As the home of the Grand Canyon, Arizona is home to many tourists and residents.
Because of the massive amount of love for the state, there are many songs that are dedicated to Arizona. To help you find the perfect one, we list the best songs about Arizona below.
“There Is No Arizona” by Jamie O’Neal
Song Year: 2000
This Grammy-winning song talks about a couple that was set to move to Arizona. The husband went ahead and was to send for his wife later. However, that time never came. The wife never got a chance to experience the beauty that the state of Arizona offers to its residents.
“There Is No Arizona” was released in 2000 from the album “Shiver.”
“Take It Easy” by Eagles
Song Year: 1971
“Take It Easy” was the debut hit from the world-renowned band Eagles in 1971. Starting off the song, the band sings about sitting on a corner in the city of Winslow, Arizona. As the song progresses, the lyrics emphasize the need to enjoy life to its fullest.
You can find the song on the band’s album “Eagles.” It became an instant hit among the fans and went on to win many awards.
“Ocean Front Property” by George Strait
Song Year: 1987
A famous country artist, George Strait has enjoyed great success in his career. In this song from his album of the same name, the musician talks about how you can’t believe everything that is said. He says that if you want to believe foolish things, he will invite you to his oceanfront property in Arizona.
This song and album have gone on to win numerous awards, including Song of the Year from the Academy of Country Music.
“By the Time I Get to Arizona” by Public Enemy
Song Year: 1991
As a controversial song on this list, “By the Time I Get to Arizona” by Public Enemy depicts anger at the governor of Arizona for being one of the few states to not enact Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a holiday. The lyrics go on to talk about assassinating the ones in charge, which didn’t go over well.
“By the Time I Get to Phoenix” by Glen Campbell
Song Year: 1967
A remake of an original song by Johnny Rivers, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” by Glen Campbell, was released shortly after and picked up by Capitol Records. The lyrics tell a story of an on-again, off-again relationship in which a man decides to make a final separation, taking off for Phoenix once and for all.
“Big Iron” by Marty Robbins
Song Year: 1959
Marty Robbins released the song “Big Iron” as a country ballad in 1959. In it, the song depicts a story of an altercation between an individual and an Arizona Ranger. The outlaw’s name was Texas Red, and the situation went on to be a historic moment for the state of Arizona.
You can find the song on Robbin’s album, “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs,” which was released the same year.
“The Ballad of Boot Hill” by Johnny Cash
Song Year: 1965
Johnny Cash is a well-known musician with a significant number of hits. This song, “The Ballad of Boot Hill,” comes from his album “Johnny Cash Sings the Ballads of the True West.” Throughout the lyrics, Cash paints a picture of a town that no longer looks the way it did in the past, with many of the top establishments gone and out of business.
“Arizona Skies” by Los Lobos
Song Year: 1992
Los Lobos brought forth their song “Arizona Skies,” in which they talk about the pain of getting over a relationship when you live in the same area. In this case, they look out and see the same skies of Arizona even though they are no longer a couple. The song was featured on the band’s “Kiko” album and got much praise from their loyal fans.
“Mesa Town” by Authority Zero
Song Year: 1999
The band Authority Zero hails from Mesa, Arizona. On their album “Live Your Life,” which was released in 1999, they detail the antics they used to participate in during their younger years in their hometown. Through the lyrics, you get to see a clear picture of what the band members were like in their youth and how the city shaped them.
“King of Arizona” by Clutch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7_7vovW6x8
Song Year: 2007
In 2007 the band Clutch released their Arizona-themed song, “King of Arizona,” from their album “Heard It All Before: Live at the Hi Fi Bar.” While many feel the song is a bit abstract, the mention of a reservation leads many to believe that the lyrics are speaking to the topic of Native Americans in the area and their devotion to the land and beautiful terrain.
