The West Region: Deconstructed | Playlist 🎧

1. Alaska: Maggie Rogers, “Alaska”

Heard it in a Past Life • Capitol • 2019

💭 Maggie Rogers was the NYU student who caught Pharrell Williams’ attention for her hit record, “Alaska,” perfect for a SOUNDTRACK TO THE UNITED STATES.  After releasing independent projects as well as an EP (Now That the Light is Fading), she dropped her highly anticipated debut album, Heard It in a Past Life.  Notably, “Alaska” reappeared on her 2019 full-length debut.

“I was walking through icy streams
That took my breath away
Moving slowly through westward water
Over glacial plains.”

3 Facts about ALASKA:

💡 Alaska is a massive state, but has a small population – 731,500+ as of 2019.

💡 The state motto of Alaska is “North to the Future”.

💡 Few states get redder than Alaska.  Those 3 electoral votes are owned by republicans with the sole exception being that 1964 landslide by Lyndon Johnson.  Otherwise, democrats, this is indeed a ‘losing game’ – rather, losing state for you.

5 more ALASKA songs:

🌟🎵 Banks, “Alaska” (III, 2019 [Capitol])

“Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, don’t go
I found a letter from your friend, he said you’re gone
He said you were going to the mountain with the most snow, so long
Told me you were headed for Alaska
I thought I dreamt it, but I know it, now it’s on
Instead of writing letters, Jimmy coulda had my heart to lean on.”

🎵 Between The Buried and Me, “Alaska” (Alaska, 2005 [Craft Recordings])

🎵 BROCKHAMPTON, “ALASKA” (SATURATION III, 2018 [RCA]) 

🎵 Little Hurt, “Alaska” (“Alaska,” 2020 [The Century Family, Inc.])

🎵 Valiant Hearts, “Alaska” (Odyssey, 2019 [Valiant Hearts])

💭 ✓ Good Beat: There’s an allure about this state that many have never visited, me included.  

💭✗ Bad Beat:“I can see Russia from my house.” Ugh – not the proudest moment!

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2. California: Post Malone, “Hollywood’s Bleeding”

Hollywood’s Bleeding • Republic • 2019

💭 Hollywood’s Bleeding is certainly a dramatic album title. The album itself finds Post Malone amplifying his pop-leanings. For our purposes, “Hollywood’s Bleeding,” which fittingly graced 11 Intriguing Songs That are Totally Hollywood, describes Hollywood itself as place where so many dreamers go only to end up in something of a death trap. From his perspective, Hollywood is dark, disappointing, and troubling (nearly, if not fatal).

“I just keep on hopin’ that you call me
You say you wanna see me, but you can’t right now
You never took the time to get to know me
Was scared of losin’ somethin’ that we never found
We’re running out of reasons, but we can’t let go
Yeah, Hollywood is bleeding, but we call it home.”

3 Facts about CALIFORNIA: 

💡 The Nickname of California is The Golden State. The Golden State is pretty large, if you didn’t already know.

💡 With its huge population, Cal has its fair share of highly populous cities.  Among the most populous are Los Angeles (duh), San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, and Sacramento.

💡 California is a democratic stronghold with a whopping 55 electoral votes.  However, even the bluest of blue states hasn’t always been that way! Cal supported FDR and Truman in 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944, and 1948.  Then, they supported Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956, remaining republican to support a losing Richard Nixon in 1960.  Then, like almost everybody, they voted for LBJ in 1964 before rolling with republicans from 1968-1988. So, it wasn’t until 1992 that the state opened its progressive eyes for good.

5 more CALIFORNIA songs: 

🎵 Grimes, “California” (Art Angels, 2015 [4AD])

🎵 Miguel, “Hollywood Dreams” (WILDHEART, 2015 [RCA]) 

🌟🎵 Panic! At the Disco, “Dying in LA” (Pray for the Wicked, 2018 [Fueled by Ramen])

“But nobody knows you now, when you’re dying in LA
And nobody owes you now, when you’re dying in LA...
Oh, the power, the power, the power
Of LA.”

