke.
  • 00:06:29.641 --> 00:06:31.176
  • - the 1918 "work or fight" rule required men of draft age
  • 00:06:31.176 --> 00:06:35.347
  • To either join the military
  • 00:06:35.347 --> 00:06:37.182
  • Or work any military related job.
  • 00:06:37.182 --> 00:06:39.918
  • The only problem was it was time for the world series.
  • 00:06:39.918 --> 00:06:43.589
  • It was america's war effort
  • 00:06:43.589 --> 00:06:45.190
  • Versus america's favorite pastime.
  • 00:06:45.190 --> 00:06:46.758
  • (electronic arcade music)
  • 00:06:46.758 --> 00:06:47.693
  • So an exception was made
  • 00:06:47.693 --> 00:06:49.161
  • For game one of the world series.
  • 00:06:49.161 --> 00:06:50.662
  • (baseball bat thwacks) (audience cheering)
  • 00:06:50.662 --> 00:06:51.730
  • 19,000 sports fans showed up
  • 00:06:51.730 --> 00:06:54.766
  • For the red sox versus the chicago cubs,
  • 00:06:54.766 --> 00:06:57.636
  • But the crowd was kind of down and rightfully so.
  • 00:06:57.636 --> 00:07:01.540
  • World war i had taken a major toll on american morale.
  • 00:07:01.540 --> 00:07:05.944
  • And then out of nowhere, in the seventh inning stretch,
  • 00:07:05.944 --> 00:07:08.814
  • The military band launched into a newly arranged version
  • 00:07:08.814 --> 00:07:12.117
  • Of a song already familiar to everyone,
  • 00:07:12.117 --> 00:07:15.721
  • "the star-spangled banner."
  • 00:07:15.721 --> 00:07:17.656
  • ♪ and the home of the brave
  • 00:07:17.656 --> 00:07:24.329
  • - woo! yeah! (fans applauding)
  • 00:07:25.030 --> 00:07:27.266
  • - yeah! - i love that.
  • 00:07:27.266 --> 00:07:28.567
  • - [world series fan] yeah!
  • 00:07:28.567 --> 00:07:29.935
  • - and by the end, it was a full blown celebration.
  • 00:07:29.935 --> 00:07:32.638
  • The red sox may have taken the series that year,
  • 00:07:32.638 --> 00:07:34.940
  • But the real winner was "the star-spangled banner."
  • 00:07:34.940 --> 00:07:38.410
  • (funky upbeat music)
  • 00:07:38.410 --> 00:07:40.846
  • It took a few more years, but by 1931,
  • 00:07:40.846 --> 00:07:43.949
  • "the star-spangled banner" officially became
  • 00:07:43.949 --> 00:07:46.685
  • The national anthem of the united states of america.
  • 00:07:46.685 --> 00:07:49.821
  • But did you know that "the star-spangled banner"
  • 00:07:49.821 --> 00:07:52.057
  • Isn't our original national anthem?
  • 00:07:52.057 --> 00:07:55.394
  • - you want to know the original one?
  • 00:07:56.161 --> 00:07:57.396
  • Well, either way, i'm gonna tell you.
  • 00:07:57.396 --> 00:07:59.731
  • ♪ america's top four
  • 00:07:59.731 --> 00:08:03.302
  • ♪ number three
  • 00:08:03.302 --> 00:08:06.605
  • - america, "my country, 'tis of thee."
  • 00:08:07.372 --> 00:08:10.642
  • - hey, great line, man. that was awesome.
  • 00:08:10.642 --> 00:08:12.010
  • - hey, thanks.
  • 00:08:12.010 --> 00:08:13.178
  • - that was pretty good. - i felt that.
  • 00:08:13.178 --> 00:08:13.712
  • - yeah.
  • 00:08:13.712 --> 00:08:14.713
  • (funky upbeat music)
  • 00:08:14.713 --> 00:08:16.982
  • - in 1831, a 22-year-old harvard graduate
  • 00:08:16.982 --> 00:08:20.719
  • Was sitting in seminary school
  • 00:08:20.719 --> 00:08:22.588
  • Completely minding his own business,
  • 00:08:22.588 --> 00:08:24.590
  • Never intending to write a national hymn.
