You may also like: Can you answer these real 'Jeopardy!' After searching and searching for her love, she begs him to meet her under the lightning-torn Oklahoma sky. In this list, Stacker highlights one famous song about every state. The tracks span all genres, topics, and decades. Country tunes abound with Texas pride. Music ... a Cherokee-Cowboy, “Will” became best known as an actor, a Vaudvillian, a philanthropist, a social commentator, a comedian, and a presidential candidate. ... and became a world-famous figure. "Empire State of Mind" and "Welcome to New York" are only two of the recent additions to the peck of songs celebrating New York's Big Apple. “Devil Went Down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels Band. Lines like “Kentucky woman / She shines with her own kind of light” makes it a classic love song. Get Stacker's best stories delivered right to your inbox. Listen to it while sipping some Jack Daniels for the ultimate effect. See why nearly a quarter of a million subscribers begin their day with the Starting 5. Blake Shelton remains one of the best song interpreters in modern country music. As one of the few states left with truly wide open spaces, it's not hard to imagine the eagle flying over South Dakota, like the Bee Gees sing about on this track. But they all have one thing in common: celebrating their respective state. Even the relaxed melody of this song emphasizes the state's low-key frame of mind. In this list, Stacker highlights one famous song about every state. Diamond’s ode to Kentucky is actually a tribute to the strong woman he fell in love with from that state. 50 Famous Songs About Every State. The pop star's jam paints the Golden State in technicolor, with lines like "sun-kissed skin / bikinis on top." Though this Sufjan Stevens song never mentions the state by name, it comes from his "Illinois" album and gets its name from Casimir Pulaski Day, a local Chicago holiday honoring a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born in Poland. Pontiac 1720-1769. Even though her father warns her to never be a miner, Emmylou Harris still romanticizes the green, rolling hills of West Virginia. Johnny Cash runs away from his job pulling hay in Iowa to cut lumber in the Pacific Northwest in this song. Garland rates Connecticut above Paris, Naples, Montana, and Capri in this love song to the state. Glenn Miller released his take on this minstrel song in 1940 on a 78 record with "Beautiful Ohio" on the other side. Sprawling cornfields, dirt roads, and big blue skies also feature prominently in the music video. California's sandy beaches and green valleys have inspired tracks by Tupac Shakur, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beach Boys, and Johnny Cash. Though Eminem never mentions Michigan by name in this song, it’s all about his upbringing in a Warren, Michigan trailer park and his attempt to launch his rap career. You may also like: Best Country Music Albums of All Time. The catchy show tune pokes fun at Iowans and their "chip-on-the-shoulder attitude." The Rolling Stones personify Virginia as a sweet “honey child” in this little ditty about the state. Visions of "palmetto trees swaying in that Atlantic breeze" and idyllic small town life come to mind. “I Got a Gal I Love in North and South Dakota” by Frank Sinatra. You may also like: Ranking The Best Years in Movie History, “Sweet Virginia” by the Rolling Stones. Johnny Cash runs away from his job pulling hay in Iowa to cut lumber in the Pacific Northwest in this song. Just listen to the audience applaud at the line "cause down the shore everything's all right / you and your baby on a Saturday night" on the live version to see what we mean. “South Carolina Low Country” by Josh Turner. Visit CMT.com to watch Full Episodes of your Favorite Country Music Television Shows Online. Bruce Springsteen's narrator croons this folk song to his lover Mary, who is pregnant out of wedlock. It was the primary residence and transport for a crew that consists of Jet, Spike Spiegel, Faye Valentine, Edward, and Ein. Though this classic Southern rock jam is an ode to Alabama, it was actually written by a band from Jacksonville, Florida. The delegate from Kansas asks for funding for a firehouse in Topeka, while the delegate from Utah requests irrigation for the state's deserts. "Good Morning Baltimore" by the Original Cast of Hairspray. The images of snowy ski trails warbling meadowlarks are almost enough to make you want to move there—or at least plan a trip. Their single "Bloodbuzz Ohio" marries lyrics about love with a chronicle about the hardship of their home state coming out of the 2008 economic recession, with lyrics like "I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees / I never married but Ohio don't remember me" and "I still owe money to the money to the money I owe / I never thought about love when I thought about home" painting a somber, wistful picture of