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- Maine’s music embraces traditions of the past with classical, folk, klezmer, and jazz alongside today’s rock, country and indie music.
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Maine is home to many talented singers, songwriters, band leaders and composers. Composers from Maine include Charles Whitney Coombs, John Knowles Paine, Frank Churchill, Aaron Robinson, Claude Demetrius, Peter Garland, and Harold J. Crosby. Rudy Vallée grew up in Westbrook.
Aug 7, 2020 · A Maine music historian joins us to look back at the remarkable music that’s been made in Maine over the past 200 years. This includes music from: the Wabanaki and Passamaquoddy tribes; a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, Walter Piston of Rockland; the country’s first superstar teen idol, Rudy Vallee; country music stars Donald Doane, Sr ...
- “King of The Road” by Roger Miller
- “Portland, Maine” by Donovan Woods
- “Long Time Sunshine” by Weezer
- “Nothing But Time” by Jackson Browne
- “The Reach” by Dan Fogelberg
- “The King of Maine” by Spose
- “Main Stein Song” by Rudy Vallée
- “That Jane from Maine” by Doris Day
- “A Tombstone Every Mile” by Dick Curless
- “Portland Town” by Schooner Fare
First up, we have “King Of The Road.” This is a classic song by the famous Roger Miller. This hit topped country charts for weeks and even broke into the top 5 pop hits of the ’60s. Miller’s deep voice pairs with his playful guitar playing and honky-tonk lyrics. The song talks of a man on the move, taking midnight trains and working to afford small...
Next, a song with the direct title “Portland, Maine” by Donovan Woodsis a soft, acoustic indie tune. Woods’s skill at playing folk music and writing lyrics has won him multiple awards. Originally by him, this song has become well-known, and Tim McGraw has covered it. Despite the song having a direct reference in the title to the city of Portland, M...
“Long Time Sunshine” is a surprisingly soft song from the well-known rock band Weezer. Many of the band’s more popular songs are known for their energetic style, but this is a different side to them. It eventually devolves into a collection of vocals shouting at the end, but it begins very gently. Weezer is a California band, and this song begins w...
Another classic rock song about Maine, “Nothing But Time” by Jackson Browne, has that old-school rock and roll feel. Browne’s prestigious career has landed him a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It’s not just his musical ability, but his skillful lyric writing has meant success for himself and other bands like the Eagles. The lyrics of this so...
In this next song, “The Reach,” Dan Fogelbergcroons a beautiful, slow ballad about the cycles of life shown through the sceneries of Maine. Fogelberg was a talented musician who paired with the likes of the Eagles and Elton John. “The Reach” is a song about Maine that encapsulates the spirit of the state. It shows the changing season in the autumn ...
Up next is a song about Maine from a Maine-native musician. This rap song, “The King Of Maine” by Sposehas obvious connections from the title and strings reference to the Pine Tree State throughout the lyrics. Spose is a rising rap artist who has humble beginnings selling Maine lobster. The rhythmic beat and catchy lyrics describe Spose himself as ...
Next up, our singer Rudy Vallée would set the stage for Frank Sinatra and pop stars today, but first, he was a student at Maine University. While attending the school, he decided to cover the university song, and the “Maine Stein Song” would become the first school song to top charts. Vallée is a foundational figure in American music, as he’s known...
The next song from Doris Day is “That Jane From Maine,” which is an upbeat classic. An infamous actress and singer, Day’s bright voice brings plenty of life to this song about a Maine woman named Jane, who is more beautiful than any other. A fun note about this song is that it accompanies a movie Day starred in titled It Happened To Jane. The movie...
Here’s another song from a Maine-native artist that is a classic country song. Dick Curlesswas born in Maine and was a truck driver when he was in the Korean War. This song of his, “A Tombstone Every Mile,” reached the top 5 in country charts after his return. The song focuses on the treacherous winter roads truckers face in Maine. A man with exper...
Finally, we end with another Maine-based artist. “Portland Town” by Schooner Fareis a folksy song about approaching the light of the town of Portland. Schooner Fare is from Maine, and the band has been around since the ’70s. They’ve risen in popularity, and their songs have an Irish-folk sound. “Portland Town” is a fun, hopeful song about the homey...
From historical ballads that honor the sacrifices of Maine soldiers to contemporary anthems that celebrate the coastal charm and musical spirit of the state, these songs provide a melodic gateway into the heart and soul of Maine.
Maine’s music embraces traditions of the past with classical, folk, klezmer, and jazz alongside today’s rock, country and indie music. The state has some of the country’s best blues and bluegrass music festivals – tribute indeed to our love of all things musical.
Mar 22, 2024 · A new exhibit at the Maine Historical Society, “Music in Maine,” showcases the state’s diverse musical heritage. From Shaker spirituals to Wabanaki instruments to bluegrass tunes, the exhibit features the many musical genres and eras that have shaped Maine.
Feb 14, 2024 · Music has been present and essential in some way in every community across Maine since time immemorial. It is a human universal. From classical and sacred to blues, jazz, rock and folk and punk, music reflects the mood, talents, and character of Maine people and communities.
