Seven Great Ohio Songs

Ohio by Damien Jurado?

How could you leave out "Ohio" by Jennifer Daniels?

"The darkest day that Denver ever had is brighter than the brightest in Ohio!" :-) :-)

My favorite is the "Cuyahoga River on Fire" by Adam Again. Depressing? Yes!

"I know a lot about the history of Cleveland, Ohio /
Disasters that have happened there /
Like the Cuyahoga River on fire"

Depressing songs about the cities too..
My City is Gone - The Pretenders
Youngstown - Springsteen
Burn On - Randy Newman

but as an Ohio State Alum, I'll add "Hang on Sloopy" with the O-H-I-O in the middle, it's happy

I second Ohio by Damien Jurado. Coco Rosie did an awesome cover of it. Also, "Ohio" by Modest Mouse.

Love the "Ohio River Boat Song"... I think it was appropriated from an old European folk song.

What about "The Ohio River Took My Baby Away" by the Turkeys? fantastic song.

You rock, Kate!

"Ohio" by Damien Jurado

"Ohio" by Neil Young

Two of the best ever.

I agree with the last poster: "Ohio" by Damien Jurado and "Ohio" by Neil Young. Those definitely should have been the first two on the list. Hands down.

Oops. Okay, I just realized that CSN&Y's "Ohio" is Young's. Hence the "Y." Wasn't thinking.

But give us some Jurado! Oh, and I'm glad you included Gillian Welch.

"OH (Ohio)" by Lambchop is lovely.

Really surprised you didn't include Michael Jackson's "Ohio, Where My Heart Roams Free." Easily my favorite Thriller b-side.

R.E.M. "Cuyahoga"

Another reference to river that caught fire.

Jason, that is a glaring omission, along with "Ohio Carnation," Captain Beefheart's followup to "Ashtray Heart".

How about Jimmy by tool, or Blue factory Flames by songs ohia

Didn't realize that "Look at Miss Ohio" was a Gillian Welsh tune, as I'd only ever heard Josh Rouse perform it.

Still, I was surprised not to see "Somewhere in Ohio" by the Jayhawks listed. Then again, it doesn't at all match with the "sad, sadder, saddest" trend of the current group.

Being a Clevelander I have a soft spot for Ian Hunter's "Cleveland Rocks." A more recent addition would be the Raveonettes' beautifully atmospheric "Christmas in Cleveland."

"OVER THE RHINE" is the most under-rated band around. I agree that "Ohio" is a masterpiece. They hail from Ohio too.

Over the Rhine is actually named for a much maligned neighborhood in Cincinnati. Speaking of Cincinnati (where I currently live, hence the soft spot), I'd like to put in a plug for "Oh, Cincinnati" by The Seedy Seeds, a local band. The song references our two miles of subway tunnels (never used), great downtown outdoor market, and tallest building. It's a loving tribute to a city that has a lot of lovely qualities, if you can learn to embrace the rough bits, too, not just look past them.

Having been a fan of Over the Rhine since their early days when they played amazing concerts at a laundromat/bar in Cincinnati, I must say that they have moved into my #2 spot of favorite bands since the Beatles. Yep, no kidding. Edged out the Stones!
They are THAT good.
OTR have changed and grown a lot since then, and so have I. Their musicianship, song writing and Karin's gorgeous vocals have been a constant source of inspiration, amazement and occasional solace, and will continue to be, I'm sure.
If you don't know their music, you should.

Hurray for Ohio! It was the fact that Over the Rhine's album was named after my home state that got me to start listening to them, and boy am I glad I did.

Greg Laswell also has a neat Ohio song "Through Toledo" (my hometown).

Someone beat me to two of my favorites: "My City Was Gone" by the Pretenders and "Cuyahoga" by R.E.M.

How about "Four Days" from This Desert Life by Counting Crows?

How about adding Bloodbuzz Ohio by the National? I would also pick a black keys song to celebrate their homestate.