  • 00:08:24.590 --> 00:08:27.759
  • But when inspiration struck,
  • 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:30.362
  • He wrote the song in, like 30 minutes.
  • 00:08:30.362 --> 00:08:33.999
  • Samuel francis smith did a ton of cool things in his life.
  • 00:08:33.999 --> 00:08:37.669
  • He was a professor, he was a clergyman, a magazine editor.
  • 00:08:37.669 --> 00:08:41.506
  • He wrote hymns, poems, essays, and even books.
  • 00:08:41.506 --> 00:08:45.444
  • But it was this one song, lyrics he wrote as a 20-something,
  • 00:08:45.444 --> 00:08:49.615
  • That echo throughout the years and years of america.
  • 00:08:49.615 --> 00:08:54.152
  • One of the early versions
  • 00:08:54.152 --> 00:08:55.587
  • Was used to welcome george washington to new york city.
  • 00:08:55.587 --> 00:08:58.924
  • Another sung by members of the lewis and clark expedition.
  • 00:08:58.924 --> 00:09:02.494
  • It was just the it tune of the early 1800s.
  • 00:09:02.494 --> 00:09:06.064
  • Samuel francis smith found a willing collaborator
  • 00:09:06.064 --> 00:09:08.900
  • In lowell mason, a friend and music educator.
  • 00:09:08.900 --> 00:09:12.504
  • - hey, lowell, i'm laying down some sick lyrics,
  • 00:09:12.504 --> 00:09:17.142
  • Want to collab?
  • 00:09:17.142 --> 00:09:19.011
  • - their collaboration, cemented those iconic lyrics
  • 00:09:19.011 --> 00:09:22.414
  • With that infamous tune.
  • 00:09:22.414 --> 00:09:23.982
  • The song, "america," as it was originally titled,
  • 00:09:23.982 --> 00:09:27.085
  • Debuted in 1832 at a children's concert
  • 00:09:27.085 --> 00:09:30.689
  • At a church right here in boston.
  • 00:09:30.689 --> 00:09:32.124
  • (children cheering)
  • 00:09:32.124 --> 00:09:33.392
  • - okay, kids, i'd like to introduce you
  • 00:09:33.392 --> 00:09:35.727
  • To the founding fathers of america.
  • 00:09:35.727 --> 00:09:39.297
  • (children cheering)
  • 00:09:39.297 --> 00:09:43.368
  • ♪ my country, 'tis of thee
  • 00:09:43.969 --> 00:09:47.606
  • ♪ sweet land of liberty
  • 00:09:47.606 --> 00:09:51.209
  • ♪ of thee i sing
  • 00:09:51.209 --> 00:09:54.579
  • (funky electronic guitar music)
  • 00:09:54.579 --> 00:09:55.947
  • - let's do this!
  • 00:09:55.947 --> 00:09:57.182
  • ♪ my native country, thee
  • 00:09:57.182 --> 00:09:59.651
  • ♪ land of the noble free
  • 00:09:59.651 --> 00:10:01.687
  • ♪ thy name i love
  • 00:10:01.687 --> 00:10:03.055
  • (singer scatting)
  • 00:10:03.055 --> 00:10:04.089
  • - great song and great message.
  • 00:10:04.089 --> 00:10:06.124
  • Unfortunately, freedom did not ring so loud
  • 00:10:06.124 --> 00:10:09.127
  • For everyone back then.
  • 00:10:09.127 --> 00:10:10.729
  • A true land of promise and opportunity
  • 00:10:10.729 --> 00:10:13.198
  • Is where all men and women are recognized
  • 00:10:13.198 --> 00:10:15.667
  • As created equal, and where all men and women are free.
