27 Best Songs About Atlanta

The capital of Georgia and the ‘Dirty South' is home to several artists. Rap and hip-hop stars are the first who come to mind when thinking of music about Atlanta. But rock, country, R&B, and pop stars have all sung of the city. Here are the best songs about Atlanta ever.

1. “Welcome to Atlanta” by Jermaine Dupri

Song Year: 2002

Jermaine Dupri released this quintessential Atlanta song as the second single from his hit album Instructions. The Billboard Hot 100 hit featured rap star Ludacris.

The music video featured celebrities and hot spots around the ATL. A ‘Coast 2 Coast’ remix later featured West Coast sensation Snoop Dogg and East Coast legend P. Diddy. Pitball created his remix version focusing on Miami.

2. “Oh, Atlanta” by Bad Company

Song Year: 1979

The British rock band Bad Company released their fifth studio album Desolation Angels, in 1979 in their hometown of Surrey, England. The double-platinum album reached Number Three on the Billboard Pop charts.

Alison Kraus covered this ode to Hot'lanta in 1995. The Nashville Network used the track during the NASCAR Motorcraft 500 race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway 1993.

3. “New Atlanta” by Migos

Song Year: 2014

Migos include Georgia hip-hop stars Quavo, Takeoff, and Offset. The group formed in 2008 and released several Top Ten hits. Their popular songs include ‘Bad and Boujee,' ‘Stir Fry,' and ‘Walk It Talk It.'

This track featured Jermaine Dupri representing his city once again. Other songs included Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug. ‘New Atlanta' closed out the 2014 mixtape No Label 2.

4. “Atlanta That’s Where I Stay” by MC Shy D

Song Year: 1988

MC Shy D is one of the first rappers to come out of the ATL when he dropped his first album, Got to Be Tough, in 1987. This old-school track is from the album Coming Correct in 88.

In the time of Slick Rick, Eric B and Rakim, Public Enemy, and Big Daddy Kane, MC Shy D represented Atlanta. Hopefully, ‘Atlanta That's Where I Stay' by MC Shy D captures the same level of success as songs from those stars.

5. “Elevators (Me & You)” by Outkast

Song Year: 1996

One of the most famous groups from Atlanta is Outkast. This first single from their second album ATLiens nearly broke the Billboard Top Ten when it peaked at Number 12.

The hit single played during the Season One finale of the popular TV show Atlanta. The song also features in the video game Grand Theft Auto V.

6. “Going Back to Georgia” by Nanci Griffith

Song Year: 1994

‘Going Back to Georgia' appeared on Nanci Griffith's Grammy Awards nominated album Flyer in 1994. The song was co-written by Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz who also sang on the track.

The country-folk song speaks of leaving New York City and pining for the beauty of Georgia and its capital city.

7. “Georgia” by Field Mob

Song Year: 2005

Georgia reached Number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its 2005 release. The single featured Atlanta-based hip-hop stars Shawn Timothy “Shawn Jay” Johnson and Darion “Smoke” Crawford. But the track was released on the Ludacris album Disturbing the Peace.

The hit single includes guest appearances by Ludacris and Jamie Foxx. The song includes a sample from the Ray Charles song ‘Georgia On My Mind.' Foxx played the legendary musician in the 2004 film Ray.

8. “Atlanta Lady (Something About Your Love)” by Marty Balin

Song Year: 1981

‘Atlanta Lady' is a pop-rock song from the debut album Balin by Marty Balin. Balin is the founder of rock bands Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship.

The song was the second single from the 1981 album after the #8 hit song ‘Hearts.' ‘Atlanta Lady' reached Number 27. Balin reunited with Jefferson Airplane in 1989.

9. “Dirty South” by Goodie Mob

Song Year: 1995

Credit Goodie Mob for coining the term “dirty south.” It happened on Soul Food, their 1995 debut album. The group includes breakout star CeeLo Green, who appears later in this list.

‘Dirty South' and its five-star album includes guest appearances from other Atlanta-based musicians, Mystikal, Big Boi, and Andre 3000.

10. “Atlanta Blues” by Eartha Kitt

Song Year: 1958

Eartha Kitt sings this classic blues song from the 1958 movie St. Louis Blues. The track is on the movie soundtrack. The film features several famous black musicians at the time, including Nat King Cole, Cab Calloway, and Ella Fitzgerald.

St. Louis Blues is about the life of W.C. Handy. He wrote ‘Atlanta Blues' in 1923. The song is based on the old blues standard ‘Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor.'