Tempe, Arizona

Name: Tempe, Arizona
Address: Tempe, AZ

Everything Tempe is known for

5 songs mention this city 37 artists from here

RoadyGoat plays music like this when you drive through Tempe. It's free on iPhone, and full songs play through Apple Music.

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

Tempe's On My Mind

Dean Paul Willeford

79%

"Tempe's On My Mind"

pheonix (she's the reason)

the reeves brothers

21%

You'd Never Know

Evan Honer

19%

"And walkin' down that Mill Avenue in the dead of night still so confused"

Hell on Earth, Pt. 2

Westside Gunn

"Know some gangstas in Arizona playin' the field like the Sun devil (Ha)"

Five Cups

Foxing

"Circle K parking lot"

Artists From Tempe

Dear and the Headlights

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers

Showing top 20 of 37 artists · Hear more in the free iPhone app

Rivers & Roads in Song near Tempe

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

Interstate 10 36 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.

Tempe, AZ
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…
C.T. Hayden House · 0.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over here for a second. You're looking at the oldest continuously occupied structure in the entire Valley of the Sun. That's right, this is the C.T. Hayden House, or La Casa Vieja, and it's been standing since…
Old Main (Arizona State University) · 0.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This isn't just another college building; it's the heart of Arizona State University, Old Main, standing since before Arizona was even a state! Built in 1898, Old Main was the centerpiece of the Arizona Territorial…
Gammage Memorial Auditorium · 0.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Prepare to be amazed! This stunning auditorium, ASU Gammage, is one of the last public works designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright originally conceived the design as an opera house for Baghdad in 1957.…
Sandra Day O'Connor House · 1.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine having tea where a Supreme Court Justice once lived! This is the Sandra Day O'Connor House, moved here from its original location in Paradise Valley. Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S.…
Hunt's Tomb · 1.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Arizona's first governor is buried in a white pyramid in the middle of Papago Park. George W. P. Hunt, a seven-time governor of Arizona, built this tomb in 1931 for his wife, Helen. He joined her there after his death…
Double Butte Cemetery · 2.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over for a moment and imagine the stories buried beneath your feet. This is Double Butte Cemetery, the final resting place for many of Tempe's earliest pioneers. Founded in 1888, the cemetery sits at the base of…
Pueblo Grande Ruin and Irrigation Sites · 2.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine a thriving desert community centuries before Phoenix even existed, right here where you're driving! This is S'edav Va'aki, a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Hohokam people. The Hohokam inhabited this…
Little Red Schoolhouse (Scottsdale, Arizona) · 4.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over for a minute! This little red schoolhouse isn't just cute, it's a window into Scottsdale's past. Back in 1909, Scottsdale needed a bigger school than the old one-room building. So, they built this red brick…
Scottsdale, AZ · 4.8 mi · Local history
Scottsdale, Arizona, a place where the desert wind whispers tales of reinvention. Its story begins with Winfield Scott, whose name now graces the city, arriving in 1888 and setting in motion a transformation from arid…
Mesa Grande · 5.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine a thriving desert city, bustling centuries before Phoenix even existed. That's what Mesa Grande was. Between 1100 and 1400, the Hohokam people built this massive adobe complex, part of a larger network of…
Mesa, AZ · 6.8 mi
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…

