or a region with a population as small as Nebraska's, the state and its largest city, Omaha, play significant roles in a remarkable number of popular songs. By comparison, how many songs can you name about, say, Iowa, which has more people than Nebraska, or Minneapolis, a larger and more musical city?

Early balladeers used midwestern locales like Nebraska to connote an image of the wild west. Songwriters of the 20th century often make use of Nebraska to conjure up images of bucolic midwestern life, anachronistic living and lost innocence and values. Another contributing factor: Many performers and music industry bigwigs hail from the state.

And, not to be overlooked, performers of novelty numbers often include references to "Omaha" and "Nebraska," well, just because they sound funny.

This web site offers brief look at Nebraska in popular song, from the 1930s to present. This site is provided for the amusement and education only. (Use of brief song excerpts fall within fair use provisions.)

We welcome comments you have, particulary additions to the list of Nebraska songs and performers. Please write julesthecat@hotmail.com.

The Song List. Brief descriptions, release dates, sound clips and lyrics.

Just Passin' Through. A list of songs with lyrics that mention Nebraska in passing.

Cornhusker Refugees. A list of performers who are from Nebraska. (Funny how few entertainers actually move to the state.)

Nebraska CD Store. A collection from CD Now.

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© 2002, Goleta Publishing, Alexandria, VA. // Revised August 5, 2002