Battle Over the State Song Intensifies

Massachusetts legislators have a tough job: deciding which rock song best represents the Bay State.

First suggestion: "Roadrunner" by the Modern Lovers, a 1970's band led by Jonathan Richman, a Natick native, and which featured two members who went on to help form the Cars and The Talking Heads.

Why "Roadrunner?": Its lyrics are a roadmap of Massachusetts landmarks, from the Stop & Shop, to Route 128. 

State Rep. Martin Walsh of Dorchester has filed legislation to make it the state rock song, which attracted widespread media attention. (We already have a folk song, one by Woody Guthrie)

Enter the opposition: "Dream On" by Aerosmith, a band that got its start in Massachusetts, and is still associated with Boston. State Rep. James Cantwell of Marshfield has introduced a bill to give "Dream On" the honors.

Just out of curiosity, we checked some other states, and found these well-known songs on the list:

Georgia: "Georgia on my Mind" as sung by Ray Charles; Ohio: "Hang on Sloopy," the state rock song, by the McCoys; and New Jersey: "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, the unofficial youth anthem.

So, Milford Patch readers, what do you think? Which 1970s song is best for Massachusetts?