How many state songs does Tennessee have? Nobody seems to know
Tennessee has HOW many state songs? Even the state’s official website doesn’t seem to know for sure, listing 11. However, further research reveals three songs that were reportedly added to the list in 2023 and 2024 that don’t make the state’s list. And perhaps two more that may have made it to the governor’s desk, but never got signed into law.
So, of the possibly 16 state songs, how many are what you’d call good? I can’t give an official number. There were five of them I couldn’t find on Al Gore’s internet. I’ve linked to the others below. Of those, I’d say – grading generously – that seven are legitimately good. But a couple that are atrocious.
Tennessee has a rich legacy of native musicians and those who have moved to the Volunteer State. Artists like Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner are from Tennessee. And the state certainly can lay claim to Elvis Presley, even though he was born in Mississippi. Tennessee is the birthplace of Bluegrass, the home to Country Music and the location of Graceland and Beale Street. The list of great songs recorded in Tennessee is nearly endless.
Seriously, Tennessee’s musical legacy stands with any state in the nation. So, our state songs can’t be that bad, right? Y’all. It’s rough. I think the legislature might not be the musical experts we all hoped they’d be.
Why does Tennessee have so many state songs?
Well, at first, I assumed it was because we had such a rich musical legacy but now, after going through these songs, I think it’s because they’re still trying to get it right. Seriously, some of the state’s songs are undeniable. “Rocky Top.” “Tennessee Waltz.” Even “Smoky Mountain Rain.” Classics. But for a lot of these other songs? I assume it’s because someone had a friend who owed them a favor in the state legislature. Woof!
What are Tennessee’s state songs?
1. My Homeland, Tennessee
The first state song, adopted in 1925, has lyrics by Nell Grayson Taylor and music by Roy Lamont Smith. This song isn’t good. But we’re willing to give them a pass because it was 1924.
2. When It’s Iris Time in Tennessee
Honestly, I dig this one. Adopted in 1935 and written by Willa Waid Newman, it’s got a vibe.
3. My Tennessee
Frances Hannah Tranum wrote this song, which was adopted in 1955 as the official public school song. I couldn’t find a recording of it, but the lyrics leave me slightly dubious.
“Beloved state, oh state of mine, In all the world I could not find, Where God has strewn with lavish hand, More natural beauty o’er the land”
4. Tennessee Waltz
Adopted in 1955. This song, written by Redd Stewart and composed by Pee Wee King, is 100 percent certified classic. I will truck no anti-Tennessee Waltz talk.
5. Rocky Top
You already know. Adopted in 1982, the song by Boudleaux and Felice Bryant is everything I want in a state song. We’ve got wild women who’re half-bear, half-cat. We’re making shine and taking out federal lawmen. You can have all the songs about our cattle lowing in the fields, bring me up-tempo Bluegrass classics about drinking corn from a jar.
6. Tennessee (by Vivian Rone)
Adopted in 1992. This song is by Vivian Rone. Can’t find it on the internet. I was – briefly – hopeful that this was the “Arrested Development” classic “Tennessee” that came out in 1992, a classic, thoughtful, sing-songy rap. But, alas. “I challenge you to a game of horseshoes. A GAME OF HORSESHOES!”
7. The Pride of Tennessee
Another one missing from the world of man, this song, adopted in 1996, seems to be a history lesson in musical form. The writers, Fred Congdon, Thomas Vaughn and Carol Elliott, work in references to important Tennesseans from Sequoyah to Davy Crockett to Ida Wells Barnett and Alvin York. A+ for effort, but I don’t think it’s replacing “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”
8. A Tennessee Bicentennial Rap: 1796-1996
From the state website, “Adopted in 1996 as the Official Bicentennial Rap song to provide a fun and easy way for citizens and students to learn and retain some of our great state’s history. By Joan Hill Hanks of Signal Mountain.”
Y’all. We surely owe some apologies.
9. Smoky Mountain Rain
It’s a classic Ronnie Milsap tune, adopted in 2010. Not my flavor of country music, but I give respect. Plus, Ronnie had a restaurant in Gatlinburg for a long time so you know he’s legit. The song was ;written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan.
