View Full Version : a song for each state?
johnny quest
10-03-2007, 16:29
maybe im WAY too in touch with my touchy feely side today but.....
has anyone ever came up with a favorite song for each state they will be thruhiking? i thought of this while listening to my man JT while i work. "carolina in my mind" and "copperline" are songs that bring such memories. are there similar songs for other states?
Appalachian Tater
10-03-2007, 17:22
Midnight Train to Georgia would win the contest. Specially if you were SOBO, then it would work for the ENTIRE trail.
johnny quest
10-03-2007, 17:23
oh no. not at all. "georgia" by ray charles kicks gladys knights ass.
Appalachian Tater
10-03-2007, 17:26
oh no. not at all. "georgia" by ray charles kicks gladys knights ass.
The "Georgia" in that song is a woman, not a place.
johnny quest
10-03-2007, 17:33
well.....that may be but its come to symbolize love for that state. it is the state song now, you know.
find something for pennsylvania.
LIhikers
10-03-2007, 17:41
New York, New York
bigcranky
10-03-2007, 17:42
Nancy Griffith, Going Back to Georgia
Jimmy Buffett, Coast of Carolina
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Down in Mary's Land (great song)
Dolly Parton, My Tennessee Mountain Home
Bruce Springsteen, Shenandoah (not kidding about this one)
Gotta go back to work. I'll post more when I think of them.
Appalachian Tater
10-03-2007, 17:47
find something for pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania
By:Bloodhound Gang
We are "cop rock" we are screech
We are z. cavaricci
We are laser removed
Tasmanian devil tattoos
We are third string we are puck
We are special people's club
We are the half shirts with
Irreverent spring break top ten lists
We are munsoned we are squat
We are flashing twelve o'clock
We are spread out butt cheeks
Pulled apart so just the air leaks
We are "ishtar" we are tab
We are no right turn on red
We are the moustaches
The beatles grew when they dropped acid
You are the heart dotting "i"
In the word "apologize"
Scribbled drunk on a postcard
Sent from somewhere volcanoes are
I am the heart with no name
Airbrushed on the license plate
Of a subaru that was
Registered in pennsylvania
We are zima we are barf
We are cinderblock yard art
We are baldwin brothers
Not the good one but the others
We are amway we are shemp
We are sir david of brent
We are the queef after
A porn star breaks the gang bang record
You are the heart dotting "i"
In the word "apologize"
Scribbled drunk on a postcard
Sent from somewhere volcanoes are
I am the heart with no name
Airbrushed on the license plate
Of a subaru that was
Registered in pennsylvania
Do you even know what a wawa is?
no
Do you even know what a wawa is?
Do you even know what a wawa is?
no
Do you even know what a wawa is?
I'm in a state of p ****in' a
Appalachian Tater
10-03-2007, 17:49
P.S. Does Wawa still have refrigerated egg nog all year long? I miss that!
MA/Boston: Love that Dirty Water (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Water)
TinAbbey
10-03-2007, 19:39
i associate wagon wheel by OCMS with georgia and Tn
Cookerhiker
10-03-2007, 20:23
....Mary Chapin Carpenter, Down in Mary's Land (great song)......
Ah, you beat me to it. Yeah, it's a great song.
Now, how about Joni Mitchell singing "Woodstock?" Virginia and Vermont have their Woodstocks near the Trail. The subject of the song - Woodstock NY of course - is a bit further from the AT but it's in the Catskills.
There is a song that goes "country road, take me home, to the place, where I belong, west virginia, mountain moma, take me home, country road"
Great song,
Kirby
Lone Wolf
10-03-2007, 20:59
There is a song that goes "country road, take me home, to the place, where I belong, west virginia, mountain moma, take me home, country road"
Great song,
Kirby
dead john denver
Now, how about Joni Mitchell singing "Woodstock?" Virginia and Vermont have their Woodstocks near the Trail.
New Hampster too. It's right next door to Lincoln, just a few miles from the AT in Franconia Notch. A real happening place, if you ski.
