Coast To Coast, Song By Song: A Memorial Day Weekend Musical Trip Across the U.S.

Here in the U.S., the summer road trip is a time-honored tradition.

May I present to you: the musical version.

I’ve picked a song that mentions a specific state, city, or landmark in that state – either in the title of the song or as its subject matter.

The trip is metaphorically by car, so each state must share a common border with the next state on the route.

If this were an actual trip, it would zigzag an extraordinary number of times and rack up tens of thousands of miles—but who’s counting? Some states brought lots of great options to mind, so there were some great choices that were left in the driveway on cinder blocks. Being that they do not border another U.S. state, Alaska and Hawaii were ineligible, but everyone else is here.

If you’d like to suggest songs you would have chosen for any given state, have at it in the comment section. If you want to create your own musical road trip—whether it’s across the U.S. or any place in the world—I would love to see it.

In the meantime:

And don’t leave anyone behind at a gas station in Nebraska. Not that that ever happened to anyone in our family.

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The Road Trip Playlist:

This not-so-flattering portrait of Boston and its polluted river has become an anthem. Whatever the sport, if the home team wins, you’re going to hear it.

Suddenly, Rhode Island just got a whole lot grittier.

This is down and dirty pre-Kevin Cronin, not your little sister’s REO. The title of the song is the address where the band stayed when they recorded the album in Westport, Connecticut.

Titled after George’s home state.

The song takes place during the last year of the Civil War, when George Stoneman was raiding Virginia.

It’s usually instrumental, but the original lyrics are about Charleston, SC.

Takes place in a small Alabama town. One of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard.

You know what I mean.

Any U.S. cross-country road trip has to include this classic route. It travels through many states, but New Mexico gets the song because, c’mon, Tucumcari.

Lake Shore Drive is the iconic, picturesque stretch of Route 41 along the Lake Michigan shoreline of Chicago.

Highway 51 goes through several states, but Wisconsin is the one specifically mentioned here.

There’s a shout-out to Minneapolis at the 3:10 mark. Does it count? Yes, it does.

Based on the Norwegian folk song “Dem Bortkomne Sauen.”

Is it about the actual Badlands in South Dakota? Maybe not, but I don’t care. This jam has to be included.

The opening 10 seconds? About the best beginning of a song, ever.

Tiger Mountain is located in Washington state, about 50 miles southeast of Seattle. This song is tragically beautiful.

Wallowa Lake is located in the northeast corner of Oregon. There have been several reported sightings over the years of a lake monster residing there. His name is Wally.

The title of the song is the English translation of the name given to the Grand Canyon by the Havasupai people who have lived there for roughly 800 years.

Ending our trip with a big party. That’s Cali for ya!

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The Full Roadtrip Playlist

You can listen to the full playlist of this musical road trip on Spotify:

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What do you think of the playlist?
Have any songs you would have picked? Share them in the comments below!

And if you’re inspired to create your own musical road trip across any region, I’d love to hear it. Happy travels!

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