10. Tennessee (by John R. Bean)
This song, by John R. Bean of Knoxville, was adopted in 2012. The lyrics seem innocuous enough, but “I guess your dew has settled on my soul” seems slightly overwrought.
11. Copperhead Road
According to multiple sites, this Steve Earle-certified banger from 1998 was added in 2023. However, it is not listed on the state’s official website, possibly because it’s just too cool for it.
12. The Tennessee In Me
By songwriter Debbie Mathis Watts, a multi-talented personality from TNN, this song was added to the roster of state songs in 2023 according to multiple sources, but is not included on the state’s official website.
13. Under A Tennessee Moon
Added in 2024, this is a song about Nashville Country by Kelly Lang in the style of a classic country song from Nashville. Not my favorite, but I appreciate what it’s trying to do. This song is – oddly – listed on the state’s official website. At first, I’d assumed the newer songs just hadn’t been updated but since this one from 2024 made it, it seems strange the ones from 2023 aren’t on the list.
14. Tennessee, In My Dreams
Added in 2024 but not listed by the state, I was excited to see this song from Memphis’ Makky Kaylor since the Memphis Blues sound and Stax soul are underrepresented on the list. Alas, this song is not that and is also not very good.
Songs and artists that should be considered for the next state song
What? No Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash or Tina Turner? What about the Blues? No Memphis Stax? Nope. Guys, I don’t want to go too far here, but it appears the Tennessee legislature might not be very hip.
How do we fix this? I’m glad you asked. We’ve got 14 state songs as it stands. I say we go to 20 and add the following six, two of which may have made it to the governor’s desk in 2022.
Green Onions
Booker T. and the MGs were a powerhouse group with possibly the best rhythm section ever formed. They were instrumental in creating the sound of Southern and Memphis Soul. The group was also the house band for Stax Records and backed artists like Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and Bill Withers. They have been inducted into four Halls of Fame, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With two white members and two black members, they were one of the first racially integrated rock groups. And since it’s an instrumental, we can get around any pesky complaints about it not being geographically themed.
Tennessee
We’ve already talked about this Arrested Development tune. And I know that some will say the song’s subject matter would not be appropriate for a state song. But considering the bicentennial rap, I feel like we need a real rap song on the list.
My Tennessee Mountain Home
Y’all, we’ve crossed the threshold into crazy land. While I would prefer “Jolene” or “9 to 5,” I recognize the powers that be prefer Tennessee state songs to be about geographic places. As such, I was amazed not to find this song on either the official state website or the Wikipedia entry listing all the state songs for every state. So, I searched for why “My Tennessee Mountain Home” is not a state song. Guess what? It might be.
According to a series of stories, the legislature voted to add the song to the official list in 2022, but it is unclear whether Gov. Bill Lee signed it. I’ve found some unsourced reporting that says he did, and the song is an official state song. But I remain dubious.
I’ll Leave My Heart in Tennessee
By modern bluegrass icons Dailey & Vincent, the state legislature approved this song, which the duo performed in front of the state house, in 2022, according to an article from WJHL. The Speaker of the House took to Twitter to declare it the newest state song. Songwriter Karen Staley wrote two versions, one for Tennessee natives and another for people who have moved to the state. She has a website that declares it a Tennessee State Song.
Jackson
Johnny Cash was an Arkansas native, and his wife, June Carter Cash, was from Virginia. But if you’re looking for Nashville Royalty, look no further. This song about going to Jackson, Tennessee, to get a divorce may not exactly be “state song” material. However, if you want to capture a song that encapsulates Tennessee music, you can’t do any better.
Nutbush City Limits
The Queen of Rock and Roll, Tina Turner, wrote this song about growing up in Haywood County, Tennessee. Though it’s a different vibe than other songs on the list, it’s very similar in its ruminations about the state of Tennessee and tells a charming and compelling story about growing up in the Western part of the state.
Did you know about all of the Tennessee State songs? Let us know what you think in the comments! Are you planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains soon? Make sure to check out our coupons page before your trip!