  • 00:10:15.667 --> 00:10:20.305
  • (dramatic music)
  • 00:10:20.305 --> 00:10:22.998
  • (dramatic music)
  • 00:10:22.998 --> 00:10:23.305
  • (dramatic music)
  • 00:10:23.672 --> 00:10:27.376
  • Just like activists today, abolitionists
  • 00:10:28.243 --> 00:10:31.113
  • Also took advantage
  • 00:10:31.113 --> 00:10:32.347
  • Of the media, and this is way before tweets and hashtags.
  • 00:10:32.347 --> 00:10:35.718
  • So what they did is they took a song
  • 00:10:35.718 --> 00:10:38.320
  • That was familiar to everyone
  • 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:39.988
  • And they wrote and published new lyrics,
  • 00:10:39.988 --> 00:10:42.491
  • Kind of like a remix.
  • 00:10:42.491 --> 00:10:44.259
  • But when i say new lyrics,
  • 00:10:44.259 --> 00:10:46.128
  • I'm talking scathing attacks on slavery
  • 00:10:46.128 --> 00:10:49.732
  • And anyone who defended it.
  • 00:10:49.732 --> 00:10:51.433
  • - all right, gentlemen, we have some new lyrics here.
  • 00:10:51.433 --> 00:10:53.836
  • (paper rustling)
  • 00:10:53.836 --> 00:10:55.504
  • - you want us to sing this?
  • 00:10:55.504 --> 00:10:57.206
  • - yep.
  • 00:10:57.206 --> 00:10:58.440
  • ♪ my country, 'tis of thee
  • 00:10:59.041 --> 00:11:02.611
  • ♪ stronghold of slavery
  • 00:11:02.611 --> 00:11:06.515
  • ♪ of thee i see
  • 00:11:06.515 --> 00:11:09.418
  • (funky upbeat music)
  • 00:11:09.418 --> 00:11:10.886
  • - this song's ability to speak truth to those in power
  • 00:11:10.886 --> 00:11:14.156
  • Continued well into the 20th century.
  • 00:11:14.156 --> 00:11:16.959
  • In fact, in the original "west side story" film,
  • 00:11:16.959 --> 00:11:19.895
  • The sharks gang whistled a tune as commentary
  • 00:11:19.895 --> 00:11:23.198
  • To their unfair treatment as immigrants.
  • 00:11:23.198 --> 00:11:25.334
  • Even martin luther king jr. included it
  • 00:11:25.334 --> 00:11:28.003
  • As part of his "i have a dream" speech in 1963.
  • 00:11:28.003 --> 00:11:32.207
  • As we all know, hits don't stay on the hot list forever.
  • 00:11:32.207 --> 00:11:35.310
  • A few years into the 20th century,
  • 00:11:35.310 --> 00:11:37.312
  • And "the star-spangled banner" officially clenched
  • 00:11:37.312 --> 00:11:40.115
  • The national anthem spot.
  • 00:11:40.115 --> 00:11:42.484
  • But "my country, 'tis of thee" will always remain
  • 00:11:42.484 --> 00:11:45.521
  • A certifiable american banger.
  • 00:11:45.521 --> 00:11:49.091
  • ♪ america's top four
  • 00:11:49.091 --> 00:11:53.095
  • - number two.
  • 00:11:53.462 --> 00:11:54.530
  • (upbeat music)
  • 00:11:54.530 --> 00:11:56.231
  • - mystery song.
  • 00:11:56.231 --> 00:11:58.100
  • (bright upbeat music)
  • 00:11:58.100 --> 00:12:00.235
  • - now, the origin story of this song
  • 00:12:00.235 --> 00:12:02.638
  • Begins at west point academy.
  • 00:12:02.638 --> 00:12:05.007
  • A patriotic american start for sure,
  • 00:12:05.007 --> 00:12:07.943
  • But it gets better.
  • 00:12:07.943 --> 00:12:09.344
  • In the 1830s, the west point chaplain had two nieces
  • 00:12:09.344 --> 00:12:12.514
  • Who lived on constitution island
  • 00:12:12.514 --> 00:12:14.950
  • Just across the hudson river from west point.
