The United States of Songs: Kansas

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Excuse me if my enthusiasm for my weekly music blog is lacking. I've spent way too long wading through thousands of search results for songs BY Kansas in my search for songs ABOUT Kansas. And I have to say, Kansas (the band) sucks.

So. Hard.

The state: Kansas
The song: "Kansas Rain" by John Stewart

 

 

Poor Kansas. You guys need to consider hiring a PR firm, as it seems like the only times you're in the news are when your schools don't want to teach science or your trailers are tossed aside by a tornado. I'm sure there's more to offer than that, but you wouldn't know it if you watch the news.

 

This is what the average American thinks of when they hear the word "Kansas."

More than a few people suggested "On the Road to Kansas," and to be honest I don't really get it. That song feels much more like a tune for snaking along a desolate highway in the Southwest than rolling along the grass-covered plains of Kansas. I've driven through Kansas a few times, and the only thing I really remember is the sky. The sky (when it's not filled with huge, angry storms or tornadoes) looks like a painting. And upon hearing John Stewart (not THAT Jon Stewart) and his falsetto yodel I can harken back to the day I spent with my best pal Tim driving through Kansas on the way to Los Angeles in his 4Runner while the wind threatened to blow us over.

You've got a nice tune here, Kansas. Make the most of it. And start inspiring more people to write songs about you, because a state that pretty shouldn't be so hard to memorialize in song.

Runner-up: "Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey!" by The Beatles. Yeah, it breaks the rules. But in a perfect world we all know this would win hands down.
Most Laughable Suggestion: Anything by Kansas. Seriously. Those guys can die in a fire.

 

Got a better suggestion? Want to jump in with an idea for next week's state song, Kentucky? Let us know in the comments!



Flickr photo Goderich Tornado by PhotoJunkie! used under a Creative Commons License.



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