Celebrating The United States 🇺🇸 Through Song | Playlist 🎧

Celebrating The United States 🇺🇸 Through Song features music courtesy of Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Isaac Hayes, Luke Combs, Noah Kahan, and Shaboozey.

It is time to celebrate! What are we celebrating? The United States of America, of course! What better way to celebrate ‘Merica than through song? In the past, The Musical Hype has published extensive, lengthy playlists with songs referencing all 50 states.  Originally, that was the mindset going into Celebrating The United States 🇺🇸 Through Song – find a different song, not previously used, that represents each state.  That would have taken too long, particularly with plenty of United States songs in the archives.  So, the nearly scrapped Celebrating The United States 🇺🇸 Through Song is limited to 15 songs and a select number of cities/states.  Musicians featured in this playlist are Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Isaac Hayes, Luke Combs, Noah Kahan, and Shaboozey. So, without further ado, join The Musical Hype in Celebrating The United States 🇺🇸 Through Song!

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~ Table of Contents ~

1. Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ‘Em” 

2. Shaboozey, “Vegas”

3. Noah Kahan, “Stick Season”

4. LaBelle, “Lady Marmalade”

5. Luke Combs, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma”

6. The Mamas & The Papas, “California Dreamin’”

7. Jack Harlow, “Denver”

8. Lana Del Rey, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”

9. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, “I Care About Detroit”

10. Doja Cat, “Vegas”

11. Justin Timberlake, “Memphis”

12. Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Sweet Home Alabama”

13. Oliver Anthony, “Rich Men North of Richmond”

14. Kane Brown, “Bury Me in Georgia”

15. Isaac Hayes, “By The Time I Get To Phoenix”

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1. Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ‘Em” 

Cowboy Carter // Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia // 2024 

Location: 📍 Texas

“This ain’t Texas (Woo) / Ain’t no hold ‘em (Hey) / So lay your cards down, down, down, down.” Grammy-winning superstar Beyoncé, originally from Texas, The Longhorn State, unveiled the spirited, country/western-pop single, “Texas Hold ‘Em”. “Texas Hold ‘Em” is one of many triumphs from her country-infused album, Cowboy Carter. She penned the record alongside Lowell, bülow, Raphael Saadiq, Nathan Ferraro, and Killah B.  She produced it alongside Killah B and Ferraro. The country flavor is apparent from the onset. Beyoncé’s voice is top-notch. She exhibits ample personality referencing the poker game in the memorable chorus.  Besides her fabulous lead vocals, the background vocals are sweet too! Oh, the harmonies! Less explicit than some of her recent songs, she still musters up profanity, whether it’s “There’s a tornado / In my city / Hit the basement / That shit ain’t pretty” (verse one) or “Don’t be a bitch, come take it to the floor now / And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you (chorus).” “Texas Hold ‘Em” is a pleasure to listen to. It reminds us of her versatility and that black artists can sing and excel at country music. 

Appears in 🔻:  

• Bops That Pop: February 2024
• These 12 Songs Are About Texas, Baby! (2024) 
• Best Songs of 2024 (So Far)

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2. Shaboozey, “Vegas”

Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going // American Dogwood / EMPIRE // 2024

Location: 📍 Las Vegas, Nevada

“Lived my life like it was one big Vegas.” That is profound, Shaboozey (Collins Obinna Chibueze). Maybe profound isn’t the correct word… Anyways, Shaboozey channels 📍 Las Vegas, Nevada on “Vegas” the ninth track from Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going.  The eclectic country musician penned “Vegas” with producer Nevin Sastry.  The result? A sweet, satisfying bop! Chibueze is supported by a strong country instrumental with crossover appeal. He brings the heat with his expressive, nuanced vocals. He also brings a big, compelling personality to the table 💪. In “Vegas,” the melodies are tuneful. Beyond traditional singing, Shaboozey also dips into melodic rap with more rhythmic melodies.  That, my friends, is where the eclectic vibes come in. “I pour my shame inside my cup and drank myself to sleep / If I make it through the night, then it’s a sweet dream.” Um, word.  The section to beat is the chorus:  

“Lived a lot of life and my biggest mistake

Is leaving my town with a pretty lady

Shredded my heart like a day-old paper

Ran me wild and drove me crazy

Low vibrations, familiar faces, Hollywood of all the goddamn places

Been so long, I need a vacation

Lived my life like it was one big Vegas.”

