We have done it. ONCE AND FOR ALL, Rock Town Hall identifies 50 song titles containing each of the 50 US states. And we accomplished this without resorting to gimmicks like John Linnell’s album on the 50 states. Bravo, Townspeople! Follow the hard work that went into this effort following the jump!
Excluding all songs from They Might Be Giants’ John Linnell‘s The Songs of the 50 States and any other theme album that would make this effort too easy, can we name 50 rock/soul songs with each of the 50 states in the song title?
NO REPEATS, please.
To start things off – and to rob Townsman BigSteve of his chance to cite a show tune cover song by his favorite, overrated, bass player-less ’60s band – I’ll go with a song containing the name of the first US state in alphabetical order: “Alabama Getaway.”
I have a feeling this would be a lot easier if country songs were allowed. Johnny Horton’s North To Alaska is not really rock or soul. Actually I’m not sure it’s country either.
I think there should be an RTH no-prize if anyone can bring threads together and name a rocked-out cover of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
I’ll bat for the homeland: “Mississippi” by Bob Dylan (or Sheryl Crow if you’re more inclined).
TB
Neil Young’s “California Sunset.”
I’ll dig a little deeper and throw “Tennessee” by Arrested Development out there. If that’s considered too hip hop or rap to be considered, then I’ll gladly substitute it with “Memphis, Tennessee” by whomever you please (my vote goes to The Mighty Chuck).
It’s all about options here in The Hall!
TB
“Ohio” by either Lambchop or CSN&Y.
BigSteve, I will allow country songs. Good point. I simply left them off my list. No show tunes, classical, or jazz, though. We need to make this as difficult as it’s likely to be. Although the Rodgers & Hammerstein song does not count, there is an obvious rock song that should be suggested. I’m seeing the following states covered so far:
Alabama
Alaska
California
Mississippi
Tennessee
Although I don’t have an “answer key” or even know if we can find a song in rock/soul/country for each of the 50 states, I will try not to say a few state songs that have been coming to mind. This land is your land.
Good one, underthefloat. The updated tally:
Alabama
Alaska
California
Mississippi
Ohio
Tennessee
Kentucky Rain, by The King
Louisiana Rain, by Tom Petty
Texas Me, Sir Douglas Quintet
We’ve got to travel North, folks! “Portland, Oregon” by Loretta Zeppelin…I mean Jack White…I mean Loretta Lynn and Jack White…I mean Loretta Zeppelin…You get the point.
TB
I’m going to take one of the harder ones and then let others play — Moonlight on Vermont, Capt. Beefheart
I’ll state an obvious one: “Georgia On My Mind”. I don’t think it’s a debate to go with The Genius with this one.
TB
BigSteve, your suggestion made me think of this one: “Montana” by Zappa.
TB
We’ve got a long way to go…I’m hoping that it can be done.
One of Mr. Mod’s favorites, “Nebraska” by Bruce Springsteen.
NOW YOU’RE TALKIN’, OATS!
So far:
Alabama
Alaska
California
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
Ohio
Oregon
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont (KILLER, BigSteve!)
So many songs about New York. But we’re talkign about the state, not the city. I’ll suggest the not-so-obvious:
“New York Mining Distaster 1941” by The Brothers Gibb.
TB
**”DISASTER”** (not “Distaster”)
TB
Does U-Mass by The Pixies count for Massachusetts? I think it should.
Accuquote keeps asking me who’s going to take care of my family when I die. I had assumed that when I signed up for Rock Town Hall, it would take care of my family when I died.
speaking of massachusetts and the brothers gibb…
what about “Massachusetts” by the Bee Gees?
“(D.C. Don’t Stand for) Dodge City,” by the Go Go Posse
I’ve got a couple of good jazz numbers for Pennsylvania and Rhode Island — do they count?
I thought my current state of residence was going to be hard, but then I remembered that early Beatles song — “The world is treating me bad, Missouri.”
Maybe a harder one: “West Virginia Fantasies” by Chicago.
TB
BigSteve, yours is pretty difficult. “Kansas City” is a famous song about a city in Missouri, I might offer it up as a “state name” song! It does have state’s name in the title, but nothing to with the state of Kansas. Should that count?
TB
Arizona, Mark Lindsay
Keep ’em coming. Here’s what we have so far:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
California
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachussets
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
West Virginia
Sorry, but the judges cannot accept “Kansas City.” Good try, though! Likewise, D.C. is inelligble because, sadly, it is not a state.
I think I just counted 18 down. I KNOW there’s a Motor City state song title out there that could work the way TB’s attempted Kansas song title could not.
