Been around the world: Memorable songs with a country in the title

Miley Cyrus’ 2009 single “Party in the U.S.A.” finds the singer detailing about someone who makes the move to Los Angeles with hopes of fulfilling her dreams. She mentions being worried about truly fitting in and feeling homesick for the town she left.

DJ Khaled and Drake have collaborated on a number of hit songs over the years. In 2021, they teamed up on the single “Greece” in which Drake sings about providing his significant other with a lavish lifestyle, such as flights to the European country. 

In 2018, pop singer Shawn Mendes released his self-titled third album. The second single “Lost in Japan” tells the story of someone who’s willing to travel across the world to see the person he loves. As he sings on the hook, “Do you got plans tonight? / I’m a couple hundred miles from Japan / And I was thinking I could fly to your hotel tonight / ‘Cause I can’t get you off my mind.” 

In 2019, the entire artist roster on the Dreamville record label released their collaborative album Revenge of the Dreamers III. On the single “Costa Rica," each rapper gives insight into their wealth and success, such as having money and fans located in Costa Rica. 

The Caribbean holds a special place in the heart of Bobby Caldwell on his 1982 track “Jamaica.” He anticipates visiting the country and also never wants to leave it. As he sings on the hook, “Oh, Jamaica, hold me / Come let your arms enfold me / Forever and ever / Someone told me love grows here in Jamaica / Leaving you how could I ever.”

Childish Gambino’s 2018 single “This is America” was not only a popular topic of discussion but there was a lot of discourse surrounding the music video. On the track, Gambino gives brief insights into Black culture, gun violence in America, and police brutality. The track won Grammys for Song of the Year and Record of the Year, making Gambino the first hip-hop artist to complete the feat. 

On Coldplay’s 2008 song “Lovers in Japan,” the band surprisingly doesn’t mention the country in the song at all. However, they add some representation of the country like when they sing, “Tonight, maybe we’re gonna run / Dreamin’ of the Osaka sun.” 

When fans first saw the track name of Beyoncé's "AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM," some thought the singer would be singing about the issues the nation constantly faces. However, Bey uses the song to hype herself up. Basically, she's the problem and it's hard for people to handle it. 

Although most people know that Jamaica is a country in the Caribbean, it’s also the name of a neighborhood in New York. On Tom Browne’s 1980 single “Funkin’ for Jamaica,” he’s actually referring to the neighborhood. The feel-good track is all about having a good time as he sings, "Jamaica funk - that’s what it is / Let it get into you.” 

In 2011, Jay-Z and Kanye West teamed up on the joint album Watch the Throne. They joined forces with Frank Ocean on “Made in America,” a track that finds them detailing family life and the roads to their success. 

In 1975, James Taylor released his sixth album Gorilla, led by the single “Mexico.” On the track, Taylor sings about his desire to visit the country. His feelings are evident on the hook as he sings, “Oh, Mexico / It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low / The moon’s so bright like to light up the night / Make everything all right.” 

Swae Lee takes a little bit of dancehall and afrobeat inspiration on his single “Guatemala.” On the track, Lee details spending moments with his significant other like flying on private jets and taking vacations in the Central American country. 

In 1978, rock band The Grateful Dead released their tenth studio album Shakedown Street. The second track, “France” finds the band singing about how much people love music and dance. Like they sing on the first verse, “Way down in the south of France all the ladies love to dance / Kick their heels up in the air, snap their fingers for romance.” 

In 2017, rapper Logic released his third album, Everybody. On the track “America,” Logic raps about everything from societal to political issues such as gun violence and healthcare. 

“Welcome to England” is the lead single from Tori Amos’ tenth album, Abnormally Attracted to Sin. On the track, Amos sings of starting a life with a new lover in the country of England.  

Iggy Pop and David Bowie co-wrote “China Girl." Although Iggy released it first, Bowie re-recorded the track on his 1983 album Let’s Dance. The song highlights the singer talking about his infatuation with a Chinese woman. As he sings on the second verse, “I’m a mess without my little China girl / I feel a wreck without my little China girl.” 

Just a year after his critically-acclaimed debut album The College Dropout, Kanye West followed up with Late Registration. The album’s lead single, “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” finds West discussing his wealth and status, and while diamonds are forever, he alludes to them causing damage to society. 

In 2018, pop band 5 Seconds of Summer released their third album Youngblood. One of the album standout tracks is “Woke Up in Japan” in which the band sings about the feelings of living life in an Asian country.  

On Frank Sinatra’s 1958 song “Brazil,” the crooner sings of reminiscing on love and hopes of visiting Brazil in the future. As he sings on the track, “Now when twilight dims the skies above / Recalling thrills of our love / There’s one thing I’m certain of / Return, I will, to old Brazil.” 

In 2021, Dalex released his sophomore album Unisex, featuring the hit track “Curaçao." On the track, Dalex sings of his infatuation with a partner and how he wants to treat her right, like with trips to Curaçao and the Dominican Republic.