 Quahog.org > Facts and folklore > Rhode Island in the Limelight: Music, A-M Rhode Island in the Limelight: Music, A-MA small state of inspiration is a dangerous thing.
Rhode Island in the Limelight: Music, N-Q "Ann and Hope Waltz" Performed by Pendragon as part of a medley on their 2005 CD Artistic License. "The Ballad of Anne Hutchinson" From his 2011 album Circumstantial Evidence. The "Ballad of John Henry"-style song tells the story of Anne Hutchinson's fight against religious persecution. Listen here. "The Ballad of the Gaspee Affair" Composed by Robert Archetto in 1972; recorded in 1975 in commemoration of Rhode Island's 350th year. The Lyrics tell the story of one of the first acts of rebellion by American Colonists against the British Empire.
"Blackstone Valley" From the 2006 CD, Past Due. "Blackstone Valley" is the unofficial anthem of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. You can download it for free (as of June 2015) from the Plainfolk Music Showcase on the Plainfolk website. "Block Island Days" From the 2006 CD Block Island Days. "Block Island Ferry Jingle" "Bombardment of Bristol, Rhode Island" From the 1999 album Library of Congress Recordings, March 25, 1947. "This ballad tells the story of the first bombardment of Bristol, Rhode Island by the British on October 7, 1775, during the American Revolution." "Buddy Cianci" Anti(?)-Buddy-for-Mayor song from 2014. Note: contains explicit lyrics. "If you're feelin' unlucky, vote for Buddy." "Can't Stop The Feeling... School Is Closed!" Moses Brown School head Matt Glendinning announces a snow day with his 2017 parody cover of Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop The Feeling." This is Glendinning's third snow day song. "Chafee Come Back" A parody to the tune of 1977's "Baby Come Back" by Player, lamenting a perceived lack of quality between the Rhode Island gubernatorial terms of Lincoln Chaffee (2011-'15) and Gina Raimondo (2015-'19). "Chooch to Gooch: The Ten Steps of Disco Dancin'" Not a lot of Rhode Island references in this song (unless you count all the fabulous gooch-ness), but plenty in the video. "Clay Head" From the 2006 CD Block Island Days. Clay Head is a high bulge of land on the northeast side of Block Island. It's a popular spot for walkers, bird watchers, and other nature lovers. Sample lyric: As I walked the Clay Head Trail "Cranston Sinner" From the 2002 CD It's a Sin. "Crescent Park" From the 2018 album Providence. Phil had this to say about the track: Crescent Park, an old school amusement park, was literally a half mile from my house, as the crow flies. It was a much further walk, because the crow would be flying across a body of water called Bullock's Cove. Riverside was the town across the tracks, which all of us in Barrington considered beneath us. Barrington was the upper crust town with secrets and sorrow just beneath the surface. Of course, my dad was a pastor there, so we weren't well to do; we just lived there. "The Diva of the Silver Top Diner" From the 2003 CD The Diva of the Silver Top Diner. "The DMV" Parody about the trials and tribulations of getting your license renewed, set to the tune of The Village People's "Y.M.C.A." "Drivin' in Rhode Island" From the 1991 album Made in America. Sample lyric: Well, one thing that is really great about drivin' in the Ocean State: "Eldred's One Gun Batt'ry" From the 2000 CD Keep On Fishin'. Covered by Marc Bernier on the 2010 CD Yup, I Said That. A Compilation of Artists Performing the 'Classic' Hits of Jon Campbell. The song tells the true story of Conanicut resident John Eldred, who, in 1775, "lobbed cannonballs and cannonball sized stones at British ships from behind rocks on his farm north of Potter's Cove, until he finally tore out a sail and the British came ashore and spiked the gun." "Exeter, Rhode Island" From the 2006 CD Over the Mountain, Across the Valley and Back to the Stars. "Expedition to Rhode Island" Sung to the tune of "Yankee Doodle," this song describes the first attempt at cooperation between French and American forces at Newport in August 1778. Lyrics, with footnotes, can be found on AmericanRevolution.org. "Federal Hillbillies" From the 2004 CD Catch and Release. Sung to the tune of the Beverly Hillbillies theme song. Sample lyric: This is the story 'bout a man named Vito. "Fender Rhode Island" On New York Electric Piano's 2005 album Citizen Zen. This is an