Which one has your vote for state song?

49 Comments

  • an actual musician - 9 years ago

    posting to remind myself to come back here and laugh at everyone taking shots at SVB when the Governor passes the bill

  • Sandi Saunders - 9 years ago

    "Sweet Virginia Breeze" was not written for a contest or even for consideration as the state song, like the original, it was written from the heart. It captures Virginia perfectly and is very uplifting and bright. There is no other choice, there is only a wrong choice if they choose any of the others. It is distinctive and will make everyone smile when they hear it. Just what we should want in our state song.

  • Bud n Carol Myers - 9 years ago

    After 30 Years…It’s Still The Breeze 

    On that Spring day in Shafer Street Court when Robbin Thompson and Steve Bassett first performed the Un-Official State Song of Virginia, Sweet Virginia Breeze, no one would have imagined how many more times it would be performed, or how many people would hum and sing it, or how far it would reach out to tell others about the good life in the Old Dominion.

    Now imagine this..it actually could and should be our Official State Song of Virginia.

    As much as the agencies around the State have used it, for tourism nationally, or for companies incorporating it into their recruiting presentations, selecting it is really a small payment, for what it has already brought to Virginia.

    There are several great songs that are being considered for this great honor, all differing in style and tone. Of those songs, only one of the composers is Virginia born, and that is Steve Bassett.

    The credentials in the music industry heavily favor the team of Thompson/Bassett. Robbin is twice winner of the American Song Festival, and his songs Highway 101 and Brite Eyes have had radio play regionally and nationally. He is a co-founder of one of the more successful music ventures in Virginia, the In Your Ears studios in Richmond for music production and post production work in many areas. Grammy award winning albums have been recorded there, Soundtracks from movies like Gladiator and The Help have had elements mixed in Robbin’s studio. Robbin is a Virginia businessman that has taken his incredible talents beyond anything that we could have imagined.

    Steve has produced over twenty albums in his career, while being hailed by R&B legends John Hammond and Jerry Wexler. He has played with the best musicians, and has earned his spot as one of the Muscle Shoal All-Stars, the quintessential band that includes members who have played on and written the most classic American soul music that our country has produced. Nationally, he has been heard on network commercials for some of the largest corporations in America.

    And with all their success, they have stayed in Richmond, Virginia, performing all over the state, making Virginians know that “everything is gonna be all right..living in the sweet Virginia breeze”.

    Steve Bassett and Robbin Thompson are, and have been for over 30 years, a class act. They exemplify the music business, the creative process, and moreover, staying true to one’s passions. They also wrote a great song. Imagine that.

    For more information, go to www.sweetvirginiabreeze.com
    Bud Myers

    Living in the Sweet Virginia Breeze for over 60 years!

     

     

  • Annette Hollingsworth - 9 years ago

    I believe "Sweet Virginia Breeze" should be the state song. I was born and raised here. This song was written by for Virginia by Virginians. It is a happy positive song. It makes me happy when ever I hear it. The song talks about the whole state from the mountain to the beaches. It is the best song out there. Make is the state song.

  • whit - 9 years ago

    Sweet Virginia Breeze is winner hands down as our state SONG. I also think the suggestion of a state ANTHEM is great especially for funerals and other solemn, sad or boring events and Virginia The Home of My Heart would be perfect for those events. I got halfway through it and almost fell asleep. Only a few devotees would be able to remember more than the first line much less the tune and why would you?
    Put it to a vote and I'm sure Sweet Virginia Breeze will win the honor. (Just as a side note
    ...Who would have had "Carry Me Back to Old Viginny" played or sung at their wedding or funeral anyway?)
    Let's get something that reflects living in Virginia in today's world, not sleeping or dying in Virginia.
    PS Nothing bad about the other songs...heartfelt, nicely performed etc but they just don't fit the ticket for most of us under 85!

    .

  • L - 9 years ago

    This "dignity" thing is preposterous. I think it's time to put away the powdered wigs...The "repetitive" element of the song you're talking about in Sweet Virginia Breeze is called a "hook"...in songwriting that's a GOOD thing. Its the reason people gravitate to, remember, and can SING a song and it's what makes it appealing for things like tourism, commercials, and celebratory events, which are the reasons to HAVE a state song. The call for SVB to be the state song came from fans of the song beginning 17+ years ago, because they LOVE it. In this case...the writers (who are also wonderful people who have done a great deal to give back to the Richmond community and the ENTIRE Commonwealth) have obliged the fans of the SONG in putting it forward, rather than the reverse (the "fans" obliging the writer in their personal ambitions or intellectual endeavors). For anyone interested in looking, there is plenty of video evidence of school children singing, the symphony playing, and ballet dancers dancing to Sweet Virginia Breeze...it couldn't BE more 'singable' and versatile. How about we make it the state song for the 99.99% of time it's needed for that celebratory, uplifting application and one of these other songs can be the "official" dirge when we need to do one of those 'state funerals' that we ALWAYS (never) do?

