Democrats accompany their party convention with a soundtrack. So each song fits each state
The traditional roll call at the Democratic Party Convention in Chicago turned into a wild dance party on Tuesday, with each delegation announcing their vote for presidential candidate Kamala Harris to the tune of a suitable song.
DJ Cassidy’s musical references were mostly obvious. Massachusetts chose a punk song about Boston. Kansas chose a song by the band Kansas.
But there were also some strange decisions – such as American Samoa performing to Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory” – and some delegations said they simply had no say in the matter.
So each song (probably) fits each state or territory, in the order in which the names are listed:
Yes, the southern state chose its most famous name, even though the band itself originally comes from Florida.
Despite the European name, the rock band comes from Wasilla, Alaska, the hometown of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
The territory’s Democratic Party did not respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday, but NPR reported that this was an “ironic nod to the territory’s standing as the southernmost territory in the United States.” So we’ll go with that.
The former singer of Fleetwood Mac comes from Phoenix.
By selecting this song, the southern state also opted for a hit by the band Nicks, which was also the theme song of the successful presidential campaign of the then Governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton, in 1992.
One of the band’s original lead singers, Philip Bailey, was born in Denver, where he and other band members from the Mile High City are also listed in the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.
The New England state song was one of former President Barack Obama’s favorites during his two successful presidential campaigns, but there is no obvious connection to Connecticut. (Wonder is from Michigan.)
President Joe Biden’s home state chose a song that was a central part of his 2020 campaign.
The organization acknowledged on Wednesday that it had no say in the selection, but said the early disco hit was appropriate because it has members in over 190 countries.
The delegation from the capital was accompanied by the party anthem of a local.
The late rock star was born – you guessed it – in the Sunshine State.
Atlanta’s Lil Jon delivered a wild version of his hit live and in person to the crowd at Chicago’s United Center.
One of the biggest hits of the summer went to the island territory, even though Carpenter was born and raised in Pennsylvania, about 7,800 miles away.
If you have not yet picked up a topic here, the RandB-Star is from Honolulu.
The song is by the Georgia band best known for “Love Shack” and other hits, but singer Fred Schneider told the Idaho Statesman that he chose that song title because the state is “pretty mysterious to, you know, all of us.”
The song by the British prog rock band served as intro music for the Michael Jordan-era Chicago Bulls, who played in the very arena where the convention was held.
Jackson and his famous family originally came from the industrial city of Gary, Indiana.
The band may have been from New Jersey, but everyone likes to have a good time, come on.
This selection could really only go in one direction – a song by the arena rock band from Topeka, Kansas.
The rapper was born and raised in the Bluegrass State.
A New Orleans native? Check. An infectious party anthem? Of course.
Once again, a New England state has a song that everyone can sing along to, even if it has no obvious local connection. (Walk the Moon comes from Ohio.) Democrats in Maine say their choice of a song by local band The Ghost of Paul Revere was ultimately rejected.
The Mid-Atlantic state also decided against a local selection when it competed with a hit by the late “Queen of Soul” from Detroit.
The de facto anthem of the Red Sox, by an Irish-American punk band from the suburbs of the Massachusetts capital? No notes.
The hit comes from the Detroit-born artist’s 2002 semi-autobiographical film “8 Mile” about a rapper who wants to gain a foothold in the city’s hip-hop scene.
The late soul singer was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
The Show-Me State chose an upbeat track from the rising pop star from Willard, Missouri.
The song, originally by Canadian band The Guess Who, has no obvious reference to the Big Sky State – but the title is all about sending a woman to the White House.
Perry has no obvious connection to the Cornhusker State, but she has lent her star status to the Democratic Party in recent years, performing at Biden’s inauguration. Her hit “Roar” also played a major role in Hillary Clinton’s failed 2016 presidential campaign.
Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning founded the rock band over two decades ago in Las Vegas.
The rock band was formed in San Francisco, but we would be hard-pressed to find an event, rally or game where this song was not used as the anthem.
It couldn’t be more obvious. “The Boss” hails from Long Branch, New Jersey, and politicians from both parties have played his song countless times at rallies and events – despite its rather subversive lyrics.
Lovato was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Both Jay-Z and Keys come from New York, the city for which this song is an anthem and an ode.
Pablo, a rapper and record producer, comes from the Tar Heel State.
As noted above, Keys is from New York, but her song has often been used to celebrate and empower women (including at the Olympics).
The US state north of Guam has no obvious connection to Gaye or Terrell, but is mountainous and has several volcanoes – and the song choice could be a nod to the journey Harris is on.
Legend was born in Springfield, Ohio. (Outkast’s André 3000, however, is from Atlanta.)
The country singer was born in Tulsa, the second largest city in the Sooner State.
The band was formed in Washington state but is now based in Portland, Oregon.
Boyz II Men comes from Philadelphia, where the music video for “Motownphilly” was filmed. Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow” is about growing up in Pittsburgh. The colors of the title are a tribute to the city’s football team, the Steelers.
Both singers of this 2017 summer song come from Puerto Rico.
Swift is from Pennsylvania, but in 2013 she bought what was then the most expensive private home in Rhode Island.
The late “Godfather of Soul” was born in Barnwell, South Carolina.
The rock band is from Detroit, not the Mount Rushmore State. Does that matter when there’s a lot to like?
The country music legend was born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, and currently lives outside of Nashville.
In case you need an explanation: Beyoncé is from Houston.
The rock band was founded in Provo, Utah.
Kahan was born in Strafford, Vermont, a picturesque New England town.
As the song title suggests, the rapper comes from the US Virgin Islands.
Timbaland was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia.
Both Macklemore and Lewis come from the Evergreen State.
Denver is from New Mexico, but the hit he wrote with Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert has long been a symbol of the Mountain State.
The hip-hop trio hails from Los Angeles, but their 1992 hit has been played at University of Wisconsin football games for years.
The song has no obvious connection to the state, but conveys a message that is pretty self-explanatory.
The pop superstar was born and died in his home state, where he lives with vice presidential candidate Governor Tim Walz.
To conclude the list of names, Harris’ home state chose a medley of West Coast hip-hop anthems – classic and newer.
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Marcelo reported from New York and Naishadham from Washington.