Music of America: Florida

Welcome back to our next stop on the American Musical Tour! Today, we're visiting the always interesting state of Florida. Nicknamed The Sunshine State, Florida was admitted to the Union in 1845 as America's 27th state and is a truly unique combination of American tropes, simultaneously Southern and East Coast with an individualistic landscape featuring the Everglades and the Florida Keys. I've only visited Orlando (because, you know, Disney and Universal Studios), but I'd definitely love to do even more exploring. Let's see what's here on our fact dump:

-Capital City: Tallahassee

-Area: 65,758 square miles (America's 22nd largest state)

-Population: 23,372,215 as of 2024 (America's 3rd most populated state)

-Big 4 Major League Professional Sports Teams (Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey): 9/4 (Marlins & Rays for baseball; Jaguars, Dolphins, & Buccaneers for football; Heat & Magic for basketball; and Panthers & Lightning for hockey)

-Named College: University of Florida (est. 1853, Gainesville, FL)

-State Bird: Northern Mockingbird

-State Flower: Orange Blossom

-State Butterfly: Zebra Longwing

-State Tree: Sabal Palm

-State Gemstone: Moonstone

-(Unofficial) State Dog: Black Mouth Cur

-State Quarter: Released March 2004 (themed Gateway to Discovery and featuring a galleon ship for Ponce de Leon, a space shuttle for Kennedy Space Center, and a beach with the state tree)

Like in previous iterations, we'll be looking at artists that were born and bands that were established in Florida. This is obviously not all of them, but it's a great group to explore and learn more about. Florida's a little bit of a bigger state, of course, so here's some honorable mentions of a few other Floridian artists:

-Black Violin (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

-blackbear (Daytona Beach, FL)

-Cory Asbury (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

-Denzel Curry (Miami Gardens, FL)

-Jason Derulo (Miramar, FL)

-Jonny Diaz (Lakeland, FL)

-Kodak Black (Pompano Beach, FL)

-Matchbox Twenty (Orlando, FL)

-Q (Brownward County, FL)

-T-Pain (Tallahassee, FL)

Let's dive on in!

twilight zone by Ariana Grande (written by A. Grande-Butera, M. Martin, I. Salmanzadeh)

Ariana Grande-Butera, known professionally as Ariana Grande, was born in Boca Raton, Florida in June 1993. The Floridian singer/songwriter/actress is known both for her acting in projects like Victorious and Wicked as well as her four octave vocal range that extends into her whistle register. A talented vocalist, she is known for genres like R&B and pop. Over her seventeen year career, Grande has won 327 awards (including 3 American Music Awards, 2 Billboard Music Awards, 2 Grammys, 39 Guinness World Records, and 3 People's Choice Awards) and released 7 studio albums, with twilight zone originally featured on the 2025 album eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead. I am extremely forthcoming in my general opinions of Ariana Grande: she can sing well, and she does have some songs I really enjoy, but she annoys the everloving s**t out of me and I don't think she's a good role model for, well, anyone. twilight zone is fine as a song, but I prefer some of her older stuff like Problem, Dangerous Woman, and thank u, next.

Did I dream the whole thing was I just a nightmare/Different dimensions, stuck in the Twilight Zone/Is this a black and white scene, if so, then I’m in the gray one/Hope you win for Best Actor, 'cause I had you completely wrong/Does she know you’re not who you say you are 'cause I might give her a call/Or was I not me at all and it’s not like I’m still not over you/It’s so strange, this I never do/Not that I miss you, I don’t/Sometimes I just can’t believe/You happened/It’s not like I’d ever change a thing/‘Cause I’m right here/Where I’m meant to be/Not that I’d call you, I won’t/Sometimes I just can’t believe/You happened

Just Be Held by Casting Crowns (written by M. Hall, M. West, B. Herms)

Casting Crowns is a CCM/pop/rock/pop rock/gospel/worship group formed in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1999. In addition to being a well-known Christian music group on the radio for the last twenty-six years, many band members also serve as worship leaders at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Georgia. The band's current lineup includes Mark Hall (lead vocals), Juan DeVevo (rhythm guitar, backing vocals, banjo), John Michael Hall (bass guitar), Megan Garrett (piano, keyboard, backing vocals, accordion), Melodee DeVevo (violin, backing vocals, cello, acoustic guitar), Jack Williams (drums), and Josh Mix (lead guitar, backing vocals). They have received 23 awards (including 4 American Music Awards, 2 Billboard Music Awards, 15 Dove Awards, and 1 Grammy Award) and released ten studio albums since 2003, with their song Just Be Held originally featured on the 2014 album Thrive. This is a really good worship song, especially when you're in a valley season of struggle and need a reminder that you aren't alone. Casting Crowns has a lot of other excellent songs as well, such as Nobody, Praise You In This Storm, Who Am I, and East to West.