  • 00:12:14.950 --> 00:12:17.853
  • They'd moved there when the family fell on hard times
  • 00:12:17.853 --> 00:12:20.689
  • In the financial depression known as the panic of 1837.
  • 00:12:20.689 --> 00:12:24.326
  • (electronic arcade music)
  • 00:12:24.326 --> 00:12:25.627
  • So how do you help your family make ends meet
  • 00:12:25.627 --> 00:12:28.597
  • If you're two young women in the early 1830s?
  • 00:12:28.597 --> 00:12:32.835
  • Well, if you're anna and susan horner, you write novels.
  • 00:12:32.835 --> 00:12:36.839
  • Susan's first novel was a smash success.
  • 00:12:36.839 --> 00:12:40.142
  • - [narrator] the first book in america
  • 00:12:40.976 --> 00:12:41.944
  • To ever sell a million copies.
  • 00:12:41.944 --> 00:12:44.613
  • It's often considered america's first bestselling novel,
  • 00:12:44.613 --> 00:12:48.383
  • Which is pretty cool.
  • 00:12:48.383 --> 00:12:49.952
  • Susan cranked out the novels.
  • 00:12:49.952 --> 00:12:52.154
  • Anna published her books,
  • 00:12:52.154 --> 00:12:53.655
  • But sometimes the sisters wrote together.
  • 00:12:53.655 --> 00:12:56.925
  • While writing a children's book,
  • 00:12:56.925 --> 00:12:58.260
  • They included a particular scene with lyrics
  • 00:12:58.260 --> 00:13:00.929
  • To our number two song.
  • 00:13:00.929 --> 00:13:02.698
  • Here's a hint.
  • 00:13:02.698 --> 00:13:03.966
  • This song is still sung all around the world
  • 00:13:03.966 --> 00:13:06.735
  • In hundreds of languages.
  • 00:13:06.735 --> 00:13:08.570
  • This soon to be worldwide phenomena
  • 00:13:08.570 --> 00:13:10.806
  • Worked its way through america's north and south
  • 00:13:10.806 --> 00:13:13.242
  • On the lips of soldiers during the civil war.
  • 00:13:13.242 --> 00:13:16.411
  • This simple child song
  • 00:13:16.411 --> 00:13:18.013
  • Brought comfort to grown men facing the horrors of war
  • 00:13:18.013 --> 00:13:21.683
  • In one of our nation's darkest hours.
  • 00:13:21.683 --> 00:13:24.486
  • ♪ jesus loves me this i know
  • 00:13:24.486 --> 00:13:29.057
  • ♪ for the bible tell me so
  • 00:13:29.057 --> 00:13:33.595
  • ♪ little ones to him belong
  • 00:13:33.595 --> 00:13:38.267
  • ♪ they are weak but he is strong ♪
  • 00:13:38.267 --> 00:13:42.170
  • - wow! what a song and what a story.
  • 00:13:42.170 --> 00:13:44.940
  • But you better buckle up now
  • 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:46.241
  • Because we're gonna fast forward 80 years
  • 00:13:46.241 --> 00:13:48.610
  • From the civil war,
  • 00:13:48.610 --> 00:13:50.178
  • And this part of the story plays out like an action movie.
  • 00:13:50.178 --> 00:13:53.415
  • It's world war ii,
  • 00:13:53.415 --> 00:13:55.417
  • A small group of shipwrecked marines
  • 00:13:55.417 --> 00:13:57.386
  • Make a harrowing swim to a remote island
  • 00:13:57.386 --> 00:13:59.988
  • In the south pacific.
  • 00:13:59.988 --> 00:14:01.590
  • The leader of these survivors?
  • 00:14:01.590 --> 00:14:03.191
  • A 26-year-old john f. kennedy.
  • 00:14:03.191 --> 00:14:06.194
  • - look over there, men.
  • 00:14:06.194 --> 00:14:07.963
  • - i don't think i can make it.
  • 00:14:08.597 --> 00:14:10.432
  • - i will pull you by my teeth if i have to.
  • 00:14:11.333 --> 00:14:14.403
  • - okay.
