Americana

Americana is a loosely-defined aesthetic which consists of music, artifacts, scenery, folklore, and material culture which are seen as distinctly or especially "American" (i.e., of or relating to what is now the United States and its inhabitants). There is considerable disagreement over what counts as "American" because vast differences exist between different regions and subcultures within American society. For example, most people would put Jazz or Hip-Hop aesthetics in separate categories from Americana, despite both genres being uniquely American in their origins, promulgation, and current praxis. Similarly, Juggalos and the Amish do not fall under the "Americana" umbrella, though Yeehaw might.
Much of the aesthetic is characterized by nostalgia for an idealized past, often seen as "more wholesome" than modern American culture and style. The aesthetic is often commercialized: restaurant chains such as Red Robin and Applebee's decorate their interior walls with a collection of mid-20th century artifacts and signage which is affectionately known as "Americana clutter".
== Philosophy ==
Individualism is a social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control.
Freedom is a strongly tied conviction present throughout America but especially the south. America is known as the "Land of the Free" due to freedom of religion, speech, press, opportunity, etc. These motifs were founded in the early years of America when those were relatively unheard of, and thus are deeply ingrained in the national consciousness. 
Hard work is seen as the only way to achieve success. 
Local community provides a sense of security and stability. These people share the same family background, culture, religion, and values. 
== Visual ==
===General===
Americans as a whole share a national identity, encounter the same media and have a knowledge of history that creates a general aesthetic that applies to the nation as a whole. While many Americans may not like the aesthetic, they will mutually agree on its Americanness. Examples include:
*American cuisine and comfort food, such as hamburgers, Thanksgiving dinner, and apple pie
* Baseball and football
*Denim, a popular American fabric
*Historical paintings and imagery, such as the Declaration of Independence and portraits of Founding Fathers
*Imagery associated with the 4th of July, such as fireworks
*1950s-1960s imagery, as this was the time America was a superpower and had a feeling national unity among many of its citizens
*Norman Rockwell illustrations and paintings, part of American Kitsch
*Stars
===Greasers===
Greasers are a youth subculture that was popularized in the 1950s to 1960s by predominantly working class and lower class teenagers and young adults in the United States. The subculture remained prominent into the mid-1960s and was particularly embraced by certain ethnic groups in urban areas, particularly Italian- and Hispanic-Americans.
===Route 66===
Route 66 was named after historic U.S. Route 66, the first interstate highway to connect the East and West Coasts of the United States, this aesthetic is centered on classic American car culture. Though it is primarily a visual aesthetic, it is often associated with classic rock 'n' roll tunes from the 1950s. American car enthusiasts may also be referred to as gearheads. 
This subgenre of the Americana aesthetic often overlaps with Greaser and hot-rod culture (a.k.a. Kustom Kulture).
===Okies===
Okies are residents, native, or cultural descendants of Oklahoma. During the 1930s, Californians referred to migrant Midwestern farmworkers as "Okies", who were refugee farm families from the Southern Plains who migrated to California to escape the ruin of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.
In James Blish's Cities in Flight science fiction series, the term "Okie" was applied in a similar context to entire cities that, thanks to an anti-gravity device, take flight to the stars to escape an economic collapse on Earth. Working as a migrant labor force, these cities act as cultural pollinators, spreading technology and knowledge throughout the expanding human civilization. The later novels focus on the travels of New York City as one such Okie city, though there are many others.
===Redneck===
The Redneck or Hillbilly aesthetic is concentrated on the rural poor from Southeastern United States with a strong emphasis on traditional values and the simple life. Terms like White Trash, Cracker, and Hick are also associated with this aesthetic, however these terms (including Redneck) are considered derogatory. The term redneck originated from 1893, coming from the sunburn often seen on farmers. Because of the large amount of rural land and short, subdued winters, colonists naturally chose the southeast for farming. The large, rolling hills also gave way to animal farms and became one of the key images associated to the southern aesthetic. 
An ever-present stereotype of rednecks is racism and the confederacy. While many redneck types may be racist, not all of them are, and it is harmful to stereotype them all as such. 
Although Rednecks are associated with the South and the Confederacy, they should not be confused with the wealthy plantation owners of 19th century and Southern Belle culture. 
== American Dream ==
American writer and historian James Truslow Adams described the American Dream in 1931 as "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement [or economic situation]". This idea is from the Declaration of Independence, which professes that all men are created equal. 
The "American Dream" has changed over the decades and centuries. 
=== Frontierism ===
In the 1700s the first American ideal was frontierism. Also called expansionism was the expansion of American territories into official, U.S. States. This was an age of mass migration and settlements with an attitude called "Manifest Destiny". Many Europeans were enticed by free land, and immigrated over to the States. This combination of many European cultures made America a "melting pot" of culture. This is also linked to the Western and Prarie aesthetic. For more information, see the American Pioneers page. 