remembering home. This Sonic Youth song references New Hampshire boys only once, but it's still the most popular song about the state. "Missouri Waltz" was also packaged on the 1947 album "Glenn Miller Masterpieces, Volume II, " which took Billboard's #1 spot for a week in 1947, and five weeks (one week and another four-week streak) in 1948. Though California might have the wine, as Mick Jagger sings, it's all about sweet, sweet Virginia. The "Song of Wyoming" that Denver refers to in this ballad is the sound of the prairie: bird calls, the wind fluttering through cottonwood trees, and a coyote howling, all mingling together to form a natural tune. Diamond's ode to Kentucky is actually a tribute to the strong woman he fell in love with from that state. "Empire State of Mind" and "Welcome to New York" are only two of the recent additions to the peck of songs celebrating New York's Big Apple. The National may have formed in Brooklyn, but the band is composed of Ohio natives. At a time when songs about cowboys looked to the rodeo for lead characters, Strait pointed out that riders kept the same unrelenting tour schedules as country music singers. Native Jersey son Bruce Springsteen singing about leaving New York City for the state across the Hudson River fills any Jersey girl (or boy, for that matter) with state pride. Although she plans to move away to some big city, Harris knows she'll always come back to her country home. Discover new country music on CMT. Miranda Lambert tells a classic story of long-lost love in this folk song. As one of the few states left with truly wide open spaces, it’s not hard to imagine the eagle flying over South Dakota, like the Bee Gees sing about on this track. As the song goes on, he remembers there’s actually another girl in Minnesota and Texas—how could he possibly choose? This Billy Joel song chronicles the loss of factory jobs and the death of the American dream for an entire generation of American workers. “Devil Went Down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels Band “Devil Went Down to Georgia” might be one of the all-time country classics, thanks to the impressive fiddling, rapid-fire wordplay, and toe-tapping melody. And when anyone asks you where you're from, just say "shh" so Minnesota doesn't get overcrowded with defectors from other states. You may also like: 50 Times Actors Hated Their Own Movies, You have 4 free articles remaining this month, Sign-up to our daily newsletter for more articles like this + access to 5 extra articles. “Mary Queen of Arkansas” by Bruce Springsteen. As the song goes on, he remembers there's actually another girl in Minnesota and Texas—how could he possibly choose? He finds beauty in what most residents—particularly anxious teenagers—might see as reasons to get out of town. Frank Sinatra has a bit of a situation on his hands in this song: He has two lovers waiting for him, in both North and South Dakota. The Rolling Stones personify Virginia as a sweet "honey child" in this little ditty about the state. You may also like: Biggest box office bombs of all time, The wild west comes to life in this twangy country song about an outlaw rolling into a ghost town in search of a place to lie low and instead finding love. Before he became infamous for "Baby Got Back," Sir Mix-a-Lot rapped about the party scene in his hometown of Seattle in "Posse on Broadway." You can almost see the majestic firs, craigy peaks, trickling streams and silver clouds. Even though her father warns her to never be a miner, Emmylou Harris still romanticizes the green, rolling hills of West Virginia. The tracks span all genres, topics, and decades. ", You may also like: 50 movies that offer comfort in trying times. Justin Vernon is from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he holed up in a cabin to record "For Emma, Forever Ago" over one cold Wisconsin winter. Any native son or daughter coming home to Louisiana after a long absence will resonate with this song. Though you’ll find plenty of old favorites on this list, you might be surprised by the artists behind songs about Kansas, Washington, and a few others. It’s all about wordplay in this Perry Como song from 1959. The state of Idaho doesn’t get a favorable treatment in this 1980 dance rock track. 