15 Best Songs About Kansas: The Sunflower State

Kansas is one of the most beautiful states in America, and did you know there are a lot of singers who have talked about their love of it in their tracks? We’re going to tell you the 15 best songs about Kansas below, so read on to find out what tracks can make you feel like you’re there. 

1. You’re Not In Kansas Anymore – Jo Dee Messina 

You're Not In Kansas Anymore

First on our list is You’re Not In Kansas Anymore by Jo Dee Messina. This song can be found on her self-titled album, which was released in 1996. It was very popular at the time and made it to number seven on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It references The Wizard Of Oz in its title, and the lyrics also suggest places from the movie, such as the Yellow Brick Road. 

In this country track, which she sings with an energetic and upbeat vibe, she talks about some of the most iconic places and landmarks that you’d find within the state. The tempo is upbeat and the guitar riffs are very country, which will make you want to dance right along its high-energy rhythm. If you enjoy Kansas and want a song that’ll make you proud to be from The Sunflower State, this is one of the best tunes to check out.

2. Sunflower – Russ Morgan 

Next is Russ Morgan with his hit Sunflower, which is one of those jazz songs that’s sure to get you out of your chair and onto the dance floor. Released in 1949, the vocals are performed by The Skylarks, and it features a melody that’s catchy and a tempo that’s very upbeat and energetic.

In this track, a sunflower is being used as the metaphor for passion and true love, and the orchestra just lends itself perfectly to a romantic swing song that’s going to remind you of Kansas. This timeless classic swing track is one of his most beloved songs, and it’s a track you’ll keep coming back to because of its beauty. 

3. Kansas Rain – John Stewart 

Country star John Stewart makes our list with Kansas Rain, which was released in 1974 on the album The Phoenix Concerts. This song is all about a guy who is feeling isolated and alone in the state, and he is homesick. He talks about how the rain falls while he is in the prairie, which reminds him of his home. What’s great about this track is that there is a harmonica and guitar that will give you the country feels while his vocals are filled with raw emotions that’ll allow you to feel his pain and loneliness. 

4. Kansas City – Wilbert Harrison

Up next is Wilbert Harrison with the track Kansas City, which was released in 1959 and was originally performed by Little Willie Littlefield in 1952. The writers of this song are Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber, and it’s one of the tracks by the two of them that has been covered by multiple people, although the version by Harrison remains one of the most iconic and beloved of them all.

In 2001, his cover was put into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and just a few years later, in 2005, Kansas City decided this would be their official song. 

5. Wichita Lineman – Glen Campbell 

Wichita Lineman (Remastered 2001)

Country singer Glen Campbell had a hit when he released Wichita Lineman in 1968 from the album of the same name. This was one of his bigger songs, and to this day, it’s loved by his fans. The premise of the track is that it’s about a guy who works in Wichita as a lineman, and it goes into all of the details about his job, but there is a deeper meaning behind the song.

When you listen to it, you’ll hear that it’s really about having hopes and dreams that you hope one day you’ll be able to achieve. Therefore, the track is going to fill you with optimism that all of those things you want to do in life, you’ll achieve. 

6. One’s On The Way – Loretta Lynn 

Another country artist to make this list is Loretta Lynn with the song One’s On The Way, which was released in 1972 on the album of the same name. The track is sort of depressing because it’s focused on a woman who has multiple children and is currently pregnant with yet another baby. This woman lives in Topeka, Kansas, and is nothing more than just your traditional homemaker, so she spends her time taking care of all of the children she brought into the world. 

It was one of those songs that resonated not only with women in Kansas but women all over the world, especially those who were in the working-class part of society. To this day, it’s one of her most well-known and beloved tracks. On the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart it peaked at number one while also landing at number one on the charts in Canada. 

7. Belexes – Kansas 

Kansas has a song called Belexes, which was released in 1974 on their debut album. The mood and tempo change throughout the track with both the guitar and the keyboard. After you hear this song, you’ll understand that it’s a very complex track that’ll show you just how talented the rock band really is. 

8. Wichita Skyline – Shawn Colvin 

Pop star Shawn Colvin makes the list with her 1996 hit Wichita Skyline from her hit album A Few Small Repairs. This song is all about Wichita, Kansas, and the skyline, which she describes as the only part of the city that changes with the seasons. Her vocals are smooth and soft, which works well with the fact she’s singing about how lonely she feels as she contemplates whether she’ll see her lover again.

9. Ringing In The Year – Turnpike Troubadours 

Ringing in the Year

The Turnpike Troubadours released Ringing In The Year in 2015 from their self-titled album. This is one of those country songs that’s all about being lonely and experiencing heartache. If you feel isolated and lonely after a breakup or some other event, you’ll relate to this track. 

10. We’re Not In Kansas – Big Country 

We're Not in Kansas

Big Country makes the list with We’re Not In Kansas Anymore, which was released in 1991. It comes from their album No Place Like Home, and it’s a very thought-provoking tune that at the heart of it, is about yearning for something better and feeling trapped. You can tell in the song he’s missing home, and everything is just a reminder of how the people and politics as well as everything else aren’t the same. 

11. On The Atchison, Topeka, and The Santa Fe – Judy Garland 

On The Atchison, Topeka, And The Santa Fe [from The Harvey Girls]

Legendary singer and actress Judy Garland had a hit with On The Atchison, Topeka, And Santa Fe. It was released in 1945, and it landed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 10, with it being one of her most popular and beloved songs. She won an Academy Award for this track in the Best Original Song category, and her version was also put into the Grammy Hall of Fame. 

12. Home On The Range – Roy Rogers 

Country star Roy Rogers makes our list with Home On The Range. This track never made it onto the charts, but it’s the official song of the state of Kansas. The folk track is all about the state and what’s loved about it, and it’s a song that will make you feel proud of what you come from and the life you have if you live there. 

13. Fly Over States – Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean - Fly Over States (Music Video)

Next is Jason Aldean with Fly Over States, which was released in 2010 from his album My Kinda Party. The track went to number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart while hitting 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also made it to number four on the Canadian Billboard Country chart and 55 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart. The Sunflower State falls within this geographical area known as a flyover state. 

In the track, he is telling a story about two people on a plane traveling from New York to LA, and the men on the first-class flight begin talking trash about the people living in those areas. He sings about how great these people actually are and how when you meet them, you’ll understand how awesome they are.

14. Kansas Storm – Buckethead 

Buckethead had a great song from his 2002 album Electric Tears called Kansas Storm. This entire album is filled with emotion, and it’s thought to be not only his most emotional album to be released but also one of his most introspective. This track is just one of those powerful songs whereas with most Buckethead tracks, no lyrics or vocals are needed to convey feeling or emotion. 

15. Lawrence, Ks – Josh Ritter 

Josh Ritter makes the list with Lawrence, Ks, which was released in 2002 on the album Golden Age Of Radio. This song isn’t one of those optimistic tracks talking about how beautiful The Sunflower State is; instead, it is talking about how it’s all going to be the death of the narrator, but he can’t leave it behind. He mentions some of the beauty, such as the willow trees, and talks about how when it’s his time to die, his wings will be made of hay and corn husks.

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