# Which States have the most and least songs written about them? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 18, 2012, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130 "2012-03-18T11:50:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [March 18, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/41 "2012-03-18T23:34:01Z")
Wisconsin has few notable songs, **On, Wisconsin** being one. Otherwise, it’s mentioned in Springsteen’s **Cadillac Ranch** in the lyric “hey ittle girlie with your blue jeans so tight, driving alone through the Wisconsin night”. And it also gets a mention in Lightfoot’s **Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald** in the line “The ship was the pride of the American side coming back from some mill in Wisconsin”. Not real big time, but not horrible, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/42 "2012-03-18T23:43:44Z")
Of course “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” for Georgia. Also, “Country Roads” for West Virginia “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny” for Virginia ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/43 "2012-03-19T00:13:21Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Apparently you don’t know the full name of Rhode Island either. It’s much longer than “The Commonwealth of Virginia”, and that’s without including “The State of” on the front. Of course I know. This isn’t an 80’s cocktail party trivia game stumper. I will admit I didn’t know before looking up info on Lincoln Chafee years ago. But why on earth would that be referenced in a song? If someone sings about life down in 'bama, we all know where they mean. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/44 "2012-03-19T00:39:44Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Texas would probably be up there. Texans love to sing about Texas or listen to songs about Texas. Delaware would have to be near the bottom. Not only are there tons of songs about Texas, there is at least one song that even makes fun of the fact. It’s by the Austin Lounge Lizards. (An older song but it’s still good.) [http://www.austinlizards.com/lyrics/supid\_texas\_song](http://www.austinlizards.com/lyrics/supid_texas_song) And evidently they misspelled stupid? It’s a Supid Texas Song! ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/45 "2012-03-19T01:07:32Z")
Does “The Star-Spangled Banner” count for Maryland? It doesn’t directly mention Maryland or Baltimore, but it is clearly about defending Baltimore, MD from British attack. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/46 "2012-03-19T01:24:21Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > Does “The Star-Spangled Banner” count for Maryland? It doesn’t directly mention Maryland or Baltimore, but it is clearly about defending Baltimore, MD from British attack. There is _Maryland, My Maryland_, the secessionist state song. Like the SSB, a poem put on top of another tune. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/47 "2012-03-19T01:26:33Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Of course I know. This isn’t an 80’s cocktail party trivia game stumper. I will admit I didn’t know before looking up info on Lincoln Chafee years ago. But why on earth would that be referenced in a song? If someone sings about life down in 'bama, we all know where they mean. Ok, but **Shagnasty** ’s bringing one to life with the full name. We are a pretty feeble excuse for a state and oughta try and get some notice for our uniqueness. And aren’t these threads kind of like a cocktail party game, except lacking cocktails? ETA: Were you disappointed by what you found about Chafee? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/48 "2012-03-19T01:29:27Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Of course I know. This isn’t an 80’s cocktail party trivia game stumper. I will admit I didn’t know before looking up info on Lincoln Chafee years ago. But why on earth would that be referenced in a song? If someone sings about life down in 'bama, we all know where they mean. I disovered it in a long-ago crossword puzzle. “19 across. Smallest state. 42 letters???”:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/49 "2012-03-19T01:35:48Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Any songs about North and/or South Dakota? I would think there are more songs about the building in NYC than there are about the state(s). I think there are two _named_ “North Dakota.” Thrush Hermit (Joel Plaskett’s old band) had one on their album _Sweet Homewrecker_, and I think John Linnell had one on his album _State Songs_. Illinois has to be in the running for “most songs” thanks to Sufjan Stevens. _Illinois_ (aka _Come On! Feel the Illinoise!_) has 22 songs about the state, and _The Avalanche_ adds another 21. Illinois certainly has to win “most best songs”: the album _Illinois_ is my pick for the best album of the 2000’s. ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/50 "2012-03-19T01:39:34Z")
John Linnell, of **They Might Be Giants** , released a solo album called [State Songs](http://tmbw.net/wiki/State_Songs). It has 15 songs named after, but not necessarily about, states. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/51 "2012-03-19T02:10:53Z")
Beginning with _Tennessee Waltz_ but not ending with _Rocky Top_, I’d say Tennessee likely follows Texas closely in the number of songs with the state named in them. There are even songs (_T for Texas_) that name both.😃 Really, almost any state where country music is culturally relevent will be mentioned in at least one cut on some CD. ---
