Each delegation at the Democratic National Convention announced their votes for presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Tuesday night to a fitting song.
The traditional roll call at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago turned into a boisterous dance party Tuesday, with each delegation announcing their votes for presidential nominee Kamala Harris to a fitting song.
The musical nods spun by DJ Cassidy were mostly obvious. Massachusetts went with a punk song about Boston. Kansas picked a song from the band Kansas.
But there were curious picks — like American Samoa rolling out to Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory” — and some delegations said they simply didn’t have a say in the matter.
Here’s how each song (likely) fits each state or territory, in order of the roll call:Alabama: “Sweet Home Alabama,” Lynyrd Skynyrd
Yes, the Southern state picked its most famous name-check, even if the band itself is originally from Florida.Alaska: “Feel It Still,” Portugal. The Man
Despite the European nation in its name, the rock band is from Wasilla, Alaska, which also happens to be the hometown of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.American Samoa: “Edge of Glory,” Lady Gaga
The territory’s Democratic Party didn’t respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday but NPR reports this is a “tongue-in-cheek nod to the territory’s position as the southernmost territory in the United States.” So we’ll go with that.Arizona: “Edge of Seventeen,” Stevie Nicks
The former Fleetwood Mac singer and solo artist is from Phoenix.Arkansas: “Don’t Stop,” Fleetwood Mac
The Southern state also went with a Nicks’ hit when it picked this song, which was also famously the theme of then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton’s winning 1992 presidential campaign.Colorado: “September,” Earth, Wind & Fire
One of the original lead singers of the band, Philip Bailey, was born in Denver, where he and other band members from the Mile High City are also in the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.Connecticut: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours),” Stevie Wonder
The New England state’s pick was one of former President Barack Obama’s go-to songs during his two successful presidential runs, but there’s no apparent connection to Connecticut. (Wonder is from Michigan.)Delaware: “Higher Love,” Kygo and Whitney Houston
The home state of President Joe Biden went with a song that had been a mainstay of his 2020 campaign.Democrats Abroad: “Love Train,” The O’Jays
The organization acknowledged Wednesday it didn’t have a say in the pick, but said the early disco hit was appropriate, given it has members in more than 190 countries.Washington, D.C.: “Let Me Clear My Throat,” DJ Kool
The delegation from the nation’s capital went with the party anthem by a native son.Florida: “I Won’t Back Down,” Tom Petty
The late rock star was born in — you guessed it — the Sunshine State.Georgia: “Turn Down For What,” DJ Snake and Lil Jon
Atlanta’s own Lil Jon delivered a raucous version of his hit live and in person to the crowd at Chicago’s United Center.Guam: “Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter
The island territory went with one of the biggest hits of the summer, though Carpenter was born and raised in Pennsylvania, some 7,800 miles (12,500 kilometers) away.Hawaii: “24K Magic,” Bruno Mars
If you haven’t already picked up on a theme here, the R&B star hails from Honolulu.Idaho: “Private Idaho,” The B-52s
The song is by the Georgia band most famous for “Love Shack” and other hits, but singer Fred Schneider told the Idaho Statesman he chose this song title because the state is “pretty mysterious to, you know, all of us.
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USA — Music Democrats set Chicago convention roll call to a soundtrack: Here’s each song,...