American states have official state songs, most of which are bad. That’s why I added the word unofficial to the post title. Nobody needs to hear the Missouri Waltz, a tune so pedestrian that Harry Truman, the lone POTUS from the Show Me state disliked it. In solidarity with the 33rd president, there’s not a Missouri tune on the list.

Now that I’ve issued that disclaimer, on with the post. The songs are listed in chronological order based on when the posted version was recorded. I hope that sounds unofficial, not officious.

This listicle doesn’t favor blue states over red. How could I? I live in a blue dot in a sea of red: New Orleans, Louisiana to be precise. The dozen consists of 9 red state tunes and 3 blue state tunes. What can ya do?

I’ve added a twist to the list. After each unofficial state song, I’ll post the title of the official state song. I’m not embedding a video because it would take forever to load this page, and we can’t have that.

We begin in New England with Ella and Louis. Vermont is a beautiful state, especially in the moonlight. The spelling on this video is ugly. Vermut? Is that Bernie’s dog?

Official State Song:  These Green Mountains by Diane Martin and Rita Buglass Gluck.

Stars Fell On Alabama is on license plates but it’s not the state song. That’s weird because it has been recorded over 300 times. State leges seem to prefer songs that aren’t well-known.

Official State Song: Alabama by Edna Gockel Gussen and Julia Tutwiler.

I mentioned delving into Bobbie Gentry’s catalog on Friday. I had this song in mind. It was written and recorded by native Mississippian Gentry in 1967. Did anyone else know that there’s an alternate word for residents of the Magnolia State? It’s Mississipper. Sounds like a round in a drinking game.

Hit it, Bobbie:

Official State Song: One Mississippi by Steve Azar.

I cannot spell Mississippi unaided, the same goes for Massachusetts. I do, however, love this song about the Commonwealth.

Official State Song: In a Masshole move, the Commonwealth has seven state songs. I’m not listing them all, I’ll stick with the state anthem:  All Hail to Massachusetts by Arthur J. Marsh.

Next up, the most obscure song by the most obscure artist on this list. It’s so obscure that the featured image is for another and better known song. What do any Hoosiers out there make of this?

Official State Song: On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away by Paul Dresser.

Grateful Dead. Say no more.

Official State Song: The Volunteer state has a gazillion state songs. I’m too lazy to either type or cut and paste the lot. Tennessee Jed did not make the cut.

I quoted Montana in my high school yearbook: “Moving to Montana soon, gonna be a dental floss tycoon.”

I got the response I’d hoped for from a friend’s mother who asked him, “When is Peter moving to Montana?”

It made my year.

Official State Song: Montana by Joseph E. Howard and Charles Cohan.

Our next song has the longest title on the list, which is why we have two versions: the hit by Emmylou Harris and a recent version by the song’s co-writer, Rodney Crowell.

Official State Song: You Are My Sunshine by Jimmie Davis.

Most of the songs on this list are uptempo, upbeat, and just plain up. That’s not the case with this 1992 song by Lyle Lovett. Why did a Texan write a song about a state in the frozen Midwest? Beats the hell outta me.

Official State Song: North Dakota Hymn by C. S. Putnam and James Folely.

I stumbled upon this cool Iowa tune in the course of my research. I’m relieved that it doesn’t mention the Iowa caucuses or methanol.

Official State Song: The Song of Iowa by Melchior Frank and S.H.M. Byers.

I mentioned Texas earlier. It’s a pity that Texas is better known for its retrograde politics than its music. In fact, a Texas tunes dozen would be like shooting fish in a barrel. I have no idea why one would do such a thing, so I’ll pass the virtual baton to Asleep At The Wheel.

Official State Song: Texas, Our Texas by William J. Marsh and Gladys Yoakum Wright. Not The Yellow Rose Of Texas? Who knew? That’s right, I’m not from Texas.

Finally, a song written by John Stewart. That’s the guy from the Kingston Trio, not the political satirist. This version comes from Dave Alvin’s tribute to California songwriters, West Of The West.

Official State Song:  I Love You, California by Abraham F. Frankenstein and F. B. Silverwood.

That concludes the Unofficial State Song Dozen.

What’s an Adrastos listicle without some lagniappe? We close with an unofficial version of the official state song of Georgia: