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15 songs that reference Austin

Show your love for ATX through the power of music.

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What songs make you think of Austin?

Photo by @teamscreamy

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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.

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