  • Seth Wood - 9 years ago

    I don't like any of these songs. What about this one http://youtu.be/515_3SQOnVU
    It's by a 16 year old named Sarah Beth and is an amazing tribute to our beautiful state and country music.

  • Dee - 9 years ago

    My, all this talk about what it takes to be a state song..... one would think that a new song would have been chosen by now by you and your supportive comments. Most people would rather listen to music and the history of Virginia by way of a happy song and sing along side of inspiration by artists who have given back to the community like Sweet Virginia Breeze. Not pick songs that are so repetitive to past songs because some believe it is the best choice because of "ABC" criteria... we want a new song that reflects Virginia is for LOVERS!

  • R - 9 years ago

    I believe that "Virginia, the Home of my Heart" is the best choice for Virginia's state song.

    It fits all criteria for our state song:

    A. A state song must be applicable to many events.
    This song can be sung at parties, weddings, funerals, and even as a fun road tune or just to hum along.
    "Sweet Virginia Breeze" is too upbeat to be applicable for funerals and other solemn events such as state memorials. Furthermore, it does not have a lot about Virginia. It mainly repeats the same line over and over again.

    B. It must be applicable for people of all ages.
    This song definitely fits this criteria. It can be sung as a lullaby to babies, a song to start of the day in elementary school, and even to teenagers. I, a high schooler, absolutely love this song and Susan herself. She is a fun-loving, caring person. My parents love this song, and they are constantly telling others to check it out. Even my grandmother, who doesn't even live in Virginia loves to sing this tune.

    C. Singability
    It does not take a star to sing this song. It is an easy melody. Sorry, but "Sweet Virginia Breeze" is too hard for many to sing. It is hard to hear the lyrics because of too much background noise, and it is too fast. "Virginia, the Home of my Heart", however, is a simple tune that is easy to sing and recognize, but it still tells everything we know and love about Virginia.

    D. Visual Images
    In "Virginia, the Home of my Heart", you can easily picture a beautiful cardinal, our state bird, flying around, all the historical landmarks, and scenery throughout all of the state from the Tidewater, to the Piedmont, to the Appalachia. All I can picture in "Sweet Virginia Breeze" is a wind. What does that have to do with Virginia? Just because it says Virginia, it does not make it a state song. Furthermore, it does not tell of all that Virginia has to offer. Would you tell someone who is asking what Virginia is like that they should listen to "Sweet Virginia Breeze" it has everything Virginia has? No! You'd tell them to listen to "Virginia, the Home of my Heart"

  • R - 9 years ago

    I believe that "Virginia, the Home of my Heart" is the best choice for Virginia's state song.

    It fits all criteria for our state song:

    A. A state song must be applicable to many events.
    This song can be sung at parties, weddings, funerals, and even as a fun road tune or just to hum along.
    "Sweet Virginia Breeze" is too upbeat to be applicable for funerals and other solemn events such as state memorials. Furthermore, it does not have a lot about Virginia. It mainly repeats the same line over and over again.

    B. It must be applicable for people of all ages.
    This song definitely fits this criteria. It can be sung as a lullaby to babies, a song to start of the day in elementary school, and even to teenagers. I, a high schooler, absolutely love this song and Susan herself. She is a fun-loving, caring person. My parents love this song, and they are constantly telling others to check it out. Even my grandmother, who doesn't even live in Virginia loves to sing this tune.

    C. Singability
    It does not take a star to sing this song. It is an easy melody. Sorry, but "Sweet Virginia Breeze" is too hard for many to sing. It is hard to hear the lyrics because of too much background noise, and it is too fast. "Virginia, the Home of my Heart", however, is a simple tune that is easy to sing and recognize, but it still tells everything we know and love about Virginia.

