Utah · The Beehive State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Utah state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Utah's official state song is “Utah, This Is the Place”, adopted in 2003. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “This Is the Place”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Utah, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Utah
Uplifting mountain pop-rock with acoustic guitar, piano, soaring synth strings, big drums and a choir-backed chorus
“This Is the Place” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male and female duet · Uplifting mountain pop-rock with acoustic guitar.
Verse 1
Delicate Arch is glowing red in the last light of the day
Zion's walls go up so high the sky is just a ray
Sego lilies on the hill, a gull above the lake
Utah, you're the wonder that no words can ever take
Chorus
This is the place, industry and grace
Five red parks and powder snow and a wide salt-silver space
From Logan down to St. George, from the Wasatch to the sand
Utah, you're the beehive, and we're working hand in hand
Verse 2
Bryce Canyon full of hoodoos like a city made of stone
The greatest snow on Earth coming down on Alta slopes alone
Temple Square in Christmas lights, the Bonneville so white
Utah, you're the mighty and the quiet and the light
Chorus
This is the place, industry and grace
Five red parks and powder snow and a wide salt-silver space
From Logan down to St. George, from the Wasatch to the sand
Utah, you're the beehive, and we're working hand in hand
Bridge
Pioneers pulled handcarts to this valley long ago
Utah, this is the place, and now I know
Chorus
This is the place, industry and grace
Five red parks and powder snow and a wide salt-silver space
From Logan down to St. George, from the Wasatch to the sand
Utah, you're the beehive, and we're working hand in hand
About “This Is the Place”
Utah's song is uplifting mountain pop-rock built on the words Brigham Young is said to have spoken on reaching the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, "This is the place". Delicate Arch, Zion, Bryce Canyon's hoodoos, the Great Salt Lake, Alta's powder and the Bonneville Salt Flats all appear.
The California gull and sego lily are the state bird and flower; "Industry" is the motto and the beehive the symbol. "Utah, This Is the Place" has been the official song since 2003.
Places and symbols in the song
- Arches and Delicate Arch
- Zion National Park
- the Great Salt Lake
- the Wasatch ski slopes
- Bryce Canyon
- California gull
- Sego lily
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 Utah
- Title
- “Utah, This Is the Place”
- Written by
- Sam and Gary Francis
- Status
- adopted in 2003
It replaced "Utah, We Love Thee" (1937), which was kept as the official state hymn. The title echoes Brigham Young's words on first seeing the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
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.
Utah at a glance
- Nickname
- The Beehive State
- Capital
- Salt Lake City
- Largest city
- Salt Lake City
- Statehood
- January 4, 1896 (45th state)
- Motto
- Industry
- State bird
- California gull
- State flower
- Sego lily
- Official state song
- "Utah, This Is the Place" (in 2003)
Questions about Utah's state song
What is the official state song of Utah?
The official state song of Utah is "Utah, This Is the Place", Sam and Gary Francis, adopted in 2003. It replaced "Utah, We Love Thee" (1937), which was kept as the official state hymn. The title echoes Brigham Young's words on first seeing the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
Is "This Is the Place" the official state song of Utah?
No. "This Is the Place" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Utah. The official state song is "Utah, This Is the Place", adopted in 2003. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "This Is the Place" about?
Utah's song is uplifting mountain pop-rock built on the words Brigham Young is said to have spoken on reaching the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, "This is the place". Delicate Arch, Zion, Bryce Canyon's hoodoos, the Great Salt Lake, Alta's powder and the Bonneville Salt Flats all appear. It names Arches and Delicate Arch, Zion National Park, the Great Salt Lake, the Wasatch ski slopes and Bryce Canyon, with the state bird (california gull) and state flower (sego lily) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Utah, This Is the Place" and when was it adopted?
"Utah, This Is the Place" is credited to Sam and Gary Francis; it was adopted in 2003. It replaced "Utah, We Love Thee" (1937), which was kept as the official state hymn. The title echoes Brigham Young's words on first seeing the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
What are Utah's state symbols?
Utah is nicknamed The Beehive State. Its capital is Salt Lake City and its largest city is Salt Lake City. It joined the Union on January 4, 1896 (45th state). The state motto is "Industry", the state bird is the california gull and the state flower is the sego lily.
Can I play or share "This Is the Place"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Utah, 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 Utah?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Salt Lake City, UT") 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.