31 Best Songs About Louisiana
Louisiana, the Pelican State, is part of the Deep South. With iconic landmarks, famous cities, and a captivating history, it’s inspired many musicians to pen singles about the state.
Here are some top songs about Louisiana.
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1. “House Of The Rising Sun” by The Animals
Song Year: 1964
One of the best songs about Louisiana is “House Of The Rising Sun” by the English rock band The Animals. It’s from their self-titled debut album.
The blues and rock song shares the story of a brothel in New Orleans, Louisiana that causes destruction to all who visit. The brothel got its name from one of the ladies working there, Madame Marianne LeSoleil Levant, meaning “rising sun” in French.
2. “Down At The Twist And Shout” by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Song Year: 1990
“Down At The Twist And Shout” by Mary Chapin Carpenter is a country party songs about Louisiana.
In “Down At The Twist And Shout,” Mary Chapin Carpenter shares her desire to go to Louisiana, eat Southern foods, dance to Cajun beats, and gather together for hurricane parties.
3. “Royal Orleans” by Led Zeppelin
Song Year: 1976
Despite being from England, Led Zeppelin has a Louisiana related song on their seventh album, Presence.
“Royal Orleans” is a rock song about a man who visits Louisiana and gets himself into trouble. This song showcases some of the neighborhoods in New Orleans, including the French Quarter and Bourbon Street.
4. “Callin' Baton Rouge” by Garth Brooks
Song Year: 1993
Garth Brooks released country song “Callin' Baton Rouge” in 1993.
Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, and in this song, Brooks sings about being a traveling musician who falls in love with a woman in Baton Rouge before moving to another town. Though he’s in another town, he’s asking the operator to connect him to a girl in Louisiana so they can have one more conversation.
5. “Walking to New Orleans” by Fats Domino
Song Year: 1960
Fats Domino performed one of the most exceptional R&B songs about Louisiana, written by Bobby Charles, “Walking to New Orleans.”
Fats Domino’s iconic voice pays homage to Louisiana with this song about skipping town after getting your heart broken. With a slow, rhythmic beat that sounds like shoes hitting the pavement, “Walking to New Orleans” pairs lyrics and background instrumentals to create a unified sound worth adding to a playlist.
6. “Queen Of New Orleans” by Jon Bon Jovi
Song Year: 1997
Jon Bon Jovi shares this story of how he fell in love with a girl from New Orleans in his song “Queen Of New Orleans” on the album, Destination Anywhere.
In this rock song, Jovi sings his thoughts about dancing with an exceptional woman after the relationship ends. He reminisces about how good he had it with the “Queen Of New Orleans” now that the love is gone.
7. “Louisiana Saturday Night” by Mel McDaniel
Song Year: 1980
Mel McDaniel describes the ideal Saturday night activities in the country song “Louisiana Saturday Night.”
This is one of the best songs about Louisiana that highlights the feel-good sensation of dancing in the kitchen, hanging out with friends on the front porch, and going to bed with a woman you love.
8. “Louisiana Rain” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Song Year: 1979
Tom Petty’s iconic voice shares how the Pelican State offers itself as a refuge and a place where people can seek a change in the song “Louisiana Rain.”
This slow rock song from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ third album, Damn the Torpedoes, tells of how rain showers in Louisiana can wash away the pain accumulated over the years.
9. “Louisiana Moon” by Alabama
Song Year: 1985
“Louisiana Moon” by the American country band Alabama is an exceptional song for any Louisiana-themed playlist.
This song shares a story of a man who falls in love with a girl named Betty. Unfortunately, Betty’s father disapproves of the relationship. Instead of calling it quits, the man visits Betty under the cover of the night with the moon as the only witness.
10. “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” by Hank Williams
Song Year: 1952
Jambalaya is a classic dish in Louisiana, and Hank Williams pays tribute to this and other classic Louisiana meals in the song “Jambalaya (On the Bayou).”
Williams wrote this country song after getting inspired by hearing Cajuns talking about their favorite foods, including jambalaya, crawfish pie, and gumbo.
11. “Louisiana Man” by Lucinda Williams
Song Year: 1980
Lucinda Williams released one of the best songs about Louisiana men on her album Happy Woman Blues.
“Louisiana Man” by Lucinda Williams is a country-folk song that tells the story of a woman falling in love with a cowboy in Louisiana. Though the two get separated while Williams travels, she keeps her “Louisiana Man” on her mind.