    D. Visual Images
    In "Virginia, the Home of my Heart", you can easily picture a beautiful cardinal, our state bird, flying around, all the historical landmarks, and scenery throughout all of the state from the Tidewater, to the Piedmont, to the Appalachia. All I can picture in "Sweet Virginia Breeze" is a wind. What does that have to do with Virginia? Just because it says Virginia, it does not make it a state song. Furthermore, it does not tell of all that Virginia has to offer. Would you tell someone who is asking what Virginia is like that they should listen to "Sweet Virginia Breeze" it has everything Virginia has? No! You'd tell them to listen to "Virginia, the Home of my Heart"

  • Liz - 9 years ago

    Sweet Virginia Breeze has a 40+ year history and every word is known by thousands of fans from 8 to 80 across the entire Commonwealth (not just Richmond). It has already been sung by choirs, school children, played by symphonies and used at hundreds of "official" state events--it was sung for the Queen of England and she LIKED it---and yes....it has been sung at funerals. It is positive, upbeat and celebrates everything great about our beautiful state, rather than being a love song about someone who lives in Virginia, which is the case with Virginia, Home of My Heart, according to Susan herself. Sweet Virginia Breeze was written by a 'home-grown' Virginia native and an almost-homegrown Virginia native out of their pure love for the Commonwealth 20 years before a "new state song" was even a debate. If you have ever been to one of Robbin's or Steve's shows, or seen them perform it together, you know that EVERYONE in the crowd sings absolutely every word with great enthusiasm. For those worried about "dignity" I would point you to probably the ONLY state song that 90% of American's can name (including their own state songs): Rocky Top (Tennessee)! And having lived in Tennessee for a few years, I can assure you that it is played for every occasion and the people there are quite "reverent" about it.

  • Joyce - 9 years ago

    Page Wilson's "Virginia" will always be my state song, regardless of any officially legislated nonsense.

  • Heather Dublin - 9 years ago

    There's been a lot of talk below about formality and dignity, but being a born and bred Virginian, who has lived in four different states before coming back to the Commonwealth and NOT once have I ever had to sing any state song in any state ! I can't imagine who would have to die for it to be sung at a funeral and I'm certain I've never been to a ball game where it's played.

    Someone below talked about voting for the song that put a smile on your face and made you Want to come to Virginia... for me, that's Sweet Virginia Breeze !

  • Kent Cove - 9 years ago

    LOL, well thanks Liz, I get luck every once in-a-while ! (Though my vote would still be SVB for State Song and 'Home of My Heart for State Anthem. An Anthem has more of a solemn preserve, allowing for those more 'formal and dignified' occasions some of the folks below were calling for).

  • Liz - 9 years ago

    Sorry, Kent Cove... The second sentence of my reply had a "But I believe..." as the beginning. It was deleted as I posted.

    I do believe "Virginia, the Home of My Heart" is the best choice for the Virginia State Song...but as you say...there are other ways of officially honoring great Virginia songs as well. You made an excellent point in your post.... Thank you!

  • Liz - 9 years ago

    Kent Cove... You make an excellent point! "Virginia, the Home of My Heart" is the PERFECT match for the criteria for state song!

    "Sweet Virginia Breeze" is a very nice song as well...one of my favorite dance tunes!...It would be great as the "Official Virginia Dance Song" or "Pop Song" if the Commonwealth would like to honor it in a special way.

  • Kent Cove - 9 years ago

    I think everyone is losing sight of the fact that there is no constitutional mandate to having "A" song or type of song. It's our state and we can be creative... for instance, below are over a half dozen State Songs that are either Pop songs or famous upbeat tunes. Many states have more than one "Official" state song (i.e. Tenn. has 10) others have a State Anthem and a State Song and others have State Marches etc.

    Why not have 'Sweet Virginia Breeze' as the official State Song and 'Virginia, The Home of My Heart' as the official State Anthem..... 'One Stone, Two Birds (Not of the Cardinal variety) !! We will just need to convince the Legislators of this now !

    LA - "You Are My Sunshine"
    CT - "Yankee Doodle"
    CO - "Rocky Mountain High"
    GA - "Georgia On My Mind"
    KS - "Home on the Range"
    NY - "I Love New York"
    WV - "Take Me Home Country Roads"

    TN - "Rocky Top" *(one of 10 official state songs)
    OH - "Hang On Sloopy" * (official Rock song)

  • Steve G - 9 years ago

    Lots of great comments. I just listened to SVB a couple of ties and really like it. it's got a great hook. However, it's upbeat melody restricts it's effectiveness and appropriateness for many more somber events where the state song is required. There really is a reason that no other state has adopted such a commercially great song. If not selected, it won't disappear but rather would continue to be effective where appropriate and be a great complement to "Virginia, the Home of My Heart", which, I believe is also a great song and just more appropriate for state functions.
    Steve G

  • Tommy - 9 years ago

    OY ! There is nothing un-dignified about SVB, quite the Contrary. It breathes life into an otherwise arduous and dreary chore for children learning about their homeland.