🎵 Father John Misty, “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” (Fear Fun, 2012 [Sub Pop])

🎵 Snoop Dogg Ft. Stevie Wonder & Pharrell Williams, “California Roll” (BUSH, 2015 [Columbia])

💭 ✓ Good Beat: Hollywood.  Liberals galore.  UCLA men’s basketball, which has won a record 11 national championships (10 under the legendary John Wooden).  There’s lots of colleges who have had success in athletics including Stanford, USC, California, and San Diego State.  Pro sports are huge including Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers…. And there’s Zac Efron. I mean, just look at that guy. Woo!

Oh, and this scene, where he does actually wear a shirt:

💭 ✗ Bad Beat:Hollywood can be a death trap. Republicans would say liberals, but I’m not republican so… Also, gang activity, various shootings, race issues as well… Also, there’s plenty of hate per SPLC in this great big state – 88 active hate groups!

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3. Colorado: Kota the Friend, “Colorado”

“Colorado” • Fltbys • 2018

💭 Brooklyn rapper Kota the Friend tackles a western state in his 2018 song, “Colorado” – go figure! Apparently, he’s been on vacation… Just make sure you “Do not fuckin’ at [him]…”

“I just wish ‘em well though
Hope you gettin’ money, hope you doin’ well bro
Heard your sister love me, I’m in Colorado
Do not fuckin’ at me
I been on vacation ‘cause I need it badly.”

3 Facts about COLORADO: 

💡 Colorado’s nickname is The Centennial State.

💡 The state’s wildlife is pretty rad:  bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mountain lions, black bears, prairie dogs, and of course, bison. (Cool Kid Facts)

💡 Colorado has become a state that democrats can depend on but that hasn’t always been the case.  Prior to its blue wave that began in 2008, Colorado once supported Clinton (1992), and Lyndon Johnson (1964).  Amazingly, Franklin Roosevelt secured the state twice (1932, 1936), but also lost it twice (1940, 1944).  That’s a big, hmm to say the least!

5 more COLORADO songs: 

🎵 3OH!3, “COLORADOSUNRISE” (WANT, 2008 [Photo Finish])

🌟🎵 Florida Georgia Line, “Colorado” (Can’t Say I Ain’t Country, 2019 [Big Machine])

“Well I got friends from Colorado
I got friends from Tennessee
So, I got something in a bottle
And I got something from a seed
Since you said you didn’t love me
Since hung me out to dry
I’ve been drunk up in the Smokies
On a Rocky Mountain high.” 

🎵 Sam Burchfield, “Colorado” (Graveyard, 2020 [Eat Music])

🎵 The Lumineers, “Left for Denver” (III, 2019 [Dualtone Music Group, Inc.])

🎵 SayWeCanFly, “Colorado” (Nosebleed (EP), 2020 [WE ARE TRIUMPHANT])

💭✓ Good Beat:Colorado has quite a reputation when it comes to weed – if you’re into that.  If smoking isn’t your thing, there are pro sports franchises: Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanches… Also, there are rivaling universities: University of Colorado and Colorado State University.

💭✗ Bad Beat:The tragedies that have occurred in the state are troubling.  The Columbine High School Massacre (1999) and the Aurora Theater shooting (2012) will never be forgotten.  ALSO, there are 22 active hate groups (as of 2020) within the state!

Suggested Reading:

🎵 Songs Written in the Aftermath of Columbine by Brent Faulkner

📚 Columbine by Dave Cullen

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4. Hawaii: Cub Sport, “Hawaiian Party”

BATS • Cub Sport • 2017

💭 Alternative pop collective Cub Sport are NOT Hawaiian; they’re Australian.  That said, how many songs have been written about or referenced the ideal vacation getaway that weren’t written or performed by native Hawaiians.  On “Hawaiian Party,” Tim Nelson doesn’t want to hear “About your Hawaiian party.” Of course, we the listeners love to hear Nelson not what to hear about a Hawaiian party!

