The Midwest Region: Deconstructed

Reading Time: 22 min read

Following ‘An Unorthodox Soundtrack to the United States,’ we deconstruct the huge list by region, focusing on The Midwest Region.

On July 3, 2020, I published a gargantuan list, An Unorthodox Soundtrack to the United States. This list featured one song representing each state, and some ‘extras’ you might say. Even with the entire list being robust, more individual facts and commentary could’ve been included. Honestly, as I spent a couple of days assembling An Unorthodox Soundtrack to the United States, part of me wanted to release it in parts, say by regions. The five regions of the United States, of course, are Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, and West. However, at the same time, I wanted the list to be released for the 4^th of July 2020, a goal I made.

But still, there’s so much more that can be said about individual states, so, why not go for a deconstruction of the gargantuan list? Since 4^th of July 2020 is past, there’s no rush to publish – we only have time on our hands! Since I’ve never done this before, I’ll be breaking down a playlist into sections, releasing those sections as separate, more in-depth, more insightful playlists – or something like that. Since An Unorthodox Soundtrack to the United States is already divided by regions, that’s how the deconstructions will be divided. After dropping The Northeast Region: Deconstructed, we move on to the Midwest!

The Midwest Region is comprised of 12 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. So, if you’re feeling as nerdy as I am, and you’re ready to tackle some geography, trivia, and random AF commentary, join me on this ride with The Midwest Region: Deconstructed!

1. Illinois: Oliver Hazard, “Illinois”

34 N. River • R&R Digital • 2018

Oliver Hazard is an indie-folk band from Waterville, Ohio. However, they tackle the Midwest state of Illinois on their song, “Illinois” (34 N. River, 2018). Do they speak highly of the state? Well, it seems the experiences they had didn’t live up to their lofty expectations, judging by what happened as a result of moving/visiting there, at least narratively speaking.

“Oh Illinois
You broke me down
Face down in dirt

Oh Illinois
Dressed in drag
With cigarettes and booze

Oh Illinois
Stole my cat
Not coming back no more.”

3 Facts about ILLINOIS

Per HuffPost contributor Madison Bondi in her article, 25 Fun Facts About Illinois, “Illinois was the first state to ratify the 13^th amendment to abolish slavery.” Way to be progressive IL!

Bondi also tells us that “the term ‘jazz’ was coined in Chicago in 1914 by Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa.”

The largest university in Illinois should come as no surprise – University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign. The Fighting Illini have an enrollment that approaches 50,000 students. Notably, the athletic programs are part of the prestigious Big Ten.

5 more ILLINOIS songs:

Ari Lennox, “Chicago Boy”

Shea Butter Baby, 2019 [Dreamville / Interscope]

Brett Eldredge, “Illinois”

Illinois, 2015 [Dreamville / Interscope]

“I come from the heart of the Heartland
Where pictures shows where the corn grows
In rows and rows of summer greens
And winter snows.”

Highly Suspect, “Chicago”

The Boy Who Died Wolf, 2016 [300 Entertainment]

Sufjan Stevens, “Chicago”

Illinois, 2004 [Asthmatic Kitty]

Sufjan Stevens, “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.”

Illinois, 2004 [Asthmatic Kitty]

✓ Good Beat: Barack Obama! Also, for the most part, you can rely on Illinois to go blue, which is good if you’re a staunch democrat like myself.

Also, The University of Illinois lays claim to one of the best men’s college basketball teams during the 2004-05 season. Bruce Weber’s Fighting Illini went an impressive 37-2, falling to Roy Williams’ North Carolina Tar Hills 75-70. Of course, much more prestigious are those Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan years – “my, oh my, what a time!”

✗ Bad Beat: Rod Blagojevich… hot mess! Illinois did fail to win that title, and haven’t been nearly as elite since, despite ascending in 2019-20. But beyond Rod and that painful L, it gets worse Illinois… JOHN WAYNE GACY – holy !!!

