larsman ,
I'm 80 and since the poll was only in classy places ...........................................
Best best ballads that refer to a US State
While the various versions of "I've Been Everywhere" include mostly towns rather than states, I'd vote to include it in this thread. Most of you would have heard the Johnny Cash version with North American locations. There's another version only for Texas of course, one for New Zealand, Canada, Ireland and England, Finland, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Catalonia and probably many more. The original was written by an Australian, though. Here's the that version, it's a little fast so try to keep up!
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@jim5559 - that must have been some poll to find out that 95% of the population that lived at that time would say 'Moonlight In Vermont' as a ballad with a state name in it. I'm 70 years old and I don't know anybody who would have named it, but then, I didn't take the poll. I find that fascinating - could you please provide a link to it? |
@notlistening - yeah, I remember that 'Della wear' song very well; I just never realized that the hit version of it was by Perry Como! |
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 |
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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Here are a few from Carmen Gomes Inc' s Masterpiece; up-jumped-the-devil-discovering-the-music-of-robert-johnson
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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 |
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 |
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. ;) |
Here's a CLASSIC about a famous city Tijuana (our neighbors to the South). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wZoFB7zbVQ DeKay |
Here's a REALLY GOOD song about Frostbite Falls (our neighbor to the North)... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIx6zF4vmVA DeKay |
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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. ;-) |