Living in America means a steady diet of songs about America, a select few of which we memorize at school auditoriums or with hand on heart at the ballpark, and pass down through repetition. The rest, tributes and critiques alike, reach us through less civic channels.

The impulse to capture America affects, or afflicts, performers of all kinds. It unites Lee Greenwood (“God Bless the USA”) and Public Enemy (“Fight the Power”), Neil Diamond (“America”) and Toby Keith (“American Soldier”), Elvis Presley (“An American Trilogy”) and Rage Against the Machine (“Sleep Now in the Fire”).

America-worthy songs can be anecdotal or symbolic. They can talk about love, money, politics, places or customs. They don’t need to have “America” in the title.

But look beyond the indisputable greats: There are lesser-known songs that celebrate the country as robustly as the old standbys; well-known songs that evoke America without naming it; and songs that show a more complex America, one that doesn’t easily condense down to bumper stickers.

Here are candidates for a potential roster that is far from complete:

America: The set list

• “Take it Easy” (1972) and “Already Gone” (1973), The Eagles: Both draw on rock, country and the option of constant motion on a landmass with 4 million miles of roadway.
• “Lawyers in Love” (1983), Jackson Browne: Take this witty, referential mix of twang and doo-wop over Browne’s solemn 1986 anthem, “For America.”
• “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” (1969), The Band: Robbie Robertson, a Canadian, wrote this haunting ode to the South’s long memory.
• “Everyday People” (1968), Sly & the Family Stone: The funk-soul combo enjoys a leisurely soak in the melting pot.
• “Strawberry Wine” (1995), Deana Carter: In an American summer-break ritual, a girl encounters her first love, first drink and, well, you can guess the rest.
• “Duty Free” (2001), Ike Reilly: Here’s a great escape song for anyone who gets overwhelmed by the country that has everything.
• “South Bronx” (1987), Boogie Down Productions: This borough shout-out helped establish locale as a big part of rapper identity.
• “Screenwriter’s Blues” (1994), Soul Coughing: “It is 5 a.m. and you are listening to Los Angeles” on this dark, unsettling trip.
• “Expressway to Your Heart” (1967), Soul Survivors: Only in America does this metaphor fly. See also “Freeway of Love” (1985) by Aretha Franklin.
• “Pensacola” (1995), Joan Osborne: In the tradition of Johnny Cash, Osborne depicts economic and emotional struggle with intensity and regional flair.
• “Rock & Roll High School” (1981), Ramones: America invented teenagers, and few bands were better at high-strung teenage longing in the crucible of school.
• “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (1991), Nirvana: “Here we are now, entertain us.” Who else has summed up the national appetite for amusement so perfectly?
• “Take California” (1998), Propellerheads: A dance-rocking British instrumental plays on the world’s fascination with the West Coast.
• “Amerikkka’s Most Wanted” (1990), Ice Cube: The inner-city gangsta threatens to pay an unfriendly visit to the suburbs. Hide your kids.
• “Free Fallin'” (1989), Tom Petty: American Girl is the obvious choice, but this one is just as evocative.
• “Tangled Up in Blue” (1975), Bob Dylan: Boy loses girl, but can’t shed the memories as he runs from town to town.
• “Dancing in the Street” (1965), Martha & the Vandellas: This Motown-era call for a cross-country block party is still irresistible.
• “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” (1973), Bruce Springsteen: Again, there are more obvious choices, but the air of giddy possibility here feels wholly American.
• “Young Americans” (1975), David Bowie: Here’s the shapeshifting Brit before he wrote the grim I’m Afraid of Americans.
• “Dirt Track Date” (1996), Southern Culture on the Skids: From North Carolina comes a guide all Americans can use for entertaining on a budget.
• “Wide Open Spaces” (1998), Dixie Chicks: Nobody who doesn’t love the land of the free could write a song this emotional and panoramic.
• “All Just to Get to You” (1995), Joe Ely: Every song on the Texas country-rocker’s Letter to Laredo album is a Southwestern gem, but this one stands out.
• “Brother Can You Spare a Dime” (1932), Bing Crosby: The archetypal Depression ballad is a mournful reminder that prosperity comes and goes.
• “Car Wash” (1976), Rose Royce: Happiness is more than a paycheck in this disco salute to an iconic American workplace.
• “Back in the U.S.A.” (1959), Chuck Berry: One of the first rock ‘n’ roll songs in praise of America remains one of the best.