Songs of the 50 States

Last update: May 15, 1999

Clicking on a state link on the states page takes you either to the dedicated page for that state or to this page (at the respective state position). This page contains the rest of the states for which a lack of time has prevented me from completing dedicated pages. These are in the making. I have assembled lists of songs for each state and just need to work them into the respective pages. There is no particular priority to my choosing to complete the pages. Sometimes an interesting e-mail prompts me to get a new page online.

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Colorado

• "Colorado", Chris LeDoux, Songs of Rodeo Life (Capitol/Liberty CDP 7 96875 2)

• " Colorado", Linda Ronstadt from the album Don't Cry Now; written by Rick Roberts
  contributed by Bob Marshall

• "(Colorado) Rocky Mountain High", John Denver, ...

• "Colorado Calling Me", Jim & Jesse, ...

  Regional

• "Starwood in Aspen", John Denver

• "Aspenglow", John Denver Rocky Mountain Christmas (RCA PL81201)

Connecticut

In 1996 there was some competition for the state song. It apparently stayed "Yankee Doodle"?
• [How about not "The wives are in Connecticut"?]

Delaware

• "Delaware", Front Range, The Road Home
  "Oh, Delaware keeps on calling me
  What I wouldn't do to be there
  For I'm weary of the road, and I feel so all alone
  And I long to be home in Delaware"
  contributed by John Lupton

District of Columbia

See Washington, District of Columbia

Florida

"Swanee River (Old folks at Home)" by Stephen Foster is Florida's state song, reports Cary Kirby, who continues: Another interesting fact: Florida's original state song was "Florida, My Florida" sung to the same tune as "Maryland, My Maryland" ("O Christmas Tree / O Tannenbaum"). This link is to "Suwannee River," but there is a link to "Florida, My Florida". I'm not sure if you'll ever be able to find a recording of it, because it was replaced in 1913. If you are really looking for a song about the state of Florida, however, you might try the "Mickey Mouse March"! :)
• (All I can think of is Nancy Blake's instrumental "Florida Rag". Sorry. I was looking for lyrics.)

Georgia

The official state song is "Georgia on My Mind".
• "Back to Georgia", Loggins & Messina, Sittin' In
  (You say not country? Two songs later is "Listen to a Country Song")

• "Georgia Piney Woods", Osborne Brothers "Miss those Georgia piney woods Ancient home of the Creek, and the Cherokee, and me I was born in the Georgia piney woods..."
  contributed by Bob Marshall
  (still researching; think it was written by the Osbornes)

• "Georgia on My Mind", recorded by Willie Nelson on Stardust (1978, CBS 82710)
  (By the way, it was also a country hit by Ray Charles.)

Hawaii

This is a challenge. I need help here to avoid the kitsch.

We do know the official state song is "Hawaii pono i" (submitted by Jim Anderson).

Illinois

The official state song is "Illinois".
• I remember a song from a play (was it Spoon River Anthology?) that could have been titled "The State of Illinois". Does anybody know this song?? I don't know if it qualifies as "country", but it is certainly a state song, albeit old.

Indiana

The official state song is " On the banks of the Wabash, far away".
• "Back Home Again in Indiana", ...
  contributed by jhumble
• [Please not "Indiana Wants Me".]

• [Any songs from the Boys from Indiana?]

Kansas

The official state song, "Home on the Range", was submitted by Mary Cohen. This song is included on Coolidge 50, a CD with the 50 state songs.
• "Somewhere in Kansas", by Hugh Moffatt on Troubadour (Cuppamore Records 07-3CD)
  As with all albums by this splendid singer/songwriter, best known for authoring the Dolly Parton hit "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)", I highly recommend this album.

• "Matthew", by John Denver on Back Home Again (RCA CPL1-0548) is a splendid song.

  Honorable mention

• "Half Kansas Moon" by Swingin' Haymakers on For Rent (Circle 907, release date: 10/05/95)
• "You're not in Kansas anymore" by Jo Dee Messina on Jo Dee Messina (WEA/Atlantic Curb, release date: 04/09/96)

  Dubious submissions

Kentucky

Apparently the official state song is "My old Kentucky home, good night".
• "I Can Hear Kentucky Calling Me", written and performed by Bill Monroe; also by the Osborne Brothers, of which you can hear a Real Audio excerpt; also note the fine version by Holland's bluegrass band Groundspeed, on Clean & Decent).

