Fifty states: Indiana

Tom Petty: Mary Jane's Last Dance

[purchase]

I am essentially posting this song to be a bit cheeky and 'muso'. Whilst it does not have the word 'Indiana' in the title, I have purposefully eschewed the other Indiana songs in my music library in favour of this...a song that was originally called Indiana Girl.

If you click that link, it will take you to the Wikipedia page about the song, where you can read about a couple of 'borrowing' controversies...it goes like this: The Jayhawks -> Tom Petty -> Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Fifty States: Arizona

Wilco: Hotel Arizona

[purchase]

Furthermore, and etc etc. etc... don't we all think things like this sound perfecto? Oh, no? Well... why the heck no, then? Of course this is the best rock -y Roll err sounds..... but I'm sloshed, so might not be right....

But it makes "Arizona" get checked from the list, so...

And, since I dunno nuthin' about the actual Arizona, is gonna be as good as gosh.

Fifty States: Idaho

The B-52's: Private Idaho

[purchase]


I love this song because it coined the phrase, "d00d, you're living in your own private Idaho", something I've been known to utter on occasion. There was also a great film based on it, Gus Van Sant's My Own Private Idaho. Since Idaho is the potato state, you'd think that Devo, aka "The Spud Boys", would have an Idaho song, but the closest they got was the lyrics of Red Eye Express: "Something's rotten in Idaho and I don't know what to do" - I have the mp3 posted here, if interested. Now, sit back and enjoy The B-52's paean to self-absorption.

You're livin in your own Private Idaho
You're out of control, the rivers that roll
You fell into the water and down to Idaho
Get out of that state
Get out of that state you're in

Fifty States: Wisconsin

I'm going to get a reputaion as a weirdo, here in the Machine, if I keep poting up oddball stuff like this, but (for this state, at least) I haven't got much choice. They're the only Wisconsin tunes I've got!

The Dead Milkmen: I'm Living In Wisconsin

[purchase other Milkmen releases]

First up is a fairly sweet song from The Dead Milkmen off the 1983 self-released cassette A Date With The Dead Milkmen. Not too easy to get ahold of, that one, so the link goes to their official Amazon page. All their major label stuff is available there.

Wesley Willis: Wisconsin State Trooper

The next tune is by the late Wesley Willis. I can't do justice to this madcap, in such a short space, so urge you to read up on him on Wikipedia and listen to some more of his stuff over at Alternative Tentacles. He's certainly not for everyone, but was definately an interesting beast.

Fifty States: Kansas

Damnations: Kansas
[purchase]

So, I go from posting about The Jayhawks to posting about the Jayhawk State. The Damnations, however, were not from Kansas. In fact, they were a group of Austinites, led by a pair of gorgeous, folk-singing sisters originally from upstate New York. Bassist Amy Boone sings lead on this tale of "Bleeding Kansas," with acoustic rhythm guitar and harmonies provided by her sister, Deborah Kelly. Meanwhile, Rob Bernard (also of Prescott Curlywolf) takes a break from his Eddie Van Halen meets D. Boon guitar badassery to hunker down on banjo and mandolin, while fellow Prescott moonlighter, Keith Langford, holds down the drum kit. (Soon after this recording, Langford would leave both The Damnations and Prescott Curlywolf to join The Gourds full-time, where he remains to this day). Finally, a subtle fiddle part is added by Eamon McLoughlin, now of The Greencards.

Sadly, this 1999 recording captures The Damnations at their short-lived peak. As the new millennium dawned, it seemed like the band was poised to break out. They had the sirens up front, songs that ranged from hoe-down country to melodic pop to cowpunk, and were gradually building up a devoted following. Unfortunately, within a year of releasing their debut album, Half Mad Moon (linked above), their label, Sire Records, merged with London and the band got lost in the promotional shuffle. Not only that, they recorded their second album just as the Sire-London partnership ended, leaving the band with no options as they were legally bound to the label that was itself in financial and legal limbo and had no interest in promoting them. By the time they released Where It Lands, their sophomore follow-up, the band existed in name only. RIP The Damnations.

Fifty States: Nevada

Jayhawks: Nevada, California
[purchase]

"Can you help me to find Nevada, California
The last thing I did
Was I tried to hold her."

I'm not sure if this is cheating because there isn't actually a Nevada, California. There IS a Nevada City, which is about 45 minutes away from Chico, where I happened to get my undergrad degree. In fact, in 1992 I was serving as music director of the Chico State campus radio station, KCSC, when The Jayhawks' Hollywood Town Hall album fell into my lap. While I was fully immersed in that golden age of college rock ... before it metastasized into grunge and alternative ... I simply couldn't deny the old-school country-rock appeal of The Jayhawks. With the high, lonesome harmonies that recalled Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers and a deceptively crunchy guitar sound akin to their labelmates, The Black Crowes, this album proved crucial for me. I didn't know it then, but it was about to launch me headlong into the alt.country scare of the mid-'90s. If country-rock holds even the slightest appeal for you, Hollywood Town Hall and 1995's Tomorrow The Green Grass are absolutely essential.