Hold it all together, everybody needs you strong/But life hits you outta nowhere and barely leaves you holding on/And when you’re tired of fighting, chained by your control/There’s freedom in surrender, lay it down and let it go/So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away/You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held/Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place/I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held/Just be held, just be held

Work from Home by Fifth Harmony ft. Ty Dolla $ign (written by J. Coleman, T. Griffin, D. Koehlke, A. Izquierdo, B. Lee, C. Demorest, D. Bedingfield)

Fifth Harmony was a pop/R&B group formed in Miami, Florida in 2012. They ended up being the runners-up on season 2 of the reality competition show The X Factor and went on to have a six year career as a popular girl group act. The band's original lineup included Ally Hernandez, Dinah Hansen, Lauren Jauregui, Normani Hamilton, and Camila Cabello (before she left in 2018). They received 60 awards (including 1 American Music Award and 2 People's Choice Awards) and released three studio albums, with Work from Home originally featured on their 2017 album 7/27. This song honestly still slaps, just like Worth It does. It has a fun, moveable beat and a catchy tune and lyrics, and I still enjoy listening to it.

I ain’t worried ‘bout nothing, I ain’t wearing na-nada/I’m sitting pretty, impatient, but I know you gotta/Put in them hours, I’ma make it harder/I’m sending pic after picture, I’ma get you fired/I know you’re always on the night shift/But I can’t stand these nights alone/And I don’t need no explanation/‘Cause baby, you’re the boss at home/You don’t gotta go to work, work, work, work, work, work, work/But you gotta put in work, work, work, work, work, work, work/You don’t gotta go to work, work, work, work, work, work, work/Let my body do the work, work, work, work, work, work, work/We can work from home, oh, oh, oh, oh/We can work from home, oh, oh, oh, oh

My House by Flo Rida (written by J. Carson, M. Borrero, R. Golan, R. Hammond, T. Dillard)

Tramar Dillard, known professionally as Flo Rida, was born in Miami Gardens, Florida in September 1979. The Floridian rapper/singer/songwriter has cemented himself in pop culture history forever with his 2007 collaboration with T-Pain Low, which is still such a great song. Flo Rida is best known for performing in genres like Southern hip hop, crunk, Miami bass, pop rap, and electronic music. Throughout his quarter century career, he has won 6 awards (including 1 People's Choice Award) and released 4 studio albums. My House was originally featured on his 2015 EP of the same name, peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #4, and has been certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA. I like Flo Rida alright, and I've thought this was a good, fun song since I first heard it a decade ago. It's got a perfect house party vibe, and will definitely add life to a hang out playlist.

Hear a knock on the door and the night begins/‘Cause we done this before, so you come on in/Make yourself at my home, tell me where you been/Pour yourself something cold, baby, cheers to this/Sometimes you gotta stay in/And you know where I live/Yeah, you know what we is/Sometimes you gotta stay in, in/Welcome to my house, baby, take control now/We can’t even slow down, we don’t have to go out/Welcome to my house, play that music too loud/Show me what you do now, we don’t have to go out/Welcome to my house/Welcome to my house

Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky) by Jan Hinton (written by J. Hinton)

Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky) has been the state anthem of Florida since 2008. The song was originally written by Jan Hinton for a contest to replace Old Folks at Home as the state song due to its outdated and controversial lyrics, and out of 243 submissions was declared the winner. Following that contest, people in Florida had a LOT of feelings about this, so the state song stayed in place (more on that further down) and this song was named state anthem instead. It's a pretty song, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit to laughing out loud at a YouTube comment that said, "As a Floridian I've never heard this song in my life." It's not streaming on Apple Music, at least from where I could see, but you can pretty easily find it on YouTube.

Florida, where the sawgrass meets the sky/Florida, where our hearts will ever lie/Sitting proud in the ocean like a sentinel true/Always shielding your own, yet giving welcome/Florida, land of flowers, land of light/Florida, where our dreams can all take flight/Whether youth's vibrant morning or the twilight of years/There are treasures for all who venture here in Florida

I Think I'm In Love by Kat Dahlia (written by J. Levine, K. Huguet, J. Desantis)

Katrina Huguet, known professionally as Kat Dahlia, was born in Miami, Florida in July 1990. The Floridian rapper/singer/songwriter/fashion icon began rapping at age 8 and songwriting at age 15. A gifted vocalist, she primarily performs genres like alt R&B, Latin pop, and hip hop. Over her fourteen year career, Dahlia has released 2 studio albums, with I Think I'm In Love originally featured on the 2015 album My Garden. My husband found Kat Dahlia and showed me the My Garden album years ago, and while this song isn't in my regular rotation I do still enjoy her music today. Crazy, My Garden, Gangsta, and Tumbao would be my personal picks for her.