Cookerhiker
10-03-2007, 22:03
There is a song that goes "country road, take me home, to the place, where I belong, west virginia, mountain moma, take me home, country road"
Great song,
Kirby
Yeah and the song refers to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River which is applicable to the AT. Only problem with the song is they're not in West Virginia unless you count the miniscule portion in Jefferson County near Harpers Ferry. But John Denver was from Colorado so what did he know?
Cookerhiker
10-03-2007, 22:03
New Hampster too. It's right next door to Lincoln, just a few miles from the AT in Franconia Notch. A real happening place, if you ski.
Of course - how could I forget?
Hikerhead
10-03-2007, 22:13
Yeah and the song refers to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River which is applicable to the AT. Only problem with the song is they're not in West Virginia unless you count the miniscule portion in Jefferson County near Harpers Ferry. But John Denver was from Colorado so what did he know?
Don't forget, hiking on the left side of the trail on Peters Mtn north of Pearisburg Va will find you on W Va soil most of the time.
Hikerhead
10-03-2007, 22:16
Don't forget, hiking on the left side of the trail on Peters Mtn north of Pearisburg Va will find you on W Va soil most of the time.
Unless you're sobo, then you have to stay to the right. :)
Cookerhiker
10-03-2007, 22:19
Don't forget, hiking on the left side of the trail on Peters Mtn north of Pearisburg Va will find you on W Va soil most of the time.
How true. But in the context of John Denver's song, that part of WV is nowhere near the Blue Ridge Mts. or Shenandoah River.
Hikerhead
10-03-2007, 22:25
Tis true, well just substitute Allegheny Mtns and The big New River.
The Old Fhart
10-03-2007, 22:34
You can hear a sample of New Hampshire Naturally (http://www.mp3.com/albums/91187/summary.html) by The Shaw Brothers by clicking on the link and selecting the song from the list.
bigcranky
10-04-2007, 08:07
"The State of Massachusetts" by the Dropkick Murphys. If you like headbanger Irish punk bands, that is....
SGT Rock
10-04-2007, 08:12
Lynard Skynard "All I Can Do Is Write About It" - this would cover the TN/NC border well.
Well this life that Ive lead has took me everywhere
There aint no place I aint never gone
But its kind of like the saying that you heard so many times
Well there just aint no plae like home
Did you ever see a she-gator protect her young
Or a fish in a river swimming free
Did you ever see the beauty of the hills of carolina
Or the sweetness of the grass in tennessee
And lord I cant make any changes
All I can do is write em in a song
I can see the concrete slowly creepin
Lord take me and mine before that comes
Do you like to see a mountain stream a-flowin
Do you like to see a youngun with his dog
Did you ever stop to think about, well, the air your breathin
Well you better listen to my song
And lord I cant make any changes
All I can do is write em in a song
I can see the concrete slowly creepin
Lord take me and mine before that comes
Im not tryin to put down no big cities
But the things they write about us is just a bore
Well you can take a boy out of ol dixieland
But youll never take ol dixie from a boy
And lord I cant make any changes
All I can do is write em in a song
I can see the concrete slowly creepin
Lord take me and mine before that comes
cause I can see the concrete slowly creepin
Lord take me and mine before that comes
FFTorched
10-04-2007, 08:17
find something for pennsylvania.
Amish Paradise
Lone Wolf
10-04-2007, 08:20
Rockytop for Tenn.
The Devil went down to Georgia
I do most of my trips solo, one day I was walking between Hawk Mtn and Gooch gap and all I heard running through my head was a line from Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" - I walk alone I walk alone
shades of blue
10-04-2007, 08:38
JT has a song about living in the great state of Maine. Another song talks about going from Stockridge to Boston (Mass), another one about Lowell (mass). Billy Joel ....New York State of Mind. Mike Cross has a song called Carolina Calling that mentions the AT by name, although Carolina on my mind is my favorite one for NC.
SGT Rock
10-04-2007, 08:39
find something for pennsylvania.
Jimmy Buffett's song "I Whish I Was Somewhere Other Than Here"? :p
Better get back to Tennessee Jed (http://www.dead.net/song/tennessee-jed).
