25 Songs About Florida, from Margaritaville to Miami

What is the most famous song about Florida?

"Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffett is the most famous song about Florida's laid-back island life, inspired by his years in Key West. "Old Folks at Home", better known as "Swanee River", is the most famous old song about the state, and "Miami" by Will Smith is the party anthem of the Magic City.

Florida state songs and old classics

1. "Old Folks at Home (Swanee River)", Stephen Foster: the 1851 song that was Florida's state song for decades.
2. "Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)", Jan Hinton: adopted as the state anthem in 2008.
3. "Swanee", Al Jolson: George Gershwin's first big hit, about the Suwannee River.
4. "Moon Over Miami", Eddy Duchin and His Orchestra: a romantic 1930s standard.
5. "Orange Blossom Special", Johnny Cash: a fiddle tune named after the train that ran to Florida.
6. "Tallahassee Lassie", Freddy Cannon: a rollicking 1959 rock and roll hit.

Jimmy Buffett and songs about the Keys

7. "Margaritaville", Jimmy Buffett: the ultimate song about island time.
8. "A Pirate Looks at Forty", Jimmy Buffett: a wistful Key West portrait.
9. "Floridays", Jimmy Buffett: a love letter to Florida living.
10. "Key Largo", Bertie Higgins: a 1981 hit named after the island and the Bogart film.
11. "Kokomo", The Beach Boys: a dream island said to lie off the Florida Keys.
12. "Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)", John Mellencamp: a 1996 love song set in the Keys.

Songs about Miami

13. "Miami Vice Theme", Jan Hammer: the synth theme that topped the chart in 1985.
14. "Crockett's Theme", Jan Hammer: the moody instrumental from the same show.
15. "Conga", Miami Sound Machine: Gloria Estefan's breakthrough dance hit.
16. "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You", Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine: another Miami floor-filler.
17. "Miami", Will Smith: a 1998 party anthem for South Beach.
18. "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)", Pitbull: named after the main street of Little Havana.

Songs by Florida bands and artists

19. "Free Bird", Lynyrd Skynyrd: the Southern rock epic from a Jacksonville band.
20. "Midnight Rider", The Allman Brothers Band: from the group that formed in Jacksonville in 1969.
21. "American Girl", Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: by Gainesville's most famous son.
22. "Cruise", Florida Georgia Line: the duo named for their two home states.
23. "Light My Fire", The Doors: sung by Jim Morrison, who was born in Melbourne, Florida.
24. "Gator Country", Molly Hatchet: a proud Southern rock song from another Jacksonville band.

A modern song about Florida

25. "Florida!!!", Taylor Swift featuring Florence and the Machine: a 2024 song about running away to the Sunshine State.

Why are there so many songs about Florida?

Florida is a place people dream about: beaches, palm trees, warm winters and a slower pace of life. For a century, songwriters have used it as a symbol of escape, from the old Suwannee River songs to Jimmy Buffett's island fantasies. The state also has a rich music scene of its own, with Southern rock in Jacksonville, Latin pop in Miami and rock legends from Gainesville and beyond.

The story behind Margaritaville

Jimmy Buffett said the song began after he tasted a margarita in Austin, Texas, and was finished on the drive back to Key West, where he had been living and playing in bars. Released in 1977, it became his biggest hit and grew into a whole brand of restaurants, hotels and even a retirement community in Daytona Beach. For many fans, it is still the sound of a Florida vacation. For more of his music, see our Jimmy Buffett songs.

A short history of Florida music

Jacksonville gave the world Southern rock in the late 1960s and 70s through the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd and 38 Special. Gainesville produced Tom Petty and members of the Eagles, while Miami became a center of Latin pop thanks to Gloria Estefan and later Pitbull and many reggaeton stars. Tampa even became famous for heavy metal in the late 80s, with a scene that drew bands from around the world.

A road-trip playlist down to Key West

Drive the Overseas Highway with "Margaritaville", "Kokomo" and "Key Largo" as the bridges stretch across the water, add "A Pirate Looks at Forty" as the sun sets and finish in Key West with "Floridays". Starting further north? Begin with "Free Bird" in Jacksonville and "Miami" as you pass through South Beach. For more drives, see our road trip songs.

Songs about Florida for spring break

For a spring break or a beach weekend, "Miami", "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" and "Conga" get the party started, and "Kokomo" and "Margaritaville" keep the mood easy. See our songs about summer for more beach music.

Songs for an Orlando theme park trip

For families heading to Orlando, a car playlist of theme park favorites builds the excitement: "When You Wish Upon a Star", "It's a Small World", "A Whole New World" and "Let It Go" for the little ones, with "Hakuna Matata" for a sing-along in traffic. On the drive home, a few quiet songs help tired kids fall asleep, and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a gentle way to end the trip.

Songs that capture Florida's nature

Florida is more than beaches. The Everglades, the springs, the mangroves and the Gulf sunsets inspire slower, dreamier music. For a kayak trip or an evening on the water, pair "Floridays" and "Key Largo" with acoustic and folk songs about rivers and sunsets, and see our songs about the sunset for more ideas.

Florida songs for a beach wedding

For a wedding on the sand, "Kokomo" and "Margaritaville" are fun choices for the reception, "Key Largo" makes a sweet first dance for a couple who love the islands and "Conga" is a guaranteed line on the dance floor. For more ideas, see our songs about the ocean.

Songs for retiring to Florida

Florida is famous as a place to retire, and a few songs fit the move perfectly: "Margaritaville" for the new pace of life, "Floridays" for the sunshine and "A Pirate Looks at Forty" for a little reflection. See our retirement songs for the party.

More songs about American places

For more state songs, see our songs about California, songs about Texas and songs about Hawaii.

A song about your Florida story

A personalized song can celebrate a family that moved south, a couple who honeymooned in the Keys or grandparents who have wintered in Florida for years, with their names and favorite places in the lyrics. It makes a great retirement, anniversary or birthday gift.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: country, pop, Latin and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three places or memories from your Florida story.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Turn your Sunshine State memories into a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.