America by Simon and Garfunkel
I figured we should open with an overview. Simon and Garfunkel describe a trip across the U.S., hitchhiking and riding a Greyhound bus.
Boston by Augustana
Augustana's most popular song from 2005 makes reference to Boston, Massachusetts.
New York City by They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants provided this cover of a gorgeous Cub song that is a love song about two people as well as a love song to New York, New York.
Elton John suggested the title "Philadelphia Freedom" to his lyricist Bernie Taupin after John became friends with tennis coach Billie Jean King. The lyrics of the song, however, were more inspired by the bicentennial, and the music attributed to the "Philadelphia sound" such as The Delphonics and The Spinners.
Florida by Push Kings
A band originally from Boston sing this fun tune about Florida.
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia by Vicki Lawrence
Over to Georgia for this dark tune about the hanging of an innocent man by Californian Vicki Lawrence.
John Denver played a show with Taffy Nivert and Bill Danoff who had written a song they were going to try to get Johnny Cash to sing. They decided to let Denver hear it, thankfully for both West Virginia and Denver himself.
My City Was Gone by The Pretenders
Chrissie Hynde laments about the Akron, Ohio that changed in her absence.
Chicago by Sufjan Stevens
Over to Illinois for this sweet track by Sufjan Stevens.
Neil Diamond wrote this track about the groupies at a Kentucky show.
The title track off of Paul Simon's 1986 album explores Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, which Simon visited after his separation from wife Carrie Fisher.
Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn
Still in Tennessee, Marc Cohn sings about his trip to Memphis as well as Graceland.
Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
A band from Florida sings the praises of Alabama.
House of the Rising Sun by The Animals
The most popular version of an old blues track by a British band references New Orleans, Louisiana's unfortunate patronage.
Katy Perry sings a song of Las Vegas, Nevada where anything can happen and you must just accept it as fate.
California by Phantom Planet
A tale of returning to California which is credited in part to Al Jolson, who sang a song called "California, Here I Come" (although he is only a co-author of the song).
Walking in L.A. by Missing Persons
Nobody walks in Los Angeles, California.
Do You Know the Way to San Jose? by Dionne Warwick
Catchy tune about finding (or not finding) success in California.
Oregon Girl by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
In the vein of "California Girls," "Oregon Girl" sings the praises of women from Oregon.
Hello Seattle by Owl City
Despite being from Minnesota, Adam Young has said he considers this song about Seattle, Washington to be a track most representative of the type of music he wants to make.
In this track, Idaho is code for paranoia.
Surfin' U.S.A. by The Beach Boys
To close much the way we started, here's another overview of the U.S. by The Beach Boys.
Any More? I'd love to hear them.
And if you live in the area of Marion, Ohio, be sure to catch most of this playlist Thursday night at 7 on One-Mind Tracks on 97.5 WDIF.
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