United States by Region… | 5ive Songs

On the 3rd edition of 5ive Songs, we select one song referencing a state from one of the five regions of the United States.

OOn 5ive Songs, we (I) keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff.  There’s a topic, five songs, and a short blurb that doesn’t exceed a paragraph.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  On this edition of 5IVE SONGS, we select one song referencing a state from one of the five regions of the United States. If this particular edition of 5ive Songs tickles your fancy, may I suggest “the whole damn meal”, An Unorthodox Soundtrack to the United States!

1. The Strokes, “Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus”

The New Abnormal • RCA • 2020

“Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus” arrives as the third track on The New Abnormal, the sixth studio album by The Strokes. The groove is ‘on 10’ to say the least.  The synths are prominent during the verses, bringing a disco, new wave vibe. The guitars dominate on the chorus, providing a stark contrast, yet remaining characteristic of the 80s inspired sounds. Julian Casablancas informs us he’s hearkening back to the 80s in various instances, whether it’s “And the 80s song, yeah, how did it go?” or “And the 80s bands? Oh, where did they go?” Northeast successfully covered via this New York referencing joint.

2. 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.” Though it’s named after and references Ohio, honestly, the Midwest state only gets so much fame.  Clearly, King Princess has other concerns, like matters of the heart…

“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. John Prine, “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight”

“My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight” • Oh Boy / Thirty Tigers • 2019

Grammy-winning singer/songwriter John Prine was truly special – may he rest in peace after succumbing to that devastating, SOB known as COVID-19. Though he wasn’t from my home state of Kentucky, which I have obviously selected to represent the southern region of the US (duh), he sings a gorgeous rendition of the beloved state song, “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight.” Nothing more for me to say – just let the music speak for itself!

4. Slim Thug, “Houston”

Ft. Paul Wall & Chamillionaire

Houston • Slim Thug • 2007

“Texas tatted on my arm got Houston on my back / Cause I love the city I’m from hands up if you feel that…” Back in the early and mid-aughts, the Houston, Texas rap scene had a movement with the likes of Chamillionaire, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and Slim Thug.  The movement didn’t maintain momentum mind you, but it did happen.  Slim Thug brings two of the aforementioned H-town standouts (in bold print) on the song, “Houston,” which appears on his 2007 album, Houston. Southwest US – check.

“I’m from Houston, Texas home of the Texans
Texas Tatted on my arm, Houston on my back.”

5. Maggie Rogers, “Alaska”

Heard it in a Past Life • Capitol • 2019

Last but not least, we end with the West! Maggie Rogers sings us out with “Alaska,” the record that famously caught Pharrell Williams’ attention when Roggiers was a student at NYU. After releasing independent projects as well as an EP (Now That the Light is Fading), she dropped her debut album, Heard It in a Past Life in 2019. “Alaska,” unsurprisingly, 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.”

Again, if you want more of the United States separated by region, make sure you check out An Unorthodox Soundtrack to the United States, which covers the aforementioned states as well as the remaining 45.

United States by Region… | 5ive Songs [Photo Credits: Brent Faulkner, Capitol, Mathew Schwartz, The Musical Hype, Oh Boy, Slim Thug, Thirty Tigers, Unsplash, Zelig]