clarityat3am

I want to see if we can find songs that make references to each and every US state. I have but one rule...one state per song. Here I'll start....

*edit cause I typed my thought backwards*


Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Big wheels keep on turning
Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the Southland
I miss Alabamy once again
And I think its a sin, yes

Well I heard mister Young sing about her
Well, I heard ole Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don't need him around anyhow

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you

In Birmingham they love the governor
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?
Tell the truth

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you
Here I come Alabama

Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two
Lord they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue
Now how about you?

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you

Sweet home Alabama
Oh sweet home baby
Where the skies are so blue
And the governor's true
Sweet Home Alabama
Lordy
Lord, I'm coming home to you
Yea, yea Montgomery's got the answer

Ali Rose

I'm
GOING
GOING

BACK
BACK

to
CALI
CALI.

LarryMullen's POPAngel

In Michigan by Bruce Springsteen

Well my mother rolled over and died in Michigan
My dog got hit by a truck and I cried in Michigan
I got drunk and puked up my guts in Michigan

But I'm alright, I'm alright, I'm alright, I'm alright
And man I'm riding here tonight in Michigan

I ran a race and came in dead last in Michigan
Yeah, I shot myself in the ass in Michigan
I was lookin' for someplace to feel free
But they busted me for just being me
In Michigan

But alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
And baby I'm riding high tonight in Michigan

I ran into a little bad luck in Michigan
I met a woman and for seven days anf seven nights all we did is fuck in Michigan
I said Baby I'm running late but you got here one hell of a state
In Michigan
Oh Michigan




Damn, with the exceptions of a few lines, this is my theme song.

speedracer

"James K. Polk," by They Might Be Giants

In four short years he met his every goal
He seized the whole Southwest from Mexico
Made sure the tariffs fell
And made the English sell
The Oregon territory
He built an independent treasury
Having done all this, he sought no second term
But precious few have mourned the passing of
Mr. James K. Polk, our eleventh president
Old Hickory, Napoleon of the stump

speedracer

"Who'll Stop the Rain," by Creedence Clearwater Revival

I went down Virginia, seeking shelter from the storm
Caught up in the fable, I watched the tower grow
Five year plans and new deals, wrapped in golden chains
Ad I wonder, still I wonder who'll stop the rain

speedracer

"Allentown," by Billy Joel

Well we're waiting here in Allentown
For the Pennsylvania we never found
For the promises our teachers gave
If we worked hard
If we behaved

speedracer

"New York State of Mind," by Billy Joel

I seen all the movie stars in their fancy cars and their limousines
Been high in the Rockies under the evergreens
But I know what I'm needing and I don't want to waste more time
I'm in a New York state of mind

speedracer

"Miami 2017," by Billy Joel

You know those lights were bright on Broadway
But that was so many years ago
Before we all lived here in Florida
Before the mafia took over Mexico

speedracer

"You're My Home," by Billy Joel

Home could be the Pennsylvania turnpike
Indiana's early morning dew
High up in the hills of California
Home is just another word for you

speedracer

"America," by Simon and Garfunkel

"Kathy, I'm lost," I said, though I knew she was sleeping
I'm empty and aching and I don't know why
Counting the cars on the New Jersey turnpike
They've all gone to look for America

clarityat3am

Alabama
California
Florida
Indiana
Michigan
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Virginia

ABEL

HAHAHA Clarty...this is soooo easy....They Might Be Giants rock!

the following are from John Linnell's (member of TMBG) album called State Songs:

Songs of the Fifty States

Lyrics:

The songs of the fifty states,
The time has come for us to sing about a certain place,
Where everything is in the control,
Of people who are down in a hole.

The songs of the fifty states,
No two alike but each connected by a golden thread,
I'll try not to forget all the words,
And leave that job to those who have heard,

State songs, State songs,
I can't wait for my favorite one,
I'm not gonna say thier great, I ain't gonna say they ain't,
But I recall and will relate the songs and music of the fifty states,

The songs of the fifty states,
The time is nigh for us to sigh about a certain place,
Where everything is in the control,
Of people who under the ground.

State songs, State songs,
I can't wait for my favorite one,
I hear the melody, the harmony, the pounding rythm,
The ideas, notes and words,
Every state a different composition,
Keeping me awake late at night,
Can't get them out of my mind.

State songs, State songs,
I can't wait for my favorite one,
I'm not gonna say thier great, I ain't gonna say they ain't,
But I recall and will relate the songs and music of the fifty states,

The songs of the fifty states,
The time has come for us to sing about a certain place,
Where everything is in the control,
Of men who are controling my mind.

State songs, State songs,
I can't wait for my favorite one.



Illinois

Lyrics:

n/a instrumental

Credits:

Wurlitzer 103 Band Organ
Paper roll cut by Bob Stuhmer
Recorded by Grace Falconer at Mr. Stuhmer's home.

Exerpt from insert:

In 1818 the Prarie State became the 21st state admitted to the Union, and in 1875 my great-grandfather Josiah Linnell brought his family there to establish a homestead where he could grow fruit for the Chicago market. He now has descendants in all 50 of the United States. The Official State Flower of "Land of Lincoln" is the Butterfly Violet.