“Vegas” = a winner.

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3. Noah Kahan, “Stick Season”  

Stick Season // Mercury / Republic // 2022 

Location: 📍 Vermont

“And I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the sticks.” Season of the sticks sounds like a bit of a sus time, Noah Kahan. The lyric hails from “Stick Season” the second track off Stick Season, released in 2022, and the expanded Stick Season (Forever), released in 2024.  “Stick Season” was a massive hit for the Vermont singer/songwriter, peaking at no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024 – his first top-10 single.  Kahan penned “Stick Season” and produced it alongside Gabe Simon. 

 

The lyrics are fantastic on this folk, singer/songwriter song.  Furthermore, Noah Kahan sings terrifically. Matters of the heart rear their ugly head in the first verse where Kahan has lost someone special and struggles to cope.  To make matters even worse, it’s during a bad time: “Now I am stuck between my anger and the blame that I face / And memories are somethin’ even smoking weed does not replace /… Doc told me to travel, but there’s COVID on the planes.” Facts! In the second verse, he’s still in a funk: “No, I am no longer funny ‘cause I miss the way you laugh / You once called me ‘forever,’ now you still can’t call me back.” The crowning achievement is the chorus. 

“And I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the sticks 

And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed 

And it’s half my fault, but I just like to play the victim 

I’ll drink alcohol ‘til my friends come home for Christmas 

And I’ll dream each night of some version of you 

That I might not have, but I did not lose 

Now you’re tire tracks and one pair of shoes 

And I’m split in half, but that’ll have to do.”   

Word. Backed by a folksy backdrop (acoustic guitar fuels the fire), and singing heartfelt, passionate lyrics with a gorgeous tone and tuneful melodies, the multiplatinum “Stick Season” is the sugar honey iced tea.   

  

Appears in 🔻:  

• Noah Kahan, Stick Season: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 37 (2024)
• 13 Engaging Season Songs for Any Season (2024)

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4. LaBelle, “Lady Marmalade”  

Nightbirds // Sony Music Entertainment Inc. // 1974

Location: 📍 New Orleans, Louisiana  

“Hey sister, go sister / Soul sister, go sister.” WOO! LaBelle, before Patti LaBelle went solo, dropped a hot one in “Lady Marmalade”, like, “Gitchie gitchie ya ya da da” and, of course, “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?” “Lady Marmalade” is a go-to funk/R&B/soul classic. It’s entertaining and infectious to the nth degree.  “Lady Marmalade” spent one week at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Also, the single and parent album, Nightbirds, was certified gold by the RIAA. LaBelle (Patti, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash), neither wrote nor originally recorded “Lady Marmalade.” The original was recorded earlier the same year by The Eleventh Hour. Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan penned this masterpiece. Allan Toussaint produced this ‘cover,’ alongside Vicki Wickham.    

   

So, what is “Lady Marmalade” about? A New Orleans prostitute 🤯. “He met Marmalade down in old New Orleans / Strutting her stuff on the street,” Patti LaBelle sings in the first verse, continuing, “She said, ‘Hello, hey Joe’ / You wanna give it a go?” Risqué! Well, the second and third verses push the envelope more with the likes of “On her black satin sheets / Where he started to freak,” and, “Touching her skin, feeling silky smooth / Color of café au lait / Made the savage beast inside / Roar until it cried / ‘More, more, more!’” Damn! So, what exactly does the Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir translate to in English? Do you want to sleep with me tonight? Oh, snap! Patti LaBelle had no clue what the chorus of the song was about.  To this day, “Lady Marmalade” is a big deal.  Also, it’s a beloved gay anthem 🏳️‍🌈.  A remake of the song for the film Moulin Rouge recorded by Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim, Mya, and P!nk spent five weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2001. That’s a testament to the excellence and strength of the original arriving 27 years earlier.     

