# How many hit Rock/Pop tunes mention Wisconsin? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 3, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191 "2009-11-03T19:24:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/1 "2009-11-03T19:24:58Z")
There’s Springsteen’s “Cadillac Ranch” with: _Hey little girlie in the blue jeans so tight Drivin’ alone through the Wisconsin night_ And there’s Lightfoot’s “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” with: _The ship was the pride of the American side Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin_ Any others? ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/2 "2009-11-03T20:57:46Z")
Well, there’s Zappa’s “The Madison Panty-Sniffing Festival”, but it wasn’t a hit, nor is it really a song. I got nothin’. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/3 "2009-11-03T21:06:50Z")
Bon Iver, “Wisconsin” _That was Wisconsin that was yesterday Now I have nothing that I can keep Cause every place I go I take another place with me Love is loves critique_ ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/4 "2009-11-03T21:07:05Z")
The Dead Milkmen did some sort of demo in 1983 with a cool song on it called “I’m Livin in Wisconsin”. You can download it for free (and legally) [here](http://jacktalcum.com/dm/index.html). It’s by no means a hit, tho…damn your thread title! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/5 "2009-11-03T21:08:40Z")
The Jonathan Richman song “They’re Not Tryin’ on the Dance Floor” features the immortal lyrics: _Like Sheboygan or Eau Claire They’re just there._ ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/6 "2009-11-03T21:10:12Z")
The Violent Femmes have a live album full of hits titled “Viva Wisconsin.” You’d think that one of their songs would have a reference in it, but I can’t think of one. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/7 "2009-11-03T21:15:45Z")
The end of That 70’s Show theme song.Not sure if that counts tho. “Hello Wisconsin!” ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/8 "2009-11-03T21:23:08Z")
“Lower 48” by the Gourds - I’m almost positive it mentions Wisconsin, since it mentions every state…in the Lower 48. Can’t seem to find lyrics for it at the moment. “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash mentions Fon Du Lac. Dolly Parton, “Milwaukee Here I Come” Ella Fitzgerald, “My Cousin in Milwaukee” ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/9 "2009-11-03T21:35:55Z")
John Prine’s _Lake Marie_ practically gives a geography and history lesson about the _Illinois-Wisconsin border._ Plus, you gotta appreciate a song with lyrics including \*There was four Italian sausages cooking on the outdoor grill And Man, they was ssssssssizzlin’ Many years later we found ourselves in Canada Trying to save our marriage and perhaps catch a few fish Whatever seemed easier . . . The dogs were barking as the cars were parking The loan sharks were sharking the narcs were narcing Practically everyone was there\* ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/10 "2009-11-03T21:40:45Z")
The mid-90’s alt band Sponge has a song called “Neenah Menasha”. The song has nothing to do with those 2 cities though. Apparently, the band was traveling through the area touring and liked the sound of the words. Other than that and the 2 you mentioned in the OP, I got nothin’ ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/11 "2009-11-03T21:50:00Z")
A recent favorite: [**Optimist vs. the Silent Alarm** by _Casiotone for the Painfully Alone_](http://mog.com/music/Casiotone_for_the_Painfully_Alone/Vs._Children/Optimist_vs._The_Silent_Alarm_(When_the_Saints_Go_Marching_In)) [Lyrics here](http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858771213/). ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/12 "2009-11-03T21:56:33Z")
Thought of another one that sort of fits: After their _Empire_ tour, Queensryche released a video/CD set of their _Operation: Mindcrime_ album played live in its entirety, which was recorded in Madison. When introducing the song “I Don’t Believe In Love” (the studio version of which was a hit) Geoff Tate says something like “I’ve got a question for the audience… does anyone here in Madison, Wisconsin believe in love?” ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/13 "2009-11-03T21:59:08Z")
I’ll try to stick to Rock Pop as you asked for. Do you want the name Wisconsin or is a town good enough? Ten Degrees and Getting Colder - Nancy Griffith The guy is hitchhiking to Milwaukee. Bear Fans In Wisconsin - Bananas at Large I consider this one pop. I can come up with more if contemporary folk songs are good. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/14 "2009-11-04T00:59:12Z")
Fascinating examples, all! Thanks. Unfortunately for me, they have all made me register a blank look when trying to recognize the song (I did recognize some of the artists). My musical head, such as it is, is firmly stuck back in the Classic Rock era. I am happy to hear that Sheboygan, Fond du lac, Neenah, and Menasha are all getting represented in song. I hope Mukwonago and Oconomowoc one day are represented, too. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/15 "2009-11-04T05:52:31Z")
thought for sure I’d get beaten to this one: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Around the World \*Bonafide ride Step aside my Johnson Yes I could In the woods of Wisconsin \* ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/16 "2009-11-04T06:34:37Z")
Lou and Peter Berryman (not rock/pop, but eminently entertaining) probably have a few dozen. I love the spoken-word piece on their CD _Yah Hey_ (dedicated to Wisconsin topics) in which Peter talks about those intrepid explorers, Merriwether Lewis and Kimberly Clark, traveling south and being perplexed when their guides would stop every few miles and throw forty cents into the bushes. I LOL every time. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/17 "2009-11-04T06:41:28Z")
Depending upon your definition of rock, there’s [a whole album (and song) that name-drops Wisconsin](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Death_Trip_%28album%29). ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/18 "2009-11-04T11:13:43Z")
I purposely kicked off Lou and Peter Berryman because all the songs they sing have Lou playing her concertina accordion. I can’t bring myself to call their stuff pop. Otherwise there would be songs like Oh Wonderful Madison. They cram their songs with Wisconsin references so let me add one more. The Biggest Cow > [@](#): > > With her head in Prairie du Chien > She gives her milk down by Racine > So there the farms are full of joy > But there is fear in Illinois I also stayed away from Da Yoopers which do play even rock. They are big in Michigan and Wisconsin. I’d have to include a song like the Cow Pie Song. > [@](#): > > Chorus: > I love to go where the cow pies grow > And smell that dairy air > And party in Milwaukee > Cause the beer tastes better there > Beer and brats and a brewers game > Its a party night and day > Now I’m walking across Wisconsin > Trying to find my chevrolet ---
**Author:** ![42fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/b487fb/32.png) [@42fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42fish)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-hit-rock-pop-tunes-mention-wisconsin/516191/19 "2009-11-04T17:09:30Z")
“What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out Of Me)” by Jerry Lee Lewis