Music is a powerful force that can evoke strong emotions and memories. It’s no wonder that so many songs have been written about our great nation.
From patriotic anthems to ballads about the beauty of each state, these 50 tracks capture the spirit of America like nothing else.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy some good old-fashioned Americana music as we explore 50 of the best songs about every state in the U.S. Let’s get started.
1. “Sweet Home Alabama” By Lynyrd Skynyrd
Who hasn’t heard Lynyrd Skynyrd’s classic song about the Heart of Dixie? “Sweet Home Alabama” celebrates the South and the rich history therein, serving directly as a strike back against critiques of the region.
The song itself was written in response to Neil Young’s “Southern Man.” There, Young brings the entirety of the South into the limelight for a history of slavery and the effects slavery had on the nation.
Lynyrd Skynyrd rejects this depiction, even name-checking Neil Young in the song.
That said, it’s worth looking at both sides of the songs. Alabama isn’t without a smudge on its history, but that doesn’t mean Lynyrd Skynyrd’s anthem of the South doesn’t ring just as true.
Related: For more, read our list of songs about Alabama here.
2. “Alaska” by Maggie Rogers
Inspired by a trip she took to Alaska as a teenager, Maggie Rogers wrote this song as an ode to self-exploration and reaching inner peace.
She describes walking through icy streams and over glacial plains, walking off her old self and someone referred to simply as “you.”
This song launched Maggie to fame after a video of Pharrell Williams listening to the original recording went viral. Williams visited a master class at NYU and instantly knew Maggie had genuine songwriting talent.
The most famous singer to cover “Alaska” is Alaskan-born Jewel. She took the synthy drum beats of the original and introduced her signature acoustic guitar instrumentals.
Related: For more, read our list of songs about Alaska here.
3. “Arizona” By Kings Of Leon
In 2007, the Kings Of Leon released “Arizona” in their album Because Of The Times. It is a slow alternative rock song about a girl in Copper State.
Inspired by a trip to the state, Nathan and Caleb Followill had a quick trip to a brothel tucked away in the desert.
The song is largely about one female worker they saw in this brothel. They felt ashamed and heartbroken to see the place in person and left.
It’s a very complicated song about this woman, going back and forth between feeling awful for her and admitting how much they may like her.
4. “Arkansas” by Chris Stapleton
5. “Californication” By Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ blend of rap, rock, and funk is uniquely Californian. The band is synonymous with the state, a point their 1999 single “Californication” hammers home.
In a career littered with hits, it’s telling that this single has become one of the band’s signature tracks. Its moody verses and infectious chorus are prototypically West Coast, and the mellowness subdues its intense subject matter.
By celebrating California, the Chili Peppers also acknowledge its dangerous allure. It’s something the band knows first-hand, as substance
6. “You Wild Colorado” By Johnny Cash
Country-music singer-songwriter Johnny Cash has done it all, from humble beginnings in Arkansas to military service to becoming one of US history’s most popular musical artists.
Nicknamed the Man in Black due to his black wardrobe and signature black guitar, it’s only natural that the outlaw country legend would pen a tune or two about Colorado.
“You Wild Colorado” compares a romantic interest of the singer to the rugged terrain and complex beauty of the Colorado countryside.
Cash eludes through his lyrics the tough choice to stay with someone lovely yet rough and tumble. Much like a hike in the Rocky Mountains, it’s hard to know when to turn back and when to persevere!
7. “Connecticut” by Judy Garland and Bing Crosby
Judy Garland and Bing Crosby are both well-known and respected individually, so it’s no wonder good things happen when the two vocalists pair up for a number!
The song “Connecticut” appears on Crosby’s 1948 Decca Records release “Bing Crosby Sings with Judy Garland, Mary Martin, Johnny Mercer”, which features Garland amongst the other guests.
“Connecticut” is all about singing the state’s praises, mentioning Yale University and the citizens of the state.
The song discusses other towns and regions worldwide and eventually concludes that we’d be better off staying in Connecticut.
8. “Hello, I’m in Delaware” By City And Colour
Written and performed by Dallas Green under the name City And Colour, “Hello, I’m In Delaware” is a song about getting lost and winding up in Delaware.
The singer feels like their life is over after parting ways with someone. They now drive the highway aimlessly and sleeplessly through the night.
“Hello, I’m in Delaware” was originally released on City And Colour’s first EP, The Death of Me, which only had 2,000 copies made.
