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Kenneth Calimlim
Ah, Philadelphia. The city large enough to get mentioned in songs by internationally acclaimed artists, and to produce plenty of internationally acclaimed artists of it's own (I learned of more than a few while making this list). But small enough (?!?) to get passed over for overgrown towns (I'm looking at you, Phoenix) on waaay to many "Large City Statistics" graphs and charts.
Here's a list of some of the most famous song lyrics that mention Philadelphia, plus a few songs that might leave Philly out of the lyrics, but are obviously about the city of Brotherly Love. Read on and see if you can catch the neighborhood references.
One of my guitar students used to live in a house that overlooked the basketball court where Will Smith hits the Rock in the opening credits of Fresh Prince (not to be confused with when Will Smith hits Chris Rock at the Academy Awards). And this song mentions West Philadelphia specifically, which is where I give guitar lessons.
This major hit by Old Crow Medicine Show makes mention of Philadelphia. The lyrics are slightly ambiguous; did the narrator actually set foot in the City of Brotherly Love, or did they simple meet someone from Philadelphia? You decide.
Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin spun the name of the short-lived Philadelphia Freedom professional tennis team into a number 1 hit in the mid 1970s. This was done as a favor to Taupin's friend and member of the Freedom, Bellie Jean King.
It's no surprise that this slappin' tune from Philadelphia Music Icon Will Smith hits hard on Philly neighborhood references. Yes, I'm again referencing Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.
Another musical act from Philly, and it shows, with specific mentions of that only those familiar with Philly would get. Many references to Philly, but most are pretty vague. Here's some of the most specific ones.
Ok, another famous musical act formed in Philly, and showing some deep knowledge of West Philly, where Questlove and guest vocalist Eve both grew up. There is a large Ethiopian and Eritrean community in West Philly. In fact, there are 3 Ethiopian restaurants on Baltimore Ave between 45th and 47th street (and another one a few blocks up 45th!). In fact, one of them is right across the street from Good Music Academy.
I had never heard of this band, but these guys are my age and grew up in Lansdale, like I did. Judging by the lyrics, I'm guessing we had similar ventures in to the city from this far-flung suburb (exurb?):
With a title like that, you'd expect some specifics about Philly. But no, this ones about emigrating to Philadelphia; something quite appealing to early 20th century Irish crooner John McCormack and his fellow Irishman due to Philly's large Irish population. Take note of the Irish goodbye in this one:
In "Ventura Highway," vocalist and songwriter Dewey Bunnell recalls the feeling of traveling the Pacific Coast Highway with his family as a child, in contrast with the cold winters he endured in Omaha.
With the whimsical sound of the guitar and lyrics like "'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair / And the days surround your daylight there / Seasons crying no despair / Alligator lizards in the air...", you can't help but smile as you drive and daydream.
Before Neko Case sang about the "Curse of the I-5 Corridor" on her latest album, she took the lead on this ode to roadside beauty and the quiet joys of driving. Interstate 5 holds a special significance to Case, k.d. lang, and Laura Veirs, as it's the highway connecting all the places these three collaborators had lived in the Pacific Northwest.
The title track on Pure Prairie League's 1975 album, "Two Lane Highway" tells the tale of a man who makes his living on the road. The two lane highway is a double-edged sword as it takes him away, but also delivers him "home at last."
Arguably the most popular song ever written about a road, "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" has been scattered, smothered and covered since its original release in 1946 by Bobby Troup. You can enjoy renditions by numerous different artists including Bing Crosby, Chuck Berry, John Mayer and The Rolling Stones.
"Highway 49" tells the story of a man looking for his love, who seemingly doesn't want to be found. But he persists, traveling up and down the highway, determined to find her. Howlin' Wolf, one of the greatest Chicago blues artists of all time, teamed up with Eric Clapton, one of the greatest guitarists of all time, to release their version of the tune.
The first track on The Marshall Tucker Band's eponymous debut album, "Take the Highway" is a classic. The Southern rock track is infused with a jazzy jam band sound, emphasized by the outstanding use of the flute.
Having already celebrated their 25th anniversary by the time they recorded "Highway 101," SoCal's Social Distortion was no stranger to driving up the coast or passing Ventura and Santa Barbara as fast as their motor runs. This is a song about reveling in the sights, sounds and scents of home, and following the palm trees under the California sun.
You'll find it on an album titled "Love Everybody," but this song is about a single, specific object of affection. "Highway Forever" tells the story of one man's frantic, seemingly endless journey across the country to return home to the lady he loves.
That's it for this edition of our road trip playlist. Come back next week for "Songs about America." Let us know what you think, or if you have any playlist suggestions in the comments below, on Facebook or on Twitter.