Show all 37 nearby places

F. S. Baird Machine Shop · 7.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wonder about Phoenix's industrial roots? Check out the F. S. Baird Machine Shop right here. Built in 1928 by Kathryn Baird, she and her son Arthur opened a machine shop in 1929. Arthur moved on in 1931, and other…
Pizzeria Bianco · 7.5 mi
Chris Bianco moved from the Bronx to Phoenix and opened a tiny pizzeria inside a grocery store in 1988. By the late 1990s, food writers were calling it the best pizza in America. The Rosa — red onion, Parmigiano,…
Anthem, AZ · 7.6 mi
Anthem, Arizona, a master-planned community carved from the desert north of Phoenix, exudes a feeling of comfortable suburban peace. Though a relatively new community, established in 1999 by Del Webb, Anthem has seen…
Pheonix, AZ · 7.6 mi · Local history
Phoenix's story is one of rebirth and resilience, mirroring its namesake. Long before it became a major metropolis, the Hohokam people thrived here, mastering irrigation to cultivate the arid landscape. Their intricate…
Ahwatukee, AZ · 7.6 mi · Local history
Ahwatukee, nestled at a slightly lower elevation than Scottsdale, carries a name that hints at a deeper history than its modern, suburban feel suggests. "House of Dreams," it's called, a Crow language derivation…
Mesa Historical Museum · 7.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wonder how a small farming town blossomed into the city of Mesa? You're near the Mesa Historical Museum, a treasure trove of the city's past. The Mesa Historical Society founded the museum in 1987 to preserve and…
Hotel San Carlos (Phoenix) · 7.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over for a minute – you might just spot a ghost at the Hotel San Carlos! This place has a long history, and some say, a few permanent residents who never checked out. The Hotel San Carlos opened its doors in 1928,…
Phoenix, AZ · 7.9 mi · Local history
Phoenix wouldn't exist without irrigation. The Hohokam people, who lived here centuries ago, were master irrigators, building canals that allowed them to farm in the arid desert. Modern Phoenix built upon that legacy.…
Orpheum Theatre (Phoenix, Arizona) · 8.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over for a second. This is the Orpheum Theatre, and it’s more than just a pretty building. It was once a major stop on the vaudeville circuit, bringing some serious star power to Phoenix. Originally built in 1929,…
Heard Museum · 8.3 mi · Historical Marker
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.
F. Q. Story Neighborhood Historic District · 8.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wonder what Phoenix looked like before it became a sprawling metropolis? This neighborhood offers a glimpse into the past. From the late 1920s through the late 1940s, the F. Q. Story neighborhood blossomed,…
Phoenix Indian School · 9.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This unassuming spot marks a place of both opportunity and profound loss. For nearly a century, the Phoenix Indian School stood here, a boarding school for Native American children from across the Southwest. Beginning…
Chandler, AZ · 10.0 mi · Local history
Chandler, Arizona, unlike some of its neighbors, owes its existence to a very specific set of circumstances. It began as a cotton farming community thanks to Dr. A.J. Chandler, whose vision for agricultural development…
Gilbert, AZ · 10.1 mi · Local history
Gilbert, Arizona, owes its existence to the fertile land and the arrival of the Arizona Eastern Railway in 1902. Farmers, drawn by the promise of irrigation and rich soil, began to settle in the area. The railway…
La Mesa, AZ · 10.4 mi · Local history
La Mesa sits nestled in the embrace of the Sonoran Desert, a landscape sculpted by eons of geological activity. The area’s defining feature is undoubtedly its flatness. "La Mesa" itself means "the table" in Spanish, a…
Taliesin West · 13.7 mi · Historical Marker
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.
Buckhorn Baths Motel · 13.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Looking for a relaxing dip? This spot was once home to the Buckhorn Baths Motel, a desert oasis built around natural mineral hot springs. Ted and Alice Sliger started with a gas station and store here in 1936. By 1939,…
Laveen School Auditorium · 13.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This one-story adobe building served as a community hub in Laveen, Arizona since 1940. Built during the Works Progress Administration era, the Laveen School Auditorium, or Building A, provided a much-needed space for…
Manistee Ranch · 15.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over here! This unassuming spot was once the heart of the Manistee Ranch, a thriving agricultural oasis in the late 19th century. Herbert W. Hamilton, hailing all the way from Wisconsin, founded the ranch in 1897.…
Glendale Woman's Club · 16.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over here for a second – this unassuming building was once the center of Glendale's cultural life, thanks to a group of forward-thinking women. It all started in 1901 when a group of women organized the “Self…
Glendale, AZ · 16.2 mi · Local history
Glendale has long been a place where the past and the future meet. The city, dipping slightly in elevation at just over a thousand feet, still echoes with the sounds of its agricultural roots, even as it embraces the…
Hohokam Pima National Monument · 16.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine living in a thriving desert community over a thousand years ago – that was Snaketown, a major settlement of the Hohokam people. Between about 750 and 1150 AD, Snaketown was a hub of culture and agriculture in…
Higley, AZ · 16.5 mi · Local history
Higley, Arizona, owes its existence to the fertile land carved from the desert by the Consolidated Canal. Like much of the East Valley, its story is inextricably linked to cotton. The area's hot, dry climate and access…
Tolleson, AZ · 19.5 mi
Tolleson's story is etched in the Arizona soil, a narrative of agriculture, perseverance, and adaptation. The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad acted as a catalyst, transforming the area into a crucial…
Peoria, AZ · 19.9 mi
Peoria, Arizona, might conjure images of sun-drenched citrus groves and the dry bed of the New River shimmering in the heat, a landscape that once lured settlers from its namesake in Illinois. That pioneer spirit still…

Explore Tempe on the Map

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Tempe, Arizona

Music in Tempe

Songs About Tempe

Artists From Tempe

Rivers & Roads in Song near Tempe

History of Tempe

Tempe, AZ RoadyGoat

Mesa, AZ RoadyGoat

Mesa, AZ RoadyGoat

Heard Museum

Taliesin West

Things to Do in Tempe

Everything Near Tempe

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