Our goal next week is to post 50 songs, one for each state in the United States. Please post songs with the name of an American state in the title.
Here is the twist: Once a state is used, do not repeat that state. I will kick off the challenge with "California" by Joni Mitchell on Sunday morning. After that it's first come, first served.
It's a challenge because (1) 50 posts would be a new SMM record, and (2) I'm not sure there is a song for every state. We'll find out, I guess. (Since we need to post 50 songs, if possible, don't feel obligated to write long posts.)
In other news, the design committee has concluded its work and will be unveiling the new Star Maker Machine website design on Sunday.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Next Week's Theme: Fifty States
Posted by Paul at 10:54 PM
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24 comments:
fyi - I'm missing 13 states.
I had found a list with all fifty at some point -- so I know they're out there!
Not duplicating is going to be tricky, though, especially on a "first come, first served" basis. We each have to post 4-5; everyone will have to participate; the odds that we end up posting within a few minutes of each other will get pretty high. Is there a master list somewhere we can check off states as they come in, at least?
I've got 18, and at least one or two that I'll bet others don't have...
New York is surprisingly hard - all my NY songs are about the city, not the state.
Keeping track: Early in the week, please just pay attention. Later in the week, I might try to post a list of the remaining states.
Also, this isn't a race. Let's try to post good songs if possible.
What a shame that New England is not actually a state.
States should be fun... I'll admit to feeling a bit overwealmed by our current theme: Too much thinking to do! (I've still got one I'm working on before 'time's-up', though.)
I'm looking forward to the design update. I sneeked a peek awhile back, following a sitemeter link, and think it looks great!
Great theme. Does it have to be a state name only, or does a song like Jonestown, Illinois qualify as well?
The state name just has to be part of the song name, so Tom Wait's song would count.
But it has to refer to the state.
Songs about "New York" city or songs like "Washington Bullets," which has nothing to do with Washington state, would not count.
I've also seen a list -- and there is a song for all 50, if I remember right. I have 21 in my library, but I bet 18-19 are the same states that everyone else has. I have a couple of mildly obscure ones like Wyoming and Ohio. I don't think I've ever heard a song about New Hampshire in my life!
The other challenge with this theme will be to (1) spread it out across the week, and (2) allow everyone to post their share. So - I agree with Paul's sentiment that we not treat it like a race.
Should be a fun theme. This week's has been fascinating too.
I think it will take all week to get 50, so that shouldn't be a problem.
New Hampshire is the state I predicted would be most difficult. to find.
If we still have some hard to find states left on Saturday, I'll relax the rules to allow any songs that mention the state in the lyrics or are about something connected to the state. I know Uncle Tupelo has a song that mentions the New Hampshire motto "Live Free Or Die," so that could do in a pinch.
ALL 50 states?? ...say it ain't so Sufjan.
Hmm... looks like I've got 27 states covered, but looks like they are probably the more common songs, or at least from states with very common ones.
I should be able to get a couple off-the-beaten-track tracks in there, though!
@ jude... I thougth about Sufjan, too. We're concentrating our efforts at pre-21st century music, though. A couple songs may sneak in from this century, here and there, but they are quite the exception rather than the rule.
First I'll have to search out a list of all the states! Lol...this theme's more difficult for us Brits! I had thought about this idea before, but not yet got around to it, and I'm sure that there will be some really great songs posted. And 'California' will be a great start...a beautiful song!
I only have 20 states from my iTunes...but not all my music is uploaded to iTunes (including most of my Sufjan...ha!). I am desperate to bagsy a couple - well, actually, six! - so it's going to be very difficult not to race to try to get them up!
Can we not discuss between us which ones each person would like to cover? On the 'people-will-be-vying-for-them' list, I would ideally like Mississippi (have a great song for that!), Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia and North Dakota. Of the 'not-so-many-songs-to-choose-from' variety, I would quite like Iowa.
Haven't even looked at my record collection, or CD collection beyond my iTunes, yet! The problem with this place is I love it, but I get obsessive and don't seem to be able to focus on anything else! Lol...hence the week off this week, although there are not that many fruits to show for it!
I too have a great Miissiissiippii song by JJW and a great Illinois song by Everlys (off my head), but I'm not going to race.
Everyone -
If somebody beats you to a state and you really have a strong need to post a song about that state, just put it into the comments. (By no means is this required).
Also, I plan to use California as a theme someday.
Maybe Texas too.
I'm thinking alabama is going to be a much-beloved state...I had over a dozen possibilities there. Looking forward to THAT comment thread.
As a New England resident, I'm thinking I may have to start in the Northeast.
And, D: if your Iowa song is by a certain folkpop singer-songwriter, then hoorah!
It certainly is, BH!! :o)
I was thinking about coming in early with an Alabama jazz song just to throw everyone off!
That said, I have more tennessee songs than anything, for some reason. The Memphis/Nashville connection, perhaps?
My number one state was Kentucky. Due to much country and bluegrass.
When in doubt, dig out John Linnell's "State Songs" album. There's 16 states covered right there!
So - Just curious: Where do the album covers at the top of the blog come from? I noticed that some of them are not associated with any posts on the blog. Are they from someone's iTunes library or something?
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