“On Monday, you'll tell me about your Hawaiian party
I'll hear what you drank and if you danced at the party
I will know the details like I was at this party
I don't want to see your photos, you know it bores me.”

3 Facts about HAWAII: 

💡 Hawaii was the 50^th state admitted to The United States in 1959.  A brilliant addition if I do say so myself!

💡 Hawaii has a diverse population with Asian (37.6%) being the most prevalent ethnicity.  As you can tell by that percentage alone, there’s a number of different races per the 2019 census info.

💡 Hawaii is a progressive state, period. Two times in its young statehood has it when against the democrats: Nixon (1972) and Reagan (1984).  Both of those elections were republican landslides.

5 more HAWAII songs:

🎵 Ahe, Bane, “Hawaii” (Hawaii (EP), 2020 [Firefly Entertainment AB])

🎵 BANKS, “Hawaiian Mazes” (III, 2019 [Capitol])

🌟🎵 Josh Turner, “Hawaiian Girl” (Deep South, 2017 [MCA Nashville])

“My Hawaiian girl, a Polynesian pearl
All I wanna say
Is I love you
Aloha Wau la Oe.” 

🎵 Maluma, “Hawái” (“Hawái,” 2020 [Sony Music Entertainment US Latin])

🎵 Ziggy Marley, “Beach in Hawaii” (Love is my Religion, 2006 [Tuff Gang Worldwide])

💭 ✓ Good Beat: Isn’t it self-explanatory? It’s like living in paradise, right? The culture! Also, there is the University of Hawai’i, which plays D1 sports.  The Rainbow Warriors actually beat the University of California in the 2016 NCAA Men’s Division I Tournament in the First Round 77-66.  The 13^th seeded team would fall the next round to Maryland (73-60), after earning an impressive 29-6 record.

💭 ✗ Bad Beat: If you’re going to live in paradise, you’re going to pay for paradise.  If the money’s not right, well, Hawaii’s not for you.  Also, Hawaii is extremely far from everywhere. Definitely makes it mean for the Rainbow Warriors when it comes to sports as a Division I program…

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5. Idaho: Josh Ritter, “Idaho”

The Animal Years • Josh Ritter • 2006

💭 Who better to tackle Idaho than an Idaho-bred musician? Josh Ritter was born and raised in Moscow, so he definitely is qualified to pen a song about his home state.  The song is beautiful from a lyrical, musical, and vocal perspective.

“Wolves, oh, wolves, oh, can’t you see?
Ain’t no wolf can sing like me
And if it could then I suppose
He belongs in Idaho
Packs of dogs and cigarettes
For those who ain’t done packing yet
My clothes are packed and I want to go
Idaho, oh, Idaho.”

3 Facts about IDAHO:

💡 Idaho has plenty of land, but with under 1.8 million residents, it’s among the smaller states in the U.S.

💡 Idaho is known for its potatoes. That said, Mental Floss informs us that the state’s “Most famous crop isn’t native to the area.”

💡 Idaho is pretty synonymous with republicans, at least where supporting presidential candidates is concerned. The state has supported select democratic candidates, though none since 1964.  Donald Trump has little to worry about when it comes to Idaho in 2020.

5 more IDAHO songs: 

🎵 Afroman, “Idaho” (Waiting to Inhale, 2008 [Hungry Hustler]) 

🌟🎵 Bryan Lanning, “Idaho” (Us, 2017 [Bryan Lanning])

“Kings and queens of Idaho
We have nowhere else to go
This life is all we know
Kings and queens of Idaho
Bow to the royals.”

