I'm from New Jersey

Listen while you read:  https://youtu.be/bHNGyc4QZos

I'm from New Jersey
I don't expect too much
If the world ended today
I would adjust

I'm from New Jersey
No, I don't talk that way
I watched too much TV
When I was young

I'm from New Jersey
My mom's Italian
I've read those Mafia books
We don't belong

There are girls from New Jersey
Who have that great big hair
They're found in shopping malls
I will take you there

I'm from New Jersey
It's not like Texas
There is no mystery
I can't pretend

I'm from New Jersey
It's like Ohio
But even more so
Imagine that

I know which exit
And where I'm bound
The tolls on the Parkway
They will slow you down

New Jersey people
They will surprise you
'Cause they're not expected
To do too much

They will try harder
They may go further
'Cause they never think
That they are good enough

I'm from New Jersey
I don't expect too much
If the world ended today
I would adjust

~  John Gorka

John Gorka is a funny guy. Quirky observations and a dry wit combine to contribute to his uniqueness as a songwriter and performer. And he wears red shoes when he performs. (As if he needed the attention.) "I'm from New Jersey" came out in 1991 on Jack's Crows. A quarter of a century later, I'm still amused whenever I hear it. And I heard it twice this morning -- on the radio in my car driving to the park and again five minutes later while walking to the accompaniment of my iPod on shuffle. I am learning to pay attention to these signs that point me to a song for the day.

Coffee and Sunday papers followed my morning walk, and I took notice of the several stories that warned of the many ways in which New Jersey will suffer if the new administration's budget passes. "The budget would be devastating to New Jersey families and communities, especially those struggling to get ahead," commented Senator Robert Menendez. And before any out-of-staters think New Jersey residents are all government-dependent inner-city dwellers, keep in mind that we New Jersey residents claim the highest property taxes in the country, accounting for our status of having the highest home foreclosure rate as well as the highest percentage of people leaving the state. More importantly, for every New Jersey dollar that goes to the federal government, we get back 48 cents in federal assistance. In other words, New Jersey is the least dependent on federal government of any other state.

We also have the most people per square mile. And the most horses per square mile, too! My county used to have more cows than people, but farms have been decimated in the Garden State, so that is no longer true.

And yet, despite all the negativity generated by our loser of a governor, most of us will still support our state. In my travels across the country, I have often felt a need to defend or to apologize for New Jersey in equal measure. When asked if he thinks the song disparages New Jersey, Gorka replied, "It tries to capture an attitude that some people have. I would use the word 'sardonic.' I don't think of it as a put-down at all."

Me, either.  "Jersey Attitude."  It's a real thing.

(I'm from the "Vast Wilderness of Rednecks and Retired Hippies.")