SGT Rock
10-04-2007, 08:44
Tennessee Stud
Furlough
10-04-2007, 08:49
Sweet Virginia Breeze
by Robbin Thompson and Steve Bassett
Woke up this morning the breeze blowin' cross my face
And I just had to look up above and thank somebody for this place
Because He must've been thinkin' bout me
When he planted that very first dogwood tree
It's where I want to be
Livin' in the Sweet Virginia Breeze
Take me out to the country it feels mighty good out there
When I get back to the city of the monuments
It doesn't matter where I hang my hat it's home to me
The Blue Ridge Mountains tend to set me free
It's where I want to be
Livin' in the Sweet Virginia Breeze
Wakes me up in the mornin'
Rocks me to sleep at night
I've got a red bird singin' on my window sill
I know everything will be all right
Livin' in the Sweet Virginia Breeze
Just sittin on my back porch
I'm just watchin' the sun come up
Sweet sweet Virginia Breeze blowin' ripples 'cross my coffee cup
Because he must've been thinkin' bout me when he planted that very first dogwood tree
cause when that breeze comes blowin' through the trees
you know everything will be alright
Livin' in a Sweet Virginia Breeze
Sweet Virginia Breeze
Furlough
Cookerhiker
10-04-2007, 08:50
For Maine, almost any song by Schooner Fare (http://www.schoonerfare.com/schoonerfare/sfbio.html) or Gordon Bok (http://www.gordonbok.com/). Most of their Maine songs are about the sea but they're still vintage Maine.
Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant" is set somewhere in western MA.
Cookerhiker
10-04-2007, 09:00
Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant" is set somewhere in western MA.
Stockbridge
Landshark
10-09-2007, 16:40
I am not from Virginia, and haven't hiked there (yet!) but the best Virginia song hands down is "Old Dominion" by Eddie from Ohio.
The best hiking song, I think, is "Seven Story Mountain" by Railroad Earth. There is a song out there by Girlyman that actually refers to the AT called, "Hold it all at Bay."
In my case, a song I often sing is "Waltzing with Bears!"
"The State of Massachusetts" by the Dropkick Murphys. If you like headbanger Irish punk bands, that is....
They were great in THE DEPARTED soundtrack.
(Good movie. Organized crime is STILL along ethnic lines in Boston/Providence!)
If you're feeling REALLY mushy, you could take a listen to this one:)
Little Yellow Tent (http://www.adventurecycling.com/mag/audio/Little%20Yellow%20Tent%20by%20Jeff%20Weir.mp3)
Cookerhiker
10-09-2007, 21:19
I am not from Virginia, and haven't hiked there (yet!) but the best Virginia song hands down is "Old Dominion" by Eddie from Ohio.
The best hiking song, I think, is "Seven Story Mountain" by Railroad Earth. There is a song out there by Girlyman that actually refers to the AT called, "Hold it all at Bay."
In my case, a song I often sing is "Waltzing with Bears!"
Is that the same "Waltzing with Bears" sung by Gordon Bok and Priscilla Herdman? About Uncle Walter?
johnny quest
10-10-2007, 08:36
i loved "dancing bear" from captain kangaroo! same guy?
Uncle Silly
10-10-2007, 11:33
i associate wagon wheel by OCMS with georgia and Tn
Hmm...
"Heading down south to the land of the pines
and I'm thumbing my way down to North Caroline
staring up the road
and pray to god I see headlights
Well I made it down the coast in 17 hours
pickin' me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
and I'm hopin' for Raleigh,
I can see my baby tonight"
Four distinct, specific references to North Cackalacky in the first verse, and it reminds you of GA and TN?? I guess I can see where some might not understand the connection between "land of the pines" and the Tarheel state... and how some might not know that the dogwood is the NC state flower... and how some might be geographically challenged enough to not realize that Raleigh is the capital...
but you'd think "North Caroline" was kinda obvious.
