# Songs that use city names as a rhyme (and is there one for every state?) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 27, 2015, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629 "2015-06-27T15:29:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/101 "2015-06-30T16:27:57Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > For New Jersey, we have “[I’m From New Jersey](http://www.50states.com/songs/newjerse.htm#.VY7pYEYYEko)”. The songwriter is Red Mascara, who just passed away. He rhymes Cape May with “steal your heart away”. > > No need to be so obscure. As mentioned earlier Springsteen’s Atlantic City covers it. Also another big song comes close but doesn’t exactly mention a city. The Four Seasons _My Eyes Adore You_. > > “Walking home every day over Barnegat Bridge and Bay” Hey, it wasn’t obscure the day I wrote that. He had an obituary on the front page of the NYTimes’ website. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/102 "2015-06-30T19:11:11Z")
Morning Morgantown Buy your dreams a dollar down Joni Mitchell (Who is talking today) WV is in ---
**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:** [June 30, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/103 "2015-06-30T19:38:14Z")
“See I’m the long leaner Victor the Cleaner I’m the illest motherfucker from here to Gardena [California]” - Beastie Boys, So What’cha Want ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2015, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/104 "2015-06-30T21:37:50Z")
I am flabbergasted! Truly astonished! Thanks to everyone who has replied to this thread. I love it when Dopers come through!!! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/105 "2015-06-30T21:46:27Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > “See I’m the long leaner Victor the Cleaner > I’m the illest motherfucker from here to Gardena [California]” > > - Beastie Boys, So What’cha Want You’re from Secausus - I’m from Manhattan You’re jealous of me because your girlfriend is cattin’ Beastie Boys, The New Style ---
**Author:** ![uncle\_squeegee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b5e925/32.png) [@uncle\_squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uncle_squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2015, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/106 "2015-07-01T03:01:07Z")
Washington has been covered, but I love this song. “Seattle” by The Hot Toddies I miss my boy when I’m in Seattle I’d like to ride him like a horse without a saddle I’d like to spank him with a big wooden paddle I get so horny when I’m in Seattle Seattle, Seattle Seattle, Seattle On the road, it’s such a battle When I go out I like to shake my rattle It gets so hard without someone to straddle I get so horny when I’m in Seattle Seattle, Seattle Seattle, Seattle It’s time to skedaddle, to Canada. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0z9l_AT1Vyk/hqdefault.jpg "The Hot Toddies - "Seattle"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z9l_AT1Vyk) ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/107 "2015-07-02T02:11:11Z")
Are we including ones that rhyme the city and state? Because this is the best I can do for South Dakota. \* He said, “I hope to god she finds The goodbye letter that I wrote her 'Cause the mail don’t move too fast In Rapid City, South Dakota”\* (Dwight Yoakam) ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/108 "2015-07-02T02:27:56Z")
Another one-I think it has to be West Virginia but it doesn’t mention the state: _When morning comes to Morgantown The merchants roll their awnings down The milktrucks make their morning rounds In morning Morgantown_ (Joni Mitchell) ---
**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:** [July 2, 2015, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/109 "2015-07-02T02:35:57Z")
“L-A, New York Yankee n\* to Hotlanta ‘ouisiana, all my n\* wit “Country Grammar” Smokin blunts in Savannah [Georgia] Blow thirty mill’ like I’m Hammer” - Nelly, Country Grammar ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/110 "2015-07-02T03:04:47Z")
North Dakota is tough. I may have to cheat a little. Does it count if the lyrics mention Fargo, but they’re talking about the movie? Hey, Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me) - Blessed Union of Souls: \*She likes me for me Not because I hang with Leonardo Or that guy who played in “ **Fargo** ” \* ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/111 "2015-07-02T03:11:18Z")
One more: _South Carolina Down in Myrtle Beach Dance to the music Twistin’ to the beat_ (Sammy Hagar) I also found one that rhymes Narragansett with “your shoes are wet” but I’m not sure it counts since I’ve never heard of the band. [link](http://www.lyricsmania.com/pettaquamscutt,_narragansett_lyrics_t_and_the_wonder.html). ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/112 "2015-07-02T03:30:50Z")