Appears in 🔻:  

• LaBelle, Lady Marmalade: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 176 (2023)
• Incredible Songs: 1970s, Vol. 4 (2024)

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5. Luke Combs, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma”

Twisters: The Album // Universal Studios / Atlantic // 2024

Location: 📍 Oklahoma

“I keep chasing that same old devil / Down the same old dead-end highway.” Noted, Luke Combs. The Grammy-nominated country musician is awesome at recording In-your-face country music.  “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” exemplifies in-your-face country music.  The single is the first track on Twisters: The Album, the soundtrack to the 2024 film, Twisters (it’s not a reboot of the 1996 film). Focusing on the song, it was written by Combs, Jessi Alexander, and Jonathan Singleton.  Combs, Singleton, and Chip Matthew produced it with positive results. “Riding that storm running through my veins / Like a shot down tail spun airplane.” Woo! Combs brings the heat when it comes to lead vocals.  He is assertive from the beginning.  He ‘rocks’ – in a country sort of way. Besides strong vocals, he has memorable, ear-catching melodies that favor him. The lyrics are memorable and tied to the theme. “I got saved in the same Red River / The same Red River tryna drown me.” Oh, Oklahoma – she’s rough, y’all! The section to beat is the chorus:

“Ain’t no love in Oklahoma

Just the whistle of a lone black train

You’ll know when it’s coming for ya

Riding in on the wind and rain.”

“Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” is a soundtrack cut, but it doubles as an enjoyable, well-rounded country song that Combs could’ve easily included on his studio albums.

Appears in 🔻:

• Bops That Pop: May 2024

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6. The Mamas & The Papas, California Dreamin’

If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears // MCA // 1966

Locations: 📍 New York City, New York; 📍 California

“All the leaves are brown (All the leaves are brown) / And the sky is gray (And the sky is gray) / I’ve been for a walk (I’ve been for a walk) / On a winter’s day (On a winter’s day).”  Those iconic, memorable lyrics hail from “California Dreamin’”, written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips. Lou Adler produced this beloved The Mamas & The Papas classic, released in 1965.  Ultimately, it appears on the folk-rock/pop band’s 1966 album, If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears. “California Dreamin’” was originally recorded by Barry McGuire in 1965. However, The Mamas & The Papas’ version was the first released. A big hit, it peaked at no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

So, what makes “California Dreamin’” ‘the cat’s meow’ – the ‘sugar honey iced tea’? EVERYTHING, honestly. It exemplifies the 1960s pop sound.  It begins with one of the most memorable guitar riffs of all time.  The minor key is established from the get-go.  Also established early is the infectious groove.  Beyond that, “California Dreamin’” delivers tuneful melodies, awesome vocal harmonies, and impeccable use of the call-and-response style.

“Stopped into a church

I passed along the way

Well, I got down on my knees (Got down on my knees)

And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray).”

Denny Doherty handles the lead vocals superbly. John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, and Cass Elliott (Mama Cass) soundly support with their backing vocals. One of the most unique sounds heard on “California Dreamin’” is a flute solo. It’s not just any flute that Bud Shank plays – it’s an alto flute. The lower-sounding instrument is perfect for this minor-key, folk rock/pop gem. “California Dreamin’” is often cited as one of the greatest songs ever.  That should come as no surprise. Take one listen and its magic is revealed. It’s cliché to say but the music speaks for itself.

Appears in 🔻:

• The Mamas & The Papas, California Dreamin’: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 96 (2024)

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7. Jack Harlow, “Denver”

Jackman. // Now Generation / Atlantic // 2023

Location: 📍 Denver, Colorado 

Can you guess what Grammy-nominated rapper Jack Harlow named his song, “Denver” after? It doesn’t require much thought. “Denver” is named after Denver, Colorado (No shit, Sherlock). “Denver” is the sixth track on his brief 2023 album, Jackman.. Yes, that’s the album where he’s shirtless on the cover 😉. Anyways, what is the connection for the Louisville-bred rapper? “I wrote that first verse in Denver back in September.” Fair enough.  No worries – he is still a Kentucky boy through and through, asserting, “I’m a long way from Shelby County.” For context, non-Kentuckians, Shelby County is east of Jefferson County, where Louisville is. The location isn’t important as Harlow is introspective.  Early on, he asserts, “Just got off the stage on the TODAY Show and I basically felt soulless.” Fame, criticism, and even the possibility of “exes oversharin’” have got Jack in his head. Produced by FNZ and Angel López, “Denver” samples the 1977 Douglas Penn song, “Do You Know”.  The sound of “Denver” marks a welcome contrast to other records on Jackman..  