    Susan's song is lovely enough, but how much Commerce is it going to drive to Virginia ? How much commerce has SVB already driven over the years...? A tremendous amount, I suspect.

    Ask yourself.... which one of these songs makes you smile and want to visit Virginia ? Which truly allows you to smell the Hickory Pines of the Blue Ridge or the Magnolias on the Chesapeake without actually being there ? (or the Coffee on your back porch, for that matter !) Which one will get headlines in California ? '.....I think the one which is a tried and true beach tune instead of the sacchriney copy of every other non-descript state tune.

    With 'Sweet Virginia Breeze' we could be the only state in America that not only has their State Song being played by request on the radio every day, but the only state where more than 1/10 of 1% actually know the lyrics !!!

  • Alexandra - 9 years ago

    I've always said I'd like "Sweet Virginia Breeze" sung at my wedding reception. But I listened to all the videos at the bottom of the poll and I think the song Virginia, Home of My Heart sung by the woman makes most sense as a state song because it's so pretty, and could be played at happy and more formal events like memorials. And I like that it makes you think a lot about all the natural beauty of our state. It is more multipurpose and is a beautiful song we can be proud of.

  • brenda - 9 years ago

    As a long time Robbin Thompson fan, it pains me to say how much I love Susan Greenbaum's song. Beautiful lyrics with a beautiful video. This is the type of song more fitting for tourism commercials and official state functions.

  • Susan Ann Glass - 9 years ago

    Susan Greenbaum's song Virginia, the Heart of my Home speaks to ALL our magnificent commonwealth has to offer. It's easy to sing and/or hum and extols why Virginia - to this transplanted NYer - is the heart of MY home. I can't imagine anything else being sung or played at formal events...funerals, etc. Hands down...vote for Susan's celebratory song of Virginia.

  • pru - 9 years ago

    You can't change a few words of "Carry Me Back" to make it palatable. The whole song is about what a great thing it was to be a slave. Ugh. No way to cleanse that song of its dark history, and even an instrumental version of that song makes many, including me, dismayed about that sad chapter. Time to move on Virginia, away from the dark past and toward a brighter future! Woo Hoo!

  • Carolyn Foran - 9 years ago

    I can't help it. I'm old fashioned and am still in love with the original song "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia".
    I know a few of the words upset some people but I feel that those words can be changed and the original song, that our ancestors sang, can be kept.
    History can't be changed, only some memories.

  • eileen davis - 9 years ago

    "Virginia, The home of my Heart" my Susan Greenbaum, is hands down, THE best choice for Virginia State Song!

  • ZsaZsa - 9 years ago

    Virginia Home of My Heart is far and away the BEST choice for Virginia's State Song. It is an original song written and performed by a citizen of Virginia. It is not a remake of another song or an old song that would make do. The lyrics are beautiful and dignified and would be appropriate at a wide range of functions, events, ceremonies, dedications, solemn events as well as celebrations. Get behind this song and Susan Greenbaum. Susan is a state and local treasure!

  • Mark ates - 9 years ago

    I Love Susan Greenbaum and her music,but I like Page Wilson's "Virginia"more than anyone else's
    song.I think he wrote and sang it because of his Love of Virginia,not because he wanted to win a contest.

  • libbie - 9 years ago

    I agree withe the commenter who said the state song has to be dignified and versatile enough to use at a lot of functions. I love "Sweet Virginia Breeze" but cannot imagine it being sung at the funeral of a dignitary or dedication of a war memorial. Why don't we make it the "official dance song" of Virginia? Of the Official "Make us Happy" song? It's cool and fun and ought to get recognition, but I don't think it's appropriate for an official "State Song". The Home of my Heart Song (Susan Greenbaum) is the most well thought out and can be used at any occasion imaginable and I think it's best. Love the Carter Family but we should honor more than one region's genre. And that Our Great Virginia song is just bizarre. Sounds like a bank commercial. Really not even good enough for a bank commercial. "Heartland of the nation??" Huh????

  • Steve G - 9 years ago

    Susan Greenbaum has written a song destined to become the state song. It celebrates all that is good here and all that we can be proud of living in this great Commonwealth. It is original, it is complimentary and it is very easy to sing with a melody and words that are clear and easy to remember.

  • Jennifer - 9 years ago

    "Sweet Virginia Breeze" by Steve Bassett & Robbin Thompson. Visit SweetVirginiaBreeze.com. "Steve and Robbin have generously allowed the song to be used by state agencies such as Va. Tourism, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and the Virginia Department of Taxation. Steve and Robbin have played the song for several Governor‘s Inaugural Galas, The State Bar Association, The Southern Governor’s Conference, numerous charitable organizations and other state functions such as the visit by the Queen of England. "Sweet Virginia Breeze" has been performed by children and sung by people of every age. Everyone calls it the 'Unofficial' State Song." Checkout the videos of performances by Children and Steve & Robbin's Bands at SweetVirginiaBreeze.com. Livin' in the Sweet Virginia Breeze...