Copies of the CD were so rare that Green himself did not own one. Reportedly, he was surprised when a fan asked him to sign a copy at a show and asked them how they got their hands on it.
Related: Check out our list of more songs about Delaware here.
9. “Don’t Let Me Die in Florida” by Patty Griffin
Plenty of people are coming to Florida to stay, but Patty Griffin certainly isn’t. In the song “Don’t Let Me Die in Florida,” Griffin states just what you would expect.
Griffin declares that they don’t care about their name and to throw them on a train if you see them dying in Florida. Naming Daytona and Orlando in particular, Griffin has no desire to spend the rest of their life there.
Instead, they want to return to the Indian summer they came from. Griffin declares that they’d rather go where the icy cold and hills greet them, stating they’ll leave Florida without a trace.
10. “Georgia On My Mind” by Ray Charles
In 1930, “Georgia on My Mind” was a hit for writer and singer Hoagy Carmichael. However, it became a smash hit for Ray Charles when he released it as a single in 1960.
Since then, Ella Fitzgerald and Willie Nelson have recorded seminal song versions.
Its passing reference to the Georgia pines and the peaceful life in the state quickly endeared the song to Georgians. The Georgia legislature voted to name “Georgia on My Mind” the state song in 1979.
11. “Blue Hawaii” By Elvis Presley
12. “Private Idaho” By B-52s
Next on our list is “Private Idaho,” a hit song by the American new wave, post-punk band B-52s.
fThe song was released as a single in September 1980 from their second studio album, Wild Planet. It was their second US Billboard Hot 100 entry at #74.
The song is a collaboration between band members Fred Schneider, keyboardist-singer Kate Pierson, and guitarist Ricky Wilson, with essential contributions from drummer Keith Strickland.
In an interview with the band, the song’s meaning speaks to people from different angles. It’s not a slight about the state but sings of what Idaho or their piece of place means to them.
Others may believe there is a connection to the movie “My Own Private Idaho,” but the screen flick came many years after.
13. “Johnsburg, Illinois” By Tom Waits
Illinois is a big state, and there’s an abundance of human life and love that stretches beyond the bounds of Chicago.
One such place is Johnsburg, Illinois, a town immortalized by Tom Waits in the song of the same name.
The song is a beautiful tribute to Waits’s wife, Kathleen Brennan. Its poetic lyrics entwine the geography in Illinois with that of Waits’s body: in one line, he mentions his wife’s name tattooed on his arm, and in another, he mentions the rural Illinois farm where she grew up.
Ultimately, he sends up Brennan’s upbringing with a short and sweet reference to the town: “She grew up outside McHenry / in Johnsburg, Illinois.” A timeless love story if we’ve ever heard one.
14. “Going Back To Indiana” By Jackson 5
Released on the Jackson 5’s Third Album, “Going Back To Indiana” is an exciting song about the Hoosier State. It was written by the Corporation, who also wrote “I Want You Back” and “ABC.”
Like many Jackson 5 songs at the time, Michael Jackson led the vocals of “Going Back To Indiana” at age 11.
The Jackson family had grown up in Indiana, but studio recordings and tours often kept them away from home.
Many songs centered on Indiana are about missing the state’s beautiful landscapes, rivers, and cities.
“Going Back to Indiana” takes this song motif up a notch with a feeling of celebration. After all, there’s nothing quite as thrilling as finally going home to the place you love.
15. “Iowa Corn Song” By Percy Faith
This inspiring marching song is an ode to Iowa’s most famous product: corn! Penned in 1912 by the Iowa Shriners and later performed by Percy Faith and his orchestra, it was a rousing anthem often played at the state’s parades and fairs.
The oddest part of the song is the pronunciation of Iowa as “Ioway.” A bit of research will show that it was sometimes used as a variation of the state’s name during the early and mid-20th century, although it’s heard almost exclusively in a handful of songs.
This song is a nostalgic reminder of a time when Americans had a great deal of regional identity and a sense of pride in their local contributions to the country as a whole.
16. “You’re Not in Kansas Anymore” by Jo Dee Messina
“You’re Not in Kansas Anymore” is a song written by Tim Nichols and Zack Turner and recorded by American country music artist Jo Dee Messina.
The single, released in July 1996, charted as a second entry on Jo Dee Messina’s album. The song reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling the production “right on the mark” and saying it provides a “strong framework for Messina’s personality-packed vocals.” The hook is “catchy,” and Messina’s delivery is “energetic.”
The song exemplifies the popular meaning, ‘you’re not in Kansas anymore,’ and talks about a man’s expectations about life in California and comparing the two.
