What songs remind you of home? Whether it’s this city, the Bluegrass region, or the whole state of Kentucky, there’s no shortage of songs that spark nostalgia and local pride.
We asked for your suggestions and compiled a playlist for your listening pleasure. Here’s what you came up with:
“My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight” by John Prine, submitted by Joanne S.
“Oh, the sun shines bright
On my old Kentucky home”
“Follow You to Virgie” by Tyler Childers, submitted by Joanne S.
The Kentucky native wrote this one in honor of his friend’s grandmother from the small Pike County town of Virgie.
“Back to Kentucky” by Cole Chaney, submitted by Ladonna W.
Originally from Boyd County, Chaney’s song pines after the Bluegrass State and missing his home while traveling north.
“In northern land, lost and lonesome
the crowds walk by as he stands still.
A mountain boy up in the flatlands
Misses his darlin’ back in the hills.”
“Dumas Walker” by the Kentucky Headhunters, submitted by V. Malford
This catchy tune is a celebration and appreciation for the simple things in small-town community life.
“Scar Tissue” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, submitted by Kristi P.
The Californian band rarely veers from singing about its home state, but this 1999 song references a Kentuckian love interest.
“Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin, submitted by Sandy M.
Speaking of California, Joplin mentions it in her tune about two young travelers:
“From the Kentucky coal mine to the California sun,
there Bobby shared the secrets of my soul.”
“Paradise” by John Prine, submitted by Joanne S.
“And daddy, won’t you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the green river where paradise lay?”
“Shake the Frost” by Tyler Childers, submitted by Kristi P.
Childers was always going to appear more than once, given his upbringing, current popularity, and his love for the Bluegrass State:
“You remind me of a Sunday
Back home in old Kentucky.”
And finally, Kristan T. said, “Don’t forget Jack Harlow.”
While more closely associated with Louisville, the rapper often gives praise to his home state in songs. We added one of his cleaner songs to the playlist.
Here’s the full playlist. Make sure to save it or send in more recommendations so we can keep adding more.