So a certain much-ballyhooed rivalry game closes out the regular Big 10 season today in Ann Arbor. Local Spins kicks it off with a pre-show battle of songs about Michigan and Ohio.
The Big House: Ann Arbor will be the center of attention today when it comes to college football. (Photo/Local Spins)
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When the University of Michigan’s Wolverines face off against that football team from Ohio later today, much will be on the line — a Big Ten divisional championship, national rankings and, most important, bragging rights for one of the fiercest rivalries in college sports.
Of course, when it comes to music, Michigan already stands atop the rankings in comparison to its neighbor to the south thanks to its rich history in soul and Motown, hip hop, and rock ‘n’ roll (even if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ended up in Cleveland for some odd reason).
But to explore that contrast a bit deeper as a pre-show to today’s heated football contest, Local Spins decided to examine songs written about each state to see just how they stack up against each other. And as you’ll see — as we alternate songs about each state — it’s simply no contest.
The Accidentals (Photo./Derek Ketchum)
1. “Michigan & Again,” The Accidentals – This is now generally acknowledged as the new unofficial state song from an indie-folk band from Traverse City that revels in its Michigan roots: “Michigan and again and again and again and again …”
2. “Ohio,” Crosby, Stills Nash & Young – Iconic song, but let’s face it, it recounts a very dark day in Ohio history.
3. “Michigan,” The Milk Carton Kids – Heck, these guys even mention Motown, along with Michigan, in a fetching, nostalgic way.
4. “Escape from Ohio,” Electric Six – The title says it all. We get it, along with the line, “I’ve to to get out of Ohio, till then I’ll never feel love.”
5. “Detroit Rock City,” KISS – Even if you’re not a fan of this bombastic band you have to appreciate the football-like, Motor City rock fervor: “Everybody’s gonna move their feet, get down, everybody’s gonna leave their seat…”
6. “Cuyahoga,” R.E.M. – We adore R.E.M., but the band’s 1986 take on Ohio isn’t exactly flattering, depicting the pollution of the Cuyahoga River — which caught fire a dozen times or so due to its flammability — as well as the mistreatment of Native Americans.
7. “Say Yes to Michigan” and “Wolverine,” Sufjan Stevens — This singer-songwriter and Michigan native created an entire album in tribute to the Great Lakes State, so there.
Lost City: The Pretenders (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
8. “My City Was Gone,” The Pretenders – Led by Akron native Chrissie Hynde, The Pretenders took a bit of a swipe at her home state due to development that had wiped out “all my favorite places” and replaced them with parking lots, pavement, shopping malls.
9. “Especially in Michigan,” Red Hot Chili Peppers — West Michigan native and lead singer Anthony Kiedis proclaims, “Wrap me in your cinnamon, especially in Michigan, well, I could be your friend.” Sounds nice.
10. “To Live and Die in Columbus, Ohio,” The Blunt Force Trauma – The song wraps up with the line: “What a waste, to live and die in Columbus, Ohio.” Hmmm.
11. “Seven Nation Army,” The White Stripes and “The Victors,” University of Michigan Marching Band – Hard to beat either of these — both of which are played regularly at The Big House — considering one is the best fight song ever and the other (written by Detroiter Jack White) has become synonymous with football and athletic contests in general.
So no matter what happens on the turf today, musically it’s pretty much a Michigan blowout.
MICHIGAN SONGS VS. OHIO SONGS: The Local Spins Playlist on Spotify
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