These 15 Songs About Idaho Will Touch Your Soul
Jennifer
Author
This may come as a surprise, but there aren’t too many mainstream songs out there written about our beautiful state. Apparently everyone’s exes live in Texas or something like that… Not that we mind! The fewer people who know about our slice of paradise the better, right? Regardless, when a good song about Idaho comes on the radio or personal playlist, we can’t help but wax a little nostalgic. Today, we’ve been able to dig up 15 tunes that capture the spirit of Idaho in their own unique way. Have a listen!
"Because he's an Idaho cowboy / no Tennessee plow-boy / He's wild as the Rockies he rides."
This popular alternative country group made every heart melt with this song. It sure does capture the spirit of the mountain-loving Idahoan, doesn't it?
"I may find a better view, find a better... view / Idaho."
Feeder is a British (Welsh) rock band that has been cranking out hits since 1992. "Idaho" is a heartfelt acoustic-style track on their album Generation Freakshow. While not truly about Idaho...the idea of our state being a place to start fresh rings true.
"Living in your own private Idaho / Underground like a wild potato."
If nothing else, you know The B-52's by their iconic single "Love Shack," which has been remixed and parodied in dozens of movies and television shows since it hit airwaves in 1989. Their call-and-response summer groove style is just awesome to listen to! Plus...potatoes.
No lyrics here, just some sweet, sweet jazz! Light, swinging, and featuring two of jazz music's greatest drummers, "Idaho" features the sassy sounds of Willie Smith on the alto sax floating easily over the drum battle carrying on in the background.
"This place has captured me / Wild flowers I can see / There ain't no place I'd rather be."
Don't you agree? #Idahome
Texas is a scary place. Florida will probably kill you (if the tourists don't first), but Idaho is where it's at. Can't argue with that!
We agree, Brenn. McCall is pretty beautiful in the fall! And winter...and spring...
"Well I don't know / If there's another place that I could call my home."
This peppy road trip tune reminds us that no matter where we visit on our travels, Idaho will always be home.
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The last surviving member of the Glenn Miller orchestra and said to be the original composer behind the Hokey Pokey (no joke), Ray Anthony's Orchestra made numerous headlines in the 1950s.
"Idaho / Rain or sleet or snow / You'll be in my heart / I love you so / Just thought you'd like to know."
Repeatedly named as the most popular vocal group in the world before the Beatles, The Four Seasons are one of the best-selling groups of all time.
While "Idaho" never became nearly as popular as their hit "Cotton-Eye Joe," there's no doubt that this Swedish bluegrass band is catchy.
Josh Ritter was actually born and raised in Moscow, so you can bet that this soulful tune came straight form the heart.
Labelled New Zealand's "Yodeling Drover," Johnny Granger was a true singing cowboy, although it doesn't appear that this country gent ever made it to Idaho. But what he lacks in experience, he makes up for with yodeling gusto and genuine "Western opera" appeal.
Other than the first line, there's not a whole lot that this song that screams "Idaho." But when Lynyrd Skynyrd references Boise, the world listens! As it turns out, the original first line of this song was changed from, "It's 8 o'clock and boys it's time to go" to "It's 8 o'clock in Boise, Idaho" after lead singer Ronnie Van Zant found out that his brother, Donnie, was opening his first national tour with his own band Boise. That's some brotherly love right there!
Originally titled "Garden of Paradise," the 1915 music we all know and love went through a number of verse additions over the years before it was officially labeled Idaho's state song in 1931.
Some of these songs have Idaho in the lyrics, while others manage to capture the spirit of our great state. All are worth a listen! Are any of these going to be on your next road trip playlist? What other songs about Idaho should we listen to?
You might be feeling some extra nostalgia after listening to these Idaho songs! For another trip back in time, check out these historic photos that show Gem State life as it used to be.
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Songs About Idaho & Related Info
What is the oldest town in Idaho?
With land wars, here-and-gone mining boomtowns, and a wealth of tribal history filling the state, tracing Idaho's "official" settlement from start to finish is a challenge. In fact, many of Idaho's oldest towns are no longer considered "living." However, many of Idaho's oldest cities remain to this day, with many more communities (unincorporated, ghost, and living) mixed in:
- Franklin, Idaho (1860)
- Pierce, Idaho (1861)
- Lewiston, Idaho (1861)
- Idaho City, Idaho (1862)
- Cottonwood, Idaho (1862)
- Montpelier, Idaho (1863)
- Paris, Idaho (1863)
- Boise, Idaho (1863)
- Silver City, Idaho (1864)
- Placerville, Idaho (1864)
- Moscow, Idaho (1871)
- Weiser, Idaho (1871)
- Glenns Ferry, Idaho (1871)
- Fairfield, Idaho (1877)
- Challis, Idaho (1878)
- Shoshone, Idaho (1882)
- Wallace, Idaho (1884)
- Mullan, Idaho (1884)
For the most part, Idaho was settled from south to north, although there are notable exceptions. For instance, the city of Pierce in Northern Idaho was once thought to be the oldest city in the state, until it was discovered that the then-Utah city of Franklin was actually within Idaho's state line. Since the discovery, Franklin is now considered to be the oldest incorporated city in Idaho.
What are some historic places to visit in Idaho?
Whether you want to experience life as it was in Idaho's pioneer and mining days, go back a few eras further into the prehistoric age, or simply walk where Native Americans once hunted, there are hundreds of places in Idaho that are made for history buffs. Here are just a few historic places to visit in Idaho:
- Crystal Gold Mine, Kellogg
- Fort Hall Commemorative Trading Post, Pocatello
- Idaho City, Idaho
- Idaho Museum of Natural History, Pocatello
- Idaho State Museum, Boise
- Idaho State Penitentiary, Boise
- Land of the Yankee Fork State Park, Custer County
-
Minidoka National Historic Site, Minidoka
- Museum of Idaho, Idaho Falls
- Nez Perce National Historical Park, Lapwai
- Old Mission State Park, Cataldo
-
Sierra Silver Mine, Wallace
- Silver City, Idaho