Quahog.org > Facts and folklore > Rhode Island in the Limelight: Music, S-Z

Rhode Island in the Limelight: Music, S-Z

A small state of inspiration is a dangerous thing.

Music has as many meanings as there are emotions. It can be celebratory or mournful, spiritual or lascivious, angry or soothing. But when the subject is Rhode Island, the emotions involved seem to run to humor and sentimentality. Join us now as we explore the cheesy world of songs about Rhode Island. Did we miss one? Drop us a line at stuffie@quahog.org.

Rhode Island in the Limelight: Music, A-M
Rhode Island in the Limelight: Music, N-Q
Rhode Island in the Limelight: Music, R

Saugatucket
by Jon Campbell

From the 2004 CD Catch and Release. The Saugatucket is a river in North and South Kingstown.

Sirens of Titan: Back Through Newport, Rhode Island
by Dreadnaught

From the 2004 album Musica en Flagrante.

The Size of the State of Rhode Island
by Bill Harley

From the 2009 album First Bird Call. Read the lyrics here.

Slater Mill
by the Blackstone Valley Sinners

From the 2002 CD It's a Sin.

Southeast Light
by Steve Burke

From the 2006 CD Block Island Days.

The Sparkle Of The Sand
by Rob Raroux

From the 2006 CD Block Island Days.

Summertime in Rhode Island
by Someday Providence

From the 2006 album The Hidden Vibe.

Swamp Yankees
by Jon Campbell

From the 2004 CD Catch and Release.

Swamp Yankees, according to Wikipedia, are "...Yankees or WASPs (northeasterners with English colonial ancestry) from rural Rhode Island and nearby eastern Connecticut and southeastern Massachusetts. The term 'Yankee' connotes urbane industriousness, while the term 'Swamp Yankee' signifies a more countrified, stubborn, independent, and less refined subtype."

Sweet Rhode Island Red
Words and music by Ike and Tina Turner

A song that has nothing to do with the state, and little to do with the state bird. Rather, it apparently has to do with horndawgs comparing a woman with odd proportions to a chicken:

All men say that I'm as sweet as honey,
'Cause I'm 34-38 and 22 at the tonky.
They called me Sweet Rhode Island Red, Sweet Rhode Island Red,
Sweet Rhode Island Red, Sweet Rhode Island Red.
Sweet-tee, is what they said about Sweet Rhode Island Red.

From the 1974 album Sweet Rhode Island Red. If you play it backwards, you can hear The Ikester slapping Tina around.