In this installation of Road Trip Playlists, I thought it might be fun to get destination specific. What better place to start than the Lone Star State? I could fill a bunch of playlists with Texas songs, as many musicians have been inspired by it. Perhaps we’ll do a Part 2 (or 3 or 4) in the future. In today’s playlist, however, I stuck to general songs about Texas (meaning we could do playlists about specific destinations within Texas, but we’ll save that list for later).
As usual, I will try to use a mix of genres and combine songs you know and love with those you might not have heard before.
Quick peak at the Texas songs playlist
- Texas by Chris Rea
- Miles and Miles of Texas by Asleep at the Wheel featuring the Texas Playboys
- Waltz Across Texas by Ernest Tubb
- Texas Sun by Khruangbin with Leon Bridges
- Texas Flood by Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Too Far from Texas by Stevie Nicks
- Texas Lullaby by David Allan Coe
- That’s Right (You’re Not From Texas) by Lyle Lovett
Texas by Chris Rea
“Texas.” She says, “What?” “Texas.”
Chris Rea is dreaming of a better life in Texas. They’ve got a road that goes forever. Yes, he’s going to Texas in this dreamy, haunting song!
Miles and Miles of Texas by Asleep at the Wheel featuring the Texas Playboys
Anyone who has ever traveled there knows about the MILES and MILES of Texas! Asleep at the Wheel does an awesome version of Bob Wills’ classic Texas song, featuring some of Bob’s original band, the Texas Playboys.
Waltz Across Texas by Ernest Tubb and his Texas Troubadours
Ernest Tubb takes us to the romantic side of the Lone Star state. Ernest is ready to Waltz Across Texas with you, and that is a whole lot of waltzing!
Texas Sun by Khruangbin with Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges and indie band Khruangbin all originally hail from Texas. Their collaborative effort Texas Sun captures the essence of driving all those miles and miles of Texas, in a creative bluesy way.
Texas Flood by Stevie Ray Vaughan
Even Texans get the blues and nobody in Texas did blues like the late, great guitar virtuoso Stevie Ray Vaughan. I picked this soulful live version of the song, as I like it even better than the studio original. While Vaughan definitely made this song his own, Texas Flood is actually a cover of a 1958 Larry Davis track.
Texas Lullaby by David Allan Coe
Yippie Yi little doggie, David Allan Coe is going to sing you to sleep Texas style.
Too Far from Texas by Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks might not be the first artist that comes to mind when you think of Texas songs, but she proves otherwise in this song about missing a loved one who is going too far from Texas. Yes, the song features some Texas twang.
That’s Right (You’re Not From Texas) by Lyle Lovett
We’ll close this Texas playlist with what has to be one of the most joyous Texas songs ever. No worries though. Lyle Lovett assures us that even though you might not be from Texas, Texas wants you anyway!
OK. I left a lot of songs on the table this time. What other Texas songs would you add to the Texas Songs road trip playlist? Drop them in the comments below.
Previously in Cheri’s Road Trip Playlists
- 10 road songs for lovers
- 10 great American road trip/roadside America songs
- 9 terrific “born to roam” songs
- 8 awesome “life on the road” songs
- 7 joyful road trip songs to start your journey
##RVT1102
I like “Somewhere Down In Texas” by Jason Boland
Cheri! All these old songs…how ’bout suggesting some new stuff, there’s so much out there!
Chris Stapleton, Hayes Carll, Sturgill Simpson, Nikki Lane, Charlie Robinson, Jamey Johnson, …all have road songs and songs about Texas…
There’s probably not enough room in this comment box to name all of the great “Texas” songs BUT.
Gary P Nunn’ is a Country Singer who has been given the honor of Ambassador of Texas by 3 Texas governors.(His iconic song ‘London Homesick Blues’ was the theme song of the long running PBS program Austin City Limits. “I wanna go home with the armadillos, hear Country Music from Amarillo and Abilene, the friendliest people and the prettiest women you’ve ever seen!” Plus add
“All my exes live in Texas”, “Galveston” and “The Yellow Rose of Texas”.
There’s too many more to list.
I will say that when I was a student at Stephen F. Austin in the mid seventies you couldn’t go in a bar, honkytonk, or dance hall without the band playing London Homesick Blues 2-3 times and then using it for the closing song and playing refrain over and over x 33. And everyone sang along and loved it every single Friday and Saturday night. Oh to be young again- back then!
Just like smells, music/songs/sounds can bring forth so many deep and subconscious memories makes this is a fun piece. Stevie Ray still takes me straight back to a job i had 40 years ago, cranked up on the cassette player while driving to work. The album Double Trouble was released that year and Stevie Ray’s sound had me hooked for life.
How could you omit “What I like about Texas” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGukLuXzH1E by Gary P Nunn Your list is incomplete IMHO
Good one. And I am never going for “complete” with these articles.
Yes! Came here to say that too. Great song!
Thanks for posting this, I just got through the first one by Chris Rea and I can barely see the screen now. Thanks.
Also recommended:
• Luckenbach by Waylon and Willie
• Yellow Rose of Texas by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys
• God Blessed Texas by Little Texas
• All my Exes Live in Texas by George Strait
• Texas in My Soul – Willie Nelson
Great suggestions. Man, there are a whole lot of Texas songs! Some of these I have planned for the Texas destinations playlist (still to come) but some definitely belong on this playlist. My hat tips to you, sir! (Side note, I wrestled with “Yellow Rose of Texas,” but it almost seemed too cliché. But you are correct, it’s not.)
All those and add,
LA Grange – zztop.
Bet the surface has not even scratched.
I was saving La Grange for the Texas destinations playlist, but yes there are tons.