Every city seems to have a coronavirus shutdown sing-along song. What is Sacramento’s?
In the current COVID-19 crisis, cities across the country have been singing either their official song or appropriating one that reflects their culture appropriately.
In the case of our dear neighbor on the bay, San Francisco, it’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” which can still be crooned by its signature vocalist, Tony Bennett.
Interestingly, for whatever reason, there is no Sacramento song equivalent. And, if there is – quick – tell me what it is.
Lots of cities have songs about them. Luckenbach, Texas, has its own internationally-known song, for example, as rendered by the seemingly immortal Willie Nelson.
New York City is the proud owner of “New York, New York,” and many other New York-themed anthems.
But, hey, Farm to Forkers, what about Sacramento?
Really, Sacramento is a fantastic place to live, as any Sacramentan is more than happy to tell you. I agree, and I fell in love with the place when I came down here in 2013. My own mother lived on Riverside Boulevard during World War II, but she wasn’t a fan.
No one is a fan of anything when they’re 12 to 15-years-old. Ask anyone (like me) who has raised teenagers. Consequently, I get Mom’s early teen lack of enthusiasm. Plus. they didn’t have air conditioning.
I’m no Cole Porter/Lennon/McCartney/Guy Who Wrote Happy Birthday, but I do enjoy a good lyric.
Here are a few song titles for Sacramento I’ve come up with:
“Let’s Get CalPERSonal”
“The Steinberg Spangled Banner”
“Deep in the Heart of Taxes”
“Help! with the Form 22-K Caltrans Requisition (addenda)”
“Don’t Cry For Me, Arnold Schwarzenegger”
“Jerry Brown, Superstar”
“There’s No Business Like Sac Business”
“On a Clear Day You Can See Folsom”
“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (in Fire Season)”
“Bridge Over Troubled Water Policy”
“Ain’t We Got Funds”
“It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got The Governor’s Signature”
“While My Budget Analyst Gently Weeps”
“(I Can’t Get No) Legislation”
“I Walk the Line Item Veto”
“California Dreamin’ of the Rainy Day Fund”
“You’ve Lost That Gavin Feelin’”
“Lobbying Is A Many Spending Thing”
“April Love, May Revise”
“Midtown Funk”
“West Sac Story”
“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be A Sacramento King”
“Delta Dawn But We Vastly Prefer The Delta Breeze”
“Midnight High-Speed Train to Fresno”
And so on.
Now that I’ve written mine, it’s time to write yours. Here what we’d like you to do.
Got a good song about Sacramento you’ve penned? Got a good song about Sacramento you’d like to parody? It doesn’t even have to be a parody. It can be anything you want, but make it singable, reflective of our city and region and printable in a family newspaper (please).
Send them to johman@sacbee.com. I’ll be the sole judge, and the winner gets an original drawing (in jpeg form, in color, and you will also get the original black and white brush and ink version – eventually) from your slightly overextended local Sacramento Bee editorial cartoonist.
Let The Great Sacramento Songbook be written.