Gacy (2003)

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2. Indiana: Adrianne Lenker, “Indiana”

Hours Were the Birds • Saddle Creek • 2014

Adrianne Lenker, best known as the singer and lead guitarist of Big Thief, was born in Indiana, so it makes sense that she’d write a song about it. That said, her experience during her time in Indianapolis was not ideal. According to an article by Independent, she was “Born into a religious cult… she spent her early years living out of a van with her young parents.” Sorry Indy…

“Daddy wanted me to leave it
Indiana, Indiana in the cold
Said, ‘You know you really don't need it
leave the fame for the road.’”

3 Facts About INDIANA

The last college men’s basketball team to go undefeated in a season were the Indiana Hoosiers in 1976. They completed the perfect season with a win against the University of Michigan 86-68. Say what you will about Bob Knight, but he got it done three times, with championships in ’76, ’81, and ’87.

Apparently, the state’s name “stands for Land of the Indians,” though “fewer than 8,000 Native Americans actually reside in the state today.” (33 Indiana Facts You Never Knew About)

Six men from the state of Indiana have been elected vice president including Mike Pence (Visit Indiana)

3 more INDIANA songs:

Jon McLaughlin, “Indiana”

Indiana, 2007 [The Island Def Jam Music Group]

“I love the miles between me and the city
Where I quietly imagine every street
And I’m glad I’m only picturing the moment
I’m glad she never fell in love with me.”

Just Kiddin, “Indiana”

“Indiana,” 2018 [Sony UK]

Magic City Hippies, “Indiana”

Modern Animal, 2019 [Magic City Hippies]

✓ Good Beat: Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Jackson 5… Also, if you a fan of a certain basketball program, well, it was once really good. Already talked about it under facts about Indiana, so I won’t be providing addition fuel for those Hoosiers.

✗ Bad Beat: As I said before on An Unorthodox Soundtrack to the United States, anytime Indiana beats Kentucky… 73-72 and 73-67 comes to mind. Both memories are extremely painful. Of course, IU would consider that a good beat, so how about some shade? UK avenged that tragic buzzer beating loss in the Sweet 16 102-90, so there’s that. They also would go on to win the national championship (2012), something that IU hasn’t even sniffed since falling to Maryland in the title game in 2002, 64-52. FACTS.

Again, I could get political regarding a certain politician, but I’ll leave it alone with Hoosiers defeats against my Wildcats.

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3. Iowa: Slipknot, “Iowa”

Iowa • The All Blacks U.S.A., Inc. • 2001

The most famous song about the state of Iowa hails from Slipknot. Fittingly, that song is named “Iowa” and appears on the band’s 2001 album which is also titled, Iowa. At 15 minutes in duration, you’d expect some in depth coverage of the state, right? Wrong. It’s a great song, though not so much a representation or celebration of the state itself.

“You are mine
You will always be mine
I can tear you apart
I can recombine you
All I want is to covet you all
You belong to me
I will kill you to love you (love you).”

3 Facts About IOWA

Per Cool Kid Facts – because we’re all ‘cool kids’ – the state nickname is The Hawkeye State. Adding to that, the University of Iowa (a member of the Big Ten) school mascot is the Hawkeye. As for Iowa State, well, the Big 12 school settles for being the Cyclones.

Staying with the kids, the capital city is Des Moines, while other key cities include Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Dubuque, and Sioux City.

Prominent religions in the state are Roman Catholic, United Methodist, and Lutheran synods. (Iowa PBS)

3 more IOWA songs:

Exitmusic, “Iowa”

The Recognitions, 2018 [felte]

“Oh, someday I will answer go embrace
Oh it’s undercover but we’re so in love
I try and say it but I can’t out loud
And the sun shines on our death, Iowa.”

Gold Connections, “Iowa City”

“Iowa City,” 2020 [Gold Connections]

Mal Blum, “Iowa”

You Look a Lot Like Me, 2015 [Don Giovanni]

✓ Good Beat: Luka Garza is the man , and a ‘big man’ he is . Also, beating a quality conference rival like Ohio State is always a win, in this particular case, 85-76.