I lied-one more that I’m not sure counts because it’s sort of a rhyme but the corresponding lines don’t rhyme in any other verses. _it’s raining down in Eastern Pawtucket it’s raining down in Philly, too stood outside praying to get wet and I ended up with mud all over my shoes_ (Gutterball) ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/113 "2015-07-02T04:15:02Z")
Still looking for South Dakota? I don’t know if this counts: We were all wounded at wounded knee, you and me We were all wounded at wounded knee, you and me In the name of manifest destiny, you and me You and me, you and me Read more at [REDBONE - WE WERE ALL WOUNDED AT WOUNDED KNEE LYRICS](http://www.songlyrics.com/redbone/we-were-all-wounded-at-wounded-knee-lyrics/#hiDKowOv7m22QFYV.99) ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/114 "2015-07-02T04:49:25Z")
Maybe this’ll do? I’m from New England. BRIGHT-EYED LITTLE NELL OF NARRAGANSETT BAY Sung by: Mrs. W.B. Apple Recorded on 7/20/62 Click here to listen to the original recording Full well do I remember My boyhood’s happy hours, The cottage and the garden Where blooms the fairest flowers, The bright and sparkling water O’er which we used to play With the bright-eyed laughing little Nell Of Narragansett Bay. Chorus: Toll, toll the bell At early dawn of day For lovely Nell, So quickly passed away. Toll, toll the bell, A soft and mournful lay, For the bright-eyed laughing little Nell From Narragansett Bay. One day from us she wandered, And soon was in a boat. The cord was quickly loosened, And with the tide afloat. The arrow bound it over . . . through the spray, With the bright-eyed laughing little Nell Of Narragansett Bay. (Chorus) Next day her form, all lifeless, Was washed up on the beach. I stood and gazed upon her, Bereft of sense and speech. 'Tis years since last we parted, But here I weep today, For the bright-eyed laughing little Nell Of Narragansett Bay. (Chorus) (Mrs. Apple: “I want to hear that. I think I’ve got it too high.” Dr. Wolf: “Now, where’d you learn that? That sounded good.” Mrs. Apple: “Uh, well now, I learned that also at this same age, and I learned it from school friends. A lady by the name of Bess Linebarger used to know a lot of songs, and I think I learned this one from her.”) All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas Back to the Song Index Back to the Wolf Collection Homepage ©Copyright 2002 Lyon College ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/115 "2015-07-02T14:23:16Z")
For North Dakota, I found “The Deadwood Stage” by Doris Day: [http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/dorisday/thedeadwoodstage.htm](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/dorisday/thedeadwoodstage.htm) The lyrics include these winning lines: l"We’re headin’ straight for town, Loaded down, With a fancy cargo, Care of Wells and Fargo, Illinois - Boy!" ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/116 "2015-07-02T14:31:05Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > For North Dakota, I found “The Deadwood Stage” by Doris Day: > > [http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/dorisday/thedeadwoodstage.htm](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/dorisday/thedeadwoodstage.htm) > > The lyrics include these winning lines: > > l"We’re headin’ straight for town, > Loaded down, > With a fancy cargo, > Care of Wells and Fargo, > Illinois - Boy!" The “Fargo” in “Wells Fargo” is an individual named Fargo, not the city in North Dakota. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/117 "2015-07-02T14:48:55Z")
Does “What Did Della Wear?” not count for this purpose? [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NztfOSyCCFM](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NztfOSyCCFM) ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/118 "2015-07-02T14:52:42Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > The “Fargo” in “Wells Fargo” is an individual named Fargo, not the city in North Dakota. I know, I know, but gimme a break! We can actually eliminate North Dakota!!! ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/119 "2015-07-02T14:54:23Z")
Okay, here’s “Traveling Clean” by Jimmy Buffet: " JIMMY BUFFETT LYRICS “Travelin’ Clean” You go to Fargo, We’ll meet in Chicago, Travelin’ light and travelin’ clean In my nine wheel blue and white travelin’ machine. And I’m gone I’m movin’ on, yes I’m gone." ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629/120 "2015-07-02T15:20:14Z")
My favorite is “[Paducah](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMpJA0iv8Q8)” from _The Gang’s All Here_. > [@](#): > > Paducah, Paducah > If you wanna you can rhyme it with bazooka > But you can’t pooh-pooh Paducah > That’s another name for Paradise. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-use-city-names-as-a-rhyme-and-is-there-one-for-every-state/723629.md?page=7)