**Author:** ![Simmerdown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simmerdown/32/14859_2.png) [@Simmerdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simmerdown)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/52 "2012-03-19T03:01:12Z")
None of these answer the OP, I realize, but as long as we’re listing songs about states… _Indiana Wants Me_ – R. Dean Taylor _Gary Indiana_ – From “The Music Man” _Goin’ Back to Indiana_ –Jackson 5 _Mississippi Queen_ – Mountain _Black Water_ – Doobie Brothers (Mississippi moon won’t you keep on shinin’ on me) _The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia_ – Vicki Lawrence _Ohio_ –CSN&Y _Nebraska_ –Bruce Springsteen _Wild Montana Skies_ – John Denver _Montana_ – Frank Zappa ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/53 "2012-03-19T03:13:22Z")
> [@Simmerdown](#): > > _Mississippi Queen_ – Mountain > > _Black Water_ – Doobie Brothers (Mississippi moon won’t you keep on shinin’ on me) I’d guess both of those are talking about the river, not the state. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/54 "2012-03-19T03:23:31Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Apparently you don’t know the full name of Rhode Island either. It’s much longer than “The Commonwealth of Virginia”, and that’s without including “The State of” on the front. I’m pretty sure Randy Newman sang about it as a B side of his hit “I Love El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula.” ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/55 "2012-03-19T03:35:27Z")
> [@BrassyPhrase](#): > > Not only are there tons of songs about Texas, there is at least one song that even makes fun of the fact. It’s by the Austin Lounge Lizards. (An older song but it’s still good.) > > [http://www.austinlizards.com/lyrics/supid\_texas\_song](http://www.austinlizards.com/lyrics/supid_texas_song) > > And evidently they misspelled stupid? It’s a Supid Texas Song! Almost as good as Kenny Rogers’ “[Planet Texas](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa6evJIBAVo).” ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/56 "2012-03-19T03:36:46Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > I’m pretty sure Randy Newman sang about it as a B side of his hit “I Love El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/57 "2012-03-19T03:53:43Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Ok, but **Shagnasty** ’s bringing one to life with the full name. We are a pretty feeble excuse for a state and oughta try and get some notice for our uniqueness. And aren’t these threads kind of like a cocktail party game, except lacking cocktails? > > ETA: Were you disappointed by what you found about Chafee? Sorry, re-reading my post it seems a bit snotty and I didn’t intend that. It certainy is peculiar. A quick Google shows that the full name isn’t on drivers licenses. Is it used on other official state documents. I like Chafee. I wish the republican party had a lot more moderates like him. Of course, he’s an independent now. ---
**Author:** ![lew\_cody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e274bd/32.png) [@lew\_cody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lew_cody)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/58 "2012-03-19T04:01:01Z")
Found another one about RI: “Poor Little Rhode Island”, recorded by Guy Lombardo on 12-1-44. Don’t think anyone else recorded it at the time. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3\_uE7olZ9cU](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_uE7olZ9cU) Jerry Lewis recorded “North Dakota, South Dakota” for Capitol in the early 50s. Found one that deal with Utah: “The Utah Trail”, recorded by Bud & Joe Billings for Victor in 1929. I’ve even found a few about New Hampshire: “Ain’t You Coming Back to New Hampshire, Molly?” from 1906 and “New Hampshire Highway” from 1927, among others. “Away Down East in Maine” was popular in 1922 and “Among the Pines in Maine” is another one about that state (from '27). ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/59 "2012-03-19T04:06:53Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Sorry, re-reading my post it seems a bit snotty and I didn’t intend that. NP. I didn’t take it that way. > [@](#): > > It certainy is peculiar. A quick Google shows that the full name isn’t on drivers licenses. Is it used on other official state documents. There have been several efforts to remove ‘and Providence Plantations’ from the name. I don’t know why they fail. The reasons are because it is too long and so many people don’t know it, even here, and the association of the term ‘plantation’ with slavery. That wasn’t the basis of the name originally, but RI has other associations with the slave trade, so it sounds offensive to some. But just being too long seems to be sufficient reason for me. > [@](#): > > I like Chafee. I wish the republican party had a lot more moderates like him. Of course, he’s an independent now. Actually he’s a moron. He became governor because he ran against two more repugnant morons, and we reserve the positions of governor and the mayor of Cranston so that only Democrats don’t get elected to office. You should note that in this state, the mayor of Providence outranks the governor. As does the legisture in most aspects. (some liberty taken with the facts in that diatribe). ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130/60 "2012-03-19T05:46:17Z")
I imagine Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky are all pretty high on the list. I can think of a number of songs for each of them. Kentucky Rain My Old Kentucky Home I’m Goin’ Back to Old Kentucky Kentucky Waltz Bowling Green Paradise 8 More Miles to Louisville Dwight Yoakam must have a dozen songs set in Kentucky. T fot Texas, T for Tennessee Tennessee Waltz Tennessee Stud Please Come to Boston (is actually about the man from Tennessee) Tennessee (Arrested Development) …and countless other country songs Midnight Train to Georgia The Devil Went Down to Georgia The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia Georgia on My Mind Rainy Night in Georgia Way Down Yonder on the Chattahoochee Ramblin’ Man Doraville etc., etc. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-states-have-the-most-and-least-songs-written-about-them/616130.md?page=4)