10 Songs You Probably Didn’t Know About Dallas People
It’s undeniable that Dallas has inspired the creation of movies, television shows, and the death of at least one president. So it stands to reason that a city with this unique historical and cultural cachet would continue to produce muses for some of the most popular (and some obscure) songs of our time. Here are 10 songs you might not know written about the people of Dallas.
“7 Things” by Miley Cyrus
Muse: Nick Jonas
Back when they were a teenage couple, Nick Jonas and Miley Cyrus (colloquially known as “Niley”) were elders of Gen Z royalty, and this song is their national anthem. In the lyrics, Cyrus describes the seven things she hates about Jonas (his friends, apparently, were “morons”) and the seven things she loves. So maybe it should have been called 14 things. Either way, NJ took the good and the bad and said he was “flattered” by the song.
“Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber
Muse: Selena Gomez
Prior to Kim and Kanye’s divorce, the best example the kids had of toxic relationships was that of then-teen idol Justin Bieber and Grand Prairie native Selena Gomez. The beloved creative duo of Bieber and Ed Sheeran first joined forces for this shot with Bieber’s ex. If you’re one of those people who thinks the people of Dallas are self-obsessed snobs, this might be the song for you. Bieber didn’t specify that this ode to narcissism was about Gomez (does she really need to use her name to get into clubs, as the lyrics say?) but she has an Arabic tattoo on her back that said “Love yourself first” so the writing was on the wall. Gomez fired back at the Biebs with a song called “Lose You to Love Me”.
“American Idiot” by Green Day
Muse: George W. Bush
Former President George W. Bush seemed like everyone’s muse in the early years. There’s even a terrible series of compilation albums called Rock vs. Bush which expressed political dissent from punk music. But Green Day’s “American Idiot” is different in that it ambiguously addresses its recipient. It was written for Dallassite Bush, but it could just as easily be about anyone, as long as they’re American and dumb.
“Shadow” by Ashlee Simpson
Muse: Jessica Simpson
The North Texan Simpson sisters had quite a run in the early 2000s, both in terms of music and absolutely bonkers reality TV moments – like the unforgettable pop culture time when Ashlee was caught syncing lips on Saturday Night Live. Little sister Ashlee has always felt like she’s playing second fiddle to Jessica, and this cut from her debut album explores those feelings. Ashlee, of course, ended up winning just because she knew tuna isn’t chicken.
“Post Malone” by Sam Feldt
Muse: Post Malone
This one is more of a namedrop than a real tribute, but what a namedrop it is. “We party like Post Malone.” What does it mean? Blend in and watch Half brothers? Dutch DJ Sam Feldt’s song suggests the Grapevine-born rapper embodies the spirit of the lyrics “One more drink of one more Bacardi/ One more dance at this after party,” and whether or not that is always kind of a bop.
“Safe and Sound” by Sheryl Crow
Muse: Owen Wilson
Beloved Dallas actor and human meme Owen Wilson has an entire song about him? “Wow!” After meeting on a film set in 1999, Wilson and Crow dated for a few years. We know this song is about Wilson and not the singer’s other famous exes (Eric Clapton, Lance Armstrong) because we heard it straight from the crow’s mouth.
“Jimmy Neutron” by Bowling for Soup
Muse: Jimmy Neutron
OK, so maybe Jimmy Neutron’s North Texas roots are mostly implied, but when you’re the product of an Irving-based animation studio and your theme song is performed by Denton darlings, Bowling For Soup, it’s safe to say you’re at least an Honorary Dallasite. Besides, the song slams too hard not to claim it.
“The Light” by Common
Muse: Erykah Badu
Common and Erykah Badu’s past romance is well documented, but the rapper’s music about the Dallas-based neo-soul artist still rarely gets the attention it rightfully deserves. For example, Common’s single “The Light”, a love letter to Badu that featured on the rapper’s 2000 album Like water for chocolate.
“Buck Owens” from The Melvins
Muse: Buck Owens
This song isn’t actually about anything (very few Melvins songs are) but about the country music legend and Hee Ha series mainstay Buck Owens was from Sherman, and we don’t give him enough credit. It’s high time that changed, and this song is the perfect reminder of Owens’ service to the public.
“November 22, 1963” by Stephen Sondheim
Muse: Lee Harvey Oswald
This song asks if it’s too early to make a musical about the Kennedy assassination (the answer: apparently not 1990). An excerpt from the musical killersone of the strangest works by the late, great composer Stephen Sondheim, the number gives us a glimpse into the psyche of Kennedy killer Lee Harvey Oswald, who we regret to remind you lived in Dallas.