Trousdale - Smart Iowa (Official Video) 

born and raised as an Iowegian. Moved to the East Coast when I was 42. The East Coasters asked me what was in Iowa. I said "Nothing." No high rises, no sports teams, no hustle and bustle. no movers and shakers. no life or death drama. There wasn't any reason to go there on purpose. Iowa was a place where you were from, not where you went. But growing up in Iowa gave you a different view of existence. Even though only 2-3% of the people were farmers and lived on a farm, all the rest of us Iowans were tied to the land. We knew the seasons. We knew how growing and raising were gambles, and how even the best of us were just a bad season, or a bad happening that we didn't control away from failure. Everyone. So what we did learn was family. community. love. caring, taking care of each other. that there weren't any extra people, and everyone could contribute. that life had a pace we lived in, not one that we dictated. that what happened to any one of us could happen to each of us, good or bad. we lived grounded in day-to-day reality, knowing that joy was something that happened, not something we created out of thin air. So now, as my wife and I get ready to move to a casita in Long Beach, our eyes are open. we won't be seduced by the PCH and California glitter. we'll finish our lives with our daughter and her wife, surrounded by friends and neighbors, enjoying flowers and vegetables and family dogs. Iowa taught us well.

This made me emotional for some reason.

i’m from iowa moving back… the video came out a day after I closed on my land in Iowa. thank you.

Happy Sunday Ladies! Just heard this on the A Cafe, and while I already knew you, I had never heard this song, and it quite litteraly stopped me in my tracks. I felt bad for the artist that came later, as I had to find this song, and with the melody still in my head, I read the lyrics. As a hobby guitarist, the melody and structure went so well with the lyrics! I loved how the first 2 words of the chorus, when she say "You know...." are carried by the melody from the verse, and it works so well each time, because its done just as she pauses, the first time to put out her cigarette, than the listener can just about feel her sit forward in her chair, as she tells us the rest of the sentence, which was the chorus. I know its not brain surgery, but its a simple tool that works very, very well in this instance. Very well done! As I watched the video, it occurred to me that it might have been almost as if it was made of little paper cut outs, and it reminded me of the video of you girls cutting out pictures and words from magazines to make a big poster in another video. I thought "no, its not possible, it would take way too long. They would have gotten someone else to do it, perhaps on a computer? Then I read that Quinn did it???!!!That's super cool, so great that you did it, really!!!! I'm 62 and an old rocker turned singer songwriter folkie, and I don't buy a lot of CD's anymore, but I will make a point to buy yours, You deserve it! If you ever think about coming up to the Boston/New England area, I could clue you in on a bunch of nice venues for you to call on. I remember seeing Shaun Colvin at a little opera house back @ 1999, and Suzanne Vega at the Orpheum. Stay together, continue to get along and be friends through it all.

Omg made me cry 😭😭😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

This song is simply beautiful! Makes me think of my 91 1/2 year old Mommy who passed last year as Iowa was her Home State. Every time I listen to it, it will always be close to my heart.❤

Transplanted Iowan. This song is beautiful!!

Liked and shared to the world.

WOW!!! This video is amazing! Beautiful work Quinn!

Please come to Iowa!

Born, raised and live in Iowa. Heard this on my way home from work today and was blown away! What a beautiful video for this song🥰

This made me cry

The most beautiful video for the most beautiful song. 10/10

This is incredible, I can't imagine how much time took

Loved this song when I heard it live a few months ago, and love the official recording and video now!! 💚🩷🩵

Absolutely Beautiful

Um Quinn this is so cool!!! I love it. You're mega-talented in many respects!

Are there any others here that moved to Iowa this year aside from me???

Gorgeous!

Absolute genius, I love the choice of doing the shadow box thing. Perfect way to tell this story for one of my favorite songs you've ever made.

I’m speechless. Well done.

Absolutely beautiful!

AGH YES FINALLY i saw yall at cory wong like a year ago and this song left an impression on me but i couldnt find it and now its finally here!!!!

This is sooo cool!!!!!😮

❤😭❤ Beautifully done, Quinn!

It's so beautiful and I need nothing more

Watched it again! Still crying. That was perfect. Instantly made my favorite song list ❤ Ya'll are incredible.

QUINN THIS IS SO AMAZING!!

What a magnificent song and melodies

Low-key my fav song on the new album. Can't wait to hear it live 🤍

Had the pleasure of seeing you at the Fox last night. Every single and collective element of your performance is extraordinary. I wish you all HUGE success and warm welcomes on your tour. It's beautiful to see such talent being shared with so many. Thank you!

A somewhat sad song, but as a person that hates people, I can relate.

Wow! I’m super impressed Quinn. Hope to catch y’all on the rock boat again!

Heard this today- such beautiful voices!!!!!

What a beautiful video, incredible work by Quinn ❤❤❤

just incredible!!!!

Great work! ❤

Amazing!

Def my song, left LA for Upstate Ny

Came to check this out after you mentioned it at Mercury Lounge the other day. Was *not* expecting a Lotte Reiniger twist. Bravo, brilliant work, Quinn!

That is me leaving LA for upstate NY in 2000……..

Had to watch it again after seeing you guys sing it last night in Maddison! It’s a stunning video and so impressive that it’s all just made of paper, lights, and lots of patience!

Is this Heaven?

QUINN

I'm living outside Boston and have been thinking of packing it in and moving to Iowa, looked at a job near Davenport. Heard the river can flood pretty bad, but I really love small towns. Would it be a good place to retire? Hopefully work for a few years first, but yes, to just stop going going going and just set a bit and get to know my neighbors?

❤❤❤ . . 👇 *You’re amazing*

Fortunately we pick corn here and not Presidents

Mo sent me

Would have been true 3 years ago but Republicans have made this a fascist state. Good song though. Hope we can get it back.