Alas, winter break has come and gone. While I am excited to begin my second semester, I will inevitably miss parts of home. And, yes, Atlanta, Georgia will forever be my home, no matter what paperwork may say come August.
Turns out I’m not the only one with Georgia on my mind. Musicians have incorporated the peach state into their songs for years. After a bit of research, I’ve found some of my favorite lyrics.
As the self-proclaimed Hip-Hop Capital of the World, Atlanta unsurprisingly is mentioned in many rap songs, a few even primarily concerning the state:
Welcome to Atlanta, where the playas play / And we ride on them things like every day. (“Welcome to Atlanta” – Jermaine Dupri)
I’m Decatur ’til I die / Yes, I rep that definitely. (“Strange Clouds” – B.o.B feat. Lil’ Wayne)
Bulldogs is clockin’ / These lookout boys is hawkin’ / You gotta be brave in the state of Georgia. (“Georgia” – Field Mob, Jamie Foxx and Ludacris)
We gon’ start this thing off right (say what?) / We got the Dirty South in the house tonight / We gon’ start this thing off right (say what?) / We got the ATL in the house tonight. (“Come Get Some” – TLC feat. Lil’ Jon and Youngbloodz)
Home to the University of Georgia, Athens has become somewhat of an alternative rock hub:
There’s something about the Georgia summer afternoons / When the sun goes down and the air gets cool / And it’s home to me, it’s home to me. (“Georgia” – Cartel)
This place needs me here to start / This place needs the beat of my heart. (“Oh My Heart” – R.E.M.)
Because we are located in the Southeastern region of the United States, some residents use their twang to create country music:
Man, some things, they just don’t change / Just like that Georgia clay. (“Georgia Clay” – Josh Kelley)
Oh, Atlanta / I hear you calling / I’m coming back to you / One fine day. (“Oh, Atlanta” – Alison Krauss)
He said the way my blue eyes shined / Put those Georgia stars to shame that night. (“Tim McGraw” – Taylor Swift)
And, of course, you have the classics:
He’s leaving / On that midnight train to Georgia / And he’s goin’ back / To a simpler place and time. (“Midnight Train to Georgia” – Gladys Knight and the Pips
Oh, Georgia, lead me through your heartlands / I need to see them one more time before I die. (“Georgia” – Elton John)
Georgia, Georgia / The whole day through. / Just a sweet old song / Keeps Georgia on my mind. (“Georgia on My Mind” – Ray Charles)
I’ll never be further from home than an iTunes play away. Thanks, y’all.