“Your Arizona Room” by Everclear
Song Year: 2006
The Everclear album “Welcome to the Drama Club” brought many popular songs, including “Your Arizona Room.” Released in 2006, the song talks about a night the singer had during a visit to Arizona that ended with bringing a girl back to the room he was staying at in a local hotel. The band made it a point to highlight true-to-life stories in their music as the years went on.
“Tune Out” by The Format
Song Year: 2003
On the band’s album “Interventions + Lullabies” is a song “Tune Out” that references driving through a boring town in Arizona.
Although the song never mentions the town by name, they do talk about driving down Route 51, a prominent highway in the state. The song goes on to reference a tense argument in a relationship and the future of it while driving against the backdrop of Arizona.
“Thumbelina” by The Pretenders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gus1GRMhEzA
Song Year: 1983
The song “Thumbelina” by The Pretenders is a tale of a new start. The lyrics highlight a person’s journey from a cold weather state to Tuscon, Arizona. Throughout the song, they are reassuring the child in the car that they will love their new life and understand why once they arrive in Tuscon. You can find the song on the band’s album “Learning to Crawl.”
“Surprise, AZ” by Richard Buckner
Song Year: 1994
The album “Bloomed” by Richard Buckner came with another Arizona homage in the form of the song “Surprise, AZ.”
The musician wrote the song after hearing a story in which a mother and son were killed in a car accident, and to transport their bodies home, they were driven in two separate cars right next to each other in Arizona. The lyrics portray the conversation the singer envisioned them having together on their way back home to the town of Surprise.
“American Nights” by Chase Rice
Song Year: 2020
The song “American Nights” by musician Chase Rice depicts a typical life of a high school graduate, partying away the night after receiving his diploma. Living in his parent’s house in Tuscon, Arizona, he is living the way a person first experiencing freedom does, by feeling bigger than life and on the verge of branching out on their own.
“Furnace Fan” by Robert Earl Keen
Song Year: 2003
In 2003 the song “Furnace Fan” was released by Robert Earl Keen. From his album “Farm Fresh Onions,” the song talks about Arizona and how hot it gets, even to where it resembles a furnace fan. While there, he got to know some local people who helped make his stay great. The musician’s time in Arizona was short but made an impact, and he thinks about his time there with fondness.
“Send Me Down to Tucson” by Mel Tillis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfoPILLkzEg
Song Year: 1978
Mel Tillis released his own Arizona anthem in the year 1978 from his album “Every Which Way But Loose.” “Send Me Down to Tuscon” talks about a man sent to Tuscon for work when nobody else desires to be there in the summer. He meets a woman with whom he ends up having an affair, saying that while his wife is a good person, she doesn’t satisfy the love inside him.
“God Love Her” by Toby Keith
Song Year: 2008
As a top country artist, Toby Keith is no stranger to the music charts with hit songs. His song “God Love Her,” which he released in 2008 from his album “That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy,” details a relationship where a Pastor’s daughter runs off with a boy, calling to check in with her parents from a truck stop in Tuscon, Arizona.
“Tucson, Arizona (Gazette)” by Dan Fogelberg
Song Year: 1984
The song “Tucson, Arizona (Gazette)” by Dan Fogelberg is over eight minutes long. It details various elements that relate to Tuscon, adding special insight into the high heat that the city enjoys during the summer months.
In addition, the song covers the death of a central person in the main character’s life. You can find this Arizona-focused song on Fogelberg’s “Windows and Walls” album.
“Sissyneck” by Beck
Song Year: 1996
Beck is an artist that many will recognize from his many top hits. The song “Sissyneck” was released in 1996 and was part of the album “Odelay.”
The song’s meaning is up for interpretation, with some believing it is about a person who spends evenings with friends and days with a woman. The song references Arizona as the state where the aforementioned woman is from.
“Scottsdale” by Chronic Future
Song Year: 1996
As a band from Scottsdale, Arizona, Chronic Future made the decision to release a song honoring their hometown on their self-titled album. With a blend of hip-hop and rock, the band’s music is catchy and upbeat. Their song “Scottsdale” was released in 1996 and talks about the traits that resemble the majority of people in the town.