State Website:

http://enjoyillinois.com


West Virginia

Lyrics:

West Virginia,
Why don't you come outside with me,
West Virginia,
There's something I'd like you to see.
West Virginia,
Deep within ya,
There's another deep in side and inside the other one,
There is another in the other.

Like I told you,
You are concentric in your form,
When it's cold you,
Have got yourself to keep you warm,
West Virginia,
You'll continya,
To be constantly a part of you,
You'll never part and you will be party who will be partial to you.

Sugar maple,
Wing and seed,
Propelors spining from the tree.
Rotodentrin evergreen,
Look within and you will see,
There's another deep in side and inside the other one,
There is another in the other.

Think it over,
No need to answer right away,
I'll be over,
There in the state across the way.
West Virginia,
You'll continya,
To be constantly a part of you,
You'll never part and you will be party who will be partial to you.


South Carolina

Lyrics:

The other day my neighbor has a dented bike,
Second day he called me from intensive care,
Says he needs a picture of the dented bike,
For the evidence of what a wreck he had

Accident
Accident

Lift that fork,
eat that snail
Garcon summoned, have a new cocktail
Lift that fork,
eat that snail
Garcon summoned, have a new cocktail

Crash my bicycle
Crash my bicycle
In a big South Carolina wreck
I crash my bicyle
Crash my bicycle
Crash my bicycle
In a big South Carolina wreck
I crash my bicyle

And I won some damages
and they were punitive
By which I mean the punishment was damaging
It crushed my head
It crushed my head
Garcon, where's my drink?

Wreck!
Observe the front wheel spinning upside down
Wreck!
The red reflector fragments strewn around
Wreck!
The back wheel's 'O' is now a letter 'D'
Wreck!
I was an 'I' and now I am a 'V'

Lift that fork,
eat that snail
Garcon summoned, have a new cocktail
Lift that fork,
eat that snail
Garcon summoned, have a new cocktail

Crash my bicycle
Crash my bicycle
In a big South Carolina wreck
I crash my bicyle
Crash my bicycle
Crash my bicycle
In a big South Carolina wreck
I crash my bicyle

If I had to do it all again,
buy* bicycle
If I had to do it,
I would crash my bicycle
I'd crush my head
Collect the bread
Crash my bicycle

Move along folks
Push her back there,
move along
Show's over, folks Let him breathe, step lively
Move along folks
Push her back there, move along
Show's over, folks
Let him breathe, step lively

Fork (fork)
Snail (snail)
Garcon (garcon)
Cocktail (cocktail)

Fork (fork)
Snail (snail)
Garcon (garcon)
Cocktail (cocktail)

Credits:

Brian Doherty: Drums
John Linnell: Sax, Synths
Recorded by Paul Angelli at Excello Studio

Exerpt from insert:

The Official State Shell of the Palmetto State is the Lettered Olive. The State Dance is the Shag, and the State Insect is the Praying Mantis.

State Website:

http://www.state.sc.us/


Idaho

Lyrics:

My clock,
Vigile by the picture window,
Sleepy,
Eyes never leave the road.
Past my bedtime miles ago,
Still haven't entered,
Idaho

There is a sign,
Just up the way,
100 ft. from my front yard,
And though it's dark I make it out,
It says that Idaho welcomes you,
Everybody's passed out,
They don't know,
Who close we are now,
Idaho.

Seen you,
Know everything about you,
Heard your,
Air blowin cross my door,
Tantilizing go man go,
Driving my house to,
Idaho.

Almost there now,
Play that drum roll.

Credits:

Mark Lerner: Bass
Mark Donato: Drums
John Linnell: Synths
Recorded by Albert Caiati at Coyote Studio and out the window of Colyer Brothers Studio

Exerpt from insert:

Too often identified only with it's prodigious potato crop, the Gem State has many surprises in store for the uninitiated. Her vast hydroelectric dams produce enough power to deep-fry each of her potatoes millions of times over. Idaho can also claim one of the worlds deepest gorges, Hell's Canyon, a worthy serving bowl for such a feast of french fries!

State Website:

http://www.state.id.us/



Montana

Lyrics:

What are you staring at?
In that hospital bed,
Let me explain,
I wasn't thinking about anything,

Then it hit me that Montana was really just a leg,
With the round part just the way you would expect.
And it started with a feeling that ended in a wreck.
And it seemed to me Montana was a leg.

A leg.
Now I get it,
I'll tell the person next to me,
And then haul off and die,

I won't need this,
Electric folding bed,
I can loose these,
Tiny billcuffs now,

Cause it hit me that Montana was really just a leg,
And just like that it all fell into place,
And I don't think I could stand here any longer in this bed,
Since I figured out Montana is a leg.

A leg.
Now I get it,
I wan't sure but now I know,
And I can finaly go,
Give up my lungs,
Give up and tell the information to the man in the next bed down.

In the morning he'll tell someone the last thing that I said,
When I told him that Montana was a leg.
From the begining there was something about it staring me,
In the face I should have guessed it right away,
When it started with a feeling and ended in a wreck,
And it seemed to me Montana was a leg.