✗ Bad Beat: Iowa also beat Iowa State during the 2019-20 season 84-68. The problem is, well, one Iowa team had to lose, so…yeah. Also, worth mentioning, is the 2016 presidential election… ugh! Swing states!

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4. Kansas: Gorillaz,“Kansas”

The Now Now • Parlophone • 2018

“Kansas” by Gorillaz (The Now Now, 2018) appears on An Unorthodox Soundtrack to the United States. However, Kansas is never mentioned in the song… yikes!

“I’m not gonna cry
I’ve got more time to give
I’m not gonna cry
Find another dream.”

3 Facts About KANSAS:

The University of Kansas has the second most winningest men’s basketball program in history, trailing only – drum roll please – the University of Kentucky. They have won three national championships (‘52, ‘88, ’08) .

A republican stronghold with its 6 electoral votes, Kansas hasn’t gone blue since 1964 (270 to win).

What’s the biggest city in Kansas? That would be Wichita, where Wichita State University is located (National Geographic Kids).

3 more KANSAS songs:

The Devil Wears Prada, “Kansas”

Dead Throne, 2011 [Ferret Music]

Neil Young, “Kansas”

Homegrown, 2020 [Silver Bow Productions, Inc.]

Orville Peck, “Kansas (Remembers Me Now)”

Pony, 2019 [Sub Pop]

“They said, ‘Why, oh, why did you do it?’
But if I die (But if I die), don't you cry
Because Kansas remembers me now.”

Good Beat: To reiterate, the University of Kansas has the second most winningest men’s basketball program . That’s big! Many believed, had the 2020 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament been played that Bill Self would’ve won his second championship and the programs fourth overall . The team was ranked no. 1 in the final AP Poll with a gaudy 28-3 record. Ballin’ !

Bill Self has even managed to come out of Rupp Arena a couple of times with a win (‘04,‘17) – impressive . Of course, Kentucky left Allen Fieldhouse empty-handed, including a horrific 73-46 slaughtering back in January 2006.

Also, I suppose I could shout out the other successful universities. Kansas State beat Kentucky for the first time in school history in the 2018 NCAA Tournament 61-58 . Wichita State earned the rare undefeated regular season in 2013-14 , though Kentucky ended the run in the second-round game, 78-76. Also, Kentucky ended WSU’s chances to advance in 2017, 65-62.

Bad Beat: Dennis Rader, infamously known as BTK… Not a good guy in the least. I don’t think Kansans would argue with me either… Also, while I personally love this win, Kentucky absolutely kicked Kansas’ ass during the 2014-15, to the tune of 72-40. Ouch! Also, Kansas football … well it’s not much.

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5. Michigan: KISS, “Detroit Rock City”

Destroyer • Island Def Jam Music Group • 1976

Doesn’t a classic speak for itself? “Detroit Rock City” is one of KISS’ best- and best-known songs. Amazingly, it doesn’t explicitly mention Detroit, Michigan that much.

“Get up!
Everybody’s gonna move their feet
Get down!
Everybody’s gonna leave their seat
You gotta lose your mind in Detroit Rock City.”

3 Facts about MICHIGAN

According to Encyclopædia Britannica, the name is “derived from michi-gama, an Ojibwa (Chippewa) word meaning ‘large lake.’”

Per Circle Michigan, singing sand can be found on the beaches of Grand Haven.

Michigan is the only one of the states to be split into two land segments – Upper and Lower Peninsulas (Encyclopædia Britannica).

3 more MICHIGAN songs:

Kid Rock, “Detroit, Michigan”

Rebel Soul, 2012 [Atlantic]

Eminem, Big Sean, Danny Brown, DeJ Loaf, Royce Da 5’9” & Trick Trick, “Detroit Vs. Everybody”

SHADYXV, 2014 [Shady / Interscope]

Mike Posner, “Buried in Detroit”

At Night, Alone., 2016 [Island]

“I’ve made love in every city
But I’ll be buried in Detroit.”