“Arizona” by Kings Of Leon
Song Year: 2007
On the Kings of Leon album “Because of the Times” is the song “Arizona.” The lyrics talk about a time when some of the band members learned of a brothel with a location in the Arizona desert.
When they found the establishment, the emotion they felt wasn’t what they expected. They left feeling bad for those working there and wondered what happened to make them take their life in that direction.
“Arizona” by Mark Lindsay
Song Year: 1970
The song “Arizona” by Mark Lindsay is a 1970s folk song that centers around a person named Arizona that he loved but wished for her personality to be more serious. He didn’t like how she wore her hair or agree with her beliefs and wanted her to resort to more San Francisco-like mannerisms. Ultimately, he sees the beauty of her ways and adopts them as his own.
“I Love You, Arizona” by Rex Allen Jr.
Song Year: 1981
Rex Allen Jr. released the song “I Love You, Arizona” in 1981 from his album “Cats in the Cradle.” Many consider this song to be an Arizona anthem due to the loyalty to the state portrayed in the song. The lyrics talk about how Arizona has shaped them to be the person they are and the beauty that the state holds.
“Alone in Arizona” by Exene Cervenka
Song Year: 2011
The punk song “Alone in Arizona” by artist Exene Cervenka covers the emotions that a person has when they relocate to a new area and don’t know anyone. In this song, the lyrics talk about the intense heat and the loneliness that goes along with being a stranger to everyone around you. Released in 2011, you can find the song on the album “The Excitement of Maybe.”
“Bobby in Phoenix” by Gorillaz
Song Year: 2010
The unique feature of the song “Bobby in Phoenix” by the band Gorillaz is that the band wrote it while on the road, and it portrays their views on America as they travel through the states, one of them being Arizona, where they visited Phoenix. You can find this song on the band’s album “The Fall.”
“The Painted Desert” by 10,000 Maniacs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc74mXG_gGs
Song Year: 1987
With the beauty of Arizona, it can appear as a painted desert when you look off into the horizon. The name of this song, “The Painted Desert,” references this sentiment. 10,000 Maniacs sings the song on their album “In My Tribe. The song talks about a friendship in which one person waits for the other to see the painted desert and visit.
“Truckers Atlas” by Modest Mouse
Song Year: 1997
The song “Truckers Atlas” by the band Modest Mouse includes a reference to the state of Arizona. The lyrics talk about the craziness that happens within the band while on the road, including times when they would do lines of drugs on an atlas and make lines to the different states, one of them being Arizona.
“Summer Running” by Billy Idol
Song Year: 2005
Billy Idol is another famous musician who has many hit songs under their belt. The song “Summer Running” came out in 2005 as part of the album “Devil’s Playground.” Talking about summertime fun, it details the activities that took place between two people as they run around Arizona and escape to Las Vegas during the summer season.
“She Is His Only Need” by Wynonna Judd
Song Year: 1992
This romantic song by artist Wynonna Judd called “She Is His Only Need” talks about a man growing up in Arizona who never thought his life would go anywhere. He plans to continue working but meets a woman who changes his life. You can find this song on Judd’s album “Wynonna.”
“Hotel Arizona” by Wilco
Song Year: 1996
From the album “Being There” by Wilco is the Arizona-themed song entitled “Hotel Arizona.” The song talks about the band’s star-studded experience with a hotel in Arizona that made them feel like rock stars. In the end, the band feels like it is something they will never get used to, even though it will happen more frequently.
Top Songs About Arizona, Final Thoughts
When it comes to songs about Arizona, you can find a variety of tunes with different focuses. Some songs will talk about the desert beauty, while others will highlight life memories that took place in the state.
If you are looking for the best songs about Arizona, be sure to reference this guide for a list of top hits.