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Virginia Continues Search for New State Song

02.07.2012_virginia.jpg
Photo by Bullneck

When it's not imposing new restrictions on abortions, passing Tim Tebow-inspired education bills and scrapping one-gun-a-month rules, the Virginia legislature has other pressing matters on its mind -- including finding a new state song.

But WTOP reported on Sunday that there isn't much movement on a new official state tune, with a House committee having voted down the bluegrass-inspired "At Home Virginia" last week. Unless legislators can come to an agreement in the span of their 90-day session, the Old Dominion will go another year without a state song -- it was in 1997 that the 1878 tune "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" was removed from rotation for what some said were racist overtones in the song.

We did an informal poll of DCist scribes, and below are some of the songs that we think might best reflect the Old Dominion. (We're also proposing these because the District doesn't really have an "official" song, and the one it does is damn near terrible.)

"Happiness is a Warm Gun," The Beatles: Virginia loves guns, so much so that the legislature is slowly moving to make it possible for residents to buy as many guns a month as their hearts and wallets could afford them. Alternatively: "Time to Get a Gun" by Fred Eaglesmith, "Pistol Packin' Papa" by Jimmie Rogers.

"Rollercoaster," B*Witched: Virginia remains one of the few states to mandate that public schools not open until after Labor Day. Why? Because Kings Dominion, located near Richmond, wants to squeeze just another few weeks worth of low-paid labor from high school students and rollercoaster rides from tourists. Alternatively: "Rollercoaster" by Sleater-Kinney, "Love Rollercoaster" by the Ohio Players.

"Coochie Coochie Coo," The Hudson Brothers: This upbeat 1975 tune could double as Virginia Attorney General Ken "The Cooch" Cuccinelli's campaign song and state song for once he's elected governor.

"A Rat in mi Kitchen," UB40: In honor of Cuccinelli's recent tirades about D.C. rats being relocated into the commonwealth. Alternatively: "Rats" by Pearl Jam, "Rat Salad" by Black Sabbath.

"25 Minutes to Go," Johnny Cash: Virginia is second to only Texas in terms of how many people it puts to death. Cash's song makes such a tragic reality almost comical. Alternatively: "Electric Chair Blues" by Blind Lemon Jefferson, "I'm Not the Man" by 10,000 Maniacs.

Others: "VA in the House" by Mad Skillz, "Oh Virginia" by Blessid Union of Souls, "I-95" by Fountains of Wayne and "Take me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver. Now before you jump on us and say that the latter tune is about West Virginia, the majority of the references in the song are to locations in western Virginia. West Virginia has failed to claim this song for itself (officially, that is), so why shouldn't Virginia just beat them to the punch?

If none of these seem adequate or appropriate, how about any of the many Virginia-born pop stars out there? Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Gwar, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews Band, Lamb of God, Patsy Cline, Neko Case, and Seven Mary Three or hail from the Old Dominion, after all.

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By Martin Austermuhle in on February 7, 2012 11:00 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

  • Fluxgirl

    Those of us in Northern VA are embarrassed by the spittle encrusted land mass to the south. We're taking our money and brains and leaving. 

  • Shiba Fussa

    Something with slavery, tobacco and Jesus will hit the spot

  • PedanticMFr

    That's when I reach for my revolver
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... 

  • guestymcspanky

    "...the majority of the references in the song are to locations in western Virginia."

    Wellllll, not exactly.  A better way to phrase it would be to say the majority of the references in the song are more often associated with western Virgninia, as the Shenandoah River only meanders into West Virginia briefly, while the Blue Ridge Mountains would only be associated with West Virginia in a very broad interpretation.  The country road was in Montgomery County, MD.

  • PedanticMFr

    Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, according to wiki which is blowing my mind right now bc I lived right there for 5 years and never knew it.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T...

    (edit: a lil' slow on the refresh...)

  • copperreddc

     Doesn't one version close to the original actually name Clopper road?

  • Something by the Dave Matthews Band would better represent the lameness.