  • 00:14:14.636 --> 00:14:16.138
  • (kennedy growls)
  • 00:14:16.505 --> 00:14:20.142
  • - hey, i, i don't think i can make it either.
  • 00:14:21.076 --> 00:14:24.513
  • - [narrator] they swim hours back and forth
  • 00:14:25.414 --> 00:14:27.382
  • To remote islands, avoiding the japanese,
  • 00:14:27.382 --> 00:14:30.419
  • Constant brushes with death.
  • 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:31.987
  • And i'm not even gonna think
  • 00:14:31.987 --> 00:14:33.322
  • About how many sharks there were.
  • 00:14:33.322 --> 00:14:34.923
  • Miraculously, they were found by friendly local fishermen,
  • 00:14:34.923 --> 00:14:38.026
  • But they aren't safe yet.
  • 00:14:38.026 --> 00:14:39.528
  • Messages are passed through these fishermen
  • 00:14:39.528 --> 00:14:41.763
  • Who are now for all practical purposes,
  • 00:14:41.763 --> 00:14:44.166
  • Spies for the united states in a dugout canoe.
  • 00:14:44.166 --> 00:14:48.437
  • - i'm gonna put this secret message
  • 00:14:48.437 --> 00:14:52.107
  • Into this coconut
  • 00:14:52.107 --> 00:14:54.910
  • And you are gonna give it to the good guys.
  • 00:14:54.910 --> 00:14:58.547
  • The good guys.
  • 00:14:58.547 --> 00:14:59.982
  • N-no, no, no.
  • 00:14:59.982 --> 00:15:01.984
  • In, in the coconut to the good guys, not the japanese.
  • 00:15:01.984 --> 00:15:07.222
  • Can you help me?
  • 00:15:07.589 --> 00:15:08.623
  • They're not getting it. - oh.
  • 00:15:08.623 --> 00:15:10.058
  • - [narrator] while the marines waited for a rescue,
  • 00:15:10.058 --> 00:15:11.093
  • Dog fights raged overhead.
  • 00:15:11.093 --> 00:15:13.195
  • And this wasn't a resort island, by the way.
  • 00:15:13.195 --> 00:15:15.464
  • It's a, if you want to eat climb a coconut tree
  • 00:15:15.464 --> 00:15:18.166
  • Even though you're wounded, starving,
  • 00:15:18.166 --> 00:15:19.534
  • And hallucinating kind of vibe.
  • 00:15:19.534 --> 00:15:21.737
  • - sir, i have a message
  • 00:15:21.737 --> 00:15:23.705
  • From some local fishermen.
  • 00:15:23.705 --> 00:15:26.341
  • - that's a coconut.
  • 00:15:26.808 --> 00:15:27.843
  • - no, it's a secret message.
  • 00:15:27.843 --> 00:15:34.616
  • They're alive.
  • 00:15:34.983 --> 00:15:35.817
  • (messenger gasps)
  • 00:15:35.817 --> 00:15:37.686
  • - and yes, john f. kennedy
  • 00:15:37.686 --> 00:15:39.254
  • Really did send a secret sos message written on a coconut
  • 00:15:39.254 --> 00:15:44.292
  • And fun fact,
  • 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.627
  • He actually used that coconut
  • 00:15:45.627 --> 00:15:47.362
  • As a paperweight in the oval office,
  • 00:15:47.362 --> 00:15:49.831
  • When he became president.
  • 00:15:49.831 --> 00:15:51.099
  • Under the dark of night,
  • 00:15:51.099 --> 00:15:52.667
  • The rescue plan was executed with the help of the locals
  • 00:15:52.667 --> 00:15:56.505
  • And though language was a barrier, music was not.
  • 00:15:56.505 --> 00:16:00.475
  • Together they sang, "jesus loves me."
  • 00:16:00.475 --> 00:16:03.278
  • - language is a barrier, but music is not.
  • 00:16:03.278 --> 00:16:08.083
  • We could sing, "jesus loves me," as a unifying song.