✓ Good Beat: Judge Greg Mathis – this man is a gift! Also, Tom Izzo has been incredibly successful at Michigan State, succeeding the legendary Jud Heathcote.

✗ Bad Beat: Flint, Michigan water crises… what a mess! Also, one of the reasons Donald Trump was elected president in a devastating upset. Definitely a bad beat.

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6. Minnesota: Dead Man Winter, “A Long, Cold Night in Minneapolis”

Bright Lights • Banjodad • 2011

The first city that comes to mind when mentioning Minnesota is Minneapolis. Minneapolis certainly hasn’t been seen positively in 2020 with the senseless murder of George Floyd. Of course, Minneapolis did give us the iconic musician, Prince. Staying focused, Dead Man Winter provides us with our Minneapolis, Minnesota song, “A Long, Cold Night in Minneapolis.” Well, that’s certainly not a positive connotation…

“Let go of me darling
Before you kill me
I’m hollow and holly
Just like man
You’ll never know me
The way I know sorrow
It kinda helps nothing but it’s all I got left…”

3 Facts About MINNESOTA

Minnesota s the 12^th-largest state in the U.S., though it ranks 21^st in terms of population (Explore Minnesota).

While famous for forests and bodies of water, the state has two neighboring metro centers in Minneapolis and St. Paul (Mental Floss)

Nicknamed both ‘The North Start State’ and ‘The Gopher State,’ the sole NCAA Division I school, University of Minnesota, uses the Golden Gopher as its mascot (Cool Kid Facts).

3 more MINNESOTA songs:

Harbor & Home, “Minnesota”

Dark Days, 2014 [Independent]

Lil Yachty, “Minnesota”

Lil Boat, 2016 [Quality Control]

“Cold like Minnesota, cold like Minnesota
Cold like Minnesota, it get cold like Minnesota
Need to stay up out them streets if you can’t take the heat
You need to stay up out them streets if you can’t take the heat.”

The Shackletons, “Minnesota Girls”

Second Attempt (EP), 2017 [The Shackletons]

✓ Good Beat: The Purple One – duh! Let me highly suggest you check out In Remembrance: 13 Provocative Songs from Prince. Louise Gaille (Vittana) cites the progressive approach to life in the state – we need more of that! Also, depending on who you ask, Minneapolis and St. Paul are considered to be among gay friendly cities in the United States.

✗ Bad Beat: Police brutality… the murder of George Floyd. Also, Gaille provides cons including the winters in the state, mosquitoes, and the violent crime rate in Minneapolis.

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7. Missouri: EL VY, “Happiness, Missouri”

Return to the Moon • 4AD Ltd • 2015

“I’m out of reach / Try to pinch my cheeks / Cause you’re making me wanna sob.” So, just in case EL VY itself doesn’t sound familiar, it is comprised of some notable musicians. Who? Matt Berninger (The National) and Brent Knopf (formerly of Menomena). “Happiness, Missouri” might suggest positivity regarding the state, but honestly, Berninger isn’t too pleased, per the aforementioned lyrical excerpt.

“While away while someone counts the minutes
Happiness, Missouri, I got to get your mind off
By the way, I told you we were in this
Happiness, Missouri, I got to get your mind off it.”

3 Facts about MISSOURI

The state was named after a tribe of Sioux Indians called the Missouris (Mental Floss).

Key cities in this midwestern state include the capital city, Jefferson City, as well as St. Louis (duh), Kansas City, Springfield, and Joplin (Cool Kid Facts).

Formerly a bellwether state when it comes to presidential elections, Missouri was out of sync in the 2008 and 2012 elections, supporting McCain and Romney respectively. Missouri has voted republican consistently since the 2000 election. Interestingly, since 1972, the state has supported the winning candidate 10 out of 12 times (north of 83%).

3 more MISSOURI songs:

Johnny Cash, “Missouri Waltz”

Bootleg Vol. 1: Personal File, 2020 [Sony]

“Way down in Missouri when I heard this lullaby
While the stars were blinking and the moon was shining high
Are the old folks were humming the banjos were strumming so sweet and low.”

