Man, I don't know if I have it in me to keep knocking these out. Every week I try to find a song to represent a state, and it's harder than you'd think. Mainly because I decided it can't just be a good song, it's got to be about the whole state and have the state name in the title. There are only 13 states left, so let's knock out the Keystone State!
The state: Pennsylvania
The song: "Pennsylvania" by Frog Holler
Ah, Pennsylvania: setting for the American version of The Office, home to two of the most despicable NHL franchises in history, home to a city with sports fans known for throwing batteries at opponents and booing Santa Claus, and also a place with a lot of Dutch and Amish folks (but mostly Germans). It's a real melting pot. I don't know a whole lot about Pennsylvania, actually, aside from what I see of their professional sports teams (which are all irredeemable, by the way). I did some of the touristy stuff in Philadelphia on a field trip in middle school, but that's about it.
Pennsylvania's got a ton of history, though, and not just all the Colonial, Revolutionary War-type stuff you think of. Delaware, Shawnee, Iroquois, Eriez, and Susquehannock Indian nations all used to call Pennsylvania home before Europeans even showed up. And way before our various Founding Fathers told the British to go take a flying leap, the Dutch were ALL about killing some Brits to hold down ol' Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania was also one of the most religiously liberal colonies: you could worship just about whatever you wanted, and today the trend holds with a very wide religious diversity.
"Be ye fancy or plain, there's a place for you here."
I like this song for Pennsylvania because while most people might think of the Philadelphia or Pittsburgh at first glance, much more of the state is rural and country-fried. Of course you can also say that about Washington, Illinois, California, and just about any state with a large urban center. But I think it fits here. I'd happily nod my head along to this tune as I drove through the hills of Keystone country. What say you, Pennsylvanians?
Like the song? Offended on behalf of your Pennsylvania sports teams? Let us know, and cast your vote for next week's state, Rhode Island!
Runner-up: "Pennsylvania Polka" by Frank Yankovic
Most Laughable Suggestion: "Pennsylvania" by John Linnell
Flickr photo Pennsylvania Dutch Country - 15 by Kyle Taylor used under a Creative Commons License.
