Ten Texas Towns Immortalized in Song
As Texas begins to rebuild after the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, it is important for Americans to reflect on the many contributions the state has made to our country. Lone Star State teams have won many sports championships, most notably the Dallas Cowboys in football.
That state has also given us numerous movie stars, including Woody Harrelson, Eva Longoria, Farrah Fawcett, and Larry Hagman. The latter, of course, starred in one of the most popular prime-time dramas in television history, which bears the title of the Texan city of Dallas.
However, his contributions to the arts are not limited to television and film. Many popular musicians were born in Texas, including ZZ Top members Willie Nelson, Spoon’s Brit Daniel, Old 97s’ Rhett Miller, Alejandro Escavedo, and Nanci Griffith.
The cities of the Lone Star State have also contributed to the success of many songs in American culture, and here are ten of them.
Galveston by Glenn Campbell
One of many Jimmy Webb compositions that the late country star turned gold, this hit became the official anthem of the city.
The Passage of Marty Robbins
Although the lyrics speak of some trouble in a romantic encounter, it has remained the best known of Robbins’ many hits.
Say Ho by Scott Miller and the Commonwealth
Miller, an alternative country artist hailing from Appalachia, manages to provide a musical biography of Texas’ most famous founder, Sam Houston.
Luchenbach, Texas by Waylon Jennings
Country legend Jennings put this city on the map by recording this gem, which quickly climbed the charts.
What am I doing hanging around? for the monkeys
Michael Nesmith and Mickey Dolenz share lead vocals on this track about a romance that leaves a boy who left a girl behind to return to San Antonio, the city he loved so much.
Pretty Little Lady from Beaumont, Texas by George Jones
Probably few people out of state had heard of this town until Old Possum immortalized it in this classic country hit.
Lubbock, Texas In My Rear View Mirror by Mac Davis
Decades before Meat Loaf hit the pop charts with a song about a rearview mirror, the country music singer and movie star used a similar metaphor in this song about leaving someone in the lone star state.
Johnny Cash’s Rock Island Line
New Orleans is the largest city mentioned in the song, but a city in Texas wins top ratings in the title and chorus.
Streets of Laredo by Eddy Arnold
Numerous artists have covered this classic western, from Joan Baez to Gene Autrey to Jim Reeves, but the most widely recognized version is this one by Eddy Arnold.
La Grange by ZZ Top
The little band from Texas made a breakthrough on their third album very men, that contained this great success.