Julian Lage, “Missouri”

World’s Fair, 2015 [Modern Lore Records]

Anthony BeastMode, “Missouri Made”

Missouri Made, 2017 [Anthony BeastMode]

✓ Good Beat: What about them Kansas City Chiefs ? Also, St. Louis is renowned for its historical music scene. Also, generally, the University of Missouri Men’s basketball program is hailed as one of the best historically to never reach the Final 4. In recent history, the 2011-12 team was among the best ever, going an impressive 30-5 and winning its final Big 12 tournament – a 90-75 victory over Baylor – before moving to the SEC.

✗ Bad Beat: Ferguson, Missouri and the killing of unarmed black teen Michael Brown. To quote Trey Songz, “How Many Times?”. Also, the aforementioned, awesome Mizzou team was upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, losing 86-84 to Norfolk State – the rare shocking 15 seed – 2 seed upset. I hate to pour salt on the wound, but Missouri’s success in the NCAA Tournament during the 2010s has been piss poor terrible, with just one win arriving against Clemson (86-78) in the first-round back in 2010. Ouch! The silver lining is, that win was an upset, as Mizzou was seeded 10^th while Clemson was seeded 7^th.

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8. Nebraska: Bruce Springsteen, “Nebraska”

Nebraska • Bruce Springsteen • 1982

One of the most notable albums in the Bruce Springsteen discography is Nebraska, released in 1982. As Ian Couch writes for The New Yorker in article “The Original Wrecking Ball: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska’,” it was unique, thanks to its share of dark material being told from a first-person perspective. “Nebraska,” the title track, tackles 19-year old spree killer, Charles Starkweather, who murdered 11 people.

“I saw her standing on her front lawn just twirling her baton
Me and her went for a ride, sir, and ten innocent people died
From the town of Lincoln, Nebraska, with a sawed-off .410 on my lap
Through to the badlands of Wyoming I killed everything in my path.”

Starkweather had an accomplice, his girlfriend Caril Ann Fugate, who was just 14. Ultimately, for his crimes, which took place in Wisconsin and Nebraska, Starkweather went to the electric chair.

“The jury brought in a guilty verdict and the judge he sentenced me to death
Midnight in a prison storeroom with leather straps across my chest.”

Sure, “Nebraska” is a dark representation of the state known for a championship-winning college football program, but I dare you to find a better song by a more accomplished artist, hence why I jacked it directly from my previous soundtrack to the states, 50 Songs About the 50 States.

3 Facts about NEBRASKA:

Nebraska is a small state, laying claim to merely 5 electoral votes. While the state is undoubtedly a republic stronghold, it has bucked the trend a few times historically. In 2008, one of its electoral votes actually supported Barack Obama.

The state’s nickname is the Cornhusker State. That also happens to be the University of Nebraska mascot, fittingly (Cool Kid Facts).

Who are some famous Nebraskans? Per Cool Kid Facts, Warren Buffett, Gabrielle Union, Marlon Brando, President Gerald Ford, and Hilary Swank. Cornhuskers!

3 More NEBRASKA songs:

Joshua Lee Turner, “Nebraska Dreams”

“Nebraska Dreams,” 2020 [Bring Luck]

Low Hum, “Nebraska”

Room to Breathe, 2019 [Last Gang]

Oh Wonder, “Nebraska”

No One Else Can Wear Your Crown, 2020 [Island]

“Been to Nebraska, I’ve been to Rome
I’ve walked the desert and swam below
Climbed many mountains, traveled the skies
I've been to heaven, oh, how I've tried.”

✓ Good Beat: An elite, championship college football program… at least back in the day.

✗ Bad Beat: The men’s college basketball team at the University of Nebraska has limited history. Hopefully, Fred Hoiberg can up the ante. That said, his first season there sucked (7-25). Also, for the prestige of the football program, it’s not been an elite, championship program for some time.