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8. Lana Del Rey, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” // Polydor / Interscope // 2023  

Location: 📍 West Virginia

“Almost heaven, West Virginia / Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River.” Ah, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Lana Del Rey tackles a beloved John Denver classic with “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. Denver penned “Take Me Home, Country Roads” alongside Bill Danoff, and Taffy Nivert. In Del Rey’s hands, this country standard gets a simple, warm backdrop, with piano as the primary accompaniment for much of the song.  However, the bridge adds more instrumentation, including organ.  The biggest addition, however, is the backing vocals appearing toward the end, which sound utterly celestial. The focal point of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is lead vocalist, Lana Del Rey. This song was tailor-made for her.  Her signature, robust, smoky vocals sound superb.  Showing off her lower register, it is, nothing short of, a vibe.  The richness of her instrument is to be in awe of and envied. Given the distinctiveness and strength of her voice, Del Rey doesn’t need to do anything extra to the melody. Her pureness, coupled with the sanctity of the melody is enough. No, she doesn’t break new ground, but she delivers a respectable, well-rounded cover, without question.

    

Appears in 🔻:  

• Awesome Songs: December 2023 
• 15 Songs Focused Only on ME (2024) 
• John Denver vs. Lana Del Rey: Head 2 Head No. 7 (2024)
• 13 Take Songs There for the Taking (2024) 

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9. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, “I Care About Detroit”

The 35^th Anniversary Collection // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1994

Location: 📍 Detroit, Michigan 

“Are you proud to call it your hometown? / When you come right down to it I bet you’ll agree to a resounding yes when you’re talking about Detroit, my hometown.” Smokey Robinson & The Miracles care about Detroit, Michigan, PERIOD! How does the legendary Motown collective honor the storied Midwest city? With the song “I Care About Detroit”, of course. “I Care About Detroit” was written by Jack Combs and Jimmy Clark. Smokey Robinson and Al Cleveland produced the proud song. It appears in the compilation, The 35^th Anniversary Collection. Not one of those big hits Robinson and company, “I Care About Detroit” deserves ample love, nonetheless.

What makes this 1968 gem awesome? The spoken word intro ‘gasses’ up the adoration for Detroit, which is cool.  The music – the instrumental – cooks.  That Motown sound from the 1960s is iconic and “I Care About Detroit” thrives because of it.  The rhythm section is tight while the horns add bite.  Also, the background vocals ‘up the ante.’ Of course, the star is the one-and-only Smokey Robinson who sounds phenomenal.  That high, buttery-smooth tenor is perfect for praising and believing in his city. In the verse, he sings, “There’s so much important work still to be done / Let’s not lose all the gains that we’ve won / And the first place to start you must feel in your heart / We should all be together as one.” Word. The socially conscious vibes = superb. Other excellence notes include the harmonic scheme, which features a few surprises, and an excellent key modulation.  There are far bigger songs by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, but the rarer “I Care About Detroit” is also fabulous. 

Appears in 🔻:

• Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 97 (2024)

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10. Doja Cat, “Vegas”

Elvis (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) // RCA // 2023

Location: 📍 Las Vegas, Nevada

“Player getting’ valeted around in that ho whip / Two fingers up, one down when my toes ten.” Word! Badass production by Yeti Beats and Rogét Chahayed makes “Vegas” fierce from the beginning. Honestly, “Vegas” is a catalyst for head-nodding before Grammy-winning rapper/singer Doja Cat drops one bar. The single was released before Elvis (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).  In the big, two-and-a-half-hour-long deluxe version of the compilation, this Doja gem is the 35^th track. Talk about a cut deep into the album! Part of the allure of the production is the sample of the beloved Elvis Presley classic “Hound Dog”.  Technically, it samples “Hound Dog” performed by the late Shonka Dukureh who plays Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, the original artist, in Elvis.

Expectedly, Doja Cat eats.  Her bars and flow are on point – locked in, baby! Does she properly soundtrack 📍 Las Vegas, Nevada?  That’s debatable, but she references it by name once: “I’m losin’ my patience, this ain’t stayin’ in Vegas.” Doja is more concerned with his status, which is sus AF. Cue up the chorus:

“You ain’t nothin’ but a

Dog player, I get it

Fraud player, I get it

I understand, I understand

You ain’t the man, you ain’t a man

You ain’t nothin’ but a

Hound dog, hound dog, hound dog.”

Ooh-wee! “Vegas” peaked at no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Deservingly, this bop has been certified platinum by the RIAA.  In the case of “Vegas”, what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay there!

