SING THE STATES #06: Massachusetts

Massachusetts is so wrapped up in American history (Plymouth Rock, the Boston Tea Party, the Battles of Lexington and Concord), that I'm not even going to try and dive into it all here. Instead I'll give them the award for the most hardcore state motto yet in our countdown:

"By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty."

So when I was looking for something interesting to write about Massachusetts, I went looking at their professional sports history. MA is home to a wide array of successful sport franchises and I thought I'd find something interesting in their history of baseball, football or basketball for sure. Well, to my surprise, I instead found that the The Volleyball Hall of Fame resides in Holyoke, Massachusetts, because that's where volleyball was invented! Crazy, right? Did anyone actually know that? Maybe you all did, but that's kind of blowing my mind. Maybe it's just because I grew up in Southern California, but the idea that the sport of volleyball originated on the opposite coast is just kind of bizarre. That might just be a pride thing. Anyways. I guess we all owe MA a big 'thank you' for that one, because seriously, who doesn't love a good game of beach volleyball on a sunny day?

And who doesn't like a little bit of nostalgia, either? Anyone who graduated from high school about when I did probably rocked out to a little bit of Get Up Kids every now and then. I was in 9th grade when Something To Write Home About came out, and although I was never the biggest fan, this stuff still reminds me of those first few years of high school. For those of you who really loved these guys, you're probably already stoked about the reunion shows that are currently under way - they'll be coming near my hometown on April 4th when they hit Irvine, CA (check dates here). Out of their two songs mentioning our state of the day, this is by far my favorite. Enjoy!

Also considered: The Pixies - U-Mass; The Get Up Kids - A Newfound Interest In Massachusetts; Brian Wilson - Roll Plymouth Rock

The Get Up Kids - Mass Pike
from the album The EP's: Red Letter Day & Woodson (Amazon)


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