Fifty States: Maine

Doris Day: That Jane from Maine

[purchase]

No one seemed to really give a hoot last time I posted a Doris Day tune, but what the hay--I don't see anyone else piping up with a Maine song! The song comes from her 1959 film It Happened to Jane, also starring Jack Lemmon. The movie wasn't terribly successful (I also haven't seen it yet... whither Jane, TMC?), though Day had plenty to sing about later the same year when Pillow Talk came out.

I don't know. Kind of a goofy song, but in a harmless, innocent sort of way. She does have a few others that I think are fantastic, though. Probably won't be the last of Day you see around these parts...

Fifty States: New York

Billy Joel: New York State Of Mind

[purchase]


I never dreamed my birth state wouldn't be chosen by now, so I'm glad to have at it. This song is definitely an easy choice, but I won't let that stop me.

Billy Joel started playing in Long Island cover bands in 1965, he went solo in 1971. Captain Jack was his first song that caused a buzz, 1972's Piano Man was his break out number. I was a fan all the way to 52nd Street, which I feel is a much overlooked album. New Wave hit and in an attempt to jump on the bandwagon, Joel released Glass Houses - this is where I got off the boat. After that, I feel Joel focused on commercially oriented albums to make money. There's nothing wrong with getting paid, but if at an artistic cost, the music loses conviction. We'll always have his back catalog to listen to, so all is not lost.

Some folks like to get away
Take a holiday from the neighborhood
Hop a flight to Miami Beach
Or to Hollywood
But I'm taking a Greyhound
On the Hudson River Line
I'm in a New York state of mind

Fifty States: Arkansas

Eggs Over Easy: Arkansas

[purchase]

Arkansas became the 25th state on June 15, 1836. Known as the Natural State, Arkansas contains over 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,700 miles of streams and rivers. This song comes from pub rock pioneer Eggs Over Easy's "lone" lost album, the feel good classic Good'N'Cheap.

Fifty States: Missouri

Low: Missouri

[purchase]

We've all been in the state of misery at one point in our lives, right?

Fifty States: West Virginia

Louis Jordan: Salt Pork, West Virginia

[purchase]

Credit goes to a friend of mine who just forwarded this song to me. What a beauty it is!  This is music for sitting out on my porch on a hot Monday night in late June.  I'm not really familiar with Louis Jordan's music, but his vocal delivery reminds me a little of Leadbelly.  Really excellent stuff.

Fifty States: Kentucky

Elvis Presley: Kentucky Rain

[purchase]

When it comes to great songs, Kentucky is right up there with Texas and Georgia. The obvious choice is probably Blue Moon Of Kentucky by Bill Monroe, but then I listened to this tune from the King and it just hit the spot.

In conjunction with this week's theme I'm working on a massive Kentucky post over at my other blog. Watch this space for further details.

Fifty States: Georgia

Ray Charles: Georgia On My Mind
[purchase]*

James Brown: Georgia On My Mind
[purchase]

To echo what Darius said about "Louisiana 1927," there are times when you wanna shoot for the deep cuts and this is not one of those times. The greatest song ever written with Georgia in mind is Hoagy Carmichael's "Georgia On My Mind." There's a reason why Brother Ray's version is the official state song, so for totally obvious reasons his version leads things off. However, I wanted to include another cover of the tune from a certain native Georgian. Augusta, G.A., to be precise. Of course, I'm talking about Soul Brother #1, James Brown.

Both versions are dedicated to Uga VI, the University of Georgia's legendary bulldog mascot who recently passed away due to heart failure. For those of you not SEC football fans like myself, the picture above is probably the most famous Uga-related photo. From 1996, it's actually Uga V snapping at booger-eating Auburn player, Robert Baker, after Baker had the nerve to score on Uga's beloved Bulldogs. RIP Uga. May Georgia always be on your mind.

* While "Georgia On My Mind" is on several different compilations, I'm linking to The Genius Hits The Road because its traveling motif is entirely appropriate to this week's theme. In fact, 11 different songs (!) name check states, so keep it in mind for future themes and your own blogs.

Fifty States: Rhode Island

Erin McKeown: Rhode Island Is Famous For You

[purchase]

Blossom Dearie: Rhode Island Is Famous For You

[purchase]

The basic premise of this playfully silly song, originally written for a patriotic 1948 Broadway musical review starring Carl Reiner, among others, is that while other states are famous for major industrial output, Rhode island is famous for you.

By implication, then, Rhode Island doesn't make much. But you rock, so thanks for suggesting it, folks.

There were, in fact, two different artists mentioned as sources for this one; since I had 'em, I decided to come in with both covers. Personally, I prefer post-folkie Erin McKeown's retro swingfolk to Ms. Dearie's sixties showtune singing, but only by a very slim margin.

Bonus track: Of several other much more recent songs which are actually about Rhode Island, I much prefer young Sonic Youth compatriot Jennifer O'Connor's hopeful ode to the great state as a setting for a fulfilled and partnered future. The lyrics are actually quite beautiful under all that awesome New England fuzzrock.

