DJ Cassidy performs during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Tuesday in Chicago.
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The NPR Network will be reporting live from Chicago throughout the week bringing you the latest on the Democratic National Convention.
DJ Cassidy and the Democrats played special tracks for each state and territory during Tuesday night’s roll call.
But what song — or songs, in some cases — repped your state? We found them all so you don’t have to. Better yet, we offer some reasons behind the choices.
Alabama: Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
While Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ode to Alabama might seem like an obvious choice, the band was formed in Jacksonville, Fla.
Alaska: Feel It Still – Portugal. The Man
The rock band is from Wasilla, Alaska, where two of its members met in high school and began playing music together.
American Samoa: Edge of Glory – Lady Gaga
The song choice is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the territory’s position as the southernmost territory in the United States.
Arizona: Edge of Seventeen – Stevie Nicks
Singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks, known for both her solo career and her work in the band Fleetwood Mac, is from Phoenix.
Arkansas: Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac
Speaking of Nicks, her band’s track “Don’t Stop” became the official song of Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, with the band even uniting to perform at the former president’s first inaugural ball. Clinton is famously from Hope, Arkansas, and served as the state’s governor from 1979 to 1981 and again from 1983 to 1992.
LANDOVER, UNITED STATES: US President Bill Clinton (L) shakes hands with singer Michael Jackson (C) as singer Stevie Nicks sings during inauguration festivities in Landover, Maryland. (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP via Getty Images)
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California: The Next Episode – Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg,
California Love – Tupac Shakur, featuring Dr. Dre, Alright – Kendrick Lamar, Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
Nearly all of the above artists are legendary California musicians, with Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar born in Compton, and Snoop Dog born in Long Beach. Only Tupac does not count himself among the native Californians, having been born in New York City.
Colorado: September – Earth, Wind & Fire
Philip James Bailey, one of two lead singers of Earth, Wind & Fire was born in Denver. What’s more, he turned to Denver East High School friends Larry Dunn and Andrew Woolfolk to shore up the band after some original members left, according to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.
Connecticut: Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) – Stevie Wonder
Delaware: Higher Love – Kygo & Whitney Houston
Higher Love has been a staple of President Biden’s campaign, with the track playing at the end of his 2020 acceptance speech.
TOPSHOT – US President-elect Joe Biden holds up his fist after delivering remarks in Wilmington, Delaware, on November 7, 2020, after being declared the winners of the presidential election. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
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Washington, D.C.: Let Me Clear My Throat – DJ Kool
The legendary rapper was born and raised in our nation’s capital.
Florida: I Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty
Tom Petty was born in Gainesville, Florida.
Georgia: Turn Down For What – DJ Snake and Lil Jon
Lil Jon made a surprise convention appearance to express his support for Kamala Harris. The rapper is from Atlanta, while DJ Snake, his counterpart on the track, is from Paris.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 20: Rapper Lil Jon (R) performs with the Georgia delegation during the Ceremonial Roll Call of States on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are gathering in Chicago, as current Vice President Kamala Harris is named her party’s presidential nominee. The DNC takes place from August 19-22. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Guam: Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
Hawai’i: 24K Magic – Bruno Mars
R&B and funk musician Mars is from Honolulu, Hawai’i.
Idaho: Private Idaho – The B-52’s
“Private Idaho” was a single off the Georgia band’s second album, though they didn’t play a show in the state of Idaho until 2011.
Illinois: Sirius – The Alan Parsons Project
“Sirius” was the walk-on music for the Chicago’s NBA team, the Bulls.
Indiana – Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
Jackson was born in Gary, Ind. — the eighth of 10 children.
Iowa: Celebration – Kool & The Gang
Kansas: Carry On Wayward Son – Kansas
The band Kansas was formed in the state in 1973, hailing from its capital city of Topeka.
Kentucky: First Class – Jack Harlow
Rapper and singer Harlow was born in Louisville, Ky., and raised in Shelbyville.
Louisiana: All I Do Is Win – DJ Khaled
Rapper and producer DJ Khaled is from New Orleans.
