Most realize that Ohio is pivotal in the upcoming election. This post earlier in the week provided information that you don’t hear on the news. Because I realize my readers have a variety of interesting and musical preferences, and in the spirit of the election season, A Frank Angle Productions present Ohio: The Musical – a historical journey through music.
Enjoy … hope you found some gems! Alright, which fit your interests today?
1700s: Banks of the Ohio (First recorded 1927, eventually a Monroe Brothers hit (Olivia Newton John, 1972)
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1854: Down by the Ohio (OSU Marching Band version)
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Date unknown, but it fits here: Rollin’ Down the Ohio
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1918: Beautiful Ohio
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1965: Hang on Sloopy by Ohio’s own The McCoys, thus the state’s Official Rock Song
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1970: Ohio about a sad day in our history by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
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1978: Theme to WKRP in Cincinnati (with scenes of my city)
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1983: My Town by Michael Stanley Band
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1986: Cuyahoga by R.E.M
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1995: Youngstown by Bruce Springsteen
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1996: Drew Carey Show’s Theme Song – Cleveland Rocks by Ian Hunter
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2003: Ohio by Over the Rhine
Hey! Where the heck is the theme from “WKRP in Cincinnati”, Mr. Cincy-boy? Eh?
John E,
You must have went right by it!
Oh, come on, you’re gas-lighting me here! You snuck that thing in after I commented – c’mon, admit it!
In the words of Sargent Schultz, I know notting!
It’s so long ago since I heard “Hang on Sloopy.” I loved it back in the day.
Paradise,
Thanks for stopping by.
Glad it brought back memories. Make sure to stop by again in the morning when you are not so tired.
Well, I’d go with the Banks of the Ohio, except for ON-J. It’s a great song, but so are most of the others. I’ll go with the Boss. I like his politics!
Elyse,
The Boss also knows how to tell a story! Thanks for visiting.
Wow, I haven’t listened to Olivia Newton John in a while. What a sweet voice. And of course, I love the Cleveland Rocks one. But the theme song from WKRP brings back so many memories. Oh, I can’t decide!…
Carrie,
Glad you enjoy many of these, thus no obligation for a favorite! Thanks for stopping by.
Wow! Olivia before she turned blond. Good on you Frank for featuring an Aussie! xx
Spiced,
I was wondering if anyone would notice her hair! Interesting that the song is quite old! Thanks for visiting.
I would need hours to get through all this music…;-)…listening to crosby, stills…it’s been a long time!!! Have a fantastic weekend!!
Lisa,
CSNY is a good choice … and one that I assume would be popular. Meanwhile, you’ll have to come back to listen to more music! Thanks for commenting.
Wow, what a collection. Showing my age here but of course I have to go with CSNY, still love them and they remain always and forever in my collection.
Val,
Thanks for visiting.
I figured that would be a popular choice … then again, if it was related to age, glad you didn’t pick one of the first three.
Some great choices here. Personal faves are CSNY, R.E.M. and OTR. I guess it’s a morning of acronyms.
Mobius,
LOL on the acronyms … and I remember your appreciation of OTR. Thanks for commenting.
Cincinnati chili is the best, I know it’s not a song but this brought made me want to it. Totally random? yeah, but I guess it’s because I’m hungry.
Doggy.
Alright … someone who has experienced and loves our local culinary delight. Therefore, here’s a past post for you … and also the one linked in the post. Thanks for commenting.
http://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/on-a-skyline/
Oh man I used to love “WKRP in Cincinnati.”
TBM,
Glad that video rekindled your memories … and with Thanksgiving approaching, the turkey drop. Thanks for visiting.
CSN&Y’s version is by far my favorite.
Ohio really should put on their own musical, just to see if Romney would try for a lead role as a publicity stunt. Now THAT would be entertaining.
Twixt,
If there is a place he would do Gangnam Style, it would be here! I saw a bit today that so far, (I assume through yesterday), the candidates have made a combined 50 trips here … and I know Romney/Ryan have 3 stops today. Soon, but not soon enough, it will be over … then let the whining begin then it’s 2016 here we come! Thanks for commenting.
Excellent set!
Now, can you write the story to weave all these together for the musical?
Guapo,
Ah ha … who doesn’t like a good challenge … but hey, it doesn’t mean I won’t pass up on one. Stories aren’t in my skill set, then again … I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks for stopping by … and come on back to hear more tunes.
Who knew! Hilarious
Outstanding list (WKRP HAD to be there, thanks)
Mouse,
WKRP is a classic show! The photos in the video are of Cincinnati … and most are from a riverboat festival known as Tall Stacks, which (unfortunately) is on hiatus. Thanks for commenting.
Very nice collection of best of Ohio tunes.:+) The video of the CSNY I don’t think I’ve ever seen the video to go with the song before.