Jennifer O'Connor: Exeter, Rhode Island

[purchase]

Fifty States: South Carolina

Dean Martin: Just A Little Bit South Of North Carolina

[purchase]

If you go just a little bit south of North Carolina you'll find yourself in South Carolina, the state about which hepcat Dean Martin is singing here.

Fifty States: Colorado

The Flying Burrito Brothers: Colorado

[purchase]

I spent a month camping in Colorado once. It was amazing. Let me tell you something: being 24 years old, fishing for your breakfast, and playing the guitar under the stars at night is about as good as life gets. This song was written by Rick Roberts after Graham Parsons left the band. I don't really think it's a great song, but it's pretty OK.  However, thinking of that month I spent in those mountains makes me sympathize with Roberts' lyric as he longs to return to the state:

Hey Colorado is it too late to change my mind?

Also, during a younger and more innocent stage of my life I loved John Denver, so I'm including him here too. I can't listen to him anymore for some reason, maybe because life is too serious now or maybe because I'm too "cool", but there's a certain wide-eyed optimism to his music that has its appeal. Say what you will about the Muppets and the glasses, but this guy loved the outdoors and he loved Colorado.

John Denver: I guess he'd rather be in Colorado

Fifty States: Utah

Harry Nilsson: The Beehive State

[purchase]

To Star Maker Machine's great shame, this blog has been running in its current format for nearly four months and there has only been one measly Harry Nilsson song. Come on Star Makers! Nine Bob Dylans? Eight Elvis Costellos? Where's the love for Harry?

In my own defense, half of my Nilsson collection is apparently blocked by iTunes mojo: I can't convert them from m4as so I can't post them. This has been heartbreaking to me since there's been at least one great choice for every theme we've had. Finally I'm able to get one in, though! And none of you thoroughbreads busted out of the fifty state gate with Utah! So there!

This fantastic song, written by Randy Newman, takes place on the floor of congress, as the congressmen from Kansas and Utah (aka the Beehive State) each plead for much-needed funds for their states--proving that in the right hands, anything can make a great pop song.

Fifty states: Maryland

The Mountain Goats: Going To Maryland

[purchase]

When the theme is a geographical one, you can always rely on Mountain Goats mastermind John Darnielle. His Going To series contains an amazing 43 songs up to now, spread out over many albums, cassettes and singles. It would be great if someone compiled them on a box set sometime. There´s Going to Jamaica, Going To Bolivia, Going To Marrakesh, Going To Reykjavik, Going To Some Damned English City... And hey, there´s even a Going To Maryland... "And it's a stupid trick of fortune anyway, but the lights are bright tonight and your eyes shine tonight on Chesapeke Bay."

Fifty States: Iowa

Greg Brown: Iowa Waltz

[purchase]

I suppose I should knock off my adopted home state of Iowa. I hated Iowa when I first moved here, but I've learned over the years that it's a wonderful place to live (except for the months of December, January, and February, which suck eggs). We have dense forest across the street from our house, we have the right sized cities, we have good people, we have universities, we have good music. If it weren't for those nasty, ugly winters when all the leaves fall off the trees, it would be everything I would want in a place to raise a family.

Greg Brown grew up a couple of hours south of my house. I'm not a farmer, and since I live in a University town I don't really know any farmers. But, I still love this line:

We take care of our own, take care of our young,
Make hay while the sun shines.
Growing our crops, singing our songs,
And planting until harvest time.

Fifty States: Illinois

Tom Waits: Johnsburg, Illinois

[purchase]

A short but very sweet declaration of love from Tom Waits to his wife Kathleen Brennan, who was born in ´the hometown with spirit´. "She grew up on a farm there, there´s a place on my arm where I´ve written her name next to mine..." 

Fifty States: Oklahoma

The Kinks: Oklahoma U.S.A.

[purchase]

One of the great lost Kinks’ songs.

All life we work, but work is a bore
If life’s for living, what’s living for?

Fifty States: Louisiana

Randy Newman: Louisiana 1927

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Several posts this week have already talked about avoiding the obvious song, and I often agree. But not in this case. The song is just too good.

Reader submission from Darius.

Fifty States: North Dakota

Lyle Lovett: North Dakota

[purchase]

And the boys from North Dakota
They drink whisky for their fun
And the cowboys down in Texas
They polish up their guns
And they look across the border
To learn the ways of love

My father long ago decided that he would visit every state in the US before he died. But he refused to go anywhere just for the sake of going -- there had to be some reason to go.

He's covered 49 states so far.

There isn't much to North Dakota. Even Lyle Lovett only manages to brace it against Texas, really. But I love this song. I love this album. I love this singer. And I love my father.

Dad, this one's for you.

Fifty States: Texas

Billy Joe Shaver: Heart Of Texas

[purchase]

Forget Tennessee, the great state of Texas is the center of my country music world. So I’ve got a ton of Texas songs. I’m sure you do too. But hold off posting them for now. Both Texas and California are going to be theme weeks here at Star Maker Machine.

OK, go ahead and post your Texas songs in the comments. I can’t wait for the other theme to come around!