Zach’s Top 5 Favorite Songs About States [Music]

This song was released in 1970, and is about the Kent State shootings that happened on May 4, 1970, leaving four people dead. According to Wikipedia, “After the double's release, it was banned from some AM radio stations because of the challenge to the Nixon Administration in the lyrics, but received airplay on underground FM stations in larger cities and college towns.” And, also according to Wikipedia, “The song was selected as the 395th Greatest Song of All Time by Rolling Stone in December 2004.”

From his 2001 album “Love and Theft”, here’s Bob Dylan with Mississippi. “In 2009, Rolling Stone named "Mississippi" the 17th best song of the decade, calling it "A drifter's love song that seems to sum up Dylan's entire career, and a rambling classic that ranks up there with 'Tangled Up in Blue'," according to Wikipedia.

I had to sneak this one in. Yes, I know it’s cheating, the song is not about a state, but here is a band named after a state. Dust in the Wind is a great song nonetheless. Although the song itself is not about a state, the band’s name is! That has to count for something.

Released back in 1969, here’s one of James Taylor’s most recognizable songs. According to Wikipedia, “Strongly tied to a sense of geographic place, "Carolina in My Mind" has been called an unofficial state anthem for North Carolina. It is also an unofficial song of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, being played at athletic events and pep rallies and sung by the graduating class at every university commencement.”

And, here it is at number one, my favorite song about a state—California Dreamin’. The harmony and vocals in this song are amazing. “The song is #89 in Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” according to Wikipedia.