Comments on: Alabama Songs

Alabama Songs

flapjax at midnite — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:54:20 -0800

Alabama - Alabama Bound - Stars Fell On Alabama - Alabama Song - Alabama Jubilee - Alabama and, as if you could leave it out of this post... Sweet Home Alabama. Oh, and by the way, I'm told that other states occasionally appear in songs as well. You can verify that here. [NOTE: see hoverovers for link descriptions]

By: jonmc

jonmc — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:08:53 -0800

A group called The Rabble actually did a song called "I'm Alaboundy Bam" in 1966. I've heard it, it's good. (just to round things out).

By: paulsc

paulsc — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:14:06 -0800

You're not planning another 49 of these, in alphabetical order, are you?

By: Eideteker

Eideteker — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:19:50 -0800

I remember driving through Alabama and seeing "Stars Fell on Alabama" on license plates. My first thought was "Ouch! HOT!" [lol asteroids fundies darwin haw haw] Alabama was actually quite nice. Stop by the Cancun in Tuscaloosa and ask for the Cancun Chimichanga. No, it's not on the menu. Yes, it is the most delicious thing ever. Not responsible if you try to eat the whole thing and explode.

By: wemayfreeze

wemayfreeze — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:22:40 -0800

Stars Fell on Alabama

By: Poolio

Poolio — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:31:28 -0800

Alabama Getaway (Grateful Dead)

By: nyxxxx

nyxxxx — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:35:25 -0800

This one is better. A disclaimer, I'm from Alabama.

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:43:20 -0800

A disclaimer, I'm from Alabama. Well then, whut'n the hell're yew doin' linkin' tah sum gaht-damn buncha communists with stupid hairdos, boy? Another disclaimer, I'm from Alabama, too.

By: ornate insect

ornate insect — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:44:09 -0800

It should be noted that the first link (to the sombre, plaintive and meditative Coltrane tune "Alabama") was written in response to the 1963 bombing by the KKK of the 16th Street Baptist Church that resulted in the deaths of four girls. Nina Simone recorded "Mississippi Goddam" in response to the bombings, and several other songs were recorded in response to it--they are all listed on the wiki page just linked to.

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:54:37 -0800

I did mention the '63 bombing in the hoverover of the Coltrane Alabama link, and considered adding some sort of link to it in this FPP. I'm glad you did so, ornate insect!

By: ornate insect

ornate insect — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:55:32 -0800

I've always partial to the song "Alabama Train" by blues great Louisiana Red. I could not find a full version online, but here's a short clip from the song.

By: TedW

TedW — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:11:07 -0800

A disclaimer, I'm from Alabama. You know who else was from Alabama? That's right, that commie Helen Keller!

By: ornate insect

ornate insect — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:27:27 -0800

I remember seeing (around 1985) a punk band from Birmingham at the Metroplex in Atlanta play a fast version of "Sweet Home" that on the chorus went "Sweet Home Alabama, Alabama Fuck You"

By: squorch

squorch — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:34:34 -0800

It's as if we're part of Alabamians Anonymous... "Hi, I'm squorch and I'm... I'm from Alabama."

By: Miko

Miko — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:41:01 -0800

There's a fantastic sea chantey called "Roll Alabama Roll," about the Confederate raider Alabama. The only version on YouTube is too excruciating to listen to, but keep an ear out for it - the chorus lines are thunderingly majestic.

By: nyxxxx

nyxxxx — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:41:04 -0800

You know who else was from Alabama? That's right, that commie Helen Keller! Yeah, we're from the same town, more or less. A cluster of 4 towns all together. Which also includes Muscle Shoals.

By: owhydididoit

owhydididoit — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:00:47 -0800

I miss Alabama once again.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:15:29 -0800

I tell you we must die.

By: owhydididoit

owhydididoit — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:24:58 -0800

Alabama is named for the Alibamu, who are part of the Muscogee Nation.

By: Artw

Artw — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:28:03 -0800

Alabama 3

By: damnthesehumanhands

damnthesehumanhands — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:43:04 -0800

[Raises hand for Alabama resident roll-call.]

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:48:46 -0800

A cluster of 4 towns all together. Which also includes Muscle Shoals. Did someone say Muscle Shoals?

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:06:25 -0800

[Raises hand for Alabama resident roll-call.] I think Bitter Old Punk is an Alabamian, too. Maybe it's 'bama meetup time? Do one around October and yours truly might be able to make it.

