If You Grew Up in Louisiana, Then You Know These Songs
We have a rich heritage of wonderful music in the great state of Louisiana. Cajun, Zydeco, Jazz, and Swamp Pop all have their origins here in the Bayou State, and aren't we lucky to claim them as our own! Only in Louisiana has reminded me of some of my favorites Louisiana songs, and I'm sure they are some of yours as well. Check them out below, and let us know if we've forgotten any.
- 'Iko, Iko' - Originally recorded by Sugar Boy and the Cane Cutters, it became an international hit by the Dixie Cups in 1965.
- 'Jole Blon' - First recorded in 1929 by The Breaux Brothers, it has been covered by everyone from Doug Kershaw, to Bruce Springsteen. It's known as 'The Cajun National Anthem'
- 'Tell it Like it Is'. A huge pop hit for Aaron Neville in 1966, and is now in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
- 'The House of the Rising Sun' - The traditional folk song was originally recorded by Appalachian artists Clarence 'Tom' Ashley and Gwen Foster, but you might remember the pop version by The Animals from 1964
- 'You are My Sunshine' - first recorded by Country Music Hall of Fame member Jimmie Davis in 1940, four years before he became Governor of Louisiana. It became the unofficial state theme song and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame
- 'Louisiana, 1927' - Randy Newman recorded this one in 1974
- 'Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?' - written and performed by Eddie DeLange and Louis Alter in 1947, but became wildly popular when it was recorded for the movie 'New Orleans' by Louis Armstrong & Billie Holiday
- 'Jambalaya' - Hank Williams Sr stayed at the top of the charts for 14 weeks with this song he recorded in 1943. Rumor has it that it was actually written in Lafayette
- ' Amos Moses' - Country Music Hall of Fame member Jerry Reed wrote and recorded this song in 1974 about a Louisiana alligator hunter outside of Thibodaux, LA
- 'Walking to New Orleans' - written by Abbeville native Bobby Charles for New Orleans superstar Fats Domino in 1960, after he was invited into Domino's dressing room at a show in Lafayette