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11. Justin Timberlake, “Memphis”

Everything I Thought It Was // RCA // 2024

Location: 📍 Memphis, Tennessee 

Everything I Thought It Was was NOT a massive comeback for Justin Timberlake. The Grammy-winning pop superstar has had plenty of success in the past, but his 2024 LP received a lukewarm reception at best.  He commences the LP by referencing his hometown, good ole 📍 Memphis, Tennessee on – you guessed it – “Memphis.” “Memphis,” a four-and-a-half-minute song, was written by Timberlake, Nate “Danja” Hills, and Kenyon Dixon. Timberlake and Danja produced as well.  The backdrop is sleek, rhythmic, and pleasing to the ear. So, what’s the premise of “Memphis”? JT repping for his city.

“Just be great

Put on for your city, for your state

And whatever you do, just make us proud

Ain’t gon’ be no cryin’ from the clouds

…Don’t make no mistakes and hide your pain, no rain…”

By repping for Memphis, Timberlake had to leave to pursue his dreams of a music career.  Of course, he did, ‘pardon my French,’ fuck up some.  In the third verse, he asserts, “I was way too far out in the world, but I still put on for my city / I was handin’ out too much milk money, too much kitten, and ass, and titties / I lost my voice like a pastor, faster than a Harlem shimmy / But I guess that’s what you get for trying’ to make heartbreak pretty.” While “Memphis” is necessarily the track to beat from Everything I Though It Was, it is one of the better moments from the lengthy LP.

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12. Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Sweet Home Alabama” 

Second Helping // Geffen // 1974 

Location: 📍 Alabama

Dorothy said it best in The Wizard of Oz: THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME! Legendary southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd serves the same sentiment on their beloved, 1974 classic, “Sweet Home Alabama” (Second Helping). “Sweet home Alabama / Where the skies are so blue,” Ronnie Van Zant sings with immense southern pride in the chorus, continuing, “Sweet home Alabama / Lord, I’m coming home to you.” “Sweet Home Alabama” is synonymous with the band – arguably their most popular song (“Free Bird” might have a bone to pick with that, of course). It peaked at no. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.   

 

“Sweet Home Alabama” acknowledges traditional Southern values and the positive attributes of the South.  It is a far cry from the Neil Young classic, “Southern Man” which finds the Canadian rock icon criticizing the region.  In the second verse, Ronnie directly references Young’s characterization:   

“Well, I heard Mr. Young sing about her (Southern man) 

Well, I heard ol’ Neil put her down 

Well, I hope Neil Young will remember 

A Southern man don’t need him around, anyhow.” 

Burn! Politics come into play in the third verse, concerning the state’s governor, the controversial George Wallace. Wallace was governor four times. When “Sweet Home Alabama” was released, he was in his second, nonconsecutive term.  A racist, he reformed in his fourth and final term, repenting of his wrongs.  In the same verse, Van Zant sings, “Now Watergate does not bother me / Does your conscience bother you? / Tell the truth.” Intriguing. Ultimately “Sweet Home Alabama” is a certified, surefire rock classic 🤘 – TIMELESS!   

 

Appears in 🔻:  

• Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sweet Home Alabama: FIERCE Pop + Rock 🔥🤘 16 (2023)
• 11 Songs That Are Incredibly Sweet, Vol. 2 (2023) 
• Incredible Songs: 1970s, Vol. 1 (2023)
• ‘Oh, The PLACES You’ll Go’ on These 15 Songs (2023)

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13. Oliver Anthony, “Rich Men North of Richmond”

 “Rich Men North of Richmond” // DistroKid // 2023 

Location: 📍 Washington D.C.  

I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day / Overtime hours for bullshit pay… ” Oh, shit, it’s another political song that draws my ire! Let’s cut straight to the chase.  “Rich Men North of Richmond” by Oliver Anthony (Oliver Anthony Music, technically) made a big splash in 2023. Anthony made the ears of conservative, right-wingers, and many disgruntled Americans perk up with his raw, blue-collar country song. I never felt as moved by “Rich Men North of Richmond.” The title and song references politicians in 📍 Washington DC (DC is north of 📍 Richmond, Virginia). While initially “Rich Men North of Richmond” was fueled by the right as an anti-left anthem, Anthony wasn’t merely referring to the liberals! “It’s a damn shame what the world’s gotten to / For people like me and people like you.” Throughout “Rich Men North of Richmond,” Anthony serves up authentic, expressive vocals. He has a raw, rough around-the-edge sound. As the excerpted lyrics suggest, he’s brutally honest with some salty language.  One of the most colorful moments occurs in the third verse:  “Well, God, if you’re 5-foot-3 and you’re 300 pounds / Taxes ought not to pay for your bags of Fudge Rounds / Young men are puttin’ themselves six feet in the ground / Cause all this damn country does is keep on kickin’ them down.” Ultimately, this former no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 remains polarizing. 

