Music
9 Songs Inspired By America
It’s only a real location if there’s a track about it
Many famous US locations are usually well-known due to an absolutely banging track about that place in America.
There’s no shortage of tunes about inspirational hot-spots. Songs often made due to the influence these destinations had on the artist.
From San Francisco to Philadelphia — there’s a great list for you to feast your eyes over and reminisce to.
Music is so subjective and everyone is entitled to their opinions.
But if you don’t like any of these songs you can get in the bin. Thanks.
9. Tucumcari — Goodnight, Texas (2018)
A tribute to the New Mexico city of Tucumcari from Goodnight, Texas with their mellow sounds and lyrics.
A gritty insight into the world of the band with tones that echo through southern strings. If this doesn’t give you the essence of what it really means to be from New Mexico then I don’t know what will.
I really want to be driving a pickup truck with straw in the corner of my mouth playing this song.
I can dream…
8. California Soul — Marlena Shaw (1969)
A soulful classic honoring the sunset haven that is California.
This track makes me dream of cruising down an empty road with the sun shining and the vehicle behind beeping me because I’m driving too slowly taking in the view.
The album came out in 1969 which is quite a while ago. Being born in 1995 I can’t even fathom thinking that far back.
I mean did they have electricity and stuff back then?!
This tune makes me feel nostalgic about a time when I wasn’t even alive. That’s how I know it’s a true belter of a song.
If you’re wanting to feel soulful about sunny California — this is your go to!
7. New York Broken Toy — Nazareth (1977)
The religiously named “Nazareth” give us their tribute to New York city and a girl who hailed from there.
They discuss how an NY woman gets used up by someone who’s not from the “Big Apple”.
Oh well at least this only happens in New York and nowhere else.
A southern-sounding guitar fueled rock banger that will get you headbanging until you book the next flight out there to see what all the fuss is about.
You might also go to see whether relationships really do go as badly as Nazareth says.
6. Sweet Home Alabama — Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)
If you’re homesick then there’s no better place to be than Alabama — according to Lynyrd Skynyrd.
This 70s classic celebrates a southeastern region retaliating against Neil Young’s songs “Southern Man” and “Alabama”. Neil’s songs describe the racism and discrimination suffered by black people in the American South.
The band felt like Young had painted and tainted every southern person with the same brush.
Skynyrd wanted to prove that Alabama was in fact a haven and not everyone should be stereotyped by the past of the State.
Not sure if Young will be on their Christmas Card list anytime soon.
5. Fake Tales Of San Francisco — Arctic Monkeys (2006)
The English city of Sheffield burst onto the scene when Arctic Monkeys took the world by storm with their debut album “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not”.
They discuss on track 3 how there’s so many “weekend rock-stars” pretending they’re in glamorous San Francisco and not in the former steel capital of the UK.
It really was groundbreaking. If I could sum it up I would say that it’s —
- A song so raw it’ll give you food poisoning.
- A track so indie not even that dude with the Mohawk at work had heard of it before it got played on the radio.
So if you wanna be a rocker — San Francisco is the place to do it.
4. Viva Las Vegas — Elvis Presley (1968)
The “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” confesses his love for the gambling capital of the world in his track “Viva Las Vegas”.
The legend that is Elvis Presley pays homage to losing all your money in the casino and slumping up against the slot machines until it reaches 5 am and then realising you haven’t seen your family in days.
Saying this, Vegas is the greatest place on earth when you’re winning.
Vegas will live on.
Just like Presley’s legacy.
3. Philadelphia Freedom — Elton John (1975)
Elton’s alter ego Mr. Fantastic and his trusty flying piano sidekick sing to us about the joys of Philadelphia.
To think I used to associate Philadelphia with cream cheese and Will Smith.
I can’t really afford cream cheese now that I’ve moved out of my parent’s. Not to mention Will Smith slaps comedians for fun, so I’ll stick with Elton.
The strings, piano, and vocals produce a song that celebrates a truly iconic American City. Elton showcases his love for the US with his immense talent and keen eye for superhero attire.
Mr. Fantastic saves the world (of music) once again.
2. Graceland — Paul Simon (1986)
Graceland.
A mansion in Memphis, Tennessee once owned by the late, great Elvis Presley.
So much culture lives in the Graceland Mansion. This is enhanced by Paul Simon’s song and album of the same name.
A little known place before Presley moved in. It is now one of the most iconic buildings to visit in America.
Simon uses upbeat African inspired tracks with an American twist to pay his own homage to Graceland.
A paradise of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Rumored to secretly be housing Presley upstairs where he is in fact alive.
Just like my date with Natalie Portman in a bubble bath, as we feed each other olives, talking about how needy Anakin Skywalker is — it probably isn’t true.
1. Brooklyn Zoo — Ol’ Dirty Bastard (1995)
I think ODB may be the most original rapper/artist there has ever been. Vocally anyway.
Very, very acquired taste.
So if you’re sat with a group of nuns talking about how nasty teenagers in skinny jeans are, you may want to play this track someplace else.
Mr. Ol’ Dirty Bastard was called this by his Wu Tang crew due to his obscene and blunt outlook on life. Basically not giving a sh*t what people thought of him.
In Brooklyn Zoo he sings, raps, screams and vocalizes in ways your cat does when they’re hungry.
A truly unique song. Slap bang in the middle of the golden age of rap — the 90s
I was also born in 95. Have I mentioned that?
A Final Verse
Great track from great influences. The US has created some amazing music influencing a range of artists to make music that has stood the test of time.
Without America I don’t know where music would be. We;d have to sing about England or Brexit instead.
Thanks for reading, and happy listening!