A leg.
Now I get it,
I'll tell the person next to me,
I'll say Montana was a leg.

A leg.
Now I get it,
I wan't sure but now I know,
And I can finaly go

Credits:

Jay Sherman-Godfrey: Guitar
Mark Lerner: Bass
Mark Donato: Drums
John Linnell: Accordian
Recorded by Albert Caiti at Coyote Studio

Exerpt from insert:

It's appropriate that a state as large as Montana (147,046 square miles) should sport two official State Nicknames. They are: "the Treasure State" and "Big Sky Country." Mantanans can also choose between two Official Gemstones: Sapphire and Agate. And owing to her vastness Montana requires two seperate heads of state: the Governor, and his nemesis the anti-Governor.

State Website:

http://www.state.mt.us/

ABEL

Pennsylvania

Lyrics:

la la la la la la la la lalalala la la la la la la la la lalalala la la la la la la la la lalalala la la la la la la la la lalalala la la la la la la la la lalalala Pensylvania

Credits:

Mark Freidman: Violins
Brian Doherty: Drums
John Linnell: Sax, Synths
Recorded by Paul Angelli at Excello Studio and Albert Caiati at Coyote Studio

Exerpt from insert:

According to Pennsylvanian Pat Dillet (who mixed this whole album) Pennsylvania's nickname is the Keystone State, and it's state bird is the Ruffled Grouse.

State Website:

http://www.state.pa.us/


[i]hmmm.....Utah doesn't have any lyrics...I guess it's instrumental?



Utah

Lyrics:



Credits:

Wurlitzer Band Organ at Glen Echo Park, MD
Paper roll cut by Max Hurley

Exerpt from insert:

Utah is known as the Beehive State, a tribute to the industriousness and collective will of it's inhabitants.

State Website:

http://www.state.ut.us/


Arkansas

Lyrics:



Credits:

Kat: Dennis: French horn
Mark Lerner: Bass
Mark Donato: Drums
John Linnell: Piano, Accordian
Recorded by Albert Caiti at Coyote Studio

Exerpt from insert:

Arkansa, the Natural State, is also called the Land of Oppurtunity, The Official State Gemstone is the Diamond.

State Website:

http://www.state.ar.us/


Iowa

Lyrics:



Credits:

Wurlitzer 103 Band Organ
Paper roll cut by Bob Stuhmer
John Linnell: Synths, Clarinet, Dust Buster
Recorded by Grace Falconer at Mr. Stuhmer's home
Overdubs at Colyer Brothers Studio

Exerpt from insert:

Iowa's symbols betray an unselfconscious simplicity. Nickname:Corn State. Flower: Rose. Tree: Oak.

State Website:

http://www.state.ia.us/


pffft...this site sucks where I'm getting the lyrics from...it doesn't have a lot of the songs...oh well, I'm getting tired of copying and pasting

ti-hua

"My City Was Gone" - by the Pretenders mentions Ohio. Don't have the lyrics though. Sorry!

Gina Marie

The Bee Gees

Massachusetts

Feel I'm goin' back to Massachusetts
Something's telling me I must go home
And the lights all went down in Massachusetts
The day I left her standing on her own

Tried to hitch a ride to San Francisco
Gotta do the things I wanna do
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
They brought me back to see my way with you

Talk about the life in Massachusetts
Speak about the people I have seen
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
And Massachusetts is one place I have seen
I will remember Massachusetts ....

Oklahoma

Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain
And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain.
Oklahoma, Ev'ry night my honey lamb and I
Sit alone and talk and watch a hawk
Makin' lazy circles in the sky.
We know we belong to the land
And the land we belong to is grand!
And when we say
Yeeow! Ayipioeeay!
We're only sayin'
You're doin' fine, Oklahoma!
Oklahoma O.K.
Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain
And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain.
Oklahoma, Ev'ry night my honey lamb and I
Sit alone and talk and watch a hawk
Makin' lazy circles in the sky.
We know we belong to the land
And the land we belong to is grand!
And when we say
Yeeow! Ayipioeeay!
We're only sayin'
You're doin' fine, Oklahoma!
Oklahoma O.K.

My Old Kentucky Home
Words and Music by: Stephen C. Foster


The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home
'Tis summer, the people are gay;
The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom,
While the birds make music all the day;
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,
All merry, all happy, and bright,
By'n by hard times comes a-knocking at the door,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!

Chorus

Weep no more, my lady,
Oh weep no more today!
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home,
For the old Kentucky home far away.

They hunt no more for the 'possum and the coon,
On meadow, the hill and the shore,
They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,
On the bench by that old cabin door;
The day goes by like a shadow o'er the heart,
With sorrow where all was delight;
The time has come when the people have to part,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!

Chorus

The head must bow and the back will have to bend,
Wherever the people may go;
A few more days and the trouble all will end
In the field where sugar-canes may grow;
A few more days for to tote the weary load,
No matter, 'twill never be light,
A few more days till we totter on the road,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!