  • Carrie - 9 years ago

    Adding my vote for Old Dominion by Eddie From Ohio!

  • Andrea Burns - 9 years ago

    Old Dominion by Eddie From Ohio is PERFECT!

  • Marshall - 9 years ago

    Back in the late '70s, the Virginia tourism industry had a commercial with a song which was "Virginia is Yours to Love". I always liked that and thought that it would be a great state song. That said, given the choices, I'd go with Virginia the Home of My Heart or Our Great Virginia. Sweet Virginia Breeze is "catchy" but not dignified enough for a state song and one not easily sung by school children. Of course, Virginia could follow the example of Tennessee (I was born in Virginia of a Virginia born mother, raised in Tennessee, then came back to Virginia to live ;>) which has more than one state song including "Rocky Top" which is basically a song about moonshining in Tennessee. However, if only one song is allowed, I'd have to go with either Virginia the Home of My Heart or Our Great Virginia. And may God bless Virginia!

  • Della - 9 years ago

    i really believe that "old dominion" by Eddie From Ohio is the best song for our state. And by the way, the members of this group are from Virgina - not Ohio

  • Cathy Morper - 9 years ago

    EFO's Old Dominion is my vote!!
    Why is it not a choice???

  • John - 9 years ago

    How is Old Dominion- Eddie from Ohio left off off this list? Clear winner in my opinion- truly captures the spirit of this great state.

  • Elle B - 9 years ago

    Why isn't "Old Dominion" by Eddie from Ohio not on this list??

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9-7VVP5WTM&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop

  • jw - 9 years ago

    Sweet Virginia Breeze is by far the best song capturing all that is good about our wonderful state. It's a happy up-tempo song that has captured national attention in the past and often cited as the unofficial state song of Va.

  • Tommy - 9 years ago

    susan's is the best and should win.

  • Paul - 9 years ago

    Virginia, the Home of My Heart is by far the best of these. And Susan Greenbaum herself is an incredibly wonderful person. I also wonder why Page Wilson's Virginia is not in the running. https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1421914688&feature=player_detailpage&x-yt-cl=84503534&v=-tR5iMuvPDA

  • Esweet - 9 years ago

    Shenandoah was about someone LONGING for Virginia from somewhere else (ok, Missouri) after he left. That qualifies at least as much as any other from an historical perspective. Beautiful lyrics and James Erb's arrangement will pull you home from half a world away.

  • Elizabeth - 9 years ago

    I just keep thinking of what kind of song could be sung at a memorial service for a Virginia State Policeman? Or a gubernatorial inauguration? Or by children in school to celebrate a special occasion? The first requirement for a state song (according to the original selection committee) is "dignity." "Virginia, the Home of My Heart" is not only beautifully written, but it can be sung up tempo or slowly...at a happy occasion or something like a memorial. It is dignified and it is evocative of all parts of Virginia. It is a song that reminds us why we are so proud (in the best sense of the word) to be Virginians...and I think it would work well with tourism efforts and boost the economy.

  • Ian - 9 years ago

    "VA, Home of my Heart should win. Robbin Thompson's song is a fun pop hit, but not becoming of a State Song. It's not really singable by the masses; was never meant to be except for the hook. "Our Great Virginia" is not written well and when played instrumentally will basically make our State Song "O Shenandoah." The Carter Family song is lovely but rooted in only one dimension of our Commonwealth's culture. Susan Greenbaum's "VA, Home of my Heart" has it all. It is singable, beautiful, with lyrics artfully written, and resonating with a wide variety of VA's cultures and subcultures.

  • Steve - 9 years ago

    Old Dominion! What better song could one ask for?

  • PJ - 9 years ago

    If we are all honest, the official state song should be Taxman by the Beatles. That reflects the state.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbQiVQuiu04

  • t. long - 9 years ago

    The old dominion was chosen to replace carry me back but never voted in.

  • pru - 9 years ago

    Does that song really say we're "The Heartland of the nation"? The Heartland of the nation? I didn't know we were near Iowa. Now that is just plain weird. http://wikitravel.org/en/Midwest_(United_States_of_America)

  • Rick - 9 years ago

    That went away like 17 years ago due to ties to slavery.

  • june - 9 years ago

    What happened to "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia"?

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