Interesting Facts:
- Some state songs grew up organically by the state choosing what was already popular at the time. Other states held contests.
- Some composers kept their copyrights, which limits the use of songs being sung in public (except in schools or churches), due to the royalties that must be paid. Other composers waived their copyrights. Many of the states adopted state songs only in the last few decades.
- I found it interesting how many state songs were difficult to find online. In many cases, the sheet music on my blog is the only free example available online. (And I sure hope I didn't break any copyright laws!)
State(s) with:
- Most official state songs: Tennessee (8)
- No official state song: New Jersey, with the "Unofficial Youth Album" being Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run.
- The mention of slaves:
- Florida - revisions have been made to the lyrics
- Virginia - song has been rescinded and not yet replaced
- Songs to the tune of O Tannenbaum:
- A disco state song: New York
- A tango state song: New Mexico
- The most difficult songs to notate:
- New York - because of the syncopation
- Rhode Island - because of the mixed meter
- The same composer, Stephen Foster: Kentucky and Florida
- Song from a musical: Oklahoma
- Folk songs:
My own opinions:
I found I prefer state songs that are easy to sing a cappella. I like the songs that are like anthems, or hymn-like. To me, they sound more "stately," such as:
Songs that need to have an accompaniment to make them sound complete:
Catchy "sticky" tunes