Time’s been ticking, hearts are running, think that Cupid’s up to something/You asked me how I feel, I say nothing/But lately, colors seem so bright and the stars light up the night/My feet, they feel so light, I’m ignoring all the signs/I keep on fronting, yeah, I stay bluffing/I keep you wondering, keep you hunting for my loving/But I crave us hugging, yeah, I stay stubborn/‘Cause I can’t admit that you got all the strings and know just how to tug ‘em/I think I’m in love again/In my head, yeah, you’re in my head/I think I’m in love again/In my head, yeah, you’re in my head/I didn’t think it could be true/Let alone that it would be you/I think I’m in love again/I’m in love, I’m in love, I’m in love

Bye Bye Bye by *NSYNC (written by K. Lundin, A. Carlsson, J. Schulze)

*NSYNC was/is a pop/dance pop/teen pop/R&B group formed in Orlando, Florida in 1995. One of the best selling boy bands of all time, they disbanded in 2004 before coming back together briefly in 2013, 2019, and 2023-2024. The band's iconic lineup included Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass. They received 33 awards (including 3 American Music Awards and 5 Billboard Music Awards) and released four studio albums, with their signature song Bye Bye Bye originally featured on the 2000 album No Strings Attached. The song earned *NSYNC two Grammy nominations in 2001 and has been certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA. If you're over 30, there's canonically no way you don't know this song and its accompanying dance. It's still such a blast, and an absolute, verified, pop culture icon.

I’m doing this tonight, you’re probably gonna start a fight/I know this can’t be right, hey, baby, come on/I loved you endlessly, and you weren’t there for me/So now it’s time to leave and make it alone/I know that I can’t take no more, it ain’t no lie/I wanna see you out that door, baby, bye, bye, bye/Don’t wanna be a fool for you, just another player in your game for two/You may hate me, but it ain’t no lie, baby, bye, bye, bye/Don’t really wanna make it tough, I just wanna tell you that I had enough/Might sound crazy, but it ain’t no lie, baby, bye, bye, bye

Time of Our Lives by Pitbull & Ne-Yo (written by A. Perez, L. Gottwald, H. Walter, S. Taft, A. Burna, S. Smith)

Armando Perez, known professionally as Pitbull, Mr. Worldwide, or Mr. 305, was born in Miami, Florida in January 1981. The Floridian rapper/singer/songwriter/businessman/actor is the son of Cuban immigrants, and also helped found the organization SLAM! (Sports Leadership and Management) for middle and high school aged children in Little Havana, Miami, and has since spread to Las Vegas and Atlanta with a 96% graduation rate. Pitbull is well known in the genres of hip hop, reggaeton, Latin hip hop, pop rap, and pop music. Throughout his twenty-seven year career, he has won 46 awards (including 2 Billboard Music Awards, 1 Grammy, 1 Latin Grammy, and 1 People's Choice Award) and released 12 studio albums. Time of Our Lives was originally featured on his 2014 album Globalization, peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #9, and has been certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA. I have always really liked Pitbull, from way back when he did everything with the Ying Yang Twins to his much poppier modern stuff. This collab with Ne-Yo is alright, but some of my favorites of his would have to include Hotel Room Service, Timber, Fireball, I Know You Want Me, Shake, and the Bojangles Remix.

This the last twenty dollars I got, but I’ma have a good time ballin’ tonight/Tell the bartender line up some shots, 'cause I’ma get loose tonight/She’s on fire, she’s so hot, I’m no liar, she burn up the spot/Look like Mariah, I took another shot, told her drop, drop, drop, drop it like it’s hot/Dirty talk, dirty dance, she a freaky girl and I’m a freaky man/She on the rebound, broke up with her ex, and I’m like Rodman, ready on deck/I told her wanna ride out and she said yes, we didn’t go to church, but I got blessed/I knew my rent was gon’ be late about a week ago/I work my ass off, but I still can’t pay it though/But I got just enough to get off in this club/Have me a good time before my time is up/Hey, let’s get it now/Ooh, I want the time of my life/Yeah, oh baby/Ooh, give me the time of my life/Hey, hey, hey/Let’s get it now

Old Folks at Home by Rick Pickren (written by S. Foster)

Old Folks at Home has been the state song of Florida since 1935. The folk song was originally written by Stephen Foster, known to many as the "Father of American Music," in 1851, eighty-four years before its adoption as state song but only six years after Florida became a state. There's been a lot of controversy throughout the years regarding the lyrics that appear to romanticize slavery (Florida did secede and join the Confederacy, somehow I can never remember that), and in 2008 a contest was held to replace it as state song, with the winner being the aforementioned Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky). People threw a fit from what I understand, and Florida was adopted as state anthem while Old Folks at Home got a much needed lyrical update and was able to stay state song. It's a pretty classic Americana folk song, and Pickren does a great job on it as he has on the other state songs. Below are the upated lyrics from 2008.

Way down upon the Suwannee River/Far, far away/There's where my heart is turning ever/There's where the old folks stay/All up and down the whole creation/Sadly I roam/Still longing for my childhood station/And for the old folks at home/All the world is sad and dreary/Everywhere I roam/O dear ones, how my heart grows weary/Far from the old folks at home

I hope you found some great new music today, or learned a thing or two about this beautiful state. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!