Indiana Songs
February 24, 2021
Songs Inspired by Indiana
Hoosiers are fond of their state – so it’s no surprise that they’ve written plenty of songs about it. Whether silly, celebratory, or nostalgic, these songs express a deep affection for this place and its people. These are just a few of the songs about Indiana – can you think of others?
Listen to the Great Indiana Songbook playlist
- “Ain’t God Good To Indiana” (1946)
- “(Back Home in) Indiana” (1917)
- “Belle of the Monon” (1947)
- “Can’t Get Indiana Off My Mind” (1940)
- “Gary, Indiana” (1954)
- “I’m Goin’ Back to Indiana” (1971)
- “In a Little Red Barn on a Farm Down in Indiana” (1934)
- “Indiana Wants Me” (1970)
- “Naptown Blues” (1929)
- “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away” (1897)
- “The Queen of Terre Haute” (1929)
- “Up in Indiana” (2007)
- “Whistlin’ Joe from Kokomo” (1935)
One-Hit Wonders
Sometimes you get one lucky break and that’s it – and Indiana has its share of “one-hit wonders.” Although he had a few other singles, Bobby Helms (1933-1997), from Helmsburg, will always be remembered for his 1957 hit “Jingle Bell Rock.”
Deniece Williams (1950-), from Gary, has also had a full recording career but is best known for her smash hit “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” featured in the 1984 movie Footloose. And the 1988 hit “I Wish I Had a Girl (Who Walked Like That),” by Henry Lee Summer (1955-), is a timeless summer-rock classic.
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