Is This Really New Jersey’s State Song?

If I were to give you 10 chances, I bet you couldn't name the official New Jersey state song.  That's kind of a trick bet.  We don't have an "official" song, but we do have an "unofficial" state song.

In typical New Jersey fashion, the state legislature passed a bill in 1972, naming an official state song, but Governor William T. Cahill vetoed that bill and it was never passed.   New Jersey is the only state in the country that doesn't have an official state song.

Our "unofficial" state song is a little ditty called, "I'm from New Jersey."

New Jersey has spawned a plethora of iconic American singers and songwriters.  The toughest part of making the decision about an official state song should be, "How do we pick just one?"

Frank Sinatra has recorded many great songs, but I'm not sure of any fit for this purpose.  Whitney Houston, Frankie Valli, Paul Simon, and Fugees are all great, but they don't quite fit for our purpose.

In my mind, two songs immediately come to mind that convey the message that we want to be here.

Bon Jovi and "Who Says You Can't Go Home" is kind of like a response to Springsteen's "Born to Run." In Born to Run, you strive to leave, and in "Who Says You Can't Go Home," you realized that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

This leads me to my suggestion.  My choice is a song that was written by a New Jersey guy, Tom Wait, and made famous by Jersey's Bruce Springsteen.  My suggestion is, "Jersey Girl."

Ok, admittedly, I'm thinking a bit out of the box.  You say, "But Steve, that's a love song..." Yes, it is, but for anyone who grew up in the Garden State and fell in love with a Jersey Girl...or guy, if you close your eyes and listen to the lyrics, it brings you back to all that is great about our state.

Isn't that what this should be about?