Whats the best Boston reference in popular music?
Help pick the top track that makes mention of the Hub. Juliana Hatfield, the Dropkick Murphys, and James Taylor have all referenced Boston in song over the years. Josh Reynolds, Ken Susi, Barry Chin  Certain cities seem like theyre crying out to be sung about: Just think of Frank Sinatras My Kind of Town (Chicago), Billy Joels New York State of Mind  Heck, even Beverly Hills by Weezer. We asked Boston.com readers for their take on the most memorable Greater Boston references in popular music, and they had more than a few suggestions from throughout the decades. But its up to you to choose which one is tops. Check out the songs posted below  along with our historical commentary  and then respond to our poll (here or at the bottom of this article). We limited entries to one per artist or band (or else these would have to be mostly Dropkick Murphys songs), and we know there are plenty of lesser-known songs about the Hub that probably got left out  feel free to list those under Other. Meanwhile, show off your Boston-area music bonafides by voting and well crown a winner next week. Songs  Lets Do It (Lets Fall In Love) (1928), written by Cole Porter  Some Argentines without means do it, people say in Boston even beans do it, lets do it, lets fall in love   Even if Cole Porter would really have us believe that it in this case is referring to fall in love (whatever you say, Mr. Porter), we think its safe to say that beans dont do it. M.T.A. by The Kingston Trio (1959)  He may ride forever neath the streets of Boston, hes the man who never returned  With the MBTAs Charlie Card named after the hapless hero of this song  stuck forever on the train as his wife hands him his daily sandwich at the Scollay Square station  its hard to deny the extent of its influence. Also, its darn catchy! Dirty Water by The Standells (1965)  Cause I love that dirty water, oh, Boston, youre my home   There are few songs as much about Boston as this one, from its shout-out to the banks of the river Charles to its reference to BU co-eds frustrated by their early curfew. Factor in its appearance at the end of every Red Sox home game and it definitely seems like the one to beat. Massachusetts by the Bee Gees (1967)  The lights all went out in Massachusetts, and Massachusetts is one place I have seen   The Bee Gees supposedly had never been to Massachusetts when they recorded this song, and it shows. Sweet Baby James by James Taylor (1970)  Now the first of December was covered with snow, yes, and so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston   Theres no denying that James Taylor is a local favorite, although hes arguably more Stockbridge than Boston. Still, the man certainly has a way with an evocative lyric. Please Come to Boston by Dave Loggins (1974)  Please come to Boston for the springtime, Im stayin here with some friends and theyve got lots of room   Loggins  second cousin to Kenny, FYI  doesnt really seem to have a preference among Boston, Denver, or L.A. in this easy listening favorite, as long as he doesnt have to go home. For Boston bonafides youre probably better off with the version by Joan Baez, who kicked off her career in Cambridge. Roadrunner by The Modern Lovers (1976)  Im in love with modern moonlight, 128 when its dark outside, Im in love with Massachusetts   A Boston.com staffer who shall remain nameless once referred to this Jonathan Richman classic, in print, as being about a bunch of losers hanging around the Stop & Shop parking lot. He still gets death threats. Rock & Roll Band by Boston (1976)  Well, we were just another band out of Boston, on the road and tryin to make ends meet   The song also famously references Hyannis (granted, not the hippest of locations, unless you really love the Kennedys), so its kind of like a Greater Boston two-fer. Plus extra points for the bands name. My Sister by The Juliana Hatfield Three (1993)  Shes the one who would have taken me to my first all-ages show, it was the Violent Femmes and the Del Fuegos, before they had a record out, before they went gold  This song was suggested by several readers despite it not specifically mentioning Boston; however, fans of Hatfield (and/or the Violent Femmes and the Del Fuegos) know that the show shes referencing actually happened, at Storyville in Kenmore Square in 1983. (Also suggested by one reader: Move With Me Sister by the Del Fuegos, with the line We take that trip into Kenmore from the Fenway side )  Boston by Augustana (2005)  She said I think Ill go to Boston, I think Ill start a new life. I think Ill start it over where no one knows my name   Good luck  everyone knows this is the place where everybody knows your name. Im Shipping Up To Boston by the Dropkick Murphys (2005)  Im shipping up to Boston whoa, Im shipping off  to find my wooden leg!  Perhaps the Dropkick Murphys best known song (thanks at least in part to Martin Scorseses The Departed), it contains almost no lyrics beyond those mentioned above, although theyre certainly delivered with gusto. (Still, the Red Sox standard Tessie, or better yet this years Queen of Suffolk County, with its mentions of Skippy Whites and the Red Line, might be better choices when it comes to Beantown references by the DMs.) They Came to Boston by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (2006)  Rented a car to see the sights but they found the Hub confusing, looked for the Swan Boats In Mattapan, well, I find that real amusing   It came 23 years into their esteemed career, but on this track the Bosstones finally crystallized a classic Boston truism into its purest form: Most of the people who come here are wicked annoying.