Washington State is a state located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is the 18th largest state by area and the 13th most populous state with over 7 million residents. Aside from that, Washington is also known for its vast landscapes and natural beauty.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best songs about Washington State. From classic rock hits to more modern pop tunes, these are the tracks that perfectly capture the essence of this amazing place. Here are our top 20 picks.
Contents
- 1. “Hello Seattle” by Owl City
- 2. “New Way Home” by Foo Fighters
- 3. “Waitsburg” by Bob Frank
- 4. “Dark Moon” by Bonnie Guitar
- 5. “This Place Is a Prison” by The Postal Service
- 6. “Black Ball Ferry Line” by Bing Crosby
- 7. “My Oh My” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
- 8. “Walk, Don’t Run” by The Ventures
- 9. “Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle” by Nirvana
- 10. “Sunny in Seattle” by Blake Shelton
- 11. “Posse on Broadway” by Sir-Mix-A-Lot
- 12. “I Love Seattle” by Tacocat
- 13. “Belltown Ramble” by Robyn Hitchcock
- 14. “The Shadow of Seattle” by Marcy Playground
- 15. “Seattle” by Ethan Rowe
- 16. “Washington: Washington, My Home” by Sicko
- 17. “Washington State” by Tybud
- 18. “Working Titles” by Damien Jurado
- 19. “Welcome to Seattle” by Boom Bap Project
- 20. “Talkin’ Seattle Blues” by Todd Snider
- Final Thoughts
1. “Hello Seattle” by Owl City
Starting off our list is a feel-good pop track by Owl City. “Hello Seattle” is all about the city of Seattle and its unique charm.
The song celebrates the beauty of the Emerald City, with its stunning skyline and picturesque landscape. It was released in 2009 as part of the Ocean Eyes album.
2. “New Way Home” by Foo Fighters
The next song is a bit more on the rock side, courtesy of the Foo Fighters. “New Way Home” is all about finding a new place to call home, and for many people, Washington State is that place.
This now has over half a million views on Youtube since its release. You can find it on their The Colour and the Shape album released in 1997.
3. “Waitsburg” by Bob Frank
Bob Frank is a folk singer who’s known for his unorthodox and often controversial lyrics. In “Waitsburg”, he tells the story of a small town in Washington that’s struggling to get by.
The song is a heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful ode to the resilience of the human spirit. It was released in 1972 for his self-titled album.
4. “Dark Moon” by Bonnie Guitar
Bonnie Guitar’s “Dark Moon” might be better known as a pop song sung by Elvis Presley, but the original was actually written and sung by Bonnie Guitar in 1957.
This track is about heartbreak and how the moon seems to always be dark during those tough times. It has been covered by various artists over the years and can still be streamed on all music platforms out there.
5. “This Place Is a Prison” by The Postal Service
Next on the list is “This Place Is a Prison” by The Postal Service. This song is from the album Give Up which was released in 2003.
It’s about being frustrated with your surroundings and wanting to break free from the mundane aspects of life. If you’ve ever felt this way, then this song will resonate with you.
6. “Black Ball Ferry Line” by Bing Crosby
“Black Ball Ferry Line” is a track written by Bing Crosby and recorded in 1950. The song is about the Black Ball Line which was a ferry service that ran from Seattle to Victoria, BC.
Crosby’s song is a short and sweet ode to this ferry service that was once a staple. You can find it on his Sixty Acres album.
7. “My Oh My” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
The next song is “My Oh My” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. This track is from the album 4 The Love of Music and it’s all about baseball player, Ken Griffey Jr. If you’re a fan of baseball or hip hop, then this song is a must-listen.
It talks about Griffey’s career highlights and how he was such a talented player. With a whopping 27 million Youtube views, it’s clear that this song is a fan favorite.
8. “Walk, Don’t Run” by The Ventures
The Ventures’ “Walk, Don’t Run” is a classic instrumental track that was released in 1960. It’s one of the most popular songs by The Ventures and it always gets people up and moving. This song is the perfect addition to any road trip playlist. You can find it on their album of the same title.
9. “Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle” by Nirvana
Up next is “Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle” by Nirvana. This song is from the album In Utero and it’s a dark track that talks about suicide and depression.