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9. North Dakota: Hodera, “North Dakota”

First Things First • Take This to Heart • 2017

Hodera is an indie rock/folk collective comprised of Matthew Smith (lead vocals and guitar), Doug Gallo (lead guitar), Alek Mager (bass), and Scott Tilley (drums). “North Dakota,” per the band, via Genius “is a metaphor for a dream world where life is perfect and all obstacles no longer exist or matter. It describes wanting to be with someone despite living states away and leading very different lives.”

“I had a dream I was in North Dakota laying in a field
Where they had grown a bunch of corn, but then they cut it down
So now it’s just a place where I can lay and pretend everything’s okay
Because in this dream you were there next to me engaging in the silence.”

3 Facts about NORTH DAKOTA:

North Dakota is one of the smallest states in the U.S. It only has 3 electoral votes and is a republican stronghold. The last time ND went blue was in 1964 when Lyndon Johnson won in a landslide.

Per ND Tourism, “North Dakota leads the nation in production of spring wheat, durum wheat, dry edible peas, dry edible beans, honey, flaxseed and canola.”

Another interesting ND fact from ND Tourism? Apparently, the state “holds the Guinness World Record for the most snow angels made simultaneously in one place.”

Another NORTH DAKOTA song:

Lyle Lovett, “North Dakota”

Joshua Judges Ruth, 1992 [Curb]

“The boys from North Dakota
They drink whiskey for their fun.”

✓ Good Beat: Honey and lots of it – North Dakota is the no. 1 producer of honey in the nation. How sweet is that? Also, the outdoor activities and scenery seems out of this world.

✗ Bad Beat: For those of us who are used to the city, something tells me that ND living is, um, a big-time about face, at least from researching it. Also, for those of us who enjoy sports, exactly how much notoriety do sports get in this state? EXACTLY!

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10. Ohio: King Princess, “Ohio”

Cheap Queen (Deluxe) • Zelig • 2020

Cheap Queen, the debut album by King Princess, actually arrived in 2019. Like many musicians, she’d release a deluxe version of the album, which arrived in 2020. One of the new tracks on the expanded version was single “Ohio.” Like many songs on AN UNORTHODOX SOUNDTRACK TO THE UNITED STATES, Ohio the state only gets so much fame.

“How’s it been in Ohio, babe?
Do you think about me
When you're going home?
‘Cause I’ve been getting rich
But everything I love is broke
So what’s good?
Is it me or is it you?”

3 Facts about OHIO:

Ohio has a history of accuracy when it comes to electing the president of the United States. As of publication, the last time the highly coveted, 18-electoral vote state missed was back in 1960, supporting Nixon as opposed to Kennedy.

Keeping it presidential, seven presidents were from the Buckeye State (Mental Floss).

Key cities in the highly populated state are Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, and Akron (Cool Kid Facts).

3 More OHIO Songs:

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, “Ohio”

Upside Down Flowers, 2018 [Fantasy Records]

“As we started the drive
To California
Where it’s warmer
Gonna start a new life
Gonna miss Ohio but this time
We’re gonna get it right.”

Canadian Softball, “Ohio is for Emo Kids”

Awkward & Depressed, 2017 [Chodezilla]

Of Mice & Men, “Ohioisonfire”

The Flood, 2011 [Rise]

✓ Good Beat: LeBron James . Enough said. He managed to bring a world championship back to Cleveland in 2016, upsetting the highly favored Golden State Warriors. Also, if you’re into it, The Ohio State football , who won the very first College Football Playoff in 2014. It marked their second championship of the 2000s.

✗ Bad Beat: The 2016 election – the state wasn’t even a battleground like it normally is! Also, the NCAA tournament performances of Cincinnati (particularly as a 2-seed), The Bengals, The Browns… lots of bad beats. Also, throw in the two times The Ohio State beat Kentucky (74-67 and 71-65). Ugh!

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11. South Dakota: Jakey, “South Dakota”

“South Dakota” • Jakey • 2017

“When I’m gone, II hope you fuckers rest in peace.” Okay… Jakey is a YouTuber, but also a musician. South Dakota is a state that lacks an abundance of tunes written about it. So, why not give the YouTube musician the opportunity to rep SD?