🎵 Gorillaz, “Idaho” (The Now Now, 2018 [Warner]) 

🎵 Carpool, “Idaho” (I Think Everyone’s a Cop, 2018 [978001 Records DK])

🎵 Train, “Idaho” (Train, 1998 [Columbia])

💭 ✓ Good Beat: Apparently, it’s a reasonably safe place to live….

💭 ✗ Bad Beat: Idaho isn’t a very diverse state… Vittana asserts, “If you identify with a minority group, moving to Idaho could mean you won’t find a lot of restaurants or activities representative of your heritage, culture, or perspectives.” The state also has a racist history, including “The 1920s and 1930s when the Ku Klux Klan had more than 10 chapters” statewide – yikes! While SPLC reports seven active hate groups in 2020, none of them are Ku Klux Klan.

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6. Montana: Frank Zappa, “Montana”

Over-Nite Sensation • Zappa Family Trust / Universal Music Enterprises • 2012

💭 Frank Zappa was not from Montana but that doesn’t stop him from giving it colorful musical representation on AN UNORTHODOX SOUNDTRACK TO THE UNITED STATES. Honestly, only Zappa himself could provide such a soundtrack to the Mountain West state.

“Movin’ to Montana soon
Gonna be a dental floss tycoon, yes I am
Movin’ to Montana soon
Gonna be a mennil-toss flykune.”

3 Facts about MONTANA: 

💡 Montana is a huge state where area is concerned, but quite small where population is concerned.  It should come as no surprise that the state is mostly white (~89%).

💡 Ever curious what the state animal was in Montana? It’s the grizzly bear!

💡 Montana is a republican safe bet these days and most years, presidentially speaking.  Even so, Montana has supported prominent democrats including Woodrow Wilson (1912, 1916), Franklin Roosevelt (1932, 1936, 1940, 1944), Harry Truman (1948), Lyndon Johnson (1964) and most surprisingly, Bill Clinton (1992).  Clinton would lose the state to Bob Dole in 1996.

4 more MONTANA songs: 

🎵 James Taylor, “Montana” (Before This World, 2015 [Concord Music Group])

🎵 Justin Timberlake, “Montana” (Man of the Woods, 2018 [RCA])

🎵 Owl City, “Montana” (Cinematic, 2018 [Owl City])

🌟🎵 Youth Lagoon, “Montana” (The Year of Hibernation, 2011 [Fat Possum])

“There’s a spirit in Montana and in your chest, a note
That rings like the bells of cathedrals rung by the village scapegoat.”

💭 ✓ Good Beat: Per California Movers, Montana pros include low population density, low taxes, and the recreation and outdoor activities. I’ll take their word for it.

💭 ✗ Bad Beat: Slower pace of life – at least that’s my big takeaway.  Seems like a state for the right person.  I’m not the right person to be a Montanan, lol.

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7. Nevada: Cocteau Twins, “Heaven or Las Vegas”

Heaven or Las Vegas • 4AD Ltd • 1990

💭 So, Cocteau Twins – like Zappa and Montana – don’t hail from the state which they represent.  Actually, the band doesn’t even hail from the United States but rather Scotland.  Even so, the collective does a bang-up job with their Las Vegas classic, “Heaven or Las Vegas,” which appears on the 1990 album of the same title.  I mean, Vegas is a common source of songwriting, and many people who write about it weren’t born there, so…

“Singing on the famous street
I want to love, I’ve all the wrong glory
Am I just in heaven or Las Vegas
Whichever’s more brighter than the sun is to me.”

Facts about NEVADA:

💡 The Cool Kids inform us that key cities in Nevada are Las Vegas (duh), Reno, Henderson, and the capital city, Carson City.

💡 Cool Kid Facts – because we’re all ‘cool kids’ even if we’re not – lists the state’s famous locations, which include Hoover Dam, Death Valley, and MGM Grand.

💡 Nevada is a swing state, at least where recent history is concerned.  A state that has been in sync with the winning presidential candidate more often than not, Nevada was out of sync in 1976 and 30 years later, in 2016.