1 spot for a week in 1947, and five weeks (one week and another four-week streak) in 1948. and Minnesota into "she sipped a Minne-soda.". Meredith Willson's musical The Music Man was famously inspired by his childhood in Iowa. But Rhode Island? Click to Hear John Wayne. He died in a plane crash in 1935. Peruse, debate, listen and enjoy. Included are a few “I don’t love you anymore” songs. Tech N9ne's party anthem proudly proclaims that "Kansas girls go crazy," making it popular among young Kansans. You may also like: 100 Greatest Movie Songs From 100 Years of Film, The wild west comes to life in this twangy country song about an outlaw rolling into a ghost town in search of a place to lie low and instead finding love. As a native, Wilson's permitted to make these declarations and ultimately concludes the song in favor of Iowa, encouraging the main character to "give Iowa a try!". Ever wonder the reason why Elvis impersonators became such an integral part of the Vegas scene? Even so, it's a lovely (if sad) country tune. Every state has an ode in song. This rap song brags about all the Land of 10,000 Lakes' selling points: wide open spaces, clean air, drinkable tap water, cheap rent, and safe parks. By the end of the verse, he’s got a plan to run away together to Mexico—far, far from their home in Arkansas. Country tunes abound with Texas pride. The beautifully melancholy lyrics recall first love, loss, and growing up. You may also like: Best-selling book series of all time, “South Dakota Morning” by the Bee Gees. The story goes that the Dropkick Murphys frontman stumbled on forgotten Woody Guthrie lyrics when visiting the late folk singer's archive, which became the basis for the band's biggest commercial success in "I'm Shipping Up to Boston.". Read on for an interesting list of famous songs written about each state. Stacker explores famous songs from every state. Rainier and local Seattle hotspots on the track. The small city of Winslow, Arizona got its moment in the spotlight when the Eagles recorded this hit track in 1972. Every state has an ode in song. California’s sandy beaches and green valleys have inspired tracks by Tupac Shakur, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beach Boys, and Johnny Cash. The tone of Bon Iver's "Wisconsin" evokes the feeling of an icy, midwest winter—probably not unlike how it feels to be standing out in the snow in Wisconsin, just like the lyrics describe. "Devil Went Down to Georgia" by Charlie Daniels Band. Led Zeppelin were greatly influenced by the poetry and prose of J. R. R. Tolkien in their songs "Ramble On," "Misty Mountain Hop," "The Battle of Evermore," etc. Tech N9ne’s party anthem proudly proclaims that “Kansas girls go crazy,” making it popular among young Kansans. You may also like: Best Robert De Niro movies, “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys, Based in Massachusetts, the Dropkick Murphys wrote an appropriate banger for America's rebellious city in "I'm Shipping Up to Boston." Still, that fact doesn’t stop Alabamians from screaming the words at college football games and dive bars every time it comes on. McLaughlin explains his love for Indiana by all the things it’s not: near the ocean, near the mountains, near the city. Rainier and local Seattle hotspots on the track. Can you answer these real 'Jeopardy!' This isn’t the Kansas that Dorothy pined for in the Wizard of Oz, that’s for sure. He turns Delaware into a pun on "what did Dell wear," California into "why did Cali phone ya?" Jimmy Buffett has become synonymous with beers on the beach, lazing in a lawn chair, and throwing a few back in Margaritaville—the “Floridays” lifestyle, in other words. Tracy Turnblad sings this happy-go-lucky tune on her way to school in Hairspray, the 2002 musical inspired by the cult favorite 1988 John Waters film. Jimmy Buffett has become synonymous with beers on the beach, lazing in a lawn chair, and throwing a few back in Margaritaville—the "Floridays" lifestyle, in other words. 10 Popular Songs Given The Rock Treatment February 12, 2021. Chris Stapleton's bluesy tune about getting drunk on love as "smooth as Tennessee whiskey … as sweet as strawberry wine" is just so easy to sing along to. Though California might have the wine, as Mick Jagger sings, it’s all about sweet, sweet Virginia. Tracy Turnblad sings this happy-go-lucky tune on her way to school in "Hairspray," the 2002 musical inspired by the cult favorite 1988 John Waters film. Best known as a cowboy in John Ford directed Westerns such as Stagecoach (1939), Fort Apache (1948) and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) and Rio Grande (1950). The remaining three songs were released in 1989 as part of The Complete Thom Bell Sessions. Sprawling cornfields, dirt roads, and big blue skies also feature prominently in the music video. You may also like: 71 years of Emmy history. Though this Sufjan Stevens song never mentions the state by name, it comes from his "Illinois" album and gets its name from Casimir Pulaski Day, a local Chicago holiday honoring a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born in Poland. You can almost see the majestic firs, craigy peaks, trickling streams and silver clouds. The sound of waves crashing in the background only makes the beach vibes stronger. The song ends with the line "we got to tell this country about Utah / cause nobody seems to know.". John Denver’s song about a young man finding himself in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains paints an idyllic picture of the wilderness. 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