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Worst Songs of 2023

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14. Kane Brown, “Bury Me in Georgia”

Different Man // Sony Music Entertainment // 2022

Location: 📍 Georgia

“Bury me in Georgia / Let me rest in peace / Underneath the pine… / Where my roots run deep.” “Bury Me in Georgia” commences Different Man, the 2022 album by country musician, Kane Brown. “Bury Me” begins dramatically and enigmatically and is set in a minor key.  Once it settles in, a ‘banging,’ rootsy countrified groove anchors, and Brown embraces his good ol’ southern roots. Concerning his home state, Brown asserts, “It’s where I was born, it’s where I was raised / Ain’t sayin’ I’m ready yet / But that’s the place I wanna be after my last breath.” Noted! As always, Brown’s tone is marvelous. He sings with incredible expression and nuance, and of course, ample twang. Also, he seems sincere about his birthplace, so much so that when his time comes, he requests to “Sing a send me home song / Put ‘Go Dawgs’ on my headstone / And pile the red dirt on.” The funky joint, which includes some sickening instrumental breaks, was penned by Brown, Jordan Schmidt, Josh Hoge, and Matt McGinn. Dann Huff produces this rousing, four-minute-long country banger. Hopefully, Brown’s request for burial in his home state is honored… just not too soon.

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 Songs Where GEORGIA is On the Mind (2024)

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15. Isaac Hayes, “By The Time I Get to Phoenix”

Hot Buttered Soul // Concord Music Group, Inc. // 1969

Location: 📍 Phoenix, Arizona

“I’m talking about the power of love now / I’m going to tell you what love do /… Love can make you or break you / It can make you laugh. It can make you cry…” Facts! The Isaac Hayes classic, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”, runs nearly 19 minutes long. The late, great soul icon had much to say on the prolific fourth and final track from his 1969 album, Hot Buttered Soul.  In his hands, the song sounds original.  Isaac puts in plenty of work to earn this characterization.  However, “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” was composed by Jimmy Webb. Hayes gives Webb a shout-out. Hayes is one of many coverers. He didn’t write or record it first but delivered a soul masterpiece for the ages.  Before getting into the meat of the song, he says, “Now I should attempt it to do it my way, my own interpretation of it /… I’m gonna bring it on down to Soulsville / Now I want you to bear along with me for a few minutes while I set it up.”

Hayes’ self-described ‘set-up time’ – a prolonged storytelling session – takes a while. Even so, all aspects of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” are the sugar honey iced tea.  Hayes mesmerizes with his masculine, sultry baritone.  The story is captivating:

“Three times he started to turn back before he reached the outskirts of the city, but he kept on going

Oh, I don’t wanna go, but I’ve got to leave you, mama

…I guess it was around 3:30 in the morning

He could not hardly see the road with tears in his eyes

That’s right, he was crying

There were meaning in his tears

He cannot barely see the sign that read on the side of the road, the next town is 125 miles away

And these very words came into his mind. He said…”

By the time he sings (about eight-and-a-half minutes in), he oozes with soul. He marvelously shapes the melody and adds sick ad-libs and riffs. Helping him to ooze is a lush backdrop, including a tight rhythm section and an utterly sublime orchestra (woodwinds, brass, and strings). Adding to the buttery soul is organ accompaniment including a dope solo. Is Phoenix or Arizona the state important in the context of the song? No, but “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” is a transformative cover by a once-in-a-lifetime musician.

Appears in 🔻:

• Isaac Hayes, By The Time I Get to Phoenix: Covers No. 24 (2024)

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Celebrating The United States 🇺🇸 Through Song (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; American Dogwood, Atlantic, Columbia, Concord Music Group, Inc., DistroKid, EMPIRE, Geffen, Interscope, MCA, Mercury, Now Generation, Parkwood Entertainment LLC, Polydor, RCA, Republic, Sony Music Entertainment, UMG Recordings, Inc.; Aaron Hairston, cottonbro studio from Pexels; David Peterson, Gordon Johnson, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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