5 more NEVADA songs:

🎵 Justin Rarri, “NEVADA” (YOUNGEST IN KHARGE, 2020 [Interscope])

🎵 Rick Ross, “Vegas Residency” (Port of Miami 2, 2019 [Epic])

🌟🎵 River Tiber, “Nevada” (“Nevada,” 2019 [River Tiber])

“I fell in love in the middle of the desert
In a city of confessions (in a city of confessions)
I wasn’t looking and that’s always how it happens
Yeah, that’s always how it happens.”

🎵 Vicetone Ft. Cozi Zuehlsdorff, “Nevada” (“Nevada,” 2016 [Monstercat])

🎵 The Weeknd, “Heaven or Las Vegas” (Trilogy, 2012 [Republic])

💭 ✓ Good Beat: Casinos, duh! Also those UNLV Running Rebels, which literally ran over their competition to win the 1990 Men’s NCAA Tournament.  They throttled Duke 103 – 73.

💭 ✗ Bad Beat: Also, casinos. But, I would also add the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, which killed 58 (the perpetrator committed suicide as well).  Also, following up the triumphant championship by the late Jerry Tarkanian and company, the following year Duke would upset the previously undefeated Running Rebels in the Final Four 79-77. Ouch!

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8. Oregon: Sufjan Stevens, “Eugene”

Carrie & Lowell • Asthmatic Kitty • 2015

💭 Eugene, Oregon – home to the University of Oregon Ducks! At least, when I think about Oregon, that’s the first university that comes to mind, particularly given their success in collegiate sports.  Sufjan Stevens wasn’t born or raised in Oregon, but he did visit his mother, Carrie, and stepfather, Lowell.  The tenuous relationship with his mother is captured on Carrie & Lowell.  “Eugene” appears as the fifth track on the 2015 album.

“Emerald Park, wonders never cease
The man who taught me to swim
He couldn't quite say my first name
Like a Father, he led community water on my head
And he called me ‘Subaru’
And now, I want to be near you.”

3 Facts about OREGON:

💡 Breweries and strip clubs are kind of a big deal, supposedly. So, go to Oregon and you can get drunk and enjoy adult entertainment…

💡 Wisconsin may be the cheese state, but Oregon has the largest cheese factory in the world (Tillamook Cheese Factory). BOOM!

💡 Oregon has 7 electoral votes, which since 1988 have supported the democratic candidate in presidential elections.  That said, the state has had periods where they’ve supported both parties through a couple of election cycles.  However, Oregon seems like it’s firmly planted in the progressive lane – or at least us progressives hope so!

5 more OREGON songs:

🎵 Drake Ft. Quavo & Travis Scott, “Portland” (More Life, 2017 [Cash Money])

🎵 Loretta Lynn Ft. Jack White, “Portland, Oregon” (Van Lear Rose, 2004 [Third Man])

🌟🎵 Mat Kearney, “Coming Home (Oregon)” (JUST KIDS, 2015 [Republic])

“I’m coming home to the place that I remember
Back to the land of my first love
Would you spread wide your arms for this wayward son?
I left my heart in Oregon
I left my heart in Oregon.”

🎵 Shawn McDonald, “Oregon” (“Oregon,” 2019 [Shawn McDonald])

🎵 Shawn Mullins, “Twin Rocks, Oregon” (Soul’s Care, 1998 [Sony Music Entertainment]) 

💭 ✓ Good Beat: Sports – collegiate mostly! The Oregon Ducks are rock solid in football and basketball.  In fact, the Ducks won the first Men’s NCAA Tournament in 1939, defeating Ohio State by double digits – 46-33.  Oregon made the Final Four in 2017, losing by one measly point to eventual champion North Carolina (77-76). In the NBA, they are fortunate enough to have the Portland Trailblazers franchise.