It mentions Frances Farmer, who was a Hollywood actress that was committed to a mental institution. If you’re a fan of Nirvana, you probably already know this song, but if you’re new to their music, this is a good place to start.
10. “Sunny in Seattle” by Blake Shelton
This next song is a more recent one, released in 2013 by country superstar Blake Shelton. It’s called “Sunny in Seattle” and is all about how much Shelton loves the Emerald City.
He sings about how he’s never seen the sun shine brighter than it does in Seattle and how he could stay there forever if he could. It’s a really fun track perfect for road trips in Washington.
11. “Posse on Broadway” by Sir-Mix-A-Lot
Sir-Mix-A-Lot is a rapper from Seattle who is best known for his 1992 hit “Baby Got Back.” But before he was making songs about butts, he was making songs about his hometown.
“Posse on Broadway” is all about Sir-Mix-A-Lot’s love for Seattle and the people who live there. It was released in 1988 for his Swass album.
12. “I Love Seattle” by Tacocat
“I Love Seattle” is a song by Tacocat, a punk rock band from the Emerald City. The song is all about how even if the world is ending, she would still choose to stay in Seattle because it’s where home feels like to her. This was released in 2016 for her Lost Time album.
13. “Belltown Ramble” by Robyn Hitchcock
Off of the Olé! Tarantula album, “Belltown Ramble” is a song by Robyn Hitchcock all about the seedy underbelly of Belltown in Seattle.
He talks about how there’s always something happening, whether it’s a fight or someone being arrested. It’s a great song for anyone who wants to explore the rougher side of Seattle.
14. “The Shadow of Seattle” by Marcy Playground
This next song is a bit different than the rest on this list. It’s not overly positive or negative about Washington, but instead focuses on the music scene in the state, particularly in Seattle.
Marcy Playground was a one-hit wonder in the 90s with their song “Sex and Candy,” but this lesser known tune is a hidden gem. It’s a great song for anyone who loves alternative rock and wants to learn more about the Washington music scene.
15. “Seattle” by Ethan Rowe
Ethan Rowe’s “Seattle” is a beautiful and haunting song about the city. It’s a great choice for anyone who loves slow, atmospheric music. Though unpopular, it’s still a great song that captures the feeling of the city. You can go ahead and listen to it on Youtube.
16. “Washington: Washington, My Home” by Sicko
“Washington: Washington, My Home” is a classic Washington song written by James Douglas in the early 1900s. It’s been covered by many different artists over the years, but this version by Sicko is one of the best.
It’s a great choice for anyone who wants to learn more about Washington history or just wants to sing along to a catchy beat.
17. “Washington State” by Tybud
Next on the list is “Washington State” by Tybud. This song is about the state of Washington and all it has to offer. From the mountains, to the rivers, to the ocean, Tybud sings about how much he loves his home state. This is only available for streaming on Youtube and Apple Music.
18. “Working Titles” by Damien Jurado
Damien Jurado’s “Working Titles” was released in 2012 and is about the feeling of being adrift and uncertain.
The lyrics mention several cities including Seattle so it’s safe to say this song is about Washington State. You can find it on the Maraqopa album which can be streamed on all music platforms out there.
19. “Welcome to Seattle” by Boom Bap Project
Next on the list is “Welcome to Seattle” by Boom Bap Project. It was released in 2005 as part of an album that was meant to showcase different hip-hop scenes from across the country.
“Welcome to Seattle” is a great example of the city’s rap scene at the time and it still holds up today. You can find it on their Reprogram album.
20. “Talkin’ Seattle Blues” by Todd Snider
Wrapping up the list is “Talkin’ Seattle Blues” by Todd Snider. It was released in 2003 and is a tongue-in-cheek ode to the city of Seattle.
It’s also about love and loss, two themes that seem to come up a lot in songs about Washington State. You can find it on his Near Truths and Hotel Rooms album.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are quite a few songs about Washington State. Whether you’re looking for a song to get pumped up for a Seahawks game or wanting to reminisce about summers spent in the Pacific Northwest, these songs have got you covered.
So crank up the volume and enjoy singing along to some of your favorite tunes about the Evergreen State!