Old Folks at Home is the state song of Florida. The song is better known as “Swanee River” or “Suwannee River”. The song was written by Stephen Foster in 1851 for a minstrel show. Foster had completed the majority of the lyrics but was still struggling with the opening line. His brother made a few Read More
Category: songs about the States
Our Delaware
Our Delaware is the state song of the state of Delaware. The song began as a poem, written by George Bewick Hynson. Hynson published his song in 1906. Will M.S. Brown composed the music specifically for the poem. In 1925, the Delaware General Assembly voted on the song as their state song. Each of the Read More
Connecticut
In 1945, Judy Garland and Bing Crosby recorded the song Connecticut. This sweet tune refers to calling Connecticut home. The song was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. The recording was released on Bing Crosby’s album, Bing Crosby Sings with Judy Garland, Mary Martin, Johnny Mercer by Decca Records in 1948. The state song Read More
Rocky Mountain High
Rocky Mountain High is said to be inspired by John Denver‘s move to Aspen, Colorado. Denver is said to love the state and the beautiful mountains there. He began writing the song during the Perseid Meteor Shower which occurs each August. Denver stated in interviews that the inspiration quickly struck him while camping with friends. Read More
California Dreamin’
California Dreamin’ was written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips when they were living in New York. In 1963, John Phillips dreamed about the song. Upon waking, he shook his wife, Michelle, awake and together the couple wrote the songs. At the time, the couple were members of “The New Journeymen”, a folk group. This Read More
Little Rock
One of the more popular songs about Arkansas is the 1994 country song, Little Rock. The song focuses on an alcoholic man striving to put his life back together in Little Rock, Arkansas. Wal-Mart, which was founded in Little Rock, Arkansas, is also mentioned. The song was written by Tom Douglas and recorded and released Read More
The Arizona Waltz
The name Arizona was first used by Spanish explorers when they referred to “the little spring”. The term was used by a mining company which brought it to the attention of the public. From there it came to represent the entire territory that was located in the southwest between Texas and California. The Arizona Waltz Read More
North to Alaska
North to Alaska was a hit song of the 1960’s. The song was written by Mike Phillips. In 1960, Johnny Horton sang the song in the movie, also named North to Alaska . Horton sang the song over the opening titles of the movie. The song North to Alaska topped the Billboard Magazine’s Country Singles Read More
Sweet Home Alabama
We are beginning a new series this year on songs about the states. Some of the songs will be the official state songs and other selections will be popular songs about that particular state. I hope you enjoy! Sweet Home Alabama When thinking about songs concerning the states, Sweet Home Alabama is Read More
Song Story: Moonlight in Vermont
Moonlight in Vermont is a popular song about the state of Vermont. The song was published in 1944 by John Blackburn {wrote lyrics} and Karl Suessdorf {wrote music}. Margaret Whiting introduced the song in 1944. John Blackburn, the lyricist, has been quoted as saying, “After completing the first 12 bars of the lyric, I realized Read More