  • 00:16:08.083 --> 00:16:12.854
  • ♪ jesus loves me, this is know
  • 00:16:13.488 --> 00:16:18.060
  • - good guy!
  • 00:16:18.393 --> 00:16:20.162
  • ♪ for the bible tells me so
  • 00:16:20.796 --> 00:16:26.034
  • - they know it.
  • 00:16:26.401 --> 00:16:27.903
  • (fast upbeat music)
  • 00:16:27.903 --> 00:16:29.996
  • (fast upbeat music)
  • 00:16:29.996 --> 00:16:30.469
  • (fast upbeat music)
  • 00:16:30.936 --> 00:16:35.174
  • (gentle upbeat music)
  • 00:16:35.674 --> 00:16:39.278
  • - it's the final song in our america's top four
  • 00:16:40.212 --> 00:16:43.248
  • And the story behind this one
  • 00:16:43.248 --> 00:16:44.650
  • Is a classic american dream.
  • 00:16:44.650 --> 00:16:47.219
  • ♪ america's top four.
  • 00:16:47.219 --> 00:16:50.889
  • - [together] number one!
  • 00:16:50.889 --> 00:16:52.691
  • - lemme set the stage.
  • 00:16:52.691 --> 00:16:54.026
  • A siberian family fleeing jewish persecution
  • 00:16:54.026 --> 00:16:57.196
  • Land on the shores of america in 1893.
  • 00:16:57.196 --> 00:17:00.365
  • Israel baline was the youngest of eight children.
  • 00:17:00.365 --> 00:17:04.203
  • When he was just a kid, his dad gave him singing lessons
  • 00:17:04.203 --> 00:17:07.473
  • And by the time he was a young teenager,
  • 00:17:07.473 --> 00:17:09.541
  • He was singing on the streets and in bars
  • 00:17:09.541 --> 00:17:11.777
  • Right here in new york city.
  • 00:17:11.777 --> 00:17:13.645
  • ♪ 2, 3, 4
  • 00:17:13.645 --> 00:17:15.380
  • ♪ hello my baby
  • 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:16.482
  • ♪ hello my honey
  • 00:17:16.482 --> 00:17:17.616
  • ♪ hello my ragtime gal
  • 00:17:17.616 --> 00:17:20.018
  • - after hours at the bar he worked at,
  • 00:17:20.018 --> 00:17:21.820
  • He taught himself to play the piano.
  • 00:17:21.820 --> 00:17:24.957
  • - original song brought him a whopping 33 cents
  • 00:17:25.891 --> 00:17:29.094
  • And a brush with destiny.
  • 00:17:29.094 --> 00:17:32.131
  • - sonny, you've got mail.
  • 00:17:32.131 --> 00:17:33.966
  • Looks important.
  • 00:17:33.966 --> 00:17:35.200
  • - they misspelled my name.
  • 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:37.369
  • Irving berlin?
  • 00:17:37.369 --> 00:17:39.304
  • - not gonna lie, kid,
  • 00:17:39.304 --> 00:17:40.739
  • Irving berlin's got a nice ring to it.
  • 00:17:40.739 --> 00:17:43.308
  • - and from that moment on,
  • 00:17:43.308 --> 00:17:44.643
  • He became known as the famous irving berlin.
  • 00:17:44.643 --> 00:17:49.047
  • Irving's career took off like a rocket.
  • 00:17:49.047 --> 00:17:51.583
  • We're talking broadway musicals,
  • 00:17:51.583 --> 00:17:54.286
  • Film scores, hit song after hit song.
  • 00:17:54.286 --> 00:17:57.823
  • I mean, who hasn't heard the holiday favorite,
  • 00:17:57.823 --> 00:18:00.659
  • "white christmas"?
  • 00:18:00.659 --> 00:18:02.094
  • His life just proves
  • 00:18:02.094 --> 00:18:03.896
  • That there ain't no business like show business,
  • 00:18:03.896 --> 00:18:06.398
  • Which is actually just another huge hit song he wrote.
