27 Best Songs About Austin
Contents
11. “Amy’s Back in Austin” by Little Texas
Song Year: 1994
Country rock band Little Texas earned a Grammy Award nomination for their song “Amy’s Back in Austin.” It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
A young couple in love heads out on the road together, but soon things fall apart. Whether it was the arguing or her missing her momma, the singer laments that he is alone and that Amy returned to Austin.
12. “Alleys of Austin” by Michael Martin Murphey
Song Year: 1973
Michael Martin Murphey believes Austin is like Heaven. Maybe Heaven is a little like Austin.
From his album Cosmic Cowboy Souvenir, theTexan singer-songwriter’s ballad “Alleys of Austin” compares the ways Austin and Heaven are like one. From funky jam sessions to Jesus cruising in his Ford, it sounds like the two may have more than a few things in common.
Murphey ends with the image of the water from the sea rising to Heaven and then raining down onto Austin below.
13. “Austin in My Sights” by The Bluescasters
Song Year: 2005
The Bluescasters may have formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but they had Austin in their sights.
The rocking blues band picked “Austin in My Sights” as the first song on their debut album, Five Dimes. Austin is calling, even if it means leaving your woman behind.
As the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin has lured many musicians who wanted to get their big break in the music business, and Austin is just the place to make it happen.
14. “Lost in Austin” by Mystery Jets
Song Year: 2012
The Mystery Jets hail from London, England. But they love Texas.
The indie rock band appeared at the SXSW festival and decided to rent a country house-turned-recording studio in Austin for a couple of months. The result was their album, Radlands.
Their song “Lost in Austin” is a trippy track daydreaming about life on another planet. Maybe another lonely person is out there wondering the same thing.
15. “A-Town Blues” by Wayne Hancock
Song Year: 2001
Wayne “The Train” Hancock may have been born in Dallas, but he made Austin his home.
Life on the road going from one honky tonk to another can give a musician the “A-Town Blues.” Hancock delivers the rockabilly as he pines to be back in Austin.
The song is the title track of Hancock’s fourth album. Country swings at its finest.
16. “Christmas in Austin” by Shelley King
Song Year: 2012
Just in time for the holidays.
Shelley King gives us an upbeat take on “Christmas in Austin.” There may not be snow, but there is plenty of Christmas spirit.
Christmas in Austin may look different than in New York or Boston, but the holidays are all about having a good time with friends and family.
17. “Right About Now I’d Like to Move to Austin and Buy a Purple House” by Drew Blackard
Song Year: 2008
“Right About Now I’d Like to Move to Austin and Buy a Purple House” sums up Drew Blackard’s mindset: just chill.
The singer-songwriter has composed a soft melody, reflecting on the concept of relocating to the city of Austin, embracing a slower pace of life, and allowing nature to flourish. Austin serves as a symbol of hope during life’s unexpected turns.
18. “Austin City Limits Sign” by The Bart Walker Band
Song Year: 2011
The Bart Walker Band rocks. What else would you expect from a guy who jammed with Stevie Ray Vaughn’s band Double Trouble?
The guitar-driven track with Walker’s bourbon-soaked vocals is the perfect road trip music while driving towards the “Austin City Limits Sign.” The song’s title is also a nod to the long-running country music showcase, Austin City Limits, in production for nearly 50 years.
19. “11 Months and 29 Days” by Johnny Paycheck
Song Year: 1976
Johnny Cash was not the only country artist that sang about getting locked up in an Austin prison. Johnny Paycheck also did his time.
“11 Months and 29 Days” is country twang at its best, lamenting getting busted in Austin and hoping the beer will stay cold. And oh, keep your hands off of Johnny’s woman because he won’t be in the slammer all that long.
20. “What Would Willie Do” by Gary Allan
Song Year: 2001
Gary Allan pays homage to the great Willie Nelson with his song, “What Would Willie Do.”
In his album Alright Guy, Allan portrays Willie as an inspiration. No matter what goes wrong in your life, all you have to ask is, what would Willie do?
Willie changed his luck by moving to Austin and starting over. Despite his troubles with his wife and the IRS, the country legend would keep going for another night, another show. This perseverance was an inspiration to many country artists, Allan among them.
