Colorado is a state with a rich musical history. From country to rock, many artists have been inspired by the landscapes and people of Colorado. Here are just a few of the great songs that have been written about the Centennial State.
Contents
- 1. “Colorado” by Linda Ronstadt
- 2. “You Wild Colorado” by Johnny Cash
- 3. “Colorado Girl” by Townes Van Zandt
- 4. “Colorado” by Florida Georgia Line
- 5. “Colorado” by Infamous Stringdusters
- 6. “Colorado” by Railroad Earth
- 7. “I Guess He’d Rather Be in Colorado” by John Denver
- 8. “40 Miles from Denver” by Yonder Mountain String Band
- 9. “Colorado Sunrise” by 3OH!3
- 10. “Lucky Old Colorado” by Merle Haggard
- 11. “I’m Leavin’ Colorado” by Hillbilly Hellcats
- 12. “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver
- 13. “Colorado Bluebird Sky” by The String Cheese Incident
- 14. “Colorado Christmas” by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- 15. “Colorado” by Lotus
- 16. “Colorado” by The Flying Burrito Brothers
- 17. “My Proud Mountains” by Townes Van Zandt
- 18. “Colorado” by Chevy Chase
- 19. “Colorado” by Chuck Pyle
- 20. “Colorado” by Paper Bird
- Final Thoughts
1. “Colorado” by Linda Ronstadt
First on the list is Linda Ronstadt’s 1974 hit “Colorado.” This song is a love letter to the state, with Ronstadt singing about how she misses the Rocky Mountains and the clear blue skies.
This is a great track to play while enjoying the view on a Colorado road trip. You can find it on her Don’t Cry Now album.
2. “You Wild Colorado” by Johnny Cash
The next song is “You Wild Colorado” by the legendary Johnny Cash. This track is from his 1965 album Orange Blossom Special and was written as a breakup song.
The lyrics talk about how he’s walking down the lonely road out of Colorado, leaving behind the girl he loves. This can still be streamed on all music platforms out there.
3. “Colorado Girl” by Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt is a singer-songwriter who is known for his poetic lyrics. “Colorado Girl” is a perfect example of this, as the song tells the story of a man who is trying to find his way back to the girl he loves in Colorado. This song can be found on his self-titled album released in 1969.
4. “Colorado” by Florida Georgia Line
“Colorado” is a more recent song, released in 2019 by the country duo Florida Georgia Line. This track is all about taking risks and living life to the fullest. The lyrics talk about how Colorado is the perfect place to do just that.
He’s got friends from different states, but there’s something about Colorado that makes it special. You can find it on their Can’t Say I Ain’t Country album
5. “Colorado” by Infamous Stringdusters
Next on the list is another track entitled “Colorado” but this time by the Infamous Stringdusters. This song is a bluegrass ode to the state, with the lyrics talking about how Colorado has everything you could ever want. Being away from home can be tough, but this song will make you feel right at home.
6. “Colorado” by Railroad Earth
Railroad Earth’s song “Colorado” is a beautiful tribute to the state, with references to its mountains, rivers, and plains.
The song has a folksy feel and will make you want to explore everything Colorado has to offer. It was released in 2001 as part of their The Black Bear Sessions album.
7. “I Guess He’d Rather Be in Colorado” by John Denver
The next song is one that is much more light-hearted and fun. John Denver’s “I Guess Hed Rather Be in Colorado” is a playful ode to someone who has left the singer for the state of Colorado.
The song talks about all of the great things that Colorado has to offer, and how the person who left must be really happy there. It was released in 1971 as part of his Poems, Prayers & Promises album.
8. “40 Miles from Denver” by Yonder Mountain String Band
“40 Miles from Denver” is a bluegrass song by the Yonder Mountain String Band. The song is about a man who wants to leave Denver and go for a drive.
The song is a great example of the band’s musical talent and their ability to tell a story through their music. It was released in 1999 and can still be streamed on all music platforms.
9. “Colorado Sunrise” by 3OH!3
Next on the list is “Colorado Sunrise” by 3OH!3. This upbeat track is thinking about the woman you love and missing her when you’re away.
