Remember ‘Yes M!ch!gan’? Was the Feeling Forever or Kinda Creepy?

There was a time as an impressionably young Michigander, when some ingenious (or diabolical) marketing agency launched a tourism campaign in Michigan that still sticks with me (or haunts me) to this day. That campaign was 'Yes M!ch!gan'.

Related: Pure Michigan 80's Nostalgia: The Detroit Zoo Commercial '82

Though an offshoot of the 'Say Yes to Michigan' campaign, which began in 1982, this earworm of a song had a life of its own that began in 1986. If you remember this marketing blitz, you'll no doubt recall the tune associated with 'Yes! M!ch!gan!' (not to be confused with 'Say Yes! Yes! Yes! to Michigan).

The Song That Accompanied the 'Yes! M!ch!gan!' Tourism Campaign

Aside from a legion of print materials that used, what can only be assumed was an overabundance of exclamation points, the 'Yes M!ch!gan' jingle would also be unleashed upon an unsuspecting and easily impressionable state. The song was sung as if the STATE OF MICHIGAN WAS SINGING TO YOU. You can't make this up. Michigan sang to us in the 80s.

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For those who may have never heard the 'Yes! M!ch!gan!' jingle, click play on the embedded video below to hear Michigan sing to you...in first person. To my utter shock, there was no lyric listing for this song, so I've written the lyrics out for your next karaoke night:

Yes! M!ch!gan (Yes! Michigan!) Song Lyrics

Because the internet wasn't complete without them:

I am Michigan,

I am waves along an endless shore,

I am Michigan,

Where Great Lakes stretch forevermore,

And rivers flow and rivers fall,

Memories beckon one and all,

To Michigan.

This is what I am.

Yes, Michigan

The feelings forever, (REPEAT)

Beyond my forests, you will see,

My cities rise majestically.

I am Michigan,

Yes, Michigan,

The feelings forever,

Forever.

I am Michigan.

I am winter whites and summer blues,

I am Michigan.

I’m spring perfumes and Autumn hues.

Seasons past and yet to be,

Each brings something new to me,

To Michigan.

This is what I am.

Yes, Michigan

The feelings forever, (REPEAT)

I am playful days and peaceful nights,

I'm quiet towns and city lights,

I am Michigan.

Yes, Michigan,

The feelings forever.

Forever.

I am new,

But I am old.

Come and see my history unfold.

Feel the welcome, hear the call

Memories beckon one and all to

Michigan.

This is what I am.

Yes, Michigan

The feelings forever. (REPEAT X5)

Yes, the feeling truly is forever...and so is that song. I haven't been able to shake that song since 1986. Now, maybe, just maybe, it will stick with you too. You're welcome.