27 Best Songs About Tennessee Ever

“Rocky Top” by the Osborne Brothers

Song Year: 1968

“Rocky Top” is one of the best-known Tennessee songs because it’s the University of Tennessee’s fight song. The Osborne Brothers originally recorded the song during their time as a bluegrass band in the 1960s and 1970s.

The song starts by wishing the singer was on Rocky Top, a mountain in Tennessee. There are no cares on the mountain, even though it’s too rocky to grow corn or live comfortably. The singer wants to return to that location to spread out and feel free compared to living in the city.

“Back Where I Come From” by Kenny Chesney

Song Year: 1996

Kenny Chesney was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, so the lyrics to this song are true to his life. He sings about the slow life in his hometown and how he spent time relaxing and drinking beer on the riverbank. People may think it’s a backward place, but he loves the simplicity of that life.

Chesney sings about people who make moonshine and how he grew up with black and white TVs but doesn’t feel he missed out on anything. Instead, he’s proud to be from Tennessee.

“Back to Tennessee” by Billy Ray Cyrus

Song Year: 2009

Billy Ray Cyrus was born in Kentucky but lived in Nashville early in his country career before moving to Los Angeles when his daughter, Miley, starred on Hannah Montana. That knowledge helps the listener appreciate the lyrics of “Back to Tennessee,” which addresses his life changes.

The song opens with references to new cars and jewelry and how Cyrus should feel on top of the world, but he feels like life is empty. He felt richer when he lived in Tennessee, even though he didn’t have all this monetary wealth.

“Visit Me in Music City” by Bobby Bare Jr.

Song Year: 2004

Music City is a nickname for Nashville, and the lyrics to this song mention many of the landmarks in that famous town. The singer namechecks the Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry, both major stages for country stars. He namedrops many famous singers and talked about how they influenced his musical style and life path.

There’s some humor to the lyrics as the singer mentions that singers don’t need to be on key because producers will fix it. He also mentions that musicians make money by delivering pizza or selling weed because they don’t make enough performing.

“Nashville Blues” by the Everly Brothers

Song Year: 1960

The Everly Brothers were a rock duo that helped pioneer country rock. “Nashville Blues” is one of their best-known songs in that genre. The lyrics address how the singer got a letter from his love in Nashville. She’s lonely without him, so he realizes he needs to return to her quickly.

There’s dark humor in the song as the listener realizes that Sally has the Nashville blues in Nashville while the singer has the Nashville blues because he’s far from the city.

“Nashville Without You” by Tim McGraw

Song Year: 2013

Tim McGraw and his wife Faith Hill are both country music superstars, so it’s easy to listen to this song and imagine McGraw singing it to Hill. The lyrics address how, without his love around, Nashville isn’t the famous city others see. Instead, it’s a bland river town with no live music, no musicians trying to make it big, and no tourists milling around.

It’s funny to listen to this song and realize that the opposite is true, and Nashville is a fun, bustling city. There are also references to other famous country songs in the lyrics, like “Jolene,” “Smoky Mountain Rain,” and “The Man in Black.”

“Memphis, Tennessee” by Elvis Presley

Song Year: 1965

Elvis Presley is perhaps the most famous musician from Memphis, Tennessee, so it’s appropriate that this song is all his. If you’ve ever wondered about Elvis writing his own songs, you’ll appreciate knowing this is a Chuck Berry cover.

The lyrics start with the singer trying to return a missed call. He doesn’t have the caller’s phone number, but he knows who it is and wants to profess his love to her. The twist at the end of the song is that the singer is trying to call his six-year-old daughter because her mother separated them, and he misses their formerly happy family.

“The Wrong Side of Memphis” by Trisha Yearwood

Song Year: 1992

Trisha Yearwood is a big name in popular country music, and this song captures the typical feeling of classic country tracks. The lyrics situate the listener in a ’69 Tempest with the singer, driving from the wrong side of Memphis to Nashville with the dream of playing on the Opry stage.

Though the singer references Elvis with Graceland, pink Cadillacs, and blue suede shoes, they contrast that with their cowboy boots being ready to break away from the city and make it big.

“Maybe It Was Memphis” by Pam Tillis

Song Year: 1991

Pam Tillis is a country singer who got her start in pop music. She was born in Florida, moved to Nashville, but sang this famous song about another Tennessee city. The lyrics encapsulate many features of the South, including porch swings, warm summer nights, and William Faulkner novels.

The general feeling of the song is missing their love, but they’re unsure if it was just the feeling of being in Memphis, away from it all. Now that the singer is back home, they can’t tell if their feelings are true.

“Walking in Memphis” by Marc Cohn

Song Year: 1991

Marc Cohn was a songwriter suffering from writer’s block when he took a trip to Memphis. He visited some of the most famous music landmarks in the city, like Elvis Presley’s Graceland and Beale Street, where blues musicians play on the sidewalk. When he went back to his life in New York, he wrote this song, which became his first and most famous single.

The lyrics take the listener on the same journey Cohn took that day, seeing famous landmarks and feeling the ghosts of the famous musicians inspire him.