Most US states have official state songs that celebrate the state’s wonders and accomplishments. Some have more than one, including rock songs. Some famous state songs include “Yankee Doodle” and “Georgia on My Mind.” Inspiration for state songs comes from various sources.
A state song is one of many official state symbols adopted by most states in the United States. A state song typically encapsulates the wonders, attributes, and accomplishments of the state, and is often played at state events, sporting events, and celebrations. Some states have more than one state song, along with an anthem or waltz, and some even have unofficial or honorary songs in addition to their official state songs. The songs are typically approved by the governor or state legislature.
State songs sometimes include the state name in the title, such as Delaware’s “Our Delaware,” California’s “I Love You, California,” and Idaho’s “Here We Have Idaho.” Songs like Kentucky’s “My Old Kentucky Home” and Michigan’s “My Michigan” clearly identify their state. Other state songs, like Florida’s “Old Folks at Home,” also known as “Swanee River,” don’t make the connection so obvious.
Some states, like Ohio and Oklahoma, even have state rock songs. The McCoys’ “Hang On Sloopy” is Ohio’s state rock song and “Do You Realize?” by The Flaming Lips is Oklahoma’s state rock song. Tennessee has numerous state songs. Between 1926 and 2010, Tennessee adopted “My Homeland, Tennessee”, “When It’s Iris Time in Tennessee”, “My Tennessee”, and “The Tennessee Waltz” as its state songs. “Rocky Top”, “Tennessee”, “The Pride of Tennessee” and “Smoky Mountain Rain” were other additions.
Some state songs are famous on their own, not just because of their official status. Connecticut’s state song, “Yankee Doodle,” is a famous folk song that dates back to the Seven Years’ War. West Virginia has adopted three state songs, including “The West Virginia Hills,” “This Is My West Virginia,” and “West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home.” New Mexico has adopted state songs in English, Spanish, and a bilingual song.
Inspiration for state songs comes from a variety of sources. The Wisconsin state song “On, Wisconsin!” is the University of Wisconsin-Madison Badger Fight Song. The name of the song was Arthur MacArthur Jr.’s Civil War battle cry during the Battle of Chattanooga at Missionary Ridge.
The lyrics of Alaska’s state song, “Alaska’s Flag,” explain the symbolism of the elements in the state flag. The flag features the Northern Star and Ursa Major on a blue background. The state song of Alabama was written by Julia Tutwiler, who drew inspiration from German patriotic songs. She felt Alabama residents would be proud to have their own state song. The state song of Georgia, “Georgia on My Mind,” by Stuart Gorrell and Hoagy Carmichael has also been recorded by several musical artists, including country music artist Willie Nelson.
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