Get lyrics of Larry bird song you love. List contains Larry bird song lyrics of older one songs and hot new releases. Get known every word of your favorite song or start your own karaoke party tonight :-).
From the imaginative duo of Dylan Brady and Laura Les of 100 gecs comes their highly favored EP, Snake Eyes. The EP features three tracks, including Torture Me, featuring Skrillex and Hey Big Man which has been a crowd favorite as the show opener on their tour. This EP has never been pressed on a physical before and is exclusively pressed for Record Store Day 2024 on die-cut weed vinyl.
Recorded before an adoring crowd on September 13, 2014, at the Reg Lenna Center For The Arts in Jamestown, New York, Playing Favorites features fourteen tracks, including hits and fan favorites from the groups storied and influential career. The 6-piece band (Jerome Augustyniak, Dennis Drew, Jeff Erickson, Steven Gustafson, John Lombardo, and Mary Ramsey) is augmented by strings, horns, and backing vocalists, making their lush sound even fuller and more engaging. Housed in a color gatefold jacket.
Tracklist
WHATS THE MATTER HERE?
LIKE THE WEATHER
LOVE AMONG THE RUINS
TROUBLE ME
MORE THAN THIS
CANT IGNORE THE TRAIN
STOCKTON GALA DAYS
BECAUSE THE NIGHT
RAINY DAY
CANDY EVERYBODY WANTS
MY SISTER ROSE
HEY JACK KEROUAC
THESE ARE DAYS
MY MOTHER THE WAR
On February 1, 2023, The 1975 played their self-titled debut album in full for the first time since its release in 2013. The album's success set the band on a path toward a solid run of international chart-topping, awards and sold-out arena tours across their subsequent releases. Now available on vinyl, this 2 LP set is pressed on white vinyl with brand-new artwork for Record Store Day.
ColleGrove was the "gumbo or jambalaya" of two of the most prominent and influential names in hip-hop, 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne. 2 Chainz hailing from College Park, Georgia, and Lil Wayne from Hollygrove, a neighborhood in New Orleans the two combined their hometown roots to create the title ColleGrove. Released in 2016, ColleGrove honors a musical friendship that has sustained two decades. After much anticipation and almost eight years later, the powerful duo released their follow-up album, Welcome 2 Collegrove, in November 2023. The project is not only a perfect merge of 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne, but it also features some of the best icons in music today, including Usher, 21 Savage, Rick Ross, Fabulous, Benny the Butcher and more. Welcome 2 Collegrove is the next installment of this powerful duo looking to serve up real raps, cultural flair and authentic brotherhood. Now available on vinyl for the first time, this 2 LP set is pressed on translucent clear vinyl. Limited Edition.
Special edition record from the Record Store Day KPop Artist of The Year!
Clear vinyl or black ice vinyl version (distributed at random!) of their latest album. Package includes a photo ticket (1 image out of 8, distributed at random), 3 postcards and 1 poster as well as a BONUS 7 single with TWO BONUS SONGS!
The first official release of Burnin' In Bordeaux: Live In France 1969 captures legendary saxophonist Cannonball Adderley with a stellar band, featuring Nat Adderley (cornet), Joe Zawinul (piano), Victor Gaskin (bass), Roy McCurdy (drums). Transferred from the original tape reels recorded by the ORTF and housed in the INA (Institut national de l'audiovisuel) archives, this limited-edition 2 LP set is released for Record Store Day 2024 in cooperation with the Cannonball Adderley Estate and INA France for Elemental Music. The package includes an extensive insert with rare photos, liner notes by acclaimed author and historian Bob Blumenthal, and interviews and statements from Quincy Jones, Charles Lloyd, Hal Galper, and Roy McCurdy. Mastered by the legendary Bernie Grundman and pressed on 180g vinyl by Memphis Record Pressing.
The first official release of Poppin' In Paris: Live At L'Olympia 1972 captures saxophone icon Cannonball Adderley with an all-star band, featuring Nat Adderley (cornet), George Duke (piano), Walter Booker (bass), and Roy McCurdy (drums). Transferred from the original tape reels recorded by the ORTF and housed in the INA (Institut national de l'audiovisuel) archives, this limited-edition 2 LP set is released for Record Store Day in cooperation with the Cannonball Adderley Estate and INA France for Elemental Music. The package includes an extensive insert with rare photos, liner notes by acclaimed author and historian Bob Blumenthal, and interviews and statements from Louis Hayes, Hal Galper, and Michael Wolff. Mastered by the legendary Bernie Grundman and pressed on 180g vinyl by Memphis Record Pressing.