Fun(?) fact #1: in 115 posts for this here blog (this is Dave, in case you are wondering), I’ve only written about a place name one time. Can anyone remember what it was? How about anyone not named Amb or Arto? 
For you cheatin’ types (Hank Williams II would not be happy with you), it’s link #3 on our newly updated A-Z page, which Arto added over 100 entries to over the weekend(!!!!!)
Well after a long day of writing lab reports analyzing the rate that water drips off of a frog – not even in the most corybantic state could I make that fact up – I had a delightful old favorite song get stuck in my head, and realized that it presented so much fodder for the Blog of Funny Names that I had to write about it.
One of the first hits for “Winnemucca.” I feel this must be some sort of inside joke, except that it’s shared with the whole world.
So today I’ll see that one geographically-inspired post and raise myself 92. Here’s “I’ve Been Everywhere,” penned by Hank Snow and famously performed by Johnny Cash. Then stay tuned after the lyrics for some amazing fun facts that include the phrase “humpin’ my bluey“!
I was totin’ my pack along the dusty Winnemucca road
When along came a semi with a high canvas covered load
If you’re goin’ to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside
He asked me if I’d seen a road with so much dust and sand
And I said, “Listen! I’ve traveled every road in this here land”
[Chorus: I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Travel, I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere]
I’ve been to:
Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo
Tocopilla, Barranquilla, And Padilla, I’m a killer
[Chorus]
I’ve been to:
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana
Monterey, Ferriday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa
Tennessee, Tinnesay, Chicopee, Spirit Lake
Grand Lake, Devil’s Lake, Crater Lake, For Pete’s sake
[Chorus]
I’ve been to:
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina
Pasadena, Catalina, See what I mean-a
[Chorus]
I’ve been to:
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, El Dorado
Larimore, Atmore, Haverstraw, Chatanika
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, What a pity
[Chorus]
Awesome facts about this song:
-
A kangaroo eating Vegemite. Because some stereotypes are too good to ignore!
It was originally written by an Australian named Geoff Mack and made famous by a fella named Lucky Starr. The Australian version may be better than the North American one. Case in point: it starts “Well I was humpin my bluey on the dusty Oodnadatta road“
- … and then the fella goes to places like Maroochydore, Ulladulla and Wooloomooloo
- … and the best part is that they’re confused about where the guy meant when he said Coolangatta, because there is more than one Coolangatta in Australia!
- Whether you’re singing the Australian or North American version, it’s one of the hardest songs to memorize. I know this because I’ve tried… unsuccessfully… several times. I’ve gotten through three verses on two occasions. It’s an awesome party trick…. if you go to parties with weird people like Arto and I
- But Lucky Starr wouldn’t stop at remembering the lyrics one way. He released an album where he sang four different versions of the song: Australia, North America, Great Britain and New Zealand. Fair dinkum!
What’s the funniest name in the North American version? How about the Australian One?
