27 Best Songs About Atlanta

11. “Atlanta Zoo” by Gucci Mane

Song Year: 2010

Burrrprint 2 by Gucci Mane debuted at Number 13 on the Billboard 200. The 2010 mixtape featured DJ Khalid, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Lil Kim, and various other rappers and DJs.

The first single, ‘Atlanta Zoo,' featured ATL staple Ludacris. The song represents Gucci Mane's commitment to his career against all odds.

12. “Hot ‘Lanta” by The Allman Brothers

Song Year: 1971

CeeLo Green and Goodie Mob take credit for inventing the term “dirty south.” But the Allman Brothers may get bragging rights for coining “hot ‘Lanta.” At least they were the first group to record the phrase in the song.

‘Hot ‘Lanta' is an acoustic rock jam recording from the band's 1971 live album from the Fillmore East venue in New York City. The progressive rock and jazz feel allows the track to live up to its title.

13. “In The A” by Big Boi

Song Year: 2012

Nothing says' hot ‘Lanta more than Big Boi from Outkast and Ludacris. The ATL natives team up to deliver ‘In the A' from the 2012 Big Boi album Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors.

The track also included an appearance from rapper T.I. The native Atlantian, T.I., debuted his solo album 11 years earlier in 2001.

14. “I’m On My Way To Atlanta” by Freddie King

Song Year: 1962

One of the three kings of blues guitar, Freddie King, hits this list with ‘I'm On My Way To Atlanta' in 1962. The song was a B-side to his single ‘In The Open.'

Along with the other two kings of the blues guitars, Albert King and B.B. King, Freddie toured the world (and the ATL) with legends of the time. In the mid-60s, he toured with Sam Cooke and James Brown.

15. “F.I.L.A.” by Lil Scrappy

Song Year: 2004

Lil Scrappy burst onto the music scene when his debut album hit Number 12 on the Billboard charts. The hit album was a dual effort between Lil Scrappy and fellow BME artist Trillville.

‘F.I.L.A.' stands for Forever I Love Atlanta and is a perfect anthem for Krunk artists and fans of the Atlanta scene. The track featured prominent ATL legend Lil Jon.

16. “Atlanta” by Tony Orlando and Dawn

Song Year: 1973

Tony Orlando and Dawn is actually a trio from the 1970s. Dawn comprised vocalists Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson.

The song is named after the Big Peach and was written by Eddie Rabin. ‘Atlanta' was released on the group's 1973 album Dawn's New Ragtime Follies. The album was the trio's most successful, and Atlanta' is remembered as a standout song.

17. “Lookin’ 4 Nikki” by Lil’ Will

Song Year: 1998

Lil' Will released ‘Looking For Nikki' in 1998. The smooth track is from his album Better Days. And before he went solo, Lil' Will was a former member of Atlanta's Dungeon Family music group.

‘Looking For Nikki' isn't about a woman. Instead, the song refers to a notorious Atlanta-based strip club. Club Nikki's was a now-defunct gentlemen's club on Stewart Avenue. Both the venue and the street no longer exist. All that remains is this homage.

18. “Peace Up (A-Town Down)” by Young Jeezy

Song Year: 2005

No longer young, Jeezy eventually dropped the first half of his name. But the star burst onto the music scene when his first major label album debuted at Number 2 on the charts in 2004.

Young Jeezy adds his touch to popular Atlanta nicknames with his track about being A-Town Down. The phrase sticks like ATL and Hot ‘Lanta. The song also features Atlanta stars T.I. and Lil Scrappy.

19. “I’m The Only Hell (Mama Ever Raised)” by Johnny Paycheck

Song Year: 1977

Johnny Paycheck was an outlaw movement country singer of the 1970s. His biggest claim to fame was the hit single ‘Take This Job And Shove It' in 1977. ‘I'm The Only Hell (Mama Ever Raised)' was released the same year.

The song tells the story of a car thief who runs out of gas in the ATL. The singer decides to knock over a downtown liquor store only to get arrested in the process. It is a cautionary tale, especially considering Paycheck himself would later live a life of drugs, alcohol, and trouble with the law.

20. “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles

Song Year: 1960

It is the quintessential song about the Peach State. In fact, Georgia officially declared it the official state song in 1979. Originally written and recorded in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael, ‘Georgia On My Mind' reached legendary status when Ray Charles released the song thirty years later.

The Ray Charles album The Genius Hits The Road included twelve tracks about locations across the United States. And although songs included places like Hawaii, Texas, Miami, and Chattanooga, only ‘Georgia On My Mind' was a Number One smash hit.