==== Imagery ====
* Cowboys
* Deserts
* Covered wagons
* Tans, sage, mustard yellow, rose gold, lavender
* Log cabins
=== Gold Rush ===
The discovery of Californian gold in 1849 brought about a whole new American Dream, although it still was influenced by frontierism. This is also linked to the Western aesthetic. 
=== Suburbia ===
The post World War Two era brought about a new era of consumerism and national pride. Women went back into traditional roles as homemakers, while men returned to being the main breadwinners. Technological advances such as washing machines, blenders, electric toasters, and televisions modernized the lives of the expanding middle class. Due to the Baby Boom, child and family friendly restaurants, hotels, and theme parks like Disneyland, enjoyed huge success. The term "teenager" was also used for the first time in the 1950s.
Also see Diner and Atompunk.
Women's fashion and gender expectations from this time period heavily influenced the Tradwife movement.
==== Imagery ====
*White picket fences
*Women wearing aprons over fancy dresses with high heels and pearl necklaces
*Children playing baseball
*Fast food like hamburgers, milkshakes, and hot dogs
*1950s era cars
*Diners
*Drive-in movie theaters 
==Music==
===Biker===
*"Tres hombres" by ZZ Top (1973)
*"Motörhead" by Motörhead (1977)
*"Lust For Life" by Iggy Pop (1977)
*"Sonic Brew" by Black Label Society (1999)
*GTA IV: The Lost and Damned theme (2009)
===Greasers===
*Greaser Spotify Playlist by albertlbaker
===Route 66===
*"Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts
*"Shake, Rattle and Roll" by Big Joe Turner
*Elvis Presley (early works)
*Chuck Berry
*Bill Haley & His Comets (esp. "Rock Around the Clock" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll")
*Jerry Lee Lewis
*Johnny Cash (early works)
*"On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson
*"Hotel California" by Eagles
*"Take it Easy" by Eagles
*"COWBOY CARTER" by Beyoncé
===Okies===
*"California Okie" by Buck Owens (1976)
*"Dear Okie" by Doye O'Dell/Rudy Sooter (1948)
*"Lonesome Okie Goin' Home" by Merl Lindsay and the Oklahoma Night Riders (1947)
*"Oakie Boogie" by Jack Guthrie and His Oklahomans (1947) – considered by many to be the first Rock & Roll song.
*"Okie" by J. J. Cale (1974)
*"Okie From Muskogee" by Merle Haggard from the 1969 album of the same name
*"Okie" by Patrick Sky and a parody of the above, from his 1973 album Songs That Made America Famous
*"Oklahoma Swing" by Reba McEntire and Vince Gill
*"Okie Skies" by The Bays Brothers (2004)
*"Okies in California" by Doye O'Odell (1949)
*"Ramblin' Okie" by Terry Fell
*"She's An Okie" by Al Vaughn
*"Okanagan Okie" by Stompin' Tom Connors
*"Israelites & Okies" by The Lost Dogs
===Redneck===
*"At Fillmore East" by The Allman Brothers Band (1971)
*"Second Helping" by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)
*"Molly Hatchet" by Molly Hatchet (1978)
*"Strikes" by Blackfoot (1979)
*"Blind Melon" by Blind Melon (1992)
*"Devil Without a Cause" by Kid Rock (1998)
