Music of America: Delaware

Welcome back to our American Musical Tour! Today, we're visiting the small but lovely state of Delaware. Also known as The First State, The Small Wonder, The Blue Hen State, and The Diamond State, Delaware was not only one of the original 13 colonies, it was the very first admitted into the Union in December 1787. I haven't yet been able to visit, but like I said with Connecticut I would absolutely love to take a trip through all the New England states during the fall. Let's look in on our fact dump:

-Capital City: Dover

-Area: 2,489 square miles (America's 2nd smallest state)

-Population: 1,051,917 as of 2024 (America's 5th least populated state)

-Big 4 Major League Professional Sports Teams (Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey): 0/4

-Named College: University of Delaware, better known as UD (est. 1743, Newark, DE)

-State Bird: Delaware Blue Hen

-State Flower: Peach Blossom

-State Butterfly: Tiger Swallowtail

-State Tree: American Holly

-State Mineral (instead of Gemstone): Sillimanite

-State Dog: Rescue Dog (just like Colorado, and let's give them a round of applause for it)

-State Quarter: Released January 1999 (it features Revolutionary War hero Cesar Rodney riding his horse through a thunderstorm)

Like in previous iterations, we'll be looking at artists that were born and bands that were established in Delaware. This is obviously not all of them, but it's a great group to explore and learn more about. Let's get started!

Stealing Cinderella by Chuck Wicks (written by C. Wicks, R. Rutherford, G. Teren)

Charles "Chuck" Wicks was born in Smyrna, Delaware in June 1979. The Delawarean singer/songwriter/radio personality is currently a co-host on Nash FM's America's Morning Show. A gifted country vocalist, he also saw a stint on the short-lived (like, cancelled after 2 episodes short-lived) reality show Nashville in 2007. Over his eighteen year career, Wicks has released 2 studio albums, with Stealing Cinderella originally featured on his 2008 album Starting Now. I love this song and have since high school, even wanting to have it be my Father-Daughter Dance at my wedding until I had to make a last minute change (long story). I know I'm not a dad, but having a daughter definitely adds a whole new level to this song.

I came to see her daddy for a sit down, man to man/It wasn’t any secret I’d be asking for here hand/I guess that’s why he kept me waiting in the living room by myself/With at least a dozen pictures of her sitting on a shelf/She was playing Cinderella, she was riding her first bike/Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight/Running through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin/Dancing with her dad, looking up at him/In her eyes, I’m Prince Charming, but to him, I’m just some fella/Riding in and stealing Cinderella

Born 100,000 Years Ago by Cisco Houston (composer unknown)

Gilbert "Cisco" Houston was born in Wilmington, Delaware in August 1918. The Delawarean singer/songwriter is often tied in with fellow folk artist Woody Guthrie for their similar sounds and musical collaborations. Houston was a talented guitarist and vocalist he saw a nearly three decade career before passing away from stomach cancer in 1961. He released 9 studio albums, and his song Born 100,000 Years Ago is featured on the 2004 compilation album Classic Folk Music from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. This folk tune is short, sweet, and to the point, which is fine by me. It's nice and simple, just his voice and a guitar, and feels like it's been around forever without feeling stale.

I was born a hundred thousand years ago/And there’s nothing in this world I do not know/Why the flag started flying when George Washington stopped lying/I can lick the man who says that isn’t so/I saw Eve and Adam driven from the door/I’m the man who picked the fig leaf that they wore/When the apple they were eating, I was from the bushes peeping/I can prove that I’m the man that ate the core

Night Time by George Thorogood (written by R. Gottehrer, B. Feldman, J. Goldstein)

George Thorogood was born in Wilmington, Delaware in February 1950. The Delawarean musician is known both as a solo act as well as the frontman for The Delaware Destroyers. He's proficient on vocals, guitar, and harmonica in genres like blues rock, hard rock, boogie rock, and rock & roll. Througout his fifty-two year career, Thorogood has released 1 solo studio album and 16 studio albums with The Destroyers, and their cover of The Strangeloves' Night Time was originally featured on The Destroyers' 1980 album More George Thorogood and The Destroyers. I liked this; it felt like a good ol' '80s rock song. It's fun, especially if you enjoy that classic rock feel and sound.

Well I get up in the morning, kick the covers from my bed/The sunlight in my eyes playing tricks on my head/I work like a dog on the job every day/Trying to make some money so I can go and play/In the night time/Oh, that’s the right time/I say the night time/That’s the right time/I wanna be with you/In the night time

Best Shot by Jimmie Allen (written by J. Allen, J. London, J. Williams)

James "Jimmie" Allen was born in Milton, Delaware in June 1985. The Delawarean singer/songwriter was the second ever Black artist to win New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards. A talented singer, he's unforunately been embroiled in some SA lawsuits that still haven't been solved which was pretty disappointing to learn as I've typically enjoyed his music in the past. Allen has been nominated for one Grammy in his fourteen year career. He has released 3 studio albums, with Best Shot originally featured on his 2018 album Mercury Lane. As I said above, I've liked the music of his that I've heard, particularly this song and his Brad Paisley duet Freedom Was A Highway. I guess time will eventually tell if he'll be able to come back.

