Minnesota: Going in for tuneup

Minnesota is looking to create a great state song as part of this year's sesquicentennial celebration, or 150th anniversary.

Most residents don't realize that "Hail! Minnesota" is the antiquated state song, written in 1904 by two University of Minnesota students.

"I didn't know we had a state song," said Sweet Lou Snider, keyboardist at Nye's Polonaise Room and arguably the most beloved musician in Minneapolis-St. Paul. "I have no idea what should be the state song. There aren't many things that rhyme with Minnesota."

The Twin Cites' Daily Mole Web site has a couple of rhyme tips: "Walleye quota." And "East Dakota."

How about spinning off Bo Diddley's rumba-styled 1957 hit "Mona"?

Minnesota Public Radio is searching for the new state song (ideas can be sent to minnesota.publicra dio.org). The winner will be performed May 3 at the historic Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.

Minnesota could draw from its most famous native sons and consider Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" or Bob Dylan's "Girl From the North Country." But then Snider does a killer cover of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive," the inspiration for any Minnesota winter.

Dave Hoekstra