I would have suggested Kansas City if no one else did. Mod’s rules were only ‘name of state in song title.’ So the Rolling Stones instrumental track 2120 South Michigan Avenue should also count, even though it’s named after the address of Chess Records in Chicago.
Sweet Virginia, also by the Rolling Stones, will probably be unjustly disqualified as well by our very severe moderator.
I can take this thread down if I want, BigSteve, and play with it in my bedroom:)
I’ll go with what The People say, but I will tell you that “2120 South Michigan Avenue” counts because no one identified it as a city. The avenue refers to the state only. Your reading of “Kansas City” may hold merit, but may The People decide. Thanks.
There’s nothing wrong with “Sweet Virginia.” Her name is not tied to a city’s name. Virginia has been claimed. Let me know, People, what you think about “Kansas City.”
Well, according to the rules, the state’s name must be mentioned in the song title regardless of intent. However, “Kansas City” does open a can of worms, becaue the song is about a city in Missouri and has nothing or little to do with the state of Kansas. I mention it only because of it’s weird occurence. All could be rendered moot if someone comes up with a “Kansas” song that is actually about Kansas.
I think it’s fair game according to the rules, but I would like to go with intent. Let’s find a Kansas song about the state.
Just to be funny, I’ll go ahead and offer up another from The Boss:
“Mary, Queen of Arkansas” (Also has “Kansas” in the title…)
TB
Just pushing the envelope, as is my wont.
I thought Idaho was going to be impossible, but I came up with one. It’s almost too obvious actually. Stop me before I play again.
The Dakotas are to be the toughest, I predict.
I’m hoping we can complete the list, but I’m doubtful. We’re going to stall, I just know it…How’s that for “half emtpy”? Let’s do it! I know we can!
TB
The Arkansas song secured Kansas’ spot on the list. Let’s go with my literal guidelines, not my intent. Nice work, you two!
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Georgia
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachussets
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
That’s 21 states so far. Pretty soon I’ll start playing as well. Honestly, when I set this challenge I didn’t have more than 3 or 4 song titles in mind.
Before I forget, let me play now: Liz Phair, “SOUTH DAKOTA”!!!
Only 28 states to go!
Hrrundi, I’m sorry I missed your earlier question. No, I’m not accepting jazz titles. Jazz songs are usually instrumental, so they can name their songs whatever they like. Sorry.
Connecticut, by Superchunk
Aw, Mod. I was with you on intent…I’m trying hard on this Kansas thing!
“Florida Time” by Bob Seger
TB
Big Steve- Were you thinking of Private Idaho, B-52s? If not, I was.
Yep, that’s the one.
Bob Seger, Maine Street
A scan through my iPod picks up North Dakota by Lyle Lovett, Reno, Nevada by Fairport Convention, Utah Carroll by Arlo Guthrie, Carolina In My Mind by James Taylor (about North Carolina), South Carolina by the Flirtations, Oklahoma USA by the Kinks, Poofter’s Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead by Zappa & Beefheart, Indiana Wants Me by R.Dean Taylor, Hawaii 5-0 by the Ventures, New Hampshire by Kenn Kweder, and Delaware Slide by George Thorogood
Darn, I was busy all day and unable to play. So, I reading the list thinking no one’s said “Indiana Wants Me” yet. Until the prior post by Al. Buzz Kill!! 🙂
OK, I’ll keep thinking….
Hey, any thread that alows for Johnny Horton’s name to come up is ok by me.
Steve
OK, by my count here is the 16 remaining States:
Minnesota
Washington
Missouri
Iowa
Colorado
New Mexico
Kansas
Wisconsin
Illinois
Michigan
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Rhode Island
Vermont
New Hampshire
Maryland
So looking over the list I’ll add one of my fav folk singers of the last 25 years…
Greg Brown’s “Iowa Waltz”.
Take Iowa off the board….
15 left…
OK, another one..
Sufjan Stevens’s “Say yes to Michigan”.
I knew he had an album and song with that title…I had to look up the actual title of the song (although I couldn’t bring myself to spell Michigan the way he did for the track). 🙂
OK, I’ll rest. It’s killing me that a song about Minnesota isn’t jumping to mind.
And then there were 14.
Michigan was taken earlier, underthefloat, but I forgot to add them to the list. Nice work with your other selections. I’m going to represent my state of residence, “New Jersey,” by Red House Painters.
So, by my tally, the following states are off the board:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachussets
Michigan
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
New Jersey
Nevada
New Hampshire
New York
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wyoming
We’ve got 36 down with 14 to go!
As for South Carolina, can we allow the nonspecific JT song? I say no, based on the Backstory Fallacy. If allowed “Kansas” to be covered, literally, by “Arkansas,” then we must rule out the JT song because “South” is nowhere in the title.