By: EarBucket

EarBucket — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:21:03 -0800

Alabama Song

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:51:38 -0800

Hi, I'm Pollomacho and I'm an Alabamian. I got better though. I gots educated in Missippi and then moved on up to the big city. You'll be happy to know, you can get chitterlings at the grocery store up here! I'm shocked to see that so many of us are actually literate enough to even feign participation here. Seriously though: Alabama, Alabama, We will aye be true to thee, From thy Southern shores where groweth, By the sea thy orange tree. To thy Northern vale where floweth, Deep blue the Tennessee, Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee! Broad thy stream whose name thou bearest; Grand thy Bigbee rolls along; Fair thy Coosa-Tallapoosa Bold thy Warrior, dark and strong, Goodlier than the land that Moses Climbed lone Nebo's Mount to see, Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee! From thy prairies broad and fertile, Where thy snow-white cotton shines, To the hills where coal and iron Hide in thy exausted mines, Strong -armed miners -sturdy farmers; Loyal hearts what'er we be, Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee! From thy quarries where the marble White as that of Paros gleams Waiting till thy sculptor'ss chisel, Wake to life thy poet's dreams; Fear not only wealth of nature, Wealth of mind has no fee, Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee! Where the perfumed south-wind whispers, Thy magnolia groves among, Softer than a mother's kisses, Sweeter than a mother's song, Where the golden jasmine trailing, Woos the treasure-laden bee, Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee! Brave and pure thy men and women, Better this than corn and wine Make us worthy, God in Heaven Of this goodly land of Thine. Hearts as open as thy doorways. Liberal hands and spirits free. Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee! Little, little can I give thee, Alabama, mother mine. But that little - hand, brain, spirit. All I have and am are thine. Take, O take, the gift and giver. Take and serve thyself with me. Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee! -Julia Tutwiler

By: hydrobatidae

hydrobatidae — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:29:02 -0800

I'm not from Alabama - but I just moved there/here. Not sick of Sweet Home Alabama yet but I think it will be pretty soon (especially if I play these videos over and over again like I plan to).

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:33:56 -0800

Are you in Birmingham, hydrobatidae? And if so, can we assume that you love the governor?

By: Cookiebastard

Cookiebastard — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:35:07 -0800

...Daddy's doing Sister Sally Grandma's dying of cancer now The cattle all have brucellosis We'll get through somehow "Sweet Home Alabama" Play that dead band's song...

By: hydrobatidae

hydrobatidae — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:12:47 -0800

Flapjax, luckily I'm not (Auburn) because I have no idea what you're talking about. I guess I'm not up on the state gossip yet.

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:21:45 -0800

Not sick of Sweet Home Alabama yet but I think it will be pretty soon When I was making the decision to move to DC I was living back in my early childhood (and high school, but that's another tragic Alabama story) home state of Tennessee. I hadn't quite made up my mind. Then football season rolled around. The number of times I had to hold back from letting vomit, obsenities and bullets fly in public bars/restaurants due to spontaneous outbursts of Rocky Top drove me to start packing. I swear by god, it was like that scene in PeeWee's Big Adventure where he proves he's in Texas by yelling, "The stars at night..." except everywhere you went someone kept on fucking yelling it.

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:23:09 -0800

...luckily I'm not (Auburn)... Also, that's the first time I've ever heard someone say they were lucky to be in Auburn.

By: beaucoupkevin

beaucoupkevin — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:15:15 -0800

Alabama Blues.

By: notashroom

notashroom — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:01:43 -0800

Does it count if Alabama isn't in the title? If so, how about Seven Bridges Road and Angel From Montgomery (John Prine version, Bonnie Raitt version, Prine and Raitt together)? I love both those songs, but I'm not from Alabama -- next door, in Georgia.

By: BitterOldPunk

BitterOldPunk — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:48:42 -0800

Boulder to Birmingham Pollomacho: the way I diplomatically defuse the "Auburn or Alabama" question is by saying, "I root for whoever's going to beat Tennessee." That appeals equally to Tide and Tiger fans. Yep, I'm here in the 'Ham. Holler when you're around, flapjax -- we'll drive around throwing beer cans at cop cars or something.

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:59:14 -0800

Y'all Come! OK, so it doesn't actually mention Alabama, but we all know it's an Alabama song.

By: BitterOldPunk

BitterOldPunk — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:01:33 -0800

Also, Emmylou Harris remains one of the most talented, beautiful women on the planet.

By: Evangeline

Evangeline — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:40:07 -0800

Hi, I'm Evangeline, and I'm from Alabama.

By: Evangeline

Evangeline — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:42:25 -0800

I'm singing the state song at my desk in a posh Manhattan law firm right now.

By: Evangeline

Evangeline — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:46:54 -0800

I remember seeing (around 1985) a punk band from Birmingham at the Metroplex in Atlanta play a fast version of "Sweet Home" that on the chorus went "Sweet Home Alabama, Alabama Fuck You" ornate insect, was the name of the band "Will and the Bushmen"?

By: cobra_high_tigers

cobra_high_tigers — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:27:46 -0800

I'm a born and raised Alabamian, but I escaped to NC for college and CA now for the big time. It took me years to stifle my annoyance when people blatantly not from Alabama yelled along to "Sweet Home Alabama" in public -- am I the only one with this neurosis?

By: cobra_high_tigers

cobra_high_tigers — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:28:40 -0800

Not to mention, Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again

By: cinemafiend

cinemafiend — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:41:31 -0800

I'm also Alabama born and bred. Currently residing in Birmingham... I always thought that Jacob's Ladder by Huey Lewis & the News was about Alabama as well...

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:22:39 -0800

Flapjax, luckily I'm not (Auburn) because I have no idea what you're talking about. Then you haven't played those videos over and over again like you said you planned to! hint: Sweet Home Alabama lyrics... ah, what the hell, here they are.

By: Roman Graves

Roman Graves — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:50:32 -0800

No Alabama Rain?