  • rudeskata

    Avail - The Falls 

  • threechordme

    I'm sure Mark Robinson has some songs that could fit.

  • FREDTERP

    Virginia Way by Scott Miller? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... FREDTERP

  • Guest

    FREDTERP we are having a Happy Hour next week (do a search, easy to find) join us if you can.

  • BombaySplashVermouth

    "If you ain't white, you ain't getting in my state
    We so set in our ways, we can't get beyond 1849
    So if you want to get here - yo gotta get to hate"

  • Joan Arkham

    Wait, DC's song isn't "Chocolate City"?

    [Not being snarky or Racist!, I've honestly heard it referred to as an unofficial anthem for years.]

  • Newhce

    DC's song is Bustin' Loose.  End of story.  They just need to codify it.

  • They're going to have to commission something, because I can't think of a single song that showcases Virginia's ample natural beauty, tremendous significance in US history, and steadfast belief that gays are subhuman and that uteri are subject to the regulation of the state. 

    Trace Adkins might be up to the task...

  • Guest

    How about Micheal Jackson's Ben?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

  • DCUnionGuy

    "They sell posters of girls washing cars
    And unicorns and stars
    And Guns N' Roses album covers
    They've got most of the Barney DVDs
    Coffee mugs and tees
    That say Virginia Is For Lovers
    But it's not
    Round here it's just for truckers who forgot
    To fill up on gasoline
    Back up near Aberdeen"

  • I immediately thought about "The Virginia Company" song from Pocahontas. I know.

  • Sgt_HulkasToe

    This should win.  That is all.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... 

  • +1 for Eddie From Ohio's "Old Dominion"

  • I'm sure West Virginians will appreciate the nod to "Country Roads" by referring to Virginia as "Southeast of heaven." As a Marylander, I think the direction is slightly off... :-)

  • Compose a new song and incorporate the words "The Cooch, The Cooch, The Cooch is on FI-YAH!"

  • slim_pickens

    I'm surprised people were willing to let the song go. in 2010, RIers were given the option of removing  part of the official name from "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" to "Rhode Island."  80% of voters opposed the change.
    http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/in...

  • Newhce

    There is nothing "wrong" with the word plantation.  It is still in common usage.  However, there are no positive ways to spin the words "darkey" and "Massa"

  • slim_pickens

    True, but sometimes "tradition" trumps "wrong." Redskins.

  • ms_jlynn

    If we've gone since 97 without one why exactly do we need one now?

  • mirrorballdc

    I would go with something like Ben Folds "Jesusland" but you just know it's gonna be something crappy like "Meet Virginia" (even though Train's an SF band)

  • Guest

    Jesus Martin. You can't find a better picture to represent Virginia than a three 2.606433949 year-old license plate? Jealous much?

  • Newhce
  • Joan Arkham

    Dammit if "Eat The" got pulled for being "pervy" than that one had better of been pulled as well.

    (Er, no pun intended.)

  • Newhce
  • myPAL

    Darn, you beat me to it.

  • ms_jlynn
  • Guest

    That's My Plate!

  • slim_pickens

    two and a half.*

    *and I think it's perfect

  • Guest

    Fixed.

  • slim_pickens

    of people living in VA?

  • Guest

    Martin is clearly jealous of Virginians. If you look any anything he says about VA, you can see he wishes he could afford to live here. 

  • Newhce

    Take Me Home Country Roads would be an epic fail.

    LTR trivia: The song was written, and premiered during a week-long gig at a bar in Georgetown

  • True, basically, they'd be saying Virginians dream of escaping to West Virginia.

  • You know what else was inspired by a long gig at a bar in Georgetown?
     
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

  • Newhce

    I KNEW someone was going to bring that up...and I figured it would be you.  Yes, I knew that.

  • poopieface

    Carbon Leaf is also from VA. Richmond specifically.

  • Joan Arkham

    So is Gwar!

  • So is punk legends AVAIL. I nominate "Southbound 95"...

    http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v...

  • YES!!!!

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