We woke up Deep in the Heart of Texas (see what we did there), and for us, that alone is a good enough reason to break out into song.
Austin has a thriving music scene, but that doesn’t make it feel any less special when our city gets a musical shoutout. Here are 15 of our favorite songs that reference Austin.
“Multi-Love” — Unknown Mortal Orchestra
This song has a local double whammy with the line, “she wants to bury me in Austin, under Uchiko.”
“E. 11th Street” — Jon Dee Graham
See an address you recognize in there? This classic local tune is about returning home to ATX.
“Dublin Blues” — Guy Clark
This song reminisces about ATX, starting with the line “I wished I was in Austin in the Chili Parlor Bar, drinking Mad Dog margaritas and not caring where you are.”
“Back to Austin” — Jamestown Revival
Take a trip with this Austin-based band as they chronicle the journey home from Los Angeles.
“Austin Prison” — Johnny Cash
This song doesn’t romanticize Austin the way the rest of them do — Johnny Cash is on his way to jail in the Capital City.
“Who Says” — John Mayer
“It’s been a long night in New York City / It’s been a long night in Austin too.”
“Travis County” — Gary Clark Jr.
Gary Clarke Jr. is a native of Austin – in case you couldn’t guess from the title of the first song.
“Designs on you” — Old 97’s
This song starts off talking about 6th Street. Let’s be honest, most of us have a 6th Street story.
“Austin” — Blake Shelton
A woman named Austin moves to Austin after a breakup. You can’t get much more Austin than that.
“Anything You Want” — Spoon
This song mentions the well-known Sound Exchange record store that was once on Guadalupe Street.
“Christmas in Hollis” (Austin version) — Tee Double
If you ever listened to hip-hop group Run-DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis,” you’re in for a treat. This is the very Austin version of the famous song.
“Texas on a Saturday Night” — Willie Nelson
We’re still waiting for our favorite Austinite to write a song dedicated specifically to this city – but for now, this is as close as we can get.
“Dime Store Cowgirl”— Kacey Musgraves
Kacey is from Golden, TX, and this song is about her hitting the road – including a stop in Austin (complete with a nod to Willie Nelson).
“Devil Town” — Bright Eyes
This Daniel Johnston tune about ATX was made popular when Bright Eyes covered it. Another cover of the song – by Austin musician Tony Lucca – was featured in a scene of Friday Night Lights.
“Christmas in Austin” — Shelley King
“We don’t need traditional Christmas dinner, we’ve got Mexican food and margaritas.” Who can relate?
Note: There’s no shortage of songs that tip their hat to ATX. Explore more songs.
