It’s finally summer. Whoohoo! Time to sign up for Summer Challenge and then go on vacation. I myself will be traveling to my home state of Indiana in a few short weeks to get out of sultry Nashville. Might I recommend some of these songs that feature Indiana?
1. What? You don’t think the awesome Red Hot Chili Peppers are fans of the Hoosier state? Check this out: “Black bandana, sweet Louisiana – Robbing on a bank in the state of Indiana.” Yes friends, that was from "Dani California" off their Stadium Arcadium album. Thank you Anthony Kiedis. How very John Dillinger of you.
2. You can probably guess where I’m going next. That’s right. Time for some Tom Petty Wildflowers.
“She grew up tall and she grew up right. With them Indiana boys on an Indiana night.” Yes we did Tom. Yes we did. I, however, have never danced with Mary Jane. Just saying.
3. This next entry is a group, not a song lyric. My boys, Straight No Chaser. You’ve seen them on YouTube, I saw them in my dorm at IU. Check out this a capella group’s Under the Influence. If you’re like my parents (also from Indiana), you can check out their Christmas music and celebrate Christmas in July.
4. And what would a look at Indiana music be without good ole John (Cougar) Mellencamp? I’ve never been a big fan of his, however I do love "Jack and Diane" for the two most exciting notes in all of music. It’s like they were missing something in the song, and he thought to himself, “I know what I’ll add. The roadrunner.” Meep meep. You know what I’m talking about.
There’s so much music from Indiana that we could talk about, but I’m going to stop here and not overwhelm you. I would, however, like to just mention a couple other folks you might have heard of:
Cole Porter – born in Peru, IN famous for Broadway musicals like Kiss Me, Kate.
Axl Rose – born in Lafayette, IN, frontman for Guns N’ Roses
The Jackson 5 – The family lived in Gary, IN. My eighth grade social studies teacher almost had them play her prom, but they picked the other band b/c they didn’t want a little kid singing to them.
Alrighty. I hope you enjoy your vacation. I’ll think a happy thought for you while I’m “Back Home Again in Indiana.” (That’s our state song – see what I did there? Take that Rocky Top!)
Happy Summer Vacation/Challenge!
:) Amanda