  • 00:18:06.398 --> 00:18:09.568
  • This genius of a talent was forever grateful to the country
  • 00:18:09.568 --> 00:18:12.804
  • That welcomed him in.
  • 00:18:12.804 --> 00:18:14.273
  • He produced many patriotic songs
  • 00:18:14.273 --> 00:18:16.742
  • That reflected his life as an immigrant.
  • 00:18:16.742 --> 00:18:19.878
  • "let's all be americans now",
  • 00:18:19.878 --> 00:18:21.980
  • "for your country and my country",
  • 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.982
  • The titles of his songs tell it all.
  • 00:18:23.982 --> 00:18:26.685
  • In 1917, a 30-year-old berlin was drafted.
  • 00:18:26.685 --> 00:18:30.689
  • So what did he do?
  • 00:18:30.689 --> 00:18:31.924
  • Well, he basically wrote the soundtrack
  • 00:18:31.924 --> 00:18:34.226
  • For america's war effort during the first world war.
  • 00:18:34.226 --> 00:18:37.863
  • (upbeat music)
  • 00:18:37.863 --> 00:18:40.032
  • - excuse me, mr. berlin. - uncle sam?
  • 00:18:40.032 --> 00:18:42.601
  • - thank you for serving your country,
  • 00:18:42.601 --> 00:18:44.536
  • But i'd like to trade your weapon for something else.
  • 00:18:44.536 --> 00:18:47.773
  • - what?
  • 00:18:47.773 --> 00:18:50.042
  • (gentle instrumental music)
  • 00:18:50.642 --> 00:18:52.177
  • - the army put the soldier's songwriting skills to work.
  • 00:18:52.177 --> 00:18:54.813
  • He wrote a musical about soldiers
  • 00:18:54.813 --> 00:18:56.682
  • That would be played by soldiers.
  • 00:18:56.682 --> 00:18:58.951
  • The finale song though, just didn't seem right.
  • 00:18:58.951 --> 00:19:02.654
  • Fast forward 20 years to 1938,
  • 00:19:02.654 --> 00:19:06.124
  • And a national radio show singer came calling.
  • 00:19:06.124 --> 00:19:09.027
  • She was looking for a song to honor
  • 00:19:09.027 --> 00:19:11.763
  • The 20th anniversary of the end of the great war.
  • 00:19:11.763 --> 00:19:15.200
  • Side note, they didn't call it world war i yet,
  • 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:17.869
  • Because you know, world war ii hadn't happened.
  • 00:19:17.869 --> 00:19:20.806
  • But spoiler, it's about to.
  • 00:19:20.806 --> 00:19:24.243
  • - i want to write a song of peace,
  • 00:19:25.010 --> 00:19:27.145
  • A song that brings america together.
  • 00:19:27.145 --> 00:19:29.748
  • Wait, what about that song i cut
  • 00:19:30.382 --> 00:19:32.150
  • From the soldier musical back in my army days?
  • 00:19:32.150 --> 00:19:35.354
  • (airplane engine whirring)
  • 00:19:35.354 --> 00:19:37.189
  • I am just gonna tuck this away for later.
  • 00:19:37.189 --> 00:19:40.092
  • Eureka.
  • 00:19:40.325 --> 00:19:41.793
  • (gentle instrumental music)
  • 00:19:42.394 --> 00:19:45.530
  • ♪ right, fight, might, night
  • 00:19:45.530 --> 00:19:49.534
  • ♪ through the night with the light from above ♪
  • 00:19:49.534 --> 00:19:54.506
  • - the song, "god bless america."
  • 00:19:54.506 --> 00:19:58.310
  • ♪ god
  • 00:19:58.577 --> 00:19:59.878
  • - no, nope,
  • 00:19:59.878 --> 00:20:00.812
  • That song is still copyrighted.
  • 00:20:00.812 --> 00:20:03.548
  • - so we can't sing it?
  • 00:20:03.548 --> 00:20:05.617
  • - not on this show, we can't.
  • 00:20:05.617 --> 00:20:07.319
  • We don't have the budget for it.