• "Kentucky" on The Best of the Osborne Brothers (Sugar Hill 2203, release date: 03/11/91) by the Osborne Brothers; check out an excerpt in Real Audio

• "Readin', Writin' and Route 23", Dwight Yoakam from the CD Hillbilly Delux;
  contributed by Judith L. Patrick

• "Kentucky", Gail Davies, from the album "I'll Be There"; written by Carl Davis & Hartford Taylor;
  contributed by Bob Marshall

• "New Cut Road", Guy Clark on Craftsman (Philo CD PH 1184/85) -- such a fine double album combining two earlier works -- originally on The South Coast of Texas.

• "Kentucky Thunder", Ricky Skaggs

• I love John Prine's "Paradise", but it is about strip mining in eastern Kentucky rather than about Kentucky as a whole.

  Honorable Mention

• "Blue Kentucky Girl" by Emmylou Harris on Blue Kentucky Girl (WEA/Warner Brothers 3318, release date: 07/07/87) with low-quality MPEG or high-quality MPEG samples

  Distractions

• Does Steven Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home" qualify because Gene Autrey recorded it? Is Autrey country, or Hollywood? I find the lyrics patronizing at best, if not downright insulting!

• Here is something different. "Run for the Roses", by Dan Fogelberg, is about the Kentucky Derby.
• Any songs from the Kentucky Colonels?

Louisiana

The state song is "You Are My Sunshine" by duh singin Guvna, Jimmy Davis. This does not qualify. The alternate state song is "Give Me Louisiana". Both lyrics are available under Louisiana Historical and Cultural Information (referred by Carol).
Now how about some country or Cajun songs about the state?
• "Louisiana Saturday night", (recorded by Mel McDaniel and Jimmy C. Newman, among others)

• "Louisiana Man" by Flying Burrito Brothers on Cabin Fever (Relix 2008, release date: 05/30/91)

  Honorable Mention

• "Leavin' Louisiana in the broad daylight", Emmylou Harris

• "Louisiana 1929" sung by Aaron Neville, written by Randy Newman is about a flood that year.

Maine

Check the " State of Maine Song".
• Sorry -- "Third boxcar, midnight train, destination Bangor, Maine" is not enough to qualify Roger Miller's "King of the Road".

Maryland

• Europeans laugh when they hear the state anthem " Maryland, My Maryland" to the tune of "Oh, Christmas Tree". C'mon Marylanders, give me something sensible from your state. Stop --- -- I just thought of:

• "Down in Mary's Land", Mary-Chapin Carpenter (must have been the association with "sensible"!!)

Massachusetts

• "Massachusetts", Greg Greenway
  contributed by Ed Blachman

• "Sweet Baby James", James Taylor, title song of album; written by James Taylor; OK, so this one doesn't actually contain the word "Massachusetts", but it talks about Stockbridge, Boston, and the Berkshires.
  contributed by Bob Marshall

• There is a whole album called Massachusetts by Scud Mountain Boys. The 12th of 14 songs is the title song.

Michigan

The official state song is "My Michigan".

• Disqualified

• [Sorry, "Saginaw, Michigan" qualifies for neither Michigan nor Alaska.]

Minnesota

The official state song is "Hail! Minnesota", a college song turned state song.
• "Snow Days", Trip Shakespeare
  contributed by tkrueger

• "Tire", Milk of Amnesia
  contributed by tkrueger

  Minnesotans, please help me here. The above two do not sound country, and they could be an attack by an outside agitator from Wisconsin. Please advise me.

Mississippi

The official state song is "Go Mississippi".
I am delighted to have finally found a song from Mississippi. If you know more, please contribute them.
• " Mississippi Moon", recorded by John Anderson, written by T.J. White and C. Whitsett

  Not what we're looking for here

  I am not judging the following songs for their worth according to other criteria; however, they do not fit into my concept of love songs for a state.

• "Mississippi" by Cheryl Crowe:
  "The only thing that I did wrong
  I stayed in Mississippi a day too long"

• "Here's to the State of Mississippi" ("Find Yourself another Country to be Part of") by Phil Ochs on There but for Fortune (Elektra 960832-2)

Missouri

The official state song is "Missouri Waltz".

