Soundtrack for this state now playing

One way to tell if a state is popular is by the number of songs written about it: "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel, "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight and the Pips and "California Dreamin' " by The Mamas and the Papas.

SCIway.net, the South Carolina Information Highway Web site, has put together a South Carolina soundtrack, with songs either about the Palmetto State or by artists who were born here.

After suggesting songs and receiving several hundred votes, the organization narrowed down the South Carolina soundtrack to 15 South Carolina- inspired songs, including beach music, country, blues, bluegrass and even some rock 'n' roll, gospel and jazz.

The songs that received the most votes (a tie) were "Carolina in My Mind" by James Taylor and "Carolina Girls" by General Johnson and the Chairmen of the Board.

The rest of the songs were carefully chosen based on popularity. The SCIway site, www.sciway.net has more details about why the songs were chosen in the "liner notes" section.

The other songs include:

-- "The Twist," Chubby Checker (Spring Gulley)

-- "I Got You (I Feel Good)," James Brown (Barnwell County)

-- "Would You Go With Me," Josh Turner (Hannah)

-- "Heard it in a Love Song," Marshall Tucker Band (Spartanburg)

-- "Stay," Maurice Williams (Lancaster) and the Zodiacs

-- "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)," Swingin' Medallions (Greenwood)

-- "Hold My Hand," Hootie & the Blowfish (Columbia)

-- "Outskirts of Town," Josh White (Greenville)

-- "Groovin' High," Dizzy Gillespie (Cheraw)

-- "Ridin' That Midnight Train," Yeehaw Junction Bluegrass Band (Charleston)

-- "Big Front Porch," Danielle Howle and the Tantrums (Lexington)

-- "Under the Boardwalk," The Drifters

-- "I'll Fly Away," the Rev. Gary Davis (Laurens)

People can download these 15 songs from SCIway's iMix at iTunes for 99 cents per song. There is also a custom CD cover available that lists each song and artist for all those who would like to make their own CD. Visit sciway.net for more information or to vote for another South Carolina favorite tune.