Community Corner

'A Prairie Home Companion' Pokes Fun at North Shore

The popular public radio program poked fun at New Trier High School and the North Shore at its taping at Ravinia on Saturday.

'A Prairie Home Companion', the beloved public radio program hosted by Garrison Keillor, was broadcast live from Ravinia on Sat. June 22. Keillor and his guests poked fun at the North Shore and Chicagoland, with references to Chicago hot dogs, Highland Park's large houses and Ravinia Park patrons' lavish picnic baskets. 

But Keillor and company hit a bullseye with their parody of 'Sweet Home Chicago'. The song parodied North Shore stereotypes, from New Trier High School students to plastic surgery. 

To listen to the full song, click here. (Note: the song starts 6:10 in.) Lyrics are provided below.

Well come on, Baby don't you want to go?
Well come on, Baby don't you want to go?
We'll get out of Chicago, find a sweet home in Glencoe.

We'll buy a BMW, because we're moving up.
We'll buy a little poodle, join the Skokie Country Club. 
We'll build the kids a gym, on the second story. 
Send them to riding camp and to Glenview Montessori.

Oh baby, you and I have sure come far. 
Oh baby, you and I have sure come far. 
We make a great martini in our sweet home in Highland Park.

Our kids will dye the hair blonde.
They're smart and super cool. 
Have maids to fold their laundry, go to New Trier High School.
We drink a skinny latte venti sugar-free carmel. 
We had a little work done on our neck, but who can tell?

Oh come on, baby don't you want to go?
I just a saw listing, six billion bucks or so.
It's a house in Winnetka, baby don't you want to go?

Well, 30,000 square feet, a giant French chateau. 
It's got 20 bathrooms, what for I do not know.
With the country clubs, Cadillacs in rows. 
And everyone is famous — movie stars or CEOs.

Oh baby, it's the land of hope and joy. 
Oh baby, it's the land of hope and joy. 
In beautiful Winnetka,
Winnetka, Illinois.

Ah, Northfield isn't good enough and Deerfield's chinsy too. 
Riverwoods is okay but Winnetka's got the view. 
Yeah, Winnetka's number one, it's the top banana. 
It makes Glencoe look like Gary Indiana.

Well baby, we lost all our dough. 
Oh baby, baby we've got to go. 
But to that ever loving city, 
My sweet home Chicago. 


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