Had to add one more:
6) Georgia On My Mind, Ray Charles
6) Georgia On My Mind, Ray Charles
Best best ballads that refer to a US State
Recently, there was a long discussion focused on the business merits of one US state. It got me thinking about getting back to music and the ballads that refer to so many great places in the US. So do you have a list (top 3-5) of favorite ballads that refer to a US state?
My list:
1) California Dreaming, Mamas & Papas
2) Take Me Home Country Road (Almost heaven, West Virginia), John Denver
3) Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd
4) Please come to Boston (man from Tennessee), Dave Loggins
5) Colder Weather (Colorado), Zak Brown Band
My list:
1) California Dreaming, Mamas & Papas
2) Take Me Home Country Road (Almost heaven, West Virginia), John Denver
3) Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd
4) Please come to Boston (man from Tennessee), Dave Loggins
5) Colder Weather (Colorado), Zak Brown Band
55 responses Add your response
I don’t know if these should be considered “ballads,” and they’re older than those already mentioned: ”California, Here I Come” (which is actually about the state) ”Deep in the Heart of Texas” (ditto) ”Yellow Rose of Texas” And to really stretch: ”Nothing Could be Finer (than to be in Carolina)” — Al Jolson I don’t know about any of you, but just to read their titles sets the songs playing in my head. ;-) |
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Here's a REALLY GOOD song about Frostbite Falls (our neighbor to the North)... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIx6zF4vmVA DeKay |
Here's a CLASSIC about a famous city Tijuana (our neighbors to the South). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wZoFB7zbVQ DeKay |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLAuzVb-C_o JJW with the song that got me to ’get outta town.’ Like Randy Newman, I still love LA. The way you love an old flame that didn’t flame out, but exploded instead....😬 Ended up in Carolina, outta my mind. ;) |
Ohio, Over the Rhine (different from Pretenders song) Nebraska, Bruce Springsteen Alabama Pines, Jason Isbell and 400 Unit Leavin' Texas, Jerry Jeff Walker Wildfire, Michael Murphey (mentions Nebraska) Sinaloa Cowboys, Springsteen (it is a state in Mexico; also mentions California) Oceanfront Property in Arizona, George Strait |
This is a fun thread. Here are some other really good songs that mention states... Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding (I left my home in Georgia) Elton John - ballad of Danny Baily (Cause Kentucky loved him) Charlie Daniels - Devil went down to Georgia And also Charlie D: Willie Jones from Nightrider. Talks about Alabama |
Here are a few from Carmen Gomes Inc' s Masterpiece; up-jumped-the-devil-discovering-the-music-of-robert-johnson
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Glen Campbell- By The Time I Get to Phoenix. Tom Jones - Green Green Grass of Home Eagles - Take it Easy Linda Ronstadt - Adios. Look this ballad up if you aren’t familiar with it. Linda was at her peak vocally(which she stayed at for a long time) Ran away from home when I was seventeen To be with you, on the California coast…
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Perry Como easily wins this contest with "Delaware"... "Delaware" What did Delaware boy, what did Delaware?
She wore a brand New Jersey, she wore a brand New Jersey She wore a brand New Jersey, that's what she did wear Oh, why did California, why did Californ? Why did California, was she all alone? She called to say Hawaii, she called to say How are ya She called to say how are ya, that's why she did phone Oh, what did Mississip boy, what did Missi sip? What did Missi sip boy, through her pretty lips She sipped a Minnesota, she sipped a mini soda She sipped a mini soda, that's what she did sip Oh, where has Oregon boy, where as Ora gone? If you want Alaska, I'll ask her where she's gone She went to pay her Texas, she went to pay her taxes She went to pay her Taxes, that's where she has gone Oh, how did Wisconsin boy, she stole a NeBras-ky Too bad that Arkan-sas boy, and so did Tenne-see It made poor Flora-di, it made poor Flora-di you see She died in Missouri boy, she died in Misery Oh, what did Delaware, boy what did Delaware What did Delaware boy, what did Delaware |
@notlistening - yeah, I remember that 'Della wear' song very well; I just never realized that the hit version of it was by Perry Como! |