It was hard to forget the fact that South Carolina is mentioned in the first line of Gram Parsons’ Hickory Wind, but of course that isn’t good enough. But I did find this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyuyJZTjttY
South Carolina Low Country by Josh Turner, one of new country’s interchangeable matinee idols.
Wait, it’s North Carolina we need.
Low apparently have a song called Missouri on their album Secret Name.
If we can’t do any better, there’s always Rhode Island is Famous For You, which I think is technically a showtune. It was popularized by Blossom Dearie and recently recorded by Erin McKeown:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAmhRBuMyRc
“Johnsburg, Illinois”- Tom Waits
Keep ’em coming. We can do it! Green Day has a song called “Minnesota Girl,” which along with the other recent entries has our list looking like this:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachussets
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Jersey
Nevada
New Hampshire
New York
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wyoming
I know that the Mod has disqualified “Jazz” songs because they are generally instrumental. However, my favorite current state song would be “Rhode Island is Famous for You” by Blossom Dearie. Erin McKeown also did a cover. I certainly hope after reviewing the following, this entry will be allowed. It not only has lyrics, but GREAT lyrics:
http://www.lyricstime.com/blossom-dearie-rhode-island-is-famous-for-you-lyrics.html
“New Mexico” by Bobby Charles
“Pennsylvania” by Frog Holler.
Just to make Kansas official (I cannot let it die!), I’ll offer up John Stewart (the guy who wrote “Daydream Believer”, not the guy who hosts The Daily Show) doing “Kansas Rain”. I’ll sleep better with this.
“From Maine To Mexico” by Leon Russell. We get a bonus of Mexico here…now…
TB
Geo, I already accepted the Rhode Island number because I like Erin McKeown and consider her “rock enough” for the competition. Thanks.
butcher pete, welcome aboard and thanks for representing the great state of New Mexico!
cdm, Pennsylvania thanks you.
TB, I too will now rest more easily knowing that a true Kansas song title has been offered. Thanks, and thanks for covering Maine, my family’s beloved default vacation state!
Here’s how it’s looking:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Massachussets
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wyoming
At this point, what states are we missing?
Washington Bullets, The Clash
We’re still missing Colorado, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.
Washington.
I’ve discovered that Townes Van Zandt has a song called Colorado Girl.
Yes, “Washington Bullets” does the trick! I couldn’t believe that state was still on the board.
Colorado Girl by Towns Van Zandt
Judy Henske has a song called Western Wisconsin.
On Kinky Friedman’s album They Ain’t Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore there’s a song called Rapid City South Dakota.
Are we done?
I think there’s a little more work to go. We’re still looking for NORTH Carolina, right? And MARYLAND.
Don’t Go Back To Rockville…Maryland
by REM
I’m cheating, of course.
Gene Vincent wrote a song called North Carolina Line that appeared on one of his late period albums.
Rock/soul/country songs with Maryland in the title, Rock Town Hall SUMMONS you!
“Maryland With The Shaky Hands” by The Who.
TB
Ok, there’s a band named The Ridiculous and the Sublime with a signer that sort of sounds like the Barenaked Ladies guy or some kind of comedy music thing with a song that has bagpipes in it called “Don’t Go To Maryland”.
Singer, signer, maybe he should sign instead of sing, I dunno.
Or maybe it’s Logs In The Mainstream. Ah, who cares it’s a damned song.
Yeah, I screwed up, the band’s name is Logs In The Mainstream.
I found a song called Maryland Again on an obscure Gerry Goffin solo album from 1973, It Ain’t Exactly Entertainment.
We have done it. ONCE AND FOR ALL, Rock Town Hall identifies 50 song titles containing each of the 50 US states. And we accomplished this without resorting to gimmicks like John Linnell’s album on the 50 states. Bravo, Townspeople!
Hooray for us all! I didn’t think it come done, but so it is. I feel like a great American!
TB
HEY! You guys are state-ist assholes! Not only did you *not* give our nation’s capitol the RTH seal of state’s rights approval (which it deserves)… but you also totally ignored my DC contribution to this list! I cry foul — especially since the song I listed features Marion “goddamn bitch set me up” Barry in his only recorded appearance as a rapper!
It wasn’t our mission to grant state’s rights to DC in this thread, Hrrundi. Don’t jump to conclusions.
I have to stage a lame protest in that the only song with Illinois in the title that should officially be allowed is Francesco Zappa’s et les Meres du Invention ‘Illinois Enema Bandit’.
Ray White gets it eggzackly right.
Actually I just wanted to say ‘Enema Bandit’ in a crowded room…