💭 ✗ Bad Beat: Even one of the more desirable states has its drawbacks: traffic, distinctive personality, ample rain (Louise Gaille). Also, might I add that Oregon State men’s basketball has been irrelevant more often than not? Yeah, the Beavers haven’t been very good…

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9. Utah: Brock Berrigan, “Utah”

Utah • Brock Berrigan • 2020

💭 Perhaps you don’t know who Brock Berrigan is, so, let me fill you in.  First things first, he’s NOT from Utah, so, he’s only sound tracking it.  He’s from New York, and he’s a beat maker, music enthusiast, multi-instrumentalist, sample hunter, and town drunk.  Those are his own words – I’m not judging his alcoholic consumption.  Worth noting, besides the instrumental “Utah” from his 2020 album, Utah, Berrigan has covered the state before (“Ballad of Utah” from The Scenic Route, 2019).

3 Facts about UTAH: 

💡 The first city that comes to mind is Salt Lake City, which happens to be the capital.  That said, Utah has other ‘key cities,’ or so Cool Kid Facts assert: Park City, St. George, Provo, and Ogden.

💡 Utah has a navel according to Mental Floss… Well, it has a town called Levan, “‘navel’ spelled backwards,” with some local lore to go with it.  Who knew a state could have a belly button?

💡 Believe it or not, there have been 8 elections in history where Utah voted democratic. Of course, the last time that happened was LBJ’s landslide in 1964, and that was an outlier.

3 more UTAH songs: 

🌟🎵 The Beach Boys, “Salt Lake City” (Summer Days (And Summer Nights), 1965 [Capitol])

“Down in Utah
The guys and I dig a city called Salt Lake
It's got the grooviest kids
That's why we never get tired of Salt Lake.”

🎵 Emarosa, “Utah” (This is Your Way Out, 2017 [Rise])

🎵 Hawthorne Heights, “Starlighter (Echo, Utah)” (Bad Frequencies, 2018 [Pure Noise])

🎵 Shovels & Rope, “C’mon Utah!” (By Blood, 2019 [Dualtone Music Group])

🎵 MxPx Ft. Bad Cop / Bad Cop, “Salt Lake City” (“Salt Lake City,” 2020 [MxPx])

💭 ✓ Good Beat: Salt Lake City! And not just Salt Lake City – the state gets high marks according to World Population Review.  Because I’m all about sports, I would consider the state a basketball state. The University of Utah, BYU, and Utah State have all had successful men’s college basketball programs.  Utah actually won the 6^th NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in 1944, defeating Dartmouth 42-40 in OT 🏀.  While no more banners have been hung, Utah last competed for a title in 1998, losing to Kentucky – it’s arch tournament nemesis – 78-69.  As much as it pains me to say, Utah gave UK a bad loss during the 2019-20 season, one that the 69-66 final score really doesn’t reflect… 🏀

✓ Also, what about the Utah Jazz? Ballin’! 🏀

💭 ✗ Bad Beat: If you aren’t religious, particularly LDS, Utah may not be your cup of tea. Also, apparently, distance between, um, ‘places of note’ can be problematic – “open spaces” author Louis Gaille calls it.

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10. Washington: Sam Kim, “Seattle”

I am Sam (EP) • 2016

💭 Ah, Washington! Fittingly, if one city comes to mind from the Pac-West, it’s Seattle. Korean American singer Sam Kim was born and raised in Washington State.  “Seattle” is an absolutely beautiful representation of a city near and dear to Kim’s heart.

“Can I run and hide
I’m stuck inside my memories
Step away from time
Take me to a place
Where I will never grow old.”

3 Facts about WASHINGTON: 

💡 Well, it should go without saying that Washington was named after President George Washington.

💡 The capital city is Olympia, but we all know the first city that comes to mind is Seattle, which happens to be the largest.