instrumental jazz track named for its lead instrument, the Fender Rhodes piano, which was named, not for the thirteenth state, but for its inventor, Harold Rhodes. "Ferrying to the Isle of Block" From the 2004 CD Catch and Release. The song relates the harrowing tale of a particularly tempestuous crossing from Point Judith to Block Island. "F.I.S.H. and Coffee Milk" Most of this 2015 song's lyrical content is about the singer's hardships, with the occasional refrain (voiced by Alanna Buffi), "A cookie tastes better with coffee milk." Portions of the video were shot in and around General Street Park, between Admiral Street and Douglas Avenue in Providence. Note: contains explicit lyrics. "Frederick's Of Galillee" "...if it's naughty and it's nautical, ol' Freddy's got the stuff." From the 2000 CD Keep On Fishin'. Covered by Robbie O'Connell on the 2010 CD Yup, I Said That. A Compilation of Artists Performing the 'Classic' Hits of Jon Campbell. "From Black Rock Beach" From the 2006 CD Block Island Days. Black Rock Beach is located on the southern end of Block Island and is pretty secluded—so much so that uninhibited beachgoers are known to enjoy its solitude sans bathing suit. This acoustic tune describes the beach on a moonlit night. "Galilee Gumbo" From the 2004 CD Gumbo Beach. Band member Billy Mitchell (1946-2016) also produced solo versions circa 2014 and 2016: "Good Night" During the World War II years, according to one of our correspondents, WJAR would play this song every night at midnight. At the end, the announcer would say, "To all our friends on the East Coast, good morning. To all our friends on the West Coast, good night. And to our friends everywhere, good luck." "Healey's Hair" A parody from the 2014 campaign season, set to the title tune of the rock opera Hair. "Hello, School Is Closed" Moses Brown School head Matt Glendinning announces a snow day with his 2016 parody cover of Adele's "Hello." This is Glendinning's second snow day song. "He, Roger Williams" From the 2004 CD The Bloudy Tenent Truth and Peace. Holiday in Rhode Island From the 2000 album Holiday in Rhode Island. I Know a Guy From the 2011 CD Detour. I'm So R.I. Note: contains the N-word. I Wish I Was Comin' From the 2006 CD Block Island Days. Knightsville From the 2002 CD It's a Sin. The Last Resort Frey and Henley were, of course, members of the Eagles, whose album Hotel California was huge in 1976. This song closes that album, and begins with the verse... She came from Providence, the one in Rhode Island, You might wonder just how many Providences there are that the songwriters felt the need to specify "the one in Rhode Island." Well, there are quite a few, actually. Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and Utah all have one. Additionally, look at maps of Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee and you'll find a New Providence on each one. And don't leave out Virginia—that's where you'll find Providence Forge. Leavin' The Block Blues From the 2006 CD Block Island Days. Little Rhody This version by David Kearsley is from 2012. Manisses From the 2004 CD Catch and Release. "Manisses" is the Narragansett Indian name for Block Island. Meet Me Under the Shepard's Clock From the 2011 CD Detour. Mohegan Bluffs From the 2006 CD Block Island Days. Movin' Right Along This song, from The Muppet Movie (1979), is sung by Kermit and Fozzie (Jim Henson and Frank Oz), new best friends, as they drive to Hollywood from Louisiana... Kermit: Movin' right along we found a life on the highway, My Buddy This song was often played as a sort of unofficial theme song during former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci's political career. My Dear Rhode Island Home Warwick resident Rooney composed this song in 1902, and it apparently was a popular selection in Newport in the 1920s. My Rhode Island This tune won first prize in a song writing contest held by the Rhode Island State Federation of Women's Clubs in 1923.  Sheet music courtesy of the Smith-Appleby House Museum, on Flickr Rhode Island in the Limelight: Music, N-Q What did we miss?Can't find your favorite Rhode Islandy tune here? Drop us a line at stuffie@quahog.org and let us know what we overlooked! This article last edited March 16, 2018 © 1999–2018 Quahog.org (with the exception of elements provided by contributors, as noted). | ||||
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