17. “Kentucky Woman” By Neil Diamond
Our next song, the hit “Kentucky Woman,” was written, performed, and popularized by Neil Diamond in 1967. Though there has been controversy over who penned the song, this credit goes to him.
The debate stems from the numerous covers of this classic tune by bands like Deep Purple and is a testament to its popularity.
These days, almost all songs are recorded in stereo to play over conventional systems or via headphones. “Kentucky Woman” was unique for being the last mono single recorded by Diamond.
Yet another love song, this one is written about a woman from Kentucky who is as discerning in taste as she is attractive and charismatic.
18. “Louisiana Rain” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
In 1979, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released a song that Petty wrote, “Louisiana Rain.”
The song seems to speak of a man who travels around the country but comes back to his home in New Orleans. Metaphorical rain soaks his shoes and runs down his face.
The “rain” changes him so that by the time he returns to his hometown of Baton Rouge, he is no longer the same person.
Despite being from Florida, Tom Petty tells a heartfelt story about Louisiana in this country-rock number.
19. “Portland, Maine” By Donovan Woods
20. “Maryland” by Vonda Shepard
Vonda Shepard is a singer-songwriter best known for performing the theme song for Ally McBeal, along with appearing on the show often. “Maryland” is the opening track on her 1996 album It’s Good Eve.
The song, and much of the album, address how Shepard felt as a daughter whose single father was raising her.
Her mother left the family when Shepard and her three sisters were young. She wanted to move to Baltimore to feel the excitement of a big city.
So, Shepard took that idea and wrote the song as if she were going home to Maryland because that’s where her mother wanted to be. To Shepard, her mother was home. The result is an emotional song.
21. “Massachusetts” by Bee Gees
Despite being British, the Bee Gees released this single about Massachusetts in 1967. The song is about a man who is longing to return home to Massachusetts.
He remembers the beautiful scenery and the happy times he had there, offering the listener a nostalgic feeling while remaining very catchy.
After its release, “Massachusetts” became one of their most popular songs, making it number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 list and number one on the UK Singles Chart.
22. “Especially in Michigan” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
When one thinks of Red Hot Chili Peppers, California is usually the first place to come to mind.
Based in the Golden State, the four-piece band has a discography that heavily features the state dozens of times, often directly by name.
But with “Especially in Michigan,” Red Hot Chili Peppers pay testament to the birthplace of Anthony Kiedis.
“Especially in Michigan” is an energetic embracing of the Great Lake State in every possible way. Focusing on Michigan, the lyrics invoke Huckleberry Finn, fishing, and the local Detroit Lions and Tigers sports teams.
With an amazing guitar solo, exciting vocals, and touching lyrics, it’s a favorite of locals and tourists alike.
23. “Minnesota Girl” by Green Day
Green Day fans may be cocking their heads in confusion at the unfamiliar title. That’s because “Minnesota Girl” was never released on an album. Instead, the song was released for fans on the Green Day website, and sometimes they play the song live.
The song describes the singer’s relationship with a girl from Minnesota. While the song isn’t specific about where it takes place, the reference to mosquito bites indicates that the singer and his girlfriend are in Minnesota at the time of the song.
The song is likely about lead singer Billy Joe Armstrong’s wife, Adrienne, who is from Minneapolis.
24. “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” by Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn
Among all the country songs written about Mississippi, this one is perhaps the most recognizable. It has a fiddle that gives it a natural, while the vocals are sweet and the chorus is memorable.
“Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” is a song about two lovers separated by the Mississippi River. They sing about how nothing can stop them from being together, not even the river and its alligators.
Becki Bluefield and Jim Owen recorded the original version of the song. In 1973, the duo released this classic on their album of the same name. Their song met immediate success when it topped the Billboard Chart.
25. “Songs About Missouri” by Michael Tyler
Next, we have a song titled “Songs About Missouri.” Michael highlights the plethora of songs about various other states, but rarely do you find songs about Missouri.
From the green-eyed girls to the red and yellow sky, Michael reassures that if you knew what Missouri offers, it would get more praise, and you’d miss it if you ever left.
Because the beauty of Missouri seems inferior to the coastal towns that offer beaches and southern girls, people don’t know what they are missing.
26. “Montana Song” by Hank Williams Jr
In “The Montana Song” by Hank Williams Jr., the singer talks about how he will spend the winter months in Montana. Since he is from the south, the bitter cold Montana winters will be rough for him.