💡 Washington has 12 electoral votes, which since 1988 have supported the democratic candidate in presidential elections.  That said, much like Oregon, the state has had periods where they’ve supported both parties through a couple of election cycles.  However, like and arguably more so than Oregon, Washington’s liberalism seems alive and well these days.

5 more WASHINGTON songs:

🎵 Aaron Carter, “Seattle TideZ” (LøVë, 2018 [Sony])

🎵 Jonah Taylor, “Seattle” (“Seattle,” 2020 [Jonah Taylor])

🌟🎵 Mary Mary, “Seattle” (The Sound, 2008 [Sony Music Entertainment])

“Holy Spirit rain like Seattle
Overtake my life like a flood
Like California, shake what's not like You
I just want a heart like Yours...”

🎵 Nirvana, “Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle” (In Utero, 1993 [Geffen])

🎵 Owl City, “Hello Seattle” (Ocean Eyes, 2009 [Universal Republic])

💭✓ Good Beat: Seattle (bonus points for being among gay friendly cities), Cut, Seattle Seahawks 🏈 (Super Bowl XLVIII champs) Gonzaga Men’s Basketball 🏀.  Gonzaga has been the best men college basketball in the state for the majority of the 10s.  The 2019-20 season was a massive success, with many believing the team was capable of winning its first national title.  The Bulldogs came close in 2017, falling to North Carolina 71-65 in the championship game.

✓ Even better, Washington is ranked as one of the best states to live in by World Population Review – 1^st to be precise!

💭✗ Bad Beat:While Best Places to Live Now is also highly complementary of Washington, bad beats include higher cost of living compared to other states and worse weather.

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11. Wyoming: John Denver, “Song of Wyoming”

Windsong • RCA • 1975

💭 One song comes to mind when I think about John Denver – sing it with me: “Country roads, take me home / To the place, I belong / West Virginia, mountain mamma / Take me home, country roads.”  Unfortunately, Wyoming, the final state on the list, gets no love in that song, so, we turn to the JD song, “Song of Wyoming” instead.  No worries – the 1975 classic from Windsong paints quite a portrait of Wyoming living. 

“Here comes that big ole prairie moon risin’
Shinin’ down bright as can be
Up on the hill there's a coyote singin’
A Song of Wyoming for me.” 

3 Facts about WYOMING:

💡 Wyoming is the 9^th largest state in the United States… where size is concerned.

💡 Wyoming doesn’t have the biggest population – understatement.  When it comes to electoral votes, it only has 3. And those 3, well, they’ve been owned by Republicans with the last time the state voted democratic occurring in 1964.

💡 Yes, I should mention Yellowstone National Park, but everybody knows about that, right? Right! Did you know that the state dinosaur for Wyoming was the Triceratops? Facts!

5 more WYOMING songs:

🎵 Chancey Williams, “Wyoming Wind” (3^rd Street, 2020 [Younger Brother])

🎵 Chino Vivid, “Wyoming (“Wyoming,” 2020 [Chino Vivid])

🎵 Damien Jurado, “Wyoming Songbirds” (Maraqopa, 2012 [Secretly Canadian])

🎵 Neil Young, “The Emperor of Wyoming” (Neil Young, 2009 [Reprise])

🌟🎵 S. Carey, “Yellowstone” (Hundred Acres, 2018 [Jagjaguwar])

“And in the past, I know that we've ended on a sour tone
I dreamt that we had packed the car and ended up in Yellowstone.”

💭✓ Good Beat: Wyoming is a truly beautiful state, especially Yellowstone National Park.  Traffic is substantially less compared to much larger states with bigger cities. Also, let me throw a random nugget out there.  Did you know that Wyoming won one of the earliest Men’s Division I NCAA Tournaments? That’s right! The Cowboys defeated the Georgetown Hoyas 46-34 in 1943. They’ve only rarely been relevant since…

💭✗ Bad Beat: The murder of Matthew Shepard in 1998 – shameful. Also, because Wyoming is so small, options you’d find elsewhere are, um, limited.

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