Tempe, Arizona

Everything Tempe is known for

3 songs mention this city 37 artists from here

Tempe, Arizona, a city known for being home to Arizona State University, has a notable connection to music. While not always widely recognized for its music scene, Tempe has been a significant location for many artists and has been mentioned in several songs. The city's music history includes a thriving alternative rock scene in the 1990s, with bands like the Gin Blossoms gaining national attention.

Currently, 37 artists call Tempe home, and four songs in our collection mention the city. Among the artists from Tempe are the rock band Gin Blossoms and the indie group The Maine. The song "Five Cups" by Foxing is one of the tracks that mentions Tempe.

Music in Tempe

Songs About Tempe

pheonix (she's the reason)
the reeves brothers
21%
Hell on Earth, Pt. 2
Westside Gunn
7%
"Know some gangstas in Arizona playin' the field like the Sun devil (Ha)"
Five Cups
Foxing
4%
"Circle K parking lot"

Artists From Tempe

G
Gin Blossoms
rock Pop: 58
T
The Maine
indie Pop: 57
I
Injury Reserve
hip-hop Pop: 47
T
The Voice
r-n-b Pop: 46
L
Lycia
rock Pop: 45
P
Psychostick
metal Pop: 42
L
Lymbyc Systym
rock Pop: 41
B
Breakup Shoes
rock Pop: 41
A
Alison’s Halo
indie Pop: 40
W
Where Eagles Dare
metal Pop: 40
B
Bleak
rock Pop: 36
B
Body of Light
electronic Pop: 35
R
Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers
rock Pop: 33
K
Kardashev
metal Pop: 33
C
Chad Taylor
jazz Pop: 33
D
Dear and the Headlights
indie Pop: 33
F
Fall of Empyrean
metal Pop: 29
M
Mourning High
metal Pop: 29
T
The Pistoleros
americana Pop: 29
S
Skybox
indie Pop: 29

Showing top 20 of 37 artists

Rivers & Roads in Song near Tempe

Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Tempe.

Interstate 10 23 songs

History of Tempe

Tempe, AZ RoadyGoat

Tempe's story begins with a river, specifically the Salt River. In the 1870s, Charles Trumbull Hayden recognized the strategic importance of a reliable river crossing, establishing Hayden's Ferry. This ferry was more than just a way across the water; it became a nucleus, drawing farmers, merchants, and eventually, a community. The fertile land surrounding the river allowed for agriculture, and the ferry provided access to markets. It was named Tempe in 1894, after the beautiful Vale of Tempe in Greece. That initial advantage, born from a simple river crossing, set Tempe apart from other settlements in the Salt River Valley. Today, Tempe's youthful energy is palpable. The bricks embedded in Mill Avenue's sidewalks, each bearing a resident’s name, speak to the city's focus on community. Arizona State University, with its sprawling campus, is a major driver of the local economy, attracting students and researchers from across the globe. Education and technology are major employers. Locals will say that people come for the jobs and the university, but they stay for the vibrant atmosphere, the community feel, and a spirit that blends Southwestern history with a forward-looking drive.

Mesa, AZ RoadyGoat

Mesa began as a vision of agricultural prosperity, an idea etched into the desert landscape with the completion of the Mesa Canal in 1878. The name itself, "Mesa," a Spanish word for "table top," speaks to the geography that defined the area — a high plateau offering a slightly cooler climate than Phoenix below. This elevation, 1,241 feet above sea level, offered a respite from the harsh desert heat. The early settlers, driven by the promise of fertile land, transformed the arid expanse into a patchwork of fields, a testament to human ingenuity and back-breaking labor. The Great Flood of 1891, a devastating event, ironically reshaped the agricultural practices, forcing innovation and adaptation in the face of nature’s raw power. Over time, Mesa evolved from its agricultural roots into a modern city, its economy diversifying into healthcare, retail, and education. While farming remained important, new industries took hold, drawing people from across the country. The city became a haven for sports enthusiasts, a place where the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd echoed through the valley during spring training. HoHoKam Stadium, and later Sloan Park, became synonymous with the Chicago Cubs, a symbol of tradition and the perennial hope of a championship season. The city's growth hasn't come at the expense of safety, as Mesa consistently ranks among the safest large cities in the United States, a testament to the community's commitment to well-being. Danica Patrick, though born elsewhere, learned to race here, fitting in with the city's go-getter attitude.

6.8 mi away

Mesa, AZ RoadyGoat

Mesa, Arizona, a city whose very name, meaning "table top" in Spanish, reflects its geography, has seen its share of notable figures.

6.8 mi away

Heard Museum

1929

One of the finest collections of Native American art and culture in the world, founded in Phoenix in 1929, with a permanent exhibit on the legacy of Indian boarding schools.

8.3 mi away

Taliesin West

1937

Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and architecture school in the Sonoran Desert foothills of Scottsdale, built from desert stone and canvas beginning in 1937.

13.7 mi away

Things to Do in Tempe

food 7.5 mi away
Pizzeria Bianco

Chris Bianco's Phoenix wood-fired masterpiece. Once called the best pizza in America by every food critic alive. Worth the wait.

Everything Near Tempe

37 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.

Explore Tempe on the Map
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