Pennsylvania has long held a place in American music. With its historic streets and rolling countryside, the state has inspired songs about love, hometown pride, change, and heartbreak. Musicians have celebrated Philadelphia, reflected on the state’s rich history, and used Pennsylvania as the setting for a greater story.
“Philadelphia Freedom” — Elton John
Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom” is deeply connected to Pennsylvania. Released in 1975, the upbeat tribute was written for Elton’s friend Billie Jean King and her professional tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms. Since the song drew inspiration from King and her career, it wasn’t intended as a traditional love letter to the city. However, its joyful sound and references to Philadelphia ended up making it an unofficial anthem to the historic city. Over time, it became associated with the city’s independence, diversity, and pride.
“Streets of Philadelphia” — Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia” is right up there with “Philadelphia Freedom” as one of the most famous songs ever written about the city. Created for the award-winning 1993 film Philadelphia, the melancholy song depicts a man struggling with isolation while battling AIDS during a time when the disease wasn’t well understood. Springsteen uses the city’s streets as symbols for things like loneliness, empathy, and resilience. Like the movie itself, the powerful and beautiful song won many major awards.
“Allentown” — Billy Joel
Billy Joel’s “Allentown” tells the story of a Pennsylvania city coping with economic changes. Released in 1982, the song focuses on a very specific issue at the time: the decline of the manufacturing industry. It really tells of the disappointment and life altering impact of the failing industry. While Joel used Allentown for the song, he was highly aware of many communities across America struggling with the same problem. He was particularly inspired by the decline of Bethlehem Steel and the wider Lehigh Valley. The song became tied to the real Pennsylvania city of Allentown. It’s an emotional song about lost jobs and trying to find hope in rapidly changing times.
“Pennsylvania” — John Linnell
John Linnell’s “Pennsylvania” comes from his 1999 solo album State Songs. Linnell, best known as one half of They Might Be Giants, created an entire collection of tracks named after different American states. “Pennsylvania” stands out because it is a short instrumental piece, using music and melody instead of lyrics to represent the great state of Pennsylvania. With no words whatsoever, it is certainly not a traditional tribute to a specific place. However, its quirky approach makes it one of the most unique songs to bear the state’s name.
“Pittsburgh” — The Amity Affliction
The Amity Affliction’s “Pittsburgh” is a song about the famous Pennsylvania city that isn’t really about Pittsburgh at all. The track has a dark and deeply personal connection to the Pennsylvania city. While touring in 2013, the band found themselves performing in Pittsburgh. It was here that lead singer Joel Birch happened to have a seizure. The Australian band later used the city’s name for a song about the particularly stressful time in Birch’s life, exploring depression, emotional pain, and the feeling of being trapped inside your own mind. The city of Pittsburgh is forever connected to the difficult emotional period surrounding Birch’s medical emergency.