Texas to roll out Kyuss and DRI at DNC.

A Musical Night at the DNC: Diversifying the Playlist

The Democratic National Convention's second night saw an array of musical selections from each state and territory, showcasing a diverse range of artists and genres.

Texas held its own, playing "TEXAS HOLD'EM" by Houston's very own Beyoncé, a powerful choice that raised the bar for the rest of the night.

Here's a full list of the songs that represented each state and territory:

• Alabama: “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. A band with a problematic past, including flying the flag of the Confederacy, this song is a uncomfortable choice given the history of racial violence associated with that flag.

• Alaska: “Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man.

• American Samoa: “Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga: A celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, with Lady Gaga being an outspoken ally.

• Arizona: “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks: A powerful woman in music, Nicks' song provided a stark contrast to Arizona's regressive politics.

• Arkansas: “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac: Arkansas could learn a thing or two from this song's message of perseverance in the face of adversity.

• California: A diverse selection, including "The Next Episode" by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Nate Dogg, "California Love" by Tupac Shakur, and two Kendrick Lamar songs, "Alright" and "Not Like Us," highlighting the state's progressive leanings and commitment to social justice.

• Colorado: “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire: It is disappointing that the roll call organizers seemingly sidestepped the obvious song, “Rocky Mountain High” by the late John Denver, would have been a far-more-appropriate song selection for this state.

• Connecticut: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)” by Stevie Wonder: A master of his craft and an advocate for civil rights, Stevie Wonder is a legend and an inspiration.

• Delaware: “Higher Love” by Kygo & Whitney Houston: An odd choice for a state with such a rich musical history, especially given Houston’s ties to New Jersey.

• Washington, D.C.: “Let Me Clear My Throat” by DJ Kool:

• Florida: “I Won't Back Down” by Tom Petty: A tragic reminder of the talented lives we've lost to the opioid crisis.

• Georgia: “Turn Down For What?” by Lil Jon: An energetic choice, reflecting the state's vibrant culture and diverse population.

• Guam: “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter: A young, talented artist with a bright future, much like the passionate youth of Guam.

• Hawai’i: “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars: A Hawaiian-born artist with undeniable talent and global appeal.

• Idaho: “Private Idaho” by The B-52's: A fun, quirky choice that captures the unique spirit of Idaho.

• Illinois: “Fortunate” by Common: Common's music and activism go hand in hand, and his message of unity is powerful.

• Indiana: “Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson: Celebrating the King of Pop, Indiana honored a musical legend.

• Iowa: “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang: A classic choice, bringing people together in joy and unity.

• Kansas: “Carry On Wayward Son” by Kansas: Though the song predates the show by three decades, this selection is especially symbolic in the post-“Schitt’s Creek” world.

• Kentucky: “First Class” by Jack Harlow: A rising star from Louisville, Kentucky, himself!

• Louisiana: “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled: A motivational banger for a state that needs all the help it can get!

• Maine: “Shut Up and Dance” by WALK THE MOON: A fun, upbeat choice to get people moving.

• Maryland: “Respect” by Aretha Franklin: A legend and an icon, Aretha Franklin's music transcends generations.

• Massachusetts: “I'm Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys: An energetic, punk-infused choice, a fierce reminder of the working-class roots of Massachusetts.

• Michigan: “Lose Yourself” by Eminem: Eminem's raw, unapologetic lyrics capture the grittiness of Michigan and its resilient people.

• Minnesota: “1999” by Prince: Minnesota's tribute to the Purple One, a genius who defied genre boundaries and consistently pushed the boundaries of music.

• Mississippi: “Twistin' the Night Away” by Sam Cooke: An upbeat tune that belies the state's disturbing history of voter suppression and civil rights abuses.

• Missouri: “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan: An upbeat, feel-good song, a welcome change from the disturbing realities of Missouri's regressive politics.

• Montana: “American Woman” by Lenny Kravitz: An empowering anthem celebrating strong women, an odd choice for a state with a concerning record on women's rights.

• Nebraska: “Firework” by Katy Perry: An explosive, confident choice, though Nebraska's commitment to fireworks safety leaves much to be desired.

• Nevada: “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers: A Las Vegas staple, this song is anthemic and instantly recognizable.

• New Hampshire: “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey: An inspiring choice, a reminder that hope and perseverance are essential in dark times.

• New Jersey: “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen: A powerful, patriotic choice, though it's a shame New Jersey's own Bon Jovi was overlooked.

• New Mexico: “Confident” by Demi Lovato: Demi Lovato's powerful voice and message of self-love resonated with New Mexico.

• New York: “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys: A tribute to the resilience and spirit of New York, a true cultural melting pot.

• North Carolina: “Raise Up” by Petey Pablo: An energetic, hype song, though one must question the message of "raising up" in a state with such pervasive income inequality.

• North Dakota: “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys: An empowering anthem, a bright spark in a state with a concerning track record on women's reproductive rights.

• Northern Mariana Islands: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell: An enduring classic, a beautiful message of perseverance and unity.

• Ohio: “Green Light” by John Legend: John Legend's smooth, soulful voice and commitment to social justice shine through in this choice.

• Oklahoma: "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)" by Garth Brooks: A nod to Oklahoma's country roots, though the state's regressive politics cast a shadow.

• Oregon: “Float On” by Modest Mouse: A laid-back, indie choice, perfectly suited to Oregon's chill vibe.

• Pennsylvania: “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa: A fun, upbeat choice, though one must question Pennsylvania's commitment to equality given the song's association with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

• Puerto Rico: “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee: A global phenomenon, this song celebrated Puerto Rico's vibrant culture and language.

• Rhode Island: “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift: A catchy, pop choice, though it's questionable whether Rhode Island can "shake off" its problematic past so easily.

• South Carolina: "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine" by James Brown: An energetic, fun choice, but South Carolina's dismal record on sex education and reproductive rights is no cause for celebration.

• South Dakota: “That's What I Like About You” by The Romantics: A feel-good choice, though it's a stretch to find much to like about South Dakota's political stance on social issues.

• Tennessee: “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton: A legend and an icon, Dolly Parton's impact on country music and her philanthropy are unparalleled.

• Texas: “Texas Hold 'Em” by Beyoncé: Queen Bey needs no introduction, and her powerful lyrics and impact on Texas cannot be overstated!

• Utah: “Everybody Talks” by Neon Trees: A fun, upbeat choice, though one must question Utah's commitment to free speech given its repressive political climate.

• Vermont: “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan: A talented young artist with a bright future, much like the progressive, forward-thinking Vermont.

• Virginia: “The Way I Are” by Timbaland: Timbaland's innovative production and commitment to pushing musical boundaries echo Virginia's own innovative spirit.

• Washington: “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: A dynamic duo from Seattle, their music and activism are an inspiration.

• West Virginia: “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver: A beautiful, nostalgic choice, a tribute to the natural beauty of West Virginia.

• Wisconsin: “Jump Around” by House of Pain: An energetic, fun choice, though one must question the message of 'jumping around' in a state with such severe education funding issues.

• Wyoming: “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas: A questionable choice to represent Wyoming, a state that seems stuck in the past with its regressive, conservative politics.

Music has the power to unite and inspire, and the Democratic National Convention's diverse musical palette is a testament to that. Let's hope the momentum continues and that real, progressive change comes to these great states and territories.

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Sources/URLs:

• Full list of songs played during the DNC state roll call
• The B-52s - Private Idaho
• John Denver - Rocky Mountain High
• Schitt’s Creek: “Simply the Best” - Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose
• Jack Harlow - First Class
• DJ Khaled - All I Do Is Win (feat. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg & Rick Ross)