==Fashion==
===Biker===
*Real leather jackets (moto jackets), vests
**Items are often custom embroidered to signify personal values and loyalties
*T-shirts, tank tops
**Bejeweled items are common depending on where the gang is located, especially for women.
*Heavy leather boots
*Riding gloves, helmets
*Hoodies/jackets/warm clothes for cold rides
*Studs, bandanas, chains
*Protective gear
===Greasers===
*Black leather jackets
*Pompadours
*Jeans (do not wear while riding bikes)
*White T-shirts
*Cigarettes
===Okies===
*Cowboy boots
*Denim jeans
*Plaid shirts
*Western-style hats
*Leather belts
*Fringe jackets 
*Embroidered shirts
*Denim jackets
*Belt buckles
=== Redneck===
*Flannel
*Heavy duty workwear
*T-shirts, tank tops
**Cut-off sleeves are typical
*Trucker hats
*Cowboy boots, cowboy hats
*Timberlands
*Blue jeans, jean shorts, "cut-offs"
*Camouflage, neon orange/pink
*American flag print, Confederate flag print
*Hunting graphics
*Overalls
*Aviator sunglasses
*Brands such as Mossy Oak, Realtree, John Deere
=== Hillbilly ===
* Overalls
* Going barefoot
* Straw hats
* Straws in mouths
===Route 66===
Under Construction
== Media ==
=== Film ===
*On the Waterfront (1954)
*East of Eden (1955)
*Rebel without a Cause (1955)
*Giant (1956)
*West Side Story (1961)
*The Last Picture Show (1971)
*Grease (1978)
*Paris, Texas (1984)
*Goodfellas (1990)
*Forrest Gump (1994)
*The Truman Show (1998)
*Pleasantville (1998)
*The Iron Giant (1999)
*O Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
*Cars (2006)
*American Honey (2016)
*The Irishman (2019)
*Licorice Pizza (2021)
*West Side Story (2021)
*Elvis (2022)
*Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)
*The Bikeriders (2023)
*The Holdovers (2023)
=== Television ===
*The Three Stooges (1922–1970)
*I Love Lucy (1951-1957)
*Leave it to Beaver (1957-1963)
*The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968)
*The Flintstones (1960-1966)
*The Alvin Show (1961-1962)
*Mister Ed (1961-1966)
*The Brady Bunch (1969-1974)
*Happy Days (1974-1984)
*Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983-1990)
*The Golden Girls (1985-1992)
*The Simpsons (1989-present)
*Dexter's Laboratory (1996-2003)
*The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2014)
*Family Guy (1999-present)
*Spongebob Squarepants (1999-present)
*American Dad! (2005-present)
*Mad Men (2007-2015)
*Hannah Montana (2006-2011)
*Wandavision (2021)
=== Literature ===
* John Steinbeck's:
** In Dubious Battle (1936)
** Of Mice and Men (1937)
** The Grapes of Wrath (1939)
** East of Eden (1952)
* Mark Twain's:
** The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876)
** The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884)
* Laura Ingalls Wilder's (& others):
** Little House series (1932-1942)
** The Charlotte series
** The Caroline series
** The Rose series
* American Girl Books:
** Julie series
** Molly series by Valerie Tripp
** Maryellen series
** Melody series
** Nanea series
* Nancy Drew by Edward Stratemeyer
* The Hardy Boys by Edward Stratemeyer
*Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series by Jeff Kinney
=== Comics ===
* Archie
* Big Nate
* Captain America
* Dennis the Menace
* Garfield
* Peanuts
* Superman
=== Sports ===
* Football
* Lacrosse
* Baseball
* Field Hockey
* Pickleball
=== Notable Figures ===
* Babe Ruth
* Bugs Bunny
* James Dean
* John Steinbeck
* Judy Garland
* Mark Twain
* Marlon Brando
* Marilyn Monroe
* Mickey Mouse
* Norman Rockwell
== Food ==
* Hamburgers
* Hotdogs
* French fries
* Apple pie
* Milkshakes
* Pumpkin pie
* Chocolate chip cookies
* Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches
* Mac 'n' cheese
* Whoopie Pie
* Lobster Roll
* Pizza
* Turkey
* Fried chicken
* Hershey's chocolate
* Chicken noodle soup
* Coca-Cola
* Pepsi
== Resources ==
=== Pinterest Boards ===
* Americana board by Maggie.M 
==Gallery==
Americana-Money Power Glory.gif
D1970s-suburban-shops-fast-food-motels-gas-busy-clutter-signs-americana-DBXBCN.jpg
Dull Old American Flag.jpeg
American Dollars.jpeg
Typical American City.jpeg
American Books.jpeg
Foodie Americana.jpeg
Light Sparklers Americana.jpeg
Carstack.jpg
American Flag.jpeg
Baseball bat american flag.jpg
220px-MHBgreaser.jpg|A classic Greaser
Ricetta-apple-pie-500x375-1200x720.jpg|"as American as apple pie"
Four-sporting-boys-baseball u-l-q122j3v0.jpg|"Four Sporting Boys: Baseball", by Norman Rockwell
Greetings from Oklahoma.jpg
Teepeecurios.jpg
Chicken-basket-neon-sign.jpg
Disneys-california-adventure-carsland-16x9.jpg|Carsland, at Disney's California Adventure
American Graffiti poster.jpg|American Graffiti, 1973 (dir. George Lucas)
220px-Kutte Motorrad vorn.jpg|Traditional American Biker vest
Camo.jpg|A popular pattern utilized in a lot of Americana fashion.
File:Mcdonald's.jpg
If the us were shoes.png|If the USA were shoes
File:Bettie Page Based On.webp
File:Milkshake bar1.jpg
File:Lana american flag.png
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File:Farrah fawcett hair skateboard.png
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File:Nicki-Minaj-Americam-Flag-2024-.jpg
File:Screenshot 2023-12-27 192333.png
File:Lana-turner-at-a-malt-shop.png
File:Betty boop.jpg
File:Britney american flag.jpg
File:Bettie Page-2.jpg
File:Bey flag1.webp
File:50s poster.webp
File:Milkshake bar.jpg
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File:Katy flag.png
File:MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS - Hollywood -Official Music Video-
Category:American
Category:Visual
Category:Fashion
Category:Music
Category:National Culture
Category:Nostalgia/Nostalgic
Category:1800s
Category:1770s