Mark Knopfler's "Sailing to Philadelphia" is about Mason and Dixon. Not exactly a state but sort of on-topic. Beautiful tune, too.
Old Grouse
10-10-2007, 11:44
Songs about Connecticut are not easy to come by. There's the "Connecticut March," and "There's a Little Girl in Hartford Who Has Saved Her Heart for Me." Or maybe you could include any song by Gene Pitney, the "Rockville Rocket." But perhaps most appropriately, how about "The Wonder of It All?" For those of you not from the NY/Boston area, that's the themesong for Foxwoods Casino.
For those of you not from the NY/Boston area, that's the themesong for Foxwoods Casino.
Foxwoods has a theme song? Wow...
My buddy was blackjack dealer there. (He was also a medic and later LPN in the Army, worked as a bouncer at the Foxy Lady in Providence, and is now an RN in charge of a methadone clinic. All easier than the nine years we went to Catholic school together..;) Though his latest role as father of a 2 yo daughter is proving to be the biggest challenge yet! )
As an FYI, what was once a quite rural road in RI (Rt165) is now littered with plastic cards of people who use the road as shortcut to Foxwoods.
As usual, I have no point to my ramblings..but they are colorful, no?
Landshark
10-12-2007, 18:42
I don't know who sings it, I've only heard it covered by various folk singers, but yep, Waltzing with Bears is about Uncle Walter! It is really fun to hike along going, "Wa wa wa wa...."
Cookerhiker
10-12-2007, 20:47
I don't know who sings it, I've only heard it covered by various folk singers, but yep, Waltzing with Bears is about Uncle Walter! It is really fun to hike along going, "Wa wa wa wa...."
That's the one. I first heard it from Priscilla Herdman (http://www.priscillaherdman.com/ph__220.htm). She's got a lovely golden voice and probably performs near you since she's from Pine Plains, NY, not real far away.
rocketsocks
01-08-2012, 23:40
Dave Van Ronk......"the Garden State Stomp" all place names in NJ and only place names,no and,I,is,a,you,me,there's,No other words other than the names of places.check it out it's pretty cool and very unusual.
Whitesnake- I Don't Know Where I'm Going (Connecticut)
Somebody needs to donate CT a bucket of white paint.
I always thought that song by the Proclaimers was quite fitting for the trail. "I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more..."
"Massachusetts" Bee Gees
"New Jersey" England Dan & John Ford Coley
Deer Hunter
01-09-2012, 11:13
For North Carolina, since Carolina is mentioned specifically, Blue Ridge Mountain Sky by The Marshall Tucker Band.
B-Rabbit
01-09-2012, 11:52
Jason Mraz... Halfway home for Pine Grove Furnace State Park, PA.
I used to walk along the opposite side of the road and made others get out of my way
I used to think I could sit and wait for the times
but they wont come until I meet them halfway
I'm halfway home and I'm on my own
I'm halfway there and I don't care, I don't mind
I plan to leave here after supper time
that's when traffic is light, all I need is a sign
and I'll be alright. I'll be fine
I used to think that i could just sleep and then I'd dream
And everything it would come to me
Until I woke one day without anything to eat
Lying on the opposite side of the street
I'm halfway home and I'm still out on my own
I'm halfway there and I don't care, I don't mind
Because it ain't my time to stay or sayÉ
I'll never lay down.
I used to think that I could just sit and wait for the time
But I know I gotta meet them halfway
I'm halfway home I tried home running with the flow
I'm halfway there. Ain't it funny how everybody seems to care
I planned to get there around supper time their serving up bread and wine
All I needed was a sign and I'll be allright.
I'll be fine.
rocketsocks
01-09-2012, 11:52
"Ginseng Sullivan" by Norman Blake - (Georgia)
Seatbelt
01-09-2012, 16:16
This pretty much has something for every state on the AT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvEw6U4Py-g (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvEw6U4Py-g)
I know, I know.....
What could be better for dancing through the rocks of PA than the Pennsylvania Polka?
Sweet Virginia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa3uNiUCrp0
M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa3uNiUCrp0)ight need a few more Virginia tunes to get thru that state.