We could sure use a contribution to make our list less empty.

Montana

The official state song is " Montana ".
• "The Gift", Ian Tyson, Cowboyography
  My choice, this song is a tribute to western artist Charles M. Russell and to the natural splendor of Montana.

  Honorable mention

• "Wild Montana Skies", John Denver (duet with Emmylou Harris), It's About Time, RCA PD 84740
  I adore this song and the duet. However, it is actually a ballad depicting the life of a Montana native more than a song about Montana.

• [I also love "Big City" (Merle Haggard), yet it falls short in terms of being about Montana. It is not so much FOR Montana as AGAINST the big city, and uses Montana as a metaphor for (somewhere in the middle of) nowhere (although in the most positive wilderness sense, to be sure).]

• "Montana Cowgirl" by Swingin' Haymakers on For Rent (Circle 907, release date: 10/05/95)

Nebraska

The official state song is "Beautiful Nebraska" (don't give up on loading time; it's at the bottom of the linked page).
• Michael Murphey, from the "Blue Sky, Night Thunder" album
  contributed by jtchew

• Of course, Bruce Springsteen (not exactly country, I must admit, despite Emmylou Harris's fondness for his compositions) did an album called "Nebraska" several years ago.
  Contributed by jtchew
  Since the only song I could think of was "Wildfire" (On a cold Nebraska night), I was glad to get these suggestions from jtchew.

Nevada

The official state song is "Home Means Nevada" by Bertha Raffetto. Check out Nevada's multimedia site to dazzle you with this song, care of Ramona Reno.

New Hampshire

If New Hampshire is more than Vermont turned upside down, then somebody there needs to get a song to me!!

New Jersey

New Jersey does not have an official state song. On Nov. 20, 1972, the General Assembly approved, 48-6, a Senate bill declaring "I'm from New Jersey" the official State song. Before passage, the composer, Joseph Rocco "Red" Mascara of Phillipsburg, sang the lyrics from the Assembly gallery, accompanied by a six- piece group. The bill was not signed into law. Was it the performance?
• ["I'm from New Jersey", John Gorka, Jack's Crows (High Street Records 72902 10309-2).
  I am listing this for reactions. It is about "I" rather than "NJ", so it probably doesn't qualify. Then again, maybe it could replace Mascara's work as the semi-official, unsigned state song.]

• "Fallin' Down on New Jersey"
  contributed by Barry H. Rodin

New Mexico

Check out New Mexico's impressive Web site and listen to New Mexico's official state song, "O Fair New Mexico".
• "New Mexico", John and Audrey Wiggins, from the self-titled album; written by John Wiggins, Anthony Smith, Michael Garvin;
  contributed by Bob Marshall

• "Indigo Moon", Heather Myles from the album "Untamed", written by Heather Myles.
  contributed by Bob Marshall

New York

The official state song does not seem to be the kind of music I was looking for, and there seem to be many songs about New York City, but we want the whole state.

North Carolina

"Carolina" is sung in many a song, but is it North or South? Bob Marshall writes, "although I always picture South Carolina myself". But for me, being from Virginia, crossing the Carolina border put you in North Carolina. For lack of consensus, I will reduntantly list Carolina entries under both states.
• "Carolina in the Pines", Michael Martin Murphey on Blue Sky, Night Thunder" (I think).
  contributed by Bob Marshall

• "Carolina", Charlie Daniels on High Lonesome

• "In My Mind I'm Going to Carolina", James Taylor on Greatest Hits, original album title forgotten, written by James Taylor.

  contributed by Bob Marshall

• "Goodbye to Carolina" by Lyle Lovett.

  Honorable mention

• "Carolina Star", Hugh Moffatt.
  This beautiful, heart-rendering "Carolina Star", is about a person, not a state. There is also an Australian "Caledonia Star" version that reflects the roots-orientation.

• "Carolina Pines" by Kate Wolf on Poet's Heart (Kaleidoscope K-24) is beautiful, but rather about a dissolved relationship.

