Michigan · The Great Lakes State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Michigan state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Michigan's official state song is “My Michigan”, adopted in 1937. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Two Peninsulas”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Michigan, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Michigan
Detroit Motown-style soul-pop, punchy bass, tambourine, strings, bright horns and a hand-clapping chorus
“Two Peninsulas” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Female vocal · Detroit Motown-style soul-pop.
Verse 1
Motor City engines humming and a bass line in the air
Four Great Lakes around us like a hand that holds us there
Robins in the apple blossoms up in Traverse Bay
Michigan, you're the music that I carry every day
Chorus
Two peninsulas, one great big heart
Look about you, says the motto, and you'll know it from the start
From Detroit to the Mackinac, from the dunes to Pictured Rocks
Michigan, you're the hand I hold, you're the key that fits my locks
Verse 2
Sleeping Bear Dunes are glowing in a long July light
The Mackinac Bridge is sparkling five miles across the night
Cherries on the farm stands and a coney on the way
Lake Superior's so cold and blue it takes your breath away
Chorus
Two peninsulas, one great big heart
Look about you, says the motto, and you'll know it from the start
From Detroit to the Mackinac, from the dunes to Pictured Rocks
Michigan, you're the hand I hold, you're the key that fits my locks
Bridge
From the Yoopers to the Mitten, every shore's a song
Michigan, you're where I belong
Chorus
Two peninsulas, one great big heart
Look about you, says the motto, and you'll know it from the start
From Detroit to the Mackinac, from the dunes to Pictured Rocks
Michigan, you're the hand I hold, you're the key that fits my locks
About “Two Peninsulas”
Michigan's anthem is Motown-style soul-pop, strings and tambourine, the Detroit sound. It covers both peninsulas: the Mackinac Bridge, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pictured Rocks on Lake Superior, Traverse City cherries and a Detroit coney dog.
The robin and apple blossom are the state bird and flower, and the chorus paraphrases the motto. Michigan's official song, "My Michigan", was adopted in 1937 but is rarely sung; the familiar "Michigan, My Michigan" has never been official.
Places and symbols in the song
- Detroit and Motown
- the Great Lakes
- Mackinac Bridge
- Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Pictured Rocks
- American robin
- Apple blossom
SongUp AI composed and sang this song from the lyrics above and the style line under the title, the same way it makes songs for its users. It is not the official state song and it is not a cover.
The official state song of Michigan
- Title
- “My Michigan”
- Written by
- words by Giles Kavanagh, music by H. O'Reilly Clint
- Status
- adopted in 1937
The official song is rarely heard; the better-known "Michigan, My Michigan" has never been made official, so many residents assume it is.
Many official state songs are still in copyright, so their lyrics are not printed here. The state's own website or legislature publishes the official text.
Michigan at a glance
- Nickname
- The Great Lakes State
- Capital
- Lansing
- Largest city
- Detroit
- Statehood
- January 26, 1837 (26th state)
- Motto
- Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice (If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you)
- State bird
- American robin
- State flower
- Apple blossom
- Official state song
- "My Michigan" (in 1937)
Questions about Michigan's state song
What is the official state song of Michigan?
The official state song of Michigan is "My Michigan", words by Giles Kavanagh, music by H. O'Reilly Clint, adopted in 1937. The official song is rarely heard; the better-known "Michigan, My Michigan" has never been made official, so many residents assume it is.
Is "Two Peninsulas" the official state song of Michigan?
No. "Two Peninsulas" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Michigan. The official state song is "My Michigan", adopted in 1937. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Two Peninsulas" about?
Michigan's anthem is Motown-style soul-pop, strings and tambourine, the Detroit sound. It covers both peninsulas: the Mackinac Bridge, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pictured Rocks on Lake Superior, Traverse City cherries and a Detroit coney dog. It names Detroit and Motown, the Great Lakes, Mackinac Bridge, Sleeping Bear Dunes and Pictured Rocks, with the state bird (american robin) and state flower (apple blossom) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "My Michigan" and when was it adopted?
"My Michigan" is credited to words by Giles Kavanagh, music by H. O'Reilly Clint; it was adopted in 1937. The official song is rarely heard; the better-known "Michigan, My Michigan" has never been made official, so many residents assume it is.
What are Michigan's state symbols?
Michigan is nicknamed The Great Lakes State. Its capital is Lansing and its largest city is Detroit. It joined the Union on January 26, 1837 (26th state). The state motto is "Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice (If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you)", the state bird is the american robin and the state flower is the apple blossom.
Can I play or share "Two Peninsulas"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Michigan, your town, your school or your family, with the names and places you choose, describe it on the Create page: a free account hears a 30-second preview of its own lyrics sung, and a full song comes with a Pro plan.
How do I make my own song about Michigan?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Detroit, MI") or paste your own lyrics, pick a voice, and SongUp AI writes, sings and mixes it in a few minutes. Every song comes with a lyric video, stems and a gift page.