  • 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:08.887
  • - maybe just a delicate little hum? (hums)
  • 00:20:08.887 --> 00:20:12.090
  • - sorry, the melody is also copyrighted.
  • 00:20:12.090 --> 00:20:15.527
  • - how about we mouth it into the microphone
  • 00:20:15.527 --> 00:20:18.130
  • Whilst pretending that we're singing it?
  • 00:20:18.130 --> 00:20:20.565
  • - hmm, i'll allow it.
  • 00:20:20.565 --> 00:20:23.568
  • - let's hit it, boys. - count us in, count us in.
  • 00:20:24.603 --> 00:20:27.172
  • - alright, five, six, seven, eight.
  • 00:20:27.172 --> 00:20:29.441
  • (gentle instrumental music)
  • 00:20:30.042 --> 00:20:32.911
  • - "god bless america" was a gift that just kept on giving.
  • 00:20:32.911 --> 00:20:36.481
  • One month after 9/11, "god bless america"
  • 00:20:36.481 --> 00:20:39.051
  • Was released as an album for charity,
  • 00:20:39.051 --> 00:20:41.787
  • And it was the first charity album
  • 00:20:41.787 --> 00:20:43.755
  • To hit number one on the american charts
  • 00:20:43.755 --> 00:20:45.857
  • Since the 1980s hit, "we are the world".
  • 00:20:45.857 --> 00:20:49.828
  • - god bless america, indeed.
  • 00:20:49.828 --> 00:20:53.498
  • - yeah, a big god bless america ending
  • 00:20:53.498 --> 00:20:55.801
  • Is kind of what this show deserves.
  • 00:20:55.801 --> 00:20:58.203
  • But uncle sam is right,
  • 00:20:58.203 --> 00:21:00.405
  • That song actually isn't public domain,
  • 00:21:00.405 --> 00:21:03.108
  • And according to my calculations, won't
  • 00:21:03.108 --> 00:21:05.010
  • Be until like 2033.
  • 00:21:05.010 --> 00:21:07.679
  • But let's not let that rain on our parade, okay?
  • 00:21:07.679 --> 00:21:10.882
  • My fellow americans,
  • 00:21:10.882 --> 00:21:12.184
  • I give you the founding fathers united singers
  • 00:21:12.184 --> 00:21:14.386
  • And the national anthem.
  • 00:21:14.386 --> 00:21:18.657
  • ♪ oh, say, can you see
  • 00:21:19.157 --> 00:21:22.527
  • ♪ by the dawn's early light
  • 00:21:22.527 --> 00:21:25.497
  • ♪ what so proudly we hailed
  • 00:21:25.497 --> 00:21:28.700
  • ♪ at the twilight's last gleaming ♪
  • 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:31.803
  • - watching the news and consuming social media,
  • 00:21:31.803 --> 00:21:34.306
  • It's really easy to lose sight
  • 00:21:34.306 --> 00:21:35.874
  • Of what we love most about america.
  • 00:21:35.874 --> 00:21:38.710
  • But what these stories behind the music tell us,
  • 00:21:38.710 --> 00:21:41.480
  • That we are a nation of the people, by the people,
  • 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:44.483
  • And for the people, the first of its kind.
  • 00:21:44.483 --> 00:21:46.785
  • Are we far from perfect?
  • 00:21:46.785 --> 00:21:48.186
  • Absolutely.
  • 00:21:48.186 --> 00:21:49.321
  • But what these songs do is remind us
  • 00:21:49.321 --> 00:21:51.990
  • And inspire us of our potential,
  • 00:21:51.990 --> 00:21:54.760
  • And that is always worth singing about.
  • 00:21:54.760 --> 00:21:57.796
  • Add your voice to the final chorus.
  • 00:21:57.796 --> 00:22:00.932
  • ♪ o'er the land of the free
  • 00:22:01.566 --> 00:22:07.939
  • ♪ and the home of the brave
  • 00:22:08.573 --> 00:22:19.317
  • (gentle instrumental music)
  • 00:22:19.918 --> 00:22:19.918