• "Heads Carolina, Tails California" by Jo Dee Messina on Jo Dee Messina (WEA/Atlantic Curb, release date: 04/09/96)

North Dakota

• "North Dakota", Lyle Lovett on Joshua Judges Ruth, Curb MCAD-10475

• "Red River Valley", Alberta Slim & the X Ranch Boys
  from Canada, My Homeland, RCA Victor CAL-2113, purchased somewhere around 1970 and surely long since out of print; contributed by Manfred Neumann. And you thought the Red River Valley was in Texas!? :-) It also flows from Manitoba on to North Dakota.

Ohio

Check out Ohio's official state song, "Beautiful Ohio". Then give me some good Ohio songs.

• Not appropriate here

• Not Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young's "Ohio" or Holly Near's "It could have been me". Great songs, but not what I am looking for here.

  Out in left field

• Likewise not -- please not -- "Down by the Banks of the O-hi-o" by Joan Baez or anybody else. Along with "Tom Dooley" and the likes of "Hey Joe (Where you goin' with that gun in your hand?)", this song seems to justify violent jealousy. Dwight Yoakam's "Buenos Noches from a Lonely Room" was the last CD I bought from him because I never forgave him for the brainless and irresponsible content of that song.

Oklahoma

The official state song is "Oklahoma" (from the musical, or what?).
• "Oklahoma Borderline", Vince Gill

• "Oklahoma Hills", Jack Guthrie

• "Oklahoma Going Home" by Kate Wolf on Back Roads

  Honorable mention

• "Okie from Muskogee", Merle Haggard is about the people rather than the place, and limited to a town to boot. Disqualified. (When I first heard this song, I thought it was a satire and loved it; later I was convinced Merle really "thought" that way. Since "Big City" and a few other social comments, I'm really not sure where he stands, stood, or evolved.)

Oregon

The official state song is "Oregon, My Oregon".

Oregon was one of the problem states. I mean, I kept appealing to Oregoneans to help me, but no reply. I was beginning to think there was no song about Oregon. (I mean, we all know Woody Guthrie's "Roll on Columbia", but that is the border to Washington!)

• Then I met a bluegrass band from Oregon named Foxfire. Band leader Larry Bulaich has a solo cassette named Oregon Trails, and the title song expresses his love of Oregon upon his arrival from Los Angeles. So, Oregonians, an immigrant had to do what you failed to do!! If any of you Oregoneans (or other interested parties) should happen to not have this cassette (shame on you!), go for it with my recommendations: available from Larry Bulaich, Trailtunes, Box 1091, Suite 42, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526, 503-476-3291.

Pennsylvania

The official state song is "Pennsylvania".
• "Allantown", by Billy Joel, is about more than the city, more than Pennsylvania; it's about dreams -- or the American Dream -- and growing up in America, it's about factory closings and broken dreams.

• Well, if we do one steel town in Pennsylvania, we should add another great one. Tom Russell wrote -- gosh, I'm sorry; the CD is at home, so I am at a loss for the exact title -- "Homestead Steel" on his first CD. It is so good that I will post the lyrics here soon.

  I am aware that listing the above two steel city songs runs the risk of somebody suggesting "The Pittsburg Stealers", but I will defend my list to the death against such an attack.

Rhode Island

The official state song is "Rhode Island".
• " Rhode Island Is Famous for You", words by Howard Dietz, music by Arthur Schwartz
  "It mentions *a lot* of the states and is an absolute gem of songwriting. ... Apparently, it's from a 1948 musical called "Inside USA" (sounds like a good source for you!). I have included the lyrics as recorded by Weslia Whitfield. Nancy Wilson has also recorded it, as have many others I would guess. Interesting pronunciations are in ()." --- Jean Pendleton

South Dakota

The official state song is " Hail! South Dakota".

Tennessee

Tennessee has a whole slew of official state songs: "My homeland, Tennessee", "When it's iris time in Tennessee", "My Tennessee", "Tennessee Waltz", "Rocky Top", "Tennessee", "The Tennessee Salute", and "Fly Eagle Fly". Whew!!
• "Follow Me to Tennessee", Ed Bruce -- the official state song of the Board of Tourism (or something like that).

• "My Tennessee Mountain Home", from several Dolly Parton albums; of course, Dolly wrote it.

  contributed by Bob Marshall

• " Tennessee Homesick Blues", also by Dolly Parton.

