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What's Your Pick for the Official State Rock Song?

There's a push to make The Modern Lovers' "Roadrunner" the official rock song of Massachusetts. But the state's musical heritage is full of great acts and songs. What's your pick for a state anthem?

By Roberto Scalese
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February 20, 2013

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Fans of making "Roadrunner" the commonwealth's official rock song have taken to Facebook to gather community support.

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Fans of making "Roadrunner" the commonwealth's official rock song have taken to Facebook to gather community support.

Credit Roberto Scalese

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With paeans to Massachusetts, Route 128, the Mass Pike and even Stop n' Shop, The Modern Lovers' "Roadrunner" is a thoroughly local song. But should it be the state's official rock song? Some state legislators think so.

Aside from the song's lyrical caress of the state and its eccentric geographic locales, the band has great local roots in and around Boston. Lead singer Jonathan Richman is from Natick, and drummer David Robinson hails from Woburn. The band's first demo was recorded at the Back Bay's Intermedia Studios, where Aerosmith recorded "Dream On," and which was later bought by the Cars, who recorded there as well. The Newbury Street studio is long gone, however; the space is now an American Apparel.

State legislators from across the state are jumping on the "Roadrunner" bandwagon, including North End Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (his aunt was in the band).

While Jonathan Richman may be in love with Massachusetts, not everyone in the state is enamored with his "Roadrunner." Boston's "Rock n' Roll Band" has several state references sprinkled throughout the lyrics, and The Dropkick Murphys have created their own cottage industry writing and covering locally-based songs.

What do you think? Is Richman's cooing "I'm in love with Massachusetts?" enough for the state song, or are there other local rock songs more deserving of the title? Give us your best alternatives in the comments section below.

Related Topics: Official state song

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Louisa Hufstader

3:55 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

"ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX!" How could there be a better Massachusetts rock song than "Roadrunner"?
And when mentioning who played on it with Jonathan, let us not leave out keyboardist Jerry Harrison, whose solo (on a Farfisa?) always evokes those cold Massachusetts nights when I hear it.
Jerry went on to be more famous with Talking Heads but he was a Harvard guy, class of '71.

Maribeth Priore

5:54 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Massachusetts by The Bee Gee's ~ Listen to this beautiful classic tribute to The Bay State.
http://youtu.be/Mc5oqjFsT5g

Aron Levy

6:13 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

As much as I love 'Dirty Water,' I agree with Roadrunner. We need a song written by a band from Massachusetts!

Louisa Hufstader

7:45 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Is Arlo Guthrie's "Massachusetts" already the state folk song? I just moved back; when I lived in the Commonwealth as a younger person we had a state muffin, clam, flower and bird but I am not sure about a song.

Rodger Wonker

8:12 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Freeze - I hate tourists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMdfMIEFQAU

Ezra Agnew

3:06 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Yay! had that on vinyl.

steve auerbach

8:59 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Somehow I think there would be many Baystaters who would object to "I Hate Tourists" and I object to the sodden sentimentality of the BeeGees. "Roadrunner" seems a perfectly great choice.