The 73rd most populous city in the United States, with a population of 291,247 according to the 2020 census, but also the fourth-largest by area. I think it’s fair to say that Anchorage is not your atypical location in the USA. Archaeological evidence suggests the area was first populated some 5,000 years ago by the Alutiiq people who arrived by kayak, but it wasn’t until 1914,thanks to it being chosen as a site for railroad construction, that Anchorage began to take shape. Its unique location has resulted in its international airport being ranked as the fourth-busiest in thw world for cargo traffic, surpassed only by Memphis, Hong Kong, and Shanghai Pudong. Musically, there’s not much I can pick out that would be of huge interest to TVV readers albeit the city’s 6,000 capacity Sullivan Arena, has been a location where a number of renowned rock bands have played over the decades.
mp3: Michelle Shocked – Anchorage
The Texas-based singer-songwriter’s debut single back in 1988, which reached #60 here in the UK, while the album it appeared on, Short Sharp Shocked, got to #33. It’s the story of Michelle making time to write to an old friend in Dallas, only to find in due course that the reply comes back from Anchorage. The lyrics are inspired by what was written in the reply, as Michelle learns that her friend had moved to Alaska as a result of her husband, Leroy, getting a new job, and in the interim period a second child had come along. The sort of song that wouldn’t really happen nowadays with the growth and development of e-mail etc.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
As much as Michelle Shocked seemed to be everywhere, back in the day, I don’t believe I ever heard one of her songs, including Anchorage. I ask myself, how is this possible? I mean, I did, I do enjoy a bit of ‘Americana’. I hit play on the link and was pleasantly surprised. The vocals reminded me of Natalie Merchant – perhaps folks have been discussing that for decades? Long story, kinda short-ish… I really enjoyed it.
Flimflamfan
I’d never realised what a big city Anchorage is. I imagined it as essntially just a small town… and I think this song has a lot to do with that.
Léon Macduff
Great tune.
Love this song and the images it creates
Just seeing the word Anchorage makes me hear her singing Alaska after it. Saw Michelle Shocked support Billy Bragg, Beatnigs were also on the bill- really good gig.
Anchorage and Come a Long Way are all I know of Michelle Shocked, and both are always a welcome listen.
Strangeways
Enjoying this series so far. Can’t wait until you hit Tokyo and Gruppo Sportivo finally makes its appearance on these pages!
Or when you hit my hometown Los Angeles to see which of the many LA songs to choose from you actually pick! “Hate LA” by ActionSlacks? “I Love LA” by Randy Neuman? “LA Song” By Beth Hart? “LA Woman” by the Doors? There’s so many you could probably make a whole series about it.