He has also recently lost someone he cared about, so he hopes to find someone who loves him in the state.
Williams sets a good plan with this song. Winters in Montana are beautiful. He even mentions the deep snow, which is emblematic of the state’s colder months. Montana is his go-to place to escape, and it is a wonderful place to do so.
27. “Nebraska” By Bruce Springsteen
Arguably the most famous song about the state of Nebraska, legend Bruce Springsteen leaves his typical rock sound behind in favor of folk and country roots with his song “Nebraska.”
28. “Stop in Nevada” by Billy Joel
“Stop in Nevada” is a single from Billy Joel’s iconic 1973 Piano Man album. It peaked in the Top 40s in 1974 and is one of the most underrated singles.
The song tells the story of a complicated relationship between a man and a woman that culminates in her leaving. Although her destination is California, she tells him in a letter that she’ll be stopping in Nevada on her way there.
By mentioning she’ll stop in Nevada, she’s making it clear to her husband that their relationship is over for good. The unspoken message in the lyric is that she’ll establish residency in Nevada to file for a quickie divorce, which at the time was quite difficult.
Billy Joel’s voice emphasizes the poignant but empowering message in the song, leaving listeners unable to resist singing along.
29. “New Hampshire” by Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth’s “New Hampshire” came out in 2004 but pulls from classic rock enough that one might think the song is from a decade or so earlier.
Considered to be one of Sonic Youth’s more experimental albums, “New Hampshire” found a home in the hearts of plenty of Youth fans.
It takes a moment for the vocals to kick in, but the first minute is an entrancing growth of instrumentals. In the third voice, the reference for the title comes clear as it mentions two boys from New Hampshire, Steve, and Joe.
The two boys referenced are Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, who met in Sunapee, New Hampshire, as they started the band.
Sonic Youth has several references to Aerosmith, with a 7” single released in 2002 that has two instrumental tracks named after Aerosmith songs.
30. “Jersey Girl” by Tom Waits
Tom Waits may be from California, but he happened to release one of the most well-known songs about New Jersey.
The 1980 hit single “Jersey Girl” talks about a New York City boy who has fallen in love with a girl from Jersey. He plans to take a trip across the Hudson River to see her.
The boy has some quintessential Jersey activities in mind, like heading down to the shore and going to the carnival.
Anyone who knows a Jersey girl knows just how much of a breath of fresh air they can be. That fresh air seems to be what this city boy longs for.
31. “New Mexico” by Johnny Cash
Next, we have the song “New Mexico” by Johnny Cash. The song’s plot begins in a town called Griffin. It’s unclear where the town is located, but it could refer to Griffin, Georgia.
The narrator, a young man at the time, is approached by a cowboy and asked if he’d like to spend a “pleasant summer” in New Mexico on a cattle drive. Lured in by promises of reasonable wages and paid transportation, the young man agrees.
He soon finds out it was a mistake. A summer of harsh weather and uncooperative cattle ends in him not even being paid for his work, and he warns others not to make the miserable trip out West.
32. “New York, New York” By Frank Sinatra
Next up has to be the famous “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra.
While plenty of other recordings of this song exist, Sinatra’s version is the most renowned. It captures the unique energy of New York City.
Liza Minnelli recorded the original version of this tune as part of the Martin Scorsese film New York, New York. But Sinatra’s version is played at events such as Yankee games and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The lyrics capture the spirit that anything is possible in the Big Apple, and everyone should want to be part of that exciting place.
33. “Carolina In My Mind” by James Taylor
Starting strong with a classic, we have the James Taylor ballad “Carolina in My Mind.” The nostalgic track is full of a longing for a visit to the Tarheel State and is often named the unofficial state anthem of North Carolina.
Throughout the song, the narrator talks about leaving for Carolina during a daydream. Thinking about the warm sunshine and the feeling of moonshine going through them, even getting rear-ended by a friend isn’t a worry there.
As the song continues, the yearning grows stronger and stronger. By the end, the narrator states that they can feel the highway calling their name, urging them to drive to North Carolina.
The omens continue until the narrator can’t fight it anymore, leaving in the night to go back home.
34. “North Dakota” by Tigirlily
Two sisters from Hazen, ND, constitute Tigirlily, an act that started on social media—no record deal, no corporate advertising or support—which knocked Olivia Rodrigo out of the top spot on iTunes’ song sales chart.
“North Dakota” is an ode, unsurprisingly, to North Dakota, and it’s somewhat in the vein (lyrically, at least) of the Beach Boys’ “California Girls.”
