This article has been retired and no longer being updated. For fresh travel inspiration, explore our homepage.
State Pride

These 9 Songs About Illinois Will Touch Your Soul Today

A list of nine songs that celebrate Illinois and evoke state pride.

Published Aug 7, 2015

Written by 

Laura Meli

Whether you're living out of state, or just want to feel great about where you live, there's nothing better than listening to songs about your state. We've rounded up nine of the best songs about Illinois that will touch your soul today:

1. "Lake Shore Drive" -- Aliotta, Haynes, and Jeremiah

youtube embeded image

2. "Sweet Home Chicago" -- Eric Clapton version

youtube embeded image

3. "Illinois" -- Dan Fogelberg

youtube embeded image

4. "Illinois" -- Everly Brothers

youtube embeded image

5. "Cairo, Illinois" -- Pokey LaFarge

youtube embeded image

6. "Come on! Feel the Illinoise!" -- Sufjan Stevens

youtube embeded image

7. "Johnsburg, Illinois" -- Tom Waits

youtube embeded image

8. "Illinois Blues" -- Skip James

youtube embeded image

9. "Effington" -- Ben Folds

youtube embeded image

Which great songs about Illinois did we miss? Let us know in the comments.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Nature

Skip the Hikes and Try This Kansas Rail Trail Instead

There’s no need to hike when you can wheel or wander along this scenic Kansas rail trail.

by Stephanie Frias
on Jun 6
A meandering, gravel trail passing through green pastures with yellow blooms beneath a brilliant, blue sky. It's the Prairie Sunset Trail, a rail trail in Kansas.
Stays
Vacation Rentals

7 Waterfront Hawai’i Rentals So Stunning They Don’t Feel Real

From rainforest cabins with private waterfall pools to cliffside oceanfront homes and sandy beachfront condos, these waterfront rentals offer immersive island escapes where the sound of water, whether river, rain, or ocean, is always part of the experience.

by Kate Orlando
on Jun 6
Looking up at a waterfront Airbnb in Hawaii that overlooks a small waterfall.
Experiences
Attractions

The Hidden Attraction in New Jersey That People Still Seek Out to This Day

Hidden in plain sight, this remarkable New Jersey destination continues to spark curiosity to this day.

by Kim Falchek
on Jun 6
Birds sit on the remains of the sunken Atlantus shipwreck which sits in the waters off Sunset Beach in Cape May, New Jersey.
Trips & Routes
Cities

This Walkable Coastal City in Maine Is a Must-Visit Gem

This stunning Maine city is easy to explore on foot, with scenic views, local shops, and must-see attractions all within walking distance.

by Megan Todaro
on Jun 6
An aerial view of Downloaded the harbor and town of Rockland, Maine. Boats line the harbor and the streets are walkable in every direction.
Nature

This Arizona State Park Has a Charming Town Right Next Door — and Nobody Talks About It

Discover a charming small town near Kartchner Caverns State Park that’s perfect for your next getaway, with great stays and easy park access.

by Melanie Johnson
on Jun 6
A woman sitting on a bench overlooking the mountains in Benson, a small town near Kartchner Caverns in AZ.