“What South Dakota sound like (yeah)
When it’s done by me
This what South Dakota sound like (yeah)
In the middle of the street.”

3 Facts about SOUTH DAKOTA:

South Dakota is one of the smallest states in the U.S. Like North Dakota, it lays claim to merely 3 electoral votes and is a republican stronghold. The last time SD went blue was in 1964 when Lyndon Johnson won in a landslide.

According to Travel South Dakota, the capital city, Pierre, is actually pronounced “peer.”

Two words: Mount Rushmore!

Another SOUTH DAKOTA song:

Bee Gees, “South Dakota Morning”

Life in a Tin Can, 1973 [Capitol]

“The sun shines down on a South Dakota morning
And I can see their faces in my eyes.”

✓ Good Beat: Mount Rushmore, as well as the rest of the natural, beautiful scenery.

✗ Bad Beat: Scenic, but if you’re more city than country, I’d imagine this would be a stark contrast.

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12. Wisconsin: John Prine, “Milwaukee Here I Come”

Ft. Melba Montgomery

In Spite of Ourselves • Oh Boy / Thirty Tigers • 1999

Grammy-winning singer/songwriter John Prine was truly special – may he rest in peace after succumbing to that devastating, SOB known as COVID-19. Prine actually earns two spots on AN UNORTHODOX SOUNDTRACK TO THE UNITED STATES, beginning with Wisconsin. After throwing shade at the state on 50 Songs About the 50 States (I chose a Jeffrey Dahmer song) because of a truly devastating college basketball result, I felt like I owed The Cheese State, even if I’m still not over the defeat. Prine references the city of Milwaukee.

“I’m gonna get on that old turnpike and I’m gonna ride
I’m gonna leave this town till you decide
Which one you want the most, them Opry stars or me
Milwaukee, here I come from Nashville, Tennessee
Milwaukee is where we were before we came here...”

3 Facts about WISCONSIN

Per Travel Wisconsin, “Thirty percent of the state’s population lives in the five-county metropolitan area around Milwaukee.”

The University of Wisconsin won the third NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament in 1941, defeating Washington State with the robust score of 39-34. Add up those ‘archaic’ scores (long before the shot clock and modern version of the sport) and a fair number of teams score the combined 75 points or more in by themselves. Half-court game indeed!

Relying once more on those Cool Kid Facts, key cities in The Badger State include Milwaukee, Madison (the capital), Green Bay, and Kenosha.

3 more WISCONSIN songs:

Kailee Morgue, “Wisconsin Ave”

Here in Your Bedroom (EP), 2020 [Republic]

“Who was I kidding?
That night in Milwaukee
You already had me.”

Madilyn, “Wisconsin”

“Wisconsin,” 2020 [Madilyn Bailey Music]

Static-X, “Wisconsin Death Trip”

Wisconsin Death Trip, 1999 [Warner]

✓ Good Beat: Tyler Herro, and his style choices too! Also, University of Wisconsin athletics are rock solid, particularly football and basketball . Also, the pro sport franchises are notable: Green Bay Packers (NFL) and Milwaukee Bucks (NBA) .

✗ Bad Beat(s): 38-1 thanks to those Badgers, but even worse, Jeffrey Dahmer . I know it’s painful, but Dahmer will forever be infamous.

/ My Friend Dahmer (graphic novel by John “Derf” Backderf)

Dahmer, 2002 (starring Jeremy Renner)

Jeffrey Dahmer: A Terrifying True Story of Rape, Murder & Cannibalism by Jack Rosewood

And if that wasn’t enough, Wisconsin had already experienced Ed Gein … Holy WI!

Deviant: True Story of Ed Gein, the Original Psycho by Harold Schechter

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And with that, we end The Midwest (Deconstructed). That was a quite a ride wasn’t it? Next up, we head SOUTH!

The Midwest Region: Deconstructed | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on July 18, 2020July 18, 2020