Rock Band’s New Song is a Tribute to Detroit and Michigan

Detroit is a great city, so it's no surprise that it's been the topic, or at least mentioned, in plenty of legendary rock 'n' roll songs over the years. Now, a rock band has dedicated their new single to Detroit, and the track, of course, is named "Detroit." It's a tribute to Detroit, really. What's even cooler is that this song was written during a gig the band had in the Motor City.

Badflower's new single, "Detroit," was written backstage before their 2022 show at The Fillmore. It's named for the city in which it was created, and it's a tribute to Detroit. "Featuring live audio captured from the audience in attendance that night, the song is a love letter to fans from a group contemplating their success throughout the years," a press release explains. "Anthemic vocals are propelled forward with help from the crowd as the band realizes that contentment isn’t found in chasing an ever-evolving marker, but in the journey along the way."

"I think anyone who has achieved something that they always thought they wanted has felt the disappointment in finally reaching that goal. It's like, 'I have it, now what do I do?,'" frontman Josh Katz said in a statement. "And then you realize how fun it was chasing the thing you wanted – it was the journey that meant everything."

Badflower hail from Los Angeles, so it's interesting to see them releasing a song dedicated to the Motor City. But, we really are that cool of a city, so we deserve it. A few years back, Badflower released the song "Family" and explained the very personal meaning behind the song. "This song is very important to me," Katz said in an earlier statement. "I've spent a lot of years of my life trying to understand certain qualities about myself. Why I constantly distance myself from the people I care about the most. Why interacting with my family feels so uncomfortable as an adult." He added, "Why the simplest acts of kindness or words of affirmation feel like impossible tasks that I’d rather just avoid. I’m an extremely empathetic person but I only show that side of myself to strangers because actual vulnerability is too… vulnerable. That insecurity is turning me into a selfish, lonely person that I don't want to be."

Listen to Badflower's new single, "Detroit," below, and let me know what you think of it. I'm happy to see any kind of tribute to Detroit.

Michigan has some great musicians, so it should be no surprise that the state has also served as the backdrop for a range of awesome music videos. From Bob Seger to Eminem, many artists that hail from the Mitten have shown of their Michigan pride by filming music videos in this scenic state.

One music video shot in Michigan that's near and dear to my heart is P.O.D.'s "This Goes Out to You." The video was filmed in Lansing, Michigan, and it uses live footage from the band's 2015 performance at Common Ground Music Festival alongside Three Days Grace, Finger Eleven and All That Remains. I was in the crowd and photo pit but don't see myself in the video. I did interview the band before the show, though, so I have good memories from that night overall. I think the video turned out great, too, and really captures the band's energy live.

On the more classic side of things, Bob Seger shot the music video for "Detroit Made," well, in Detroit. Would you expect anything less? The video was shot at Detroit's Woodward Dream Cruise, the city's annual hot rod parade, and features footage of classic rides. It's a really cool video.

Of course, many other famous musicians have shot their music videos in Michigan. Read on for a list of 15 in a variety of genres, from rock to hip-hop to country. You might be surprised by some of these, and it's certainly fun to watch the videos and recognize familiar places in them.

Of course the "Detroit Made" music video was filmed in Detroit!

It's so cool that Lzzy Hale and Halestorm filmed their music video for "I Miss the Misery" at The Machine Shop in Flint and other locations in the city! This was back in 2021.

"Ride The Wind" was filmed at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. One of my friends is actually in the crowd in this video!

P.O.D. filmed their music video for "This Goes Out to You" in Lansing, Michigan. It's a live video featuring footage from their 2015 performance at Common Ground Music Festival alongside Three Days Grace, Finger Eleven and All That Remains. I was in the crowd and photo pit but don't see myself in the video.

Eminem filmed a ton of his music videos in Michigan. "Fall" was filmed in Detroit's Corktown.

"Single Again" was filmed around Detroit, including in Downtown Detroit outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.

Nashville country music band The Lost Trailers shot their music video "Holler Back" in Grand Rapids.

"Smile" was filmed in Mount Clemens and other Michigan locations.

"Born Free" was shot in Alger County. Kid Rock loves to film videos in Michigan!

Guap was shot in the middle of a road in Detroit, Michigan. He's another regular when it comes to filming videos in Michigan and Detroit.

"All Summer Long" was filmed in Northern Michigan and shows Kid Rock driving a Grand Craft Grand Sport boat out on Torch Lake.

The music video for "Lose Yourself" was filmed in Detroit, Michigan, and features shots of the city, including the Ambassador Bridge.

Eminem's "Good Guy" music video was filmed in Grosse Pointe.

Of course "Detroit Vs. Everybody" was filmed in Detroit. What a collaboration!

Detroit musician Anna Burch shot "Not So Bad" at the beautiful Senate Theater in Detroit.

This isn't a real "music video" but still very cool! "Taken from a dusty old VHS tape from the Metallica Vault. Filmed at L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon, Michigan on November 1, 1991," Metallica states.