Maine: Shut Up and Dance – WALK THE MOON
Maryland: Respect – Aretha Franklin
Massachusetts: I’m Shipping Up to Boston – Dropkick Murphys
The American Celtic band was formed in Quincy, Mass. The song itself describes a sailor with a missing leg, who is going to Boston in search of a wooden prosthetic.
Michigan: Lose Yourself – Eminem
The rapper famously grew up in Detroit and his 2002 movie 8 Mile is set in the Motor City.
Minnesota: Kiss – Prince & The Revolution, 1999 – Prince & The Revolution
The celebrated musician was born in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1958. The singer also died in his home state in Paisley Park in 2016 at the age of 57.
Mississippi: Twistin’ the Night Away – Sam Cooke
One of the most influential soul singers of all time, Cooke was born in Clarksdale, Miss.
Missouri: Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
The 26-year-old from Willard, Mo., has found herself on a meteoric rise to stardom following the release of her 2023 album Midwest Princess.
Montana: American Woman – Lenny Kravitz
Nebraska: Firework – Katy Perry
Nevada: Mr. Brightside – The Killers
The rock band formed in Las Vegas in 2011 by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning.
New Hampshire: Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
New Jersey: Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
“The Boss” is famously from Long Brand, N.J.
New Mexico: Confident – Demi Lovato
The singer-songwriter was born in Albuquerque, N.M.
New York: Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys
The song serves as an ode to New York City by the two artists, who are from Brooklyn and Manhattan respectively.
North Carolina: Raise Up – Petey Pablo
The rapper and record producer is from Greenville, N.C.
North Dakota: Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys
Northern Mariana Islands: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Ohio: Green Light – John Legend featuring André 3000
Legend was born in Springfield, Ohio, while André 3000 hails from Atlanta.
Oklahoma: Garth Brooks – Ain’t Goin’ Down (’til the Sun Comes Up)
Country singer Brooks is from Tulsa.
Oregon: Float On – Modest Mouse
The rock band was formed in Issaquah, Wash., in 1993, but is now based in Portland, Ore.
Pennsylvania: Motownphilly – Boyz II Men, Black and Yellow – Wiz Khalifa
Vocal group Boyz II Men is from Philadelphia, with the music video for “Motownphilly” filmed across locations in their home city. Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow” is about growing up in Pittsburgh, Pa. The colors represent the state’s NFL team, the Steelers.
During their 2011 Super Bowl match-up against the Green Bay Packers, the team used the track as their fight song, while their opponents used a remix, “Green and Yellow,” as their own.
Puerto Rico: Despacito – Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee
Both Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee hail from San Juan, Puerto Rico. A remix featuring Justin Bieber was released in 2017.
Rhode Island: Shake it Off – Taylor Swift
Swift owns the single most expensive home in the state of Rhode Island — an entire estate called High Watch, which she purchased in 2013.
South Carolina: Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine – James Brown
James Brown was born on May 3, 1933, in Barnswell, S.C.
South Dakota: What I Like About You – The Romantics
Tennessee: 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
Country music star Dolly Parton was born in Pittman Center, Tenn., and currently lives just outside of Nashville. Her Dollywood theme park and resorts are located in Pigeon Forge.
Texas: TEXAS HOLD EM’ – Beyoncé
This one’s a little self-explanatory.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 01: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Beyoncé accepts the Innovator Award onstage during the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on April 01, 2024. Broadcasted live on FOX. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
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Utah: Animal – Neon Trees
The rock band formed in Provo, Utah, in 2005.
Vermont: Stick Season – Noah Kahan
The 27-year-old is from Stratfford, Vt.
Virgin Islands: VI to the Bone – Mic Love
The rapper hails from the Virgin Islands.
Virginia: The Way I Are – Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson and D.O.E.
Timbaland is from Norfolk, Va., while Keri Hilson is from Decatur, Georgia, and D.O.E. is from New York.
Washington: Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
The rapper is from Kent, Wash., while Ryan Lewis is from Spokane.
West Virginia: Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
While Denver is from New Mexico, his hit song describes the natural beauty of West Virginia, including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah River.
Wisconsin: Jump Around – House of Pain
Wyoming: I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
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