• " Tennessee", Glen Campbell from the album "Letter to Home"; written by Michael Smotherman.

  contributed by Bob Marshall

• "Tennessee Jed", the Grateful Dead

• "Tennessee" by Shawn Colvin on Fat City with real audio sample
• ["Tennessee" by Charlie Daniels (High Lonesome) doesn't qualify because it is about values rather than the state itself.]

Utah

The official state song is "Utah, we love thee".
• All I can think of is "The Mormon Cowboy" and "Utah Sally". I obviously need help here. Both are on the Bear Family CD "--oops. forgot. I'll check at home.--"

Vermont

The official state song is "Hail Vermont" by Josephine Hovey Perry.
Contributed by Joe Joyce
• " Moonlight in Vermont", Willie Nelson, from Stardust, 1978, CBS 82710; written by J. Blackburn and K Suendorf.
  The song tells you that Vermont's romantic setting inspires people to fall in love.

Virginia

• "Virginia", Page Wilson, on Road Tired, Wired and Ready (Signal Mountain SM- 8301)

• "I Love the Mountains of Virginia", Statler Brothers
  (My only concern here is that the Tidewater and the Piedmont are ignored, but it is one of my favorite songs about Virginia, and I do prefer the mountains.)

• " Carry Me Back to Old Virginia", Heights of Grass version: I had to include a country version of this song because it was Virginia's official state song for many years. Follow the remnants of the debate on what some consider crucial and others see as banal, the dismissal of the state song with no replacement.

• "Sweet Virginia Breeze", Robbin (2 b's) Thompson Band
  "They even played it for the legislators during session. I think it meets most of your criteria; some may not consider it country, but it enumerates many of the things Virginians hold dear about the state (breezes, dogwoods, red birds, etc. etc.)," says Cathy.

  Out in left field

• "Leave Virginia Alone", Rod Stewart, seems to be about a person and is not a response to the song "John Brown's Body" (to the tune of "Battle Hymn of the Republic"), which states, "They frightened Old Virginia 'til she trembled through and through". :-)

Washington

"Washington Beloved" was adopted by the Legislature in 1909. Professor Edmond Meany, historian, wrote the words and Reginald de Koven wrote the music. This song was never formally introduced as a bill, however, and so it is not part of the state's code of law. In 1959, a state senator from South Bend introduced a bill to make "Washington My Home" by Helen Davis, the state song. It was approved unanimously.

Washington, District of Columbia

• "Nothing as Original as You", Statler Brothers, The Originals
  This wonderful song takes you on a tour of the attractions of the nation's capital. The song is so true to Washington that the author even gets lost on Pennsylvania Avenue.

West Virginia

The Official State songs of West Virginia are "The West Virginia Hills", for which Shari Fields contributed the lyrics, and "This Is My West Virginia" and "West Virginia, My Sweet Home".
• "Country Roads", John Denver, is a clear contender here, but if you've ever heard ...

• "The Green Rolling Hills of West Virginia", (Utah Philips) I believe you'd put it at the top of your list. Recorded by Emmylou Harris on her album "Quarter Moon In a Ten Cent Town"

• "West Virginia, My Home", Hazel Dickens, Rounder Old-Time Music (Rounder CD 11510). This song is another contender, although it may well be more about the homesickness of uprooted natives that migrated to cities.

• "Leaving West Virginia" by Kathy Mattea (on her first album)
  contributed by S. Fields

Wisconsin

The state song is "On Wisconsin", which you can find with sound at the bottom of the linked page. This is a football song turned state song.

Wyoming

The official state song is "Wyoming".
• "Take Me Back to Old Wyoming", Chris LeDoux, Thirty Dollar Cowboy (Capitol/Liberty CDP 7 97596 2)

• "Song of Wyoming", John Denver (Kent Lewis), Windsong

• " Why, Wyoming", Holly Dunn from the album "Cornerstone", written by Chris Waters, Tom Shapiro, Kix Brooks
  contributed by Bob Marshall

• "My Sweet Wyoming Home", Bill Staines
  
  "Watch the moon/smiling in the sky
  Hum a tune/a prairie lullaby
  Peaceful winds/an old coyote's cry
  A song of home/my sweet Wyoming home."
  
  -- contributed by Ed Blachman