It lists off different types of guys—Southern boys, surfer boys, city boys—and avers that while they’re nice and all, none of them have anything on North Dakota.
The two sisters sing about how the state is the place for them. The Badlands will always be where the place they call home.
35. “Ohio” by The Black Keys
The song “Ohio” was released in 2010 by The Black Keys. It is another entry inspired by Akron, where the band formed in 2001.
“Ohio” describes the singer’s homesickness for the place he loves most. He sings that no matter what town he is in, he always thinks of going home.
“Ohio” has the band’s signature bluesy feel, with a heavy bass line you feel in your chest. The lyrics are as poignant and gritty as the melody.
The song is a testament to hometown roots and a heartfelt description of the feeling you get when you’re away from home for too long.
Although you may find happiness and joy outside of the place you’re from, home calls to you. After all, it is a refuge where you can unwind and relax.
36. “Oklahoma Morning” by Charley Pride
Next up is one of the more popular Oklahoma songs by an equally famous entertainer.
Charley Pride was an American singer that was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and is part of an elite group in the Grand Ole Opry as one of three African-American members.
His song Oklahoma Morning is one of many well-loved tunes throughout his career.
Oklahoma Morning describes an early autumn day in Oklahoma as the morning breeze helps bring the sunshine up.
You can imagine being right there in Oklahoma as the lyrics talk of the golden yellow leaves falling from the trees and how Mother Nature helps drown out the sounds of the city.
This song indicates how relaxing on an Oklahoma morning will help you forget everything else, if only for a moment.
37. “Eugene Oregon” by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is a legend raised in Tennessee. However, her song “Eugene Oregon” describes a particular location dear to her heart.
Parton describes how she’ll never forget the town of Eugene, Oregon, and the kindness she found when feeling low and homesick.
However, Dolly found inspiration and strength to continue and essentially dedicated a transformative experience to the Oregon location. So much so that she’ll remember it for the rest of her life!
Overall, it’s hard to find genuine love and support; when you see it, you better hold on tight! One thing is for sure, the people of Eugene, Oregon, have your back!
38. “Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John
Bernie Taupin and Elton John wrote “Philadelphia Freedom” in 1975 as an homage to John’s close personal friend, Billie Jean King. King played tennis for the Philadelphia Freedoms tennis team.
Credited to the Elton John Band, the song celebrates the Philadelphia sound, a genre that combines dramatic orchestration with funk and soul.
The song took the #3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for all of 1975. It appears on the 1977 album Elton John’s Greatest Hits Volume II.
The Franklin Institute IMAX plays the song prior to every screening, and the lyrics are inscribed on the walls at the Philadelphia Hard Rock Cafe.
39. “Rhode Island” by The Front Bottoms
“Rhode Island” has several topics flying through the lyrics, opening with a mention of Rhode Island.
The narrator mentions someone they know that seems to be in hiding from the government. Discussing a bike trip, the narrator states that Florida is far away from Rhode Island.
The songwriters would later go on to specify it was about a fan at one of their shows. With a backpack full of drugs, the fan said that he was going to drive from Rhode Island down to Florida on his bicycle.
The band later ran into him at another show further down the years. When asked, the fan allegedly said he didn’t make the whole journey before he had to turn around.
40. “South Carolina” – The Outlaws
“South Carolina” by the Outlaws describes a man who comes in from Texas by train to see his lady in South Carolina.
By the sound of the lyrics, it sounds like he’s ready to settle down and put his traveling days behind him.
This song was penned by Outlaws member Henry Paul. He had his wife in mind when he wrote it.
She was born in South Carolina, and Henry drew on his experiences as a musician in a traveling band to evoke the feelings of loneliness that come from always being on the road.
41. “Deadwood, South Dakota” by Nanci Griffith
When it comes to the stories of the Wild West, there are few towns more notable than Deadwood, South Dakota.
Drawing the likes of the Earps, Wild Bill Hickok, and Calamity Jane, the city is a symbol of the romantic ideas of the West.
But Griffith uses “Deadwood, South Dakota” as a platform to discuss the damages of settlers.
Rather than glorify the Wild West, Nanci Griffith speaks on Thasunke Witko, better known as Crazy Horse. One of the leaders of the Lakota people, Crazy Horse, surrendered after a lengthy fight for his people’s independence only to be executed.
Overall, Griffith uses this song to discuss the plight and the erasure of indigenous peoples.
