Songs About South Dakota: Great Plains Music Collection
Home - Songs - Places - Songs About South Dakota: Great Plains Music Collection
First Posted August 20, 2025 | Last Updated on August 29, 2025 by Ryan Conlon
South Dakota may not be famous for songs, but it has inspired many. The state song, “Hail, South Dakota,” has been around since 1943. Frank Sinatra even sang about it in 1947.
The Bee Gees sang about South Dakota in 1973. Kinky Friedman and Nanci Griffith also wrote songs about it. The Hudson Falcons and Frontier Needs Heroes have also written songs about the state.
These songs show South Dakota’s lasting charm. The state attracts people, even with its tough winters.
South Dakota’s music comes from Indigenous South Dakota artists. Their Lakota musical heritage is very old. It has a strong sound with deep voices and drums.
Dakota-Lakota Traditional Songs
The songs of the Dakota and Lakota are special. They mix rhythms and have short pauses. These songs are very important to the artists’ culture and spirit.
Preservation of Indigenous Music
It’s important to keep the Indigenous South Dakota artists‘ music alive. Groups like the Porcupine Singers record with Canyon Records. This helps people appreciate their music more.
Historical Recording Collections
There are old music collections from Native American tribes. These include the Cheyenne, Cree, Crow, and Dakota-Lakota. These collections show the beauty and variety of Lakota musical heritage.
“The Dakota-Lakota musical tradition is characterized by a powerful, resonant sound, with an emphasis on vocal tension, complex rhythms, and the powerful beating of drums.”
Songs About South Dakota: From Plains to Peaks
South Dakota’s landscape is full of beauty, from the Great Plains to the Black Hills. Musicians find inspiration here. The state’s history and culture are in many songs.
The Spearfish Playlist has 10 songs from different genres. They match local spots like Spearfish Canyon and D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery. It’s a musical trip through South Dakota.
Artists like The Beatles and Eagles are on the playlist. It shows South Dakota’s lasting appeal to musicians. This mix of music and tourism aims to make visits to Spearfish special.
The Spearfish Playlist has songs for all ages. It includes tunes for family fun and outdoor adventures.
Each song is linked to a special part of Spearfish, showing the area’s musical and cultural depth.
The Top 10 Best Songs About South Dakota cover many styles. From Afroman’s rap to Becky Schlegel’s folk, there’s something for everyone.
South Dakota’s beauty and culture inspire many songs. These songs invite listeners to discover its wonders.
“The Spearfish Playlist aims to evoke emotions and inspire visitors, highlighting the significance of music in shaping travel experiences and creating memorable moments.”
The Porcupine Singers Legacy
The Porcupine Singers are a key Lakota drum group. They help keep the music of Indigenous South Dakota alive. Led by Severt Young Bear, Sr., they wow crowds with traditional songs.
Cultural Impact and Performances
The group has played at many powwows. They share Lakota music with everyone. Their shows help keep Lakota musical heritage alive.
Recording History with Canyon Records
They’ve made many albums with Canyon Records. These albums help keep Lakota music alive for future generations.
Modern Interpretations
Their music inspires new artists. These artists mix old and new styles. This makes South Dakota’s music scene rich and diverse.
“The Porcupine Singers have been the backbone of Lakota music for generations, keeping our traditions alive and inspiring new generations of artists to celebrate our cultural identity.” – Melvin Young Bear, current drum keeper and lead singer of the Porcupine Singers
Black Hills Musical Traditions
The Black Hills in South Dakota have a rich musical history. This history comes from the land’s spiritual value to Native American tribes. It also comes from mining and settlement.
Many songs have been inspired by the Black Hills. These songs celebrate Mount Rushmore and the area’s beauty. Jonathan Bakken, a local music journalist, says the area has a lively music scene. Cities like Rapid City and Sioux Falls have great audiences.
Bakken loves Lakota musician Buddy Red Bow. Red Bow was one of the first in the Native American Music Hall of Fame. His music shows the Black Hills’ strong indigenous musical heritage.
Statistic
Value
South Dakota artists interviewed by Bakken
Over 2 years
Issues of “Tiger Meat” magazine featuring 50 articles
8 issues, 300 pages
Songs entered into South Dakota state song contest (1941)
158
Finalists selected for state song
6
Winner of state song contest
‘Hail! South Dakota’ by DeeCort Hammitt
Concerts performed by White Eagle
Over 4,000 to 5 million people
Professional rodeo performances by Kyle Evans
Over 600
The 2020 Democratic National Convention highlighted the Black Hills’ music. South Dakota was featured with a song by The Romantics. This shows the Black Hills’ lasting impact on music.
Bakken has found new musical paths, including a project with Eliza Blue. Their work will be at the South Dakota Festival of Books. It shows the Black Hills’ music is alive and changing.
Great Plains Folk Songs and Cowboy Ballads
The music of South Dakota comes from Prairie folk songs and cowboy ballads. These songs tell of the state’s ranching past. They also show the tough spirit of early settlers.
Trail Songs and Prairie Tales
Classic songs about South Dakota like “The Old Chisholm Trail” and “Git Along, Little Dogies” share life on the range. These trail songs and prairie tales talk about cattle drives and cowboy life. They also share the hard times of the frontier.
South Dakota music grew in the early 1870s. By the mid-1930s, the singing cowboy became a national folk hero. Woody Guthrie’s songs about the Dust Bowl helped shape this music.
Musical Preservation Efforts
Early songcatchers, like John Lomax, focused on the Great Plains’ balladry.
Digital platforms have greatly helped keep Prairie folk songs alive for the future.
Local fans, like Mrs. W. S. Evans and Mrs. George Reynolds, helped document songs about South Dakota.
Today, new artists keep the Great Plains folk songs and cowboy ballads alive. They make sure South Dakota’s music stays vibrant.
Modern South Dakota Musicians and Their Stories
The music scene in South Dakota is always changing. Artists are inspired by the state’s history and make new sounds. Musicians in Sioux Falls mix old and new styles. They create a sound that honors South Dakota’s culture and beauty.
Erika M. Anderson, known as EMA, started her career in the early 2010s. Her music combines electronic, alternative, and Americana. It tells stories of her life and the state’s wild places.
We All Have Hooks for Hands, a band from the mid-2000s, is known for their stories and music mix. They tell tales through their songs, blending different styles.
The Brulé music group started in the late 1990s. They mix traditional Lakota music with today’s sounds. Brulé celebrates Native American culture, helping people understand and value it more.
Ryan Conlon is the owner and author of Your Music Depot, a go-to platform for music enthusiasts seeking curated song lists and artist insights.
Passionate about the intersection of music and storytelling, Ryan’s goal is to help people find the perfect song for every occasion, exploring how songs can capture emotions and memories.