I liked all the old photos on the Beautiful Ohio video.
Starla,
I don’t think the scenes are the official video, but those are pics of Kent State, which is the focus of the song! The Beautiful Ohio pics are from Findlay, which is in NW Ohio, about 2+ hour drive from Cincinnati (in SW corner). Thanks for stopping by.
Thank You for the imformation. :+) Hope you guys have a great weekend!
Frank, I have a link to the Seventeenth Century that I’m trying to find, so I have to go with the first song on your playlist today, the ‘Banks of the Ohio’ one. I also liked Grease, so there’s a link there too!The song was quite good as well!
Tom,
Good choice. To be honest, that song going back to the 1700s surprised me. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for visiting.
Didn’t know there was so many songs about Ohio – I only know one about my county/state … some good old songs here. A great musical. Youngstown my favorit part.
Viveka,
I think many place has a musical history. The idea came to me, to made a few notes, did some searches, came up with the chronological idea, found the videos, then poof …. a post. FYI: Youngstown is a small city in NE Ohio with a proud industrial past. Today, many of those industries are gone … thus the essence of the song. Thanks for visiting.
Some nice music in that lot, my fav would be CSNY but ONJ is up there too. Been ages since I heard these. Good choices.
Fasab,
Although I figured CSNY would be the fav, it was a fun post to put together … hence why I added a chronological twist. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for stopping by.
Great tunes! I’m showing my age and location by not knowing 90 percent of the songs. I only knew the Drew’s show song. Oh well. Having grown up in Brazil, I did not hear these tunes. I was listening to Bossa Nova all day long (and I still do, but not all day) and 80′s pop.
What a great post!
Java,
Not know most of these songs is good because like all songs, there is a story to the lyrics. Bruce Springsteen is known for his lyrics about lives of people. The Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young song is about a shooting on a college campus during a Vietnam War protest … google Kent State Shootings 1970. On the other hand, the first few are involve early US music. (Just trying to give you some context) … Meanwhile, so much Brazilian music is full of fun! Thanks for visiting.
Frank, I’m working my way backwards through posts, just catching up from a way too hectic 2 weeks. Great post!
It’s a toss up between the McCoy’s “Hang on Sloopy” and CSNY’s “Ohio” (still have that album) Another great Ohio band (Stuebenville) was Wild Cherry, famous for “Play That Funky Music, White Boy” – they used to play in Pittsburgh a lot. Here’s a YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4R0NZ81pHQ
As for WKRP, ’tis the season to recall their infamous Thanksgiving show where they dropped the turkeys from the helicopter. I miss that show!
Lynn,
I focused on Ohio in the title or about Ohio – as opposed to bands from Ohio. Seems I did something about Ohio musicians sometime in the past, but I can’t find it at the moment. As a musician, I knew you would find something here to appreciate. Many thanks for visiting and sharing information!
For differing reasons I really liked them all. I loved “Cleveland Rocks” because I enjoyed the Drew Carey show. I enjoyed WKRP, too, so I enjoyed revisiting the theme. I didn’t know the McCoys came from Ohio, but I like that song, too, in a sentimental kind of way! But my favorite is CSN…and although the song is always very sad to me, I really think it is a fine song that will always be meaningful to me. I like all your music choice, Frank. I was telling someone today about you in mentioning how you’ve written about all the political campaign ads and calls you’re experiencing. It will be over soon!
Debra,
… but yes, a sad song. 
… I must say that this was a fun post to put together. In terms of the election, although the campaign ads will soon be over, it’s hope the election doesn’t end up in the courts. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I recall your relatively recent post about CSNY and my comment there about Ohio.
Great post. So many cool songs – hard to choose a favorite. I loved Olivia Newton John, WKRP, and Drew Carey. 2 out of the 3 were TV theme songs. Haha fitting for a TV junkie like me
Spinny,
Glad you enjoyed the music … (A nice diversion away from the political BS within my state) …. Thanks for visiting.
What a fun post Frank! You must’ve spent hours gathering all this music. I enjoyed sitting back and listening to the music. Thank you, it’s what the doctor ordered… I liked all the songs, Olivia Newton John, Springsteen,
omg I haven’t heard “Hang on Sloopy” in many many years. Hah now I know the The McCoys are from Ohio I hope it’ll help me win the million $ question!
But my favorite was the acapela rendition of Rollin’ Down the Ohio.
Rosie,
Surprisingly, this post came together fairly easy. It’s also been fun the wide range of comments about the videos. Thanks for visiting.
Loved WKRP–Chi hua hua! Classic Les Nesman….
Cylist,
Les Nesman is a classic. Being a Cincinnatian, I’ve gotta work up a post about that show! Thanks for commenting.
Fantastic, fun selection, Frank!
Robin,
Glad you enjoyed it as it was fun to put together. Thanks for stopping by.