The lyrics talk about how the singer wants to spend every day with her, and how the sunrise in Colorado is a reminder of her.3OH!3 is a synthpop duo from Boulder, Colorado, so it’s no surprise that they would include their home state in one of their songs.
10. “Lucky Old Colorado” by Merle Haggard
This song is about a man who is away from the love of his life. She went home to Colorado and the man couldn’t help but feel envy towards the state because his love was there.
Merle Haggard is a country music legend, and this song was written during his prime. It’s a classic country track that will make you want to hit the open road and find your way back to the one you love.
11. “I’m Leavin’ Colorado” by Hillbilly Hellcats
Hillbilly Hellcat’s “I’m Leavin’ Colorado” is a heartbreak song about a man who is moving away from the state because his love left him.
The lyrics talk about how the singer will never forget the memories they shared together, and how he hopes to find love again someday. It was released in 1994 as part of his Early Daze album.
12. “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver
Up next is “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver! This song is an ode to the state of Colorado and was written after one of Denver’s hikes in the Rocky Mountains.
The lyrics talk about the beauty of nature and how it makes him feel “alive and free.” This was released as the title track for his album released in 1972.
13. “Colorado Bluebird Sky” by The String Cheese Incident
Next on the list is “Colorado Bluebird Sky” by String Cheese Incident. This song is a feel-good track that talks about the happiness and peace that comes with being in nature.
The lyrics paint a picture of the stunning landscapes Colorado has to offer, from the mountains to the bluebird skies. It was released in 2011 as part of the On the Road: Asheville, NC: 11-25-11 album.
14. “Colorado Christmas” by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
The next song is a Christmas classic! “Colorado Christmas” by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was released in 1984 and is a fun, festive track that talks about spending the holidays in Colorado.
The lyrics mention the snow-filled state and how it feels to spend your Christmas morning in a winter wonderland.
15. “Colorado” by Lotus
Lotus’ “Colorado” is a mellow, acoustic track that talks about the feeling of wanderlust and wanting to explore new places. The lyrics mention the state of Colorado specifically, and how it’s a place that has always called to the singer. It was released in 2004 as part of the Nomad album.
16. “Colorado” by The Flying Burrito Brothers
This next song is by The Flying Burrito Brothers and it’s called “Colorado.” This song is a bit more upbeat than the last one, but it still has a nostalgic feel to it.
It talks about how the singer misses Colorado and all of its beauty. It was released in 1971 as part of their self-titled album which can be streamed on all music platforms out there.
17. “My Proud Mountains” by Townes Van Zandt
Another song by Townes Van Zandt that made it on our list is “My Proud Mountains.” This song still has that same feeling of longing and nostalgia.
It’s a beautiful song about how the mountains make the singer feel small, but also make him feel at home. It was released in 1969 and was featured in the movie, “Be Here to Love Me”.
18. “Colorado” by Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase is a comedian, but he also dabbles in music from time to time. One of his songs is appropriately titled “Colorado” and it’s a pretty funny song.
It’s about how he wants to move to Colorado because it seems like a great place. The song was released in 1980 and can be found on his album, National Lampoon Lemmings.
19. “Colorado” by Chuck Pyle
The next song is “Colorado” by Chuck Pyle. This song is a bit different than the others on our list because it’s more of a love song. It talks about how Colorado is the perfect place to be in love.
It was released in 1977 and can be found on his album, Camel Rock. You can stream this on all music platforms out there.
20. “Colorado” by Paper Bird
Finishing up our list is “Colorado” by Paper Bird. This song is a bit more indie and has a different feel than the others. It’s about how the singer wants to move to Colorado because it seems like a great place.
The song was released in 2010 and can be found on their album, When the River Took Flight. This is a country track with over 80k views on Youtube.
Final Thoughts
There are quite a few songs about colorado, and many of them are really good! Whether you’re looking for something to sing along to on a road trip, or just want to learn more about the state, these songs are definitely worth checking out. Thanks for reading!