Is there a non-existent location in Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere"? If so, what is it?

Question

For my Geography class, my professor wants us to look for something in Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere". I can't remember if she asked for a missing/non-existent location or if she asked for a place that wasn't in North or South America, but it was one of those. I looked around, but I had no luck anywhere. Can anyone help out?

Answer 1

All the places mentioned exist. Ombabika is in Ontario. Obabika is a river & lake.



Below are the places mentioned in this version of the song, most of which are in North America, but a few of which are in South America:



First verse

Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota, Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota, Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma, Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma, Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo, Tocopilla, Barranquilla and Padilla.

Second verse

Boston, Charleston (not specified whether it's Charleston, WV or Charleston, SC), Dayton, Louisiana, Washington (not specified whether it's Washington D.C. or Washington state), Houston, Kingston, Texarkana, Monterey, Ferriday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa, Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa, Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake, Grand Lake, Devils Lake and Crater Lake.

Third verse

Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika, Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica, Richfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport, Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport, Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina, Pasadena and Catalina.

Fourth verse

Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado, Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, El Dorado, Larimore, Atmore, Haverstraw, Chatanika, Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika, Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City, Sioux City, Cedar City and Dodge City.



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Answer 2

If you're talking about the Compass Suites commercials, i am pretty positive that's the johnny cash song they're parodying

Answer 3

Survey says that every one of those cities or states exist in either North america or South america

Answer 4

I guess reading this link, the song was originally written by someone from Australia and it used Australian locations instead of ones in the Americas.

Answer 5

all of the places that johnny cash mentioned are real places in america, even though some of them just sound like random words, such as fargo, baltimore and perdilla.

Answer 6

Ombabika does not exist...it is mis-pronounced in the song. It should be Obabika...as in Ontario,Canada

Answer 7

Kokomo? It's in Indiana and your teacher may think it is in Hawaii from the beach boys song. If she's wrong rub it in her face!

Answer 8

They are all real cities...