Ten Texas Towns Immortalized In Song
As Texas begins rebuilding after the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, it is important for Americans to reflect on the many contributions the state has made to our country. Many sports championships have been earned by teams from the Lone Star State, most notably the Dallas Cowboys in football.
That state has also given us numerous movie stars, such as Woody Harrelson, Eva Longoria, Farrah Fawcett and Larry Hagman. The latter, of course, starred in one of the most popular prime time dramas in the history of television, which was titled after the Texas city of Dallas.
Its contributions to the arts are not, however, limited to merely television and cinema. Many popular musicians were born in Texas, including members of ZZ Top, Willie Nelson, Brit Daniel of Spoon, Rhett Miller of the Old 97s, Alejandro Escavedo and Nanci Griffith.
Cities in the Lone Star State have also contributed to the success of many songs in American culture, and here are ten of them.
Galveston by Glenn Campbell
One of the many Jimmy Webb compositions that the late country star turned into gold, this hit became the official anthem of the city.
El Paso by Marty Robbins
Even though the lyrics discuss a bit of trouble in a romantic encounter, it has endured as the most well-known of the many hits of Robbins.
Say Ho by Scott Miller and the Commonwealth
An alt-country performer who hails from Appalachia, Miller manages to provide a musical biography of the most famous founders of Texas, Sam Houston.
Luchenbach, Texas by Waylon Jennings
Country legend Jennings put this town on the map by recording this gem, which quickly climbed the charts.
What Am I Doing Hanging Around? by the Monkees
Michael Nesmith and Mickey Dolenz share lead vocals on this track about a romance that leaves a guy who left a girl to return the San Antonio, the town he loved so much.
Pretty Little Lady from Beaumont, Texas by George Jones
Few people outside the state had probably heard of this town until the Old Possum immortalized it in this classic country hit.
Lubbock, Texas In My Rearview Mirror by Mac Davis
Decades before Meat Loaf reached the pop charts with a song about a rear view mirror, the country-pop crooner and movie star used a similar metaphor in this tune about leaving someone in the Lone Star State.
Rock Island Line by Johnny Cash
New Orleans is the largest city mentioned in the song, but a Texas town earns top billing in the title and the chorus.
Streets of Laredo by Eddy Arnold
Numerous artists have covered this Western classic from Joan Baez to Gene Autrey to Jim Reeves, but the most recognized version is this one by Eddy Arnold.
La Grange by ZZ Top
The little old band from Texas made a breakthrough on their third album Tres Hombres, which contained this huge hit.