Wizard 2009
01-09-2012, 19:05
Songs about Connecticut are not easy to come by. There's the "Connecticut March," and "There's a Little Girl in Hartford Who Has Saved Her Heart for Me." Or maybe you could include any song by Gene Pitney, the "Rockville Rocket." But perhaps most appropriately, how about "The Wonder of It All?" For those of you not from the NY/Boston area, that's the themesong for Foxwoods Casino.
"Blood in the streets in the town of New Haven" Jim Morrision I ...
Odd Man Out
01-09-2012, 20:46
Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant" is set somewhere in western MA.
Here:
14853
Odd Man Out
01-09-2012, 21:00
Hard to believe no one has suggested the OFFICIAL Maryland State Song, sung to the tune of "Oh Christmas Tree". If you grew up in MD in the 1960's you learned it in school. So many fond memories... You got to love any song that can work in the lyric "She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb- Huzza! she spurns the Northern scum!". Also there was a Chesapeake Bay sailor who named his boat "The Despot's Heel" because he had a habit of getting his boat stuck on shoals. Anyone here named Howard?
The despot's heel is on thy shore,
Maryland! My Maryland!
His torch is at thy temple door,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Avenge the patriotic gore
That flecked the streets of Baltimore,
And be the battle queen of yore,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Hark to an exiled son's appeal,
Maryland! My Maryland!
My mother State! to thee I kneel,
Maryland! My Maryland!
For life and death, for woe and weal,
Thy peerless chivalry reveal,
And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Thou wilt not cower in the dust,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Thy beaming sword shall never rust,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Remember Carroll's sacred trust,
Remember Howard's warlike thrust,-
And all thy slumberers with the just,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Come! 'tis the red dawn of the day,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Come with thy panoplied array,
Maryland! My Maryland!
With Ringgold's spirit for the fray,
With Watson's blood at Monterey,
With fearless Lowe and dashing May,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Come! for thy shield is bright and strong,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Come! for thy dalliance does thee wrong,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Come to thine own anointed throng,
Stalking with Liberty along,
And chaunt thy dauntless slogan song,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Dear Mother! burst the tyrant's chain,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Virginia should not call in vain,
Maryland! My Maryland!
She meets her sisters on the plain-
"Sic semper!" 'tis the proud refrain
That baffles minions back amain,
Arise in majesty again,
Maryland! My Maryland!
I see the blush upon thy cheek,
Maryland! My Maryland!
For thou wast ever bravely meek,
Maryland! My Maryland!
But lo! there surges forth a shriek,
From hill to hill, from creek to creek-
Potomac calls to Chesapeake,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Thou wilt not yield the Vandal toll,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Thou wilt not crook to his control,
Maryland! My Maryland!
Better the fire upon thee roll,
Better the blade, the shot, the bowl,
Than crucifixion of the soul,
Maryland! My Maryland!
I hear the distant thunder-hum,
Maryland! My Maryland!
The Old Line's bugle, fife, and drum,
Maryland! My Maryland!
She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb-
Huzza! she spurns the Northern scum!
She breathes! she burns! she'll come! she'll come!
Maryland! My Maryland!
chiefiepoo
01-09-2012, 21:10
What could be better for dancing through the rocks of PA than the Pennsylvania Polka?
as played by the Ferko String Band will have you stepping out
Different Socks
01-10-2012, 23:07
For long boring sections on the PCT, CDT or AT or long uphills I liked almost anything that had some kick to it!!!
Captain_Slo
01-31-2012, 13:07
Going to: Tennessee, Georgia, Maryland, Maine
all by The Mountain Goats
hikerboy57
01-31-2012, 13:14
Dave Van Ronk......"the Garden State Stomp" all place names in NJ and only place names,no and,I,is,a,you,me,there's,No other words other than the names of places.check it out it's pretty cool and very unusual.
he was nmy guitar teacher.great guy, was known as the mayor of greenwich village.He told me he hated being known as a folk singer. he wanted to play jazz in the owrst way..."and I did".:)