I never kick off my music listicles with political musings but these are weird times. What else can you call an era when POTUS is an Insult Comedian with a dead nutria pelt atop his head? Bizarre and strange work too but weird is the word and the word is weird.

I’ve long been skeptical of Democrats’ chances in statewide elections in Texas. I’ve called it the Democrat’s white whale so often that I feel like Captain Ahab when I’m more like Bartleby the scrivener. Enough with the Melville references. To paraphrase Lyle Lovett, “that’s right, he’s not from Texas.”

By endorsing his fellow crook, Trump has handed Democrats a real chance to win a senate seat. The contrast between James Talarico and Ken Paxton is stark. Talarico’s earnest style isn’t my jam but it’s perfect to run against a dirtbag like Paxton.

Repeat after me: Vote against the crook it’s important.

Let’s get to the music. Texas tunes are plentiful. I decided to focus on songs with Texas in the title. There are also many terrific Texas town tunes, but I’ll save that for another time. This Sunday we’re going literal with the songs arranged in chronological order.

This post is dedicated to Texas liberals. They’re tough and tenacious and their time may have finally come. I can’t let go of my residual skepticism but this could be the year Democrats harpoon the white whale. Thanks, Donald.

On with the show, this is it.

We begin with a traditional Texas tune by one of the founders of the state’s eclectic music scene, Bob Wills:

This tune written by Buddy Miles and Michael Bloomfield is electrifying. The album title 2026’s fits political scene like a glove: A Long Time Comin’.

The memories flood back whenever I hear this song from the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan:

Texas is known for line dancing. I’ll take the tango any day, so will David Lindley:

Little Feat. Say no more.

What’s not to love about a collaboration between Flaco Jimenez and Emmylou Harris?

I try not to repeat artists on my music lists but I love Emmylou’s take on this venerable Ernest Tubb tune.

This Texas tune is often Lyle’s closing number in concert. That’s right…

A Texas Tunes Dozen without the artist formerly known as Sir Douglas would be unthinkable.

Asleep At The Wheel have kept Texas swing alive. It’s also a helluva band name.

Rodney hasn’t lived full time in Texas for many years but his Houston childhood has provided material for many of his songs. This is not one of those.

This Texas tune proves that the kids are alright even if I can’t pronounce Khruangbin. It also perturbs my spell checker.

That concludes the Texas Tunes Dozen proper. Let’s move on to some improper lagniappe. One could even call it Texas tea.

Our lagniappe consists of songs with long titles. Texans do go on about their Lone Star state, so why can’t a resident of neighboring Louisiana?

If you were wondering about Willie Nelson’s absence from the list, wonder no more.

Another day, another mordant song by Randy Newman:

Rodney Crowell brings the Texas Tunes Dozen full circle. This tune with a long title features Ronnie Dunn, Willie Nelson, and Leanne Womack on vocals.

That’s all, y’all.