I’m just flesh and bone, heart and soul and I’ve earned a couple scars/I’ve let once in a lifetime kinda things slide right outta my arms/I struck out, I’ve been knocked down more times than I can count/But that don’t matter now/‘Cause when you smile, I see the sun sink down on a coast out in California/And there’s no doubt because of you, I’m not the man I was before you/I’m not saying that I’m perfect, oh, ‘cause girl, you know I’m not/But I’ll love you with everything I got, girl, I’ll give you my best shot

Jesus I Love You by Norman Hutchins (written by N. Hutchins)

Dr. Norman Hutchins was born in Delaware in September 1962. The Delawarean singer/songwriter has charted seven times on the Billboard Gospel Albums Chart as well as serving as a lead pastor, worship pastor, and founder of Frontline Ministries. Hutchins is a gifted vocalist and songwriter, and really shines in many subgenres of gospel music. Over his thirty-three year career, he has been nominated for multiple Grammy awards and released 10 studio albums, with his song Jesus I Love You originally featured on his 1999 album Nobody but You. This is a pretty solid gospel song, especially for that very specific musical era that is the late '90s and early '00s. The message is solid, Hutchins' vocals are great, and the energy throughout the song is tangible.

Not because I’ve been so faithful, not because I’ve been so good/You’ve always been there for me to provide my every need/You were there when I was lonely, You were there in all my pain/Guiding my footsteps, shelter from the rain/And it was You, made my life complete/You are to me my everything, and that is why I sing/Jesus, I love You because You care/I couldn’t imagine if You weren’t there/Come on and sing/Jesus, I love You because You are/I couldn’t imagine what life would be if You weren’t there

Our Delaware by Rick Pickren (written by G. Hynson, W. Brown)

Our Delaware has been the official state anthem for Delaware since 1925. The lyrics were composed as a poem by lawyer/writer/poet/newspaper editor George Beswick Hynson in 1904 and each versey honors a different county in the state. The music was composed specifically for the poem by Will M. S. Brown. It's a lovely song that shows the pride Delawareans have for their home.

Oh, the hills of dear New Castle and the smiling vales between/When the corn is all in tassel, and the meadowlands are green/Where the cattle crop the clover, and its breath is in the air/While the sun is shining over our beloved Delaware/Oh, our Delaware, our beloved Delaware/For the sun is shining over our beloved Delaware/Oh, our Delaware, our beloved Delaware/Here's the loyal son that pledges faith to good old Delaware

You're Gonna Leave by Stephen Marley (written by S. Marley, M. Topley-Bird, N. Bird, S. Crittal, A. McGowen)

Stephen Marley was born in Wilmington, Delaware in April 1972. The Delawarean musician/singer/record producer is the second son/fourth child of music icon Bob Marley, but this nepo baby is a force in his own right. He is a very talented reggae and soul vocalist and guitarist, as well as a respected and decorated music producer. Over his forty-six year career (with a dad like his, I'm not surprised he started so young), Marley has won eight Grammy Awards both as a solo artist and in collaboration with his brothers Ziggy and Damian. He has released 5 solo studio albums, with You're Gonna Leave originally featured on his 2007 album Mind Control. Honestly, this was a banger, but I didn't really expect anything else. It's a cool reggae/rock blend and it's a vibe to listen to.

Which way from here, I’m caught up in the pages of my mind/And it’s not clear, but it seems the hurt is way too much this time/‘Cause I see a vain look in your eyes/Tell me, do you see the same, same look in mine/Sandpaper kisses, papercut bliss/Don’t know what this is/But it all leads to this/You’re gonna leave her/You have deceived her/Ooh, just a girl

Other Lives by The Twin Atlas (written by S. Byrne, L. Zaleski)

The Twin Atlas is a folk rock duo formed in Newark, Delaware in the early 1990s. The band came together at UD and is comprised of Sean Byrne and Lucas Zaleski. In their three decade career, they have released 4 studio albums, the song Other Lives being originally featured on their 2016 album Big Spring. Honestly, I liked their vibe a lot. I couldn't find a good transcription of the lyrics, but the music is super chill, definitely on the folksy indie side of things, and I absolutely recommend them for a listen.

Made a Way by Travis Greene (written by T. Greene)

Travis Greene was born in Delaware in January 1984. The Delawarean singer/songwriter/pastor is the co-founder of The Forward City Church in South Carolina along with his wife, Jackie. A gospel vocalist and guitarist, his eighteen year career has seen him receive five Grammy nominations. Greene has released 3 solo studio albums, and his song Made A Way was originally featured on his 2015 album The Hill. This is a pretty good gospel song if I do say so myself. The message of the lyrics is beautiful and timeless, and Greene has a great voice for gospel music.

You made a way/Don’t know how, but You did it/Made a way/Standing here not knowing how we’ll get through this test/But holding onto faith, You know best/Nothing can catch You by surprise/You got this figured out and You’re watching us now/And when it looks as if we can’t win/You wrap us in Your arms and step in/And everything we need, You supply/You got this in control/And we know that

I hope you found some new music to enjoy today, as well as an appreciation and perhaps desire to visit another beautiful location in our country. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!