Referring to the town as a place “where the white man does as he pleases” it’s a strong critique of the way that history gets ignored as people move on.
42. “My Tennessee Mountain Home” by Dolly Parton
An entertainment superstar and Tennessee darling, Dolly Parton often speaks publicly about her modest upbringing in a one-room shack in Sevierville, Tennessee.
Though her family lived in poverty, her parents made sure Parton and her siblings never wanted for love or music.
This song, penned in 1973, alludes to her simple childhood, where things were peaceful and “crickets [sang] in the fields nearby.”
Her portrayal of a cozy home in the Smoky Mountains is so poignant that it’s made its way into the country-folk canon and been covered by many other artists in turn (whether or not they hail from Tennessee).
43. “Beautiful Texas” by Willie Nelson
44. “Utah Carol” by Marty Robbins
The next song, “Utah Carol,” tells a story about life in the west. The singer and his partner, Utah Carol, were like brothers.
They were out riding horses when they found cattle stampeding towards Lenore, their boss’s daughter, on her own horse.
Utah Carol set out to save Lenore, but he fell off his horse when he tried. He used Lenore’s red saddle blanket to distract the herd from Lenore.
However, he wasn’t able to save himself. At the hero’s funeral, they wrapped him in the blanket that saved Lenore.
45. “Moonlight In Vermont” by Frank Sinatra
Next, a well-known song, “Moonlight In Vermont,” written by Karl Suessdorf, is a soft, melodic tune about finding love in the state.
But, we love Frank Sinatra’s version as his silky voice takes you through the sycamore trees and along the white ski slopes. Like many songs about the state, it centers on its famed natural beauty and snow-covered sights.
Sinatra’s version has become a common feature in Vermont weddings. Despite his association with the song, he wasn’t the original singer of it. Rather, it was first performed by the country singer Margaret Whitling.
What’s more, “Moonlight In Vermont” has countless covers, from Willie Nelson to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
46. “My Old Virginia Home” by The Carter Family
Released in 1936, “My Old Virginia Home” is a terrific representation of what the music of The Carter Family was.
While the Carter Family never had the smash success of the Gene Autreys of the time, A. P., Sara, and Maybelle Carter laid the foundation for modern country music. They also gave the world June Carter Cash and some of Johnny Cash’s children.
The song weaves a sad, melancholy tale almost as old as humanity— a man who left home seeking adventure and greener pastures realizes his mistake.
Throughout the song, he’s returning to his home in Virginia. He’s learned his lesson and plans on never leaving again if he can only get back there.
47. “Posse on Broadway” by Sir-Mix-A-Lot
The next state, Washington, it was a little hard to find songs with it in the title. So instead, we opted for a song by Sir Mix-A-Lot, who is often associated with the one-hit-wonder category for his massive 1992 hit single “Baby Got Back.”
But for those in Washington, he’s recognized as one of the first MCs of ‘80s hip hop to reach fame outside of New York or California.
The rapper’s 1988 single, “Posse on Broadway,” was a minor hit, reaching number 70 on the Billboard Hot 100. But for those living in Seattle, the song is a rap anthem.
Seattle references litter the lyrics as Sir Mix-A-Lot and his Posse bounce around Seattle looking for the hottest spot to party. The single remains a snapshot of pre-grunge Seattle.
48. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
While the song “Take Me Home, Country Roads” doesn’t have West Virginia in the title, it certainly is about West Virginia.
Written and released in 1971 by John Denver, it has become one of his most famous songs and has been performed by other artists. In its release year, the single was certified gold and went platinum in 2017.
It was enthusiastically received nationally and by West Virginians. Indeed, West Virginia University adopted it as the school song in 1972.
Denver’s song is played at many West Virginia events, ranging from sports to weddings, and West Virginia made it one of its official state songs in 2014.
49. “Wisconsin” by Bon Iver
“Wisconsin” is the “secret” bonus track of Bon Iver’s debut album For Emma, Forever Ago.
50. “Song of Wyoming” by John Denver
And finally, this beautiful ballad “Song of Wyoming” by folk and country singer John Denver came out in 1975 on his album, Windsong.
The lyrics begin with the singer watching the sunset after a long, tiring day. He reflects on the beauty and peacefulness of the land.
Toward the song’s end, he awakes the next morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Throughout the song, he refers to the environment, mentioning the sound of the birds and coyotes nearby.
Denver sings about the cottonwood trees and the sage, painting a picture of the place he is in. It is clear from these lyrics that Wyoming held a special place in Denver’s heart.
