The fictional song “Tap Into Your (Fort) Worth” is Fort Worth’s latest brush with small-screen fame.
Netflix comedy show “Girls5eva” featured Fort Worth and its top cultural institutions prominently in the season three premiere, released March 14.
The show, which follows the comeback of a washed-up ’90s girl group, is set in Fort Worth but was not filmed there, unlike other forthcoming productions like Taylor Sheridan’s “Landman.” Its accompanying song traverses the many features of Fort Worth, from the Trinity River to some of the city’s notable residents including journalist Bob Schieffer.
“I thought it was hilarious. And they can sing pretty well, too,” Schieffer said according to a blog post from Texas Christian University’s Bob Schieffer College of Communication.
How we feel when Bob Schieffer is mentioned. We love that Mr. Schieffer was “worth” mentioning in this soon-to-be Cowtown classic from @Netflix’s girls5eva. Y’all know we’re worth it. Tap into our Fort Worth. 🤠
— BobSchiefferCollege (@TCUSchieffer) March 22, 2024
Read more: https://t.co/fa0XfMqTyt pic.twitter.com/KVj0rIpeaL
The song also mentions the Fort Worth Zoo, TCU and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“It’s always fun to be mentioned in popular culture, especially alongside TCU icon and alum Bob Schiefer,” a spokesman from TCU said in a statement. “The song is a great example of TCU’s brand name recognition as THE University of Fort Worth.”
"Tap Into Your (Fort) Worth" is a legit country/pop crossover banger.
— Sean Marotta (@smmarotta) March 21, 2024
Girls5Eva is amazing. https://t.co/r6EQNYZtMh
In the episode, fictional Fort Worth fans loved the recognition provided by the song. Visit Fort Worth, an organization supporting tourism to the city, said it was thrilled to see Fort Worth spotlighted on the Netflix series.
“It’s a testament to how Fort Worth continues to capture the imagination of creators and viewers alike, making our city a must-visit destination for fans and travelers curious about the places they see on screen,” said Mitch Whitten, chief operating officer of Visit Fort Worth.
Netflix picked up the show after Peacock canceled the Tina Fey-produced series. Now, the show is accessible to Netflix’s 260 million global subscribers and boasts a 98% critic approval rating on the review platform Rotten Tomatoes.
Fort Worthians discussed the song and accompanying episode on social media platforms like Reddit, in part decrying the show’s assertion that Fort Worth is one of the largest cities in the country without a song written about it (Geroge Strait would beg to differ).
Someone make it make sense... I was googling the lyrics to Fort Worth by Lee Hazlewood (1963) and this showed up as the first hit! It appears to be a series on Netflix? The lyrics don't line up but apparently it came out on the 15th? Y'all what is the context for this??
by u/AmandaDarlingInc in FortWorth
Here are the lyrics of ‘Tap Into Your (Fort) Worth’
[Verse 1]
Got my best boots on, smile on my face
Can’t believe we’re from this place
Thirteenth biggest in the States
Can a town be your soulmate?
East Exchange Avenue
Steers in my rear-view
Gonna hit what USA Today calls
The second-best zoo
‘Cause Cowtown is a wow-town
With a walkable downtown
It’s time to tap into your Fort Worth
Worth! Worth! Worth!
It’s got no hipsters, like Austin
Or Wahlbergs, like Boston
Or tech bros, like Austin
Or Afflecks, like Boston
Now, some say Omaha Zoo is second best, but that’s a lie
Because their red panda is always inside
It’s nеver out on the tree, yeah, yеah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
And the Trinity River’s getting better
Parts are even swimmable
It’s no longer called the mythological river of death
‘Cause when the West begins, it’s where your best begins
It’s time to tap into your Fort Worth
Time to tap into your Fort Worth
The home of Hagman and Meester
Capshaw and Schieffer
Tap into your Fort Worth
One look and you’ll love it too
No wonder Jesus went to TCU
It was early decision
See, I know, I’m worth it
Y’all know, you’re worth it
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram knows they’re worth it
That’s why their site has a paywall
‘Cause Cowtown is a wow town
With a walkable downtown
It’s time to tap into your Fort Worth
The home of Hagman and Meester
Capshaw and Schieffer
Of museums and parks and
Also Kelly Clarkson (Also Kelly Clarkson)
Tap into your Fort Worth
Worth, worth, worth (Yeehaw)
Rachel Behrndt is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at rachel.behrndt@fortworthreport.org or via Twitter.
Disclosure: Mitch Whitten, chief operating officer for Visit Fort Worth, is a member of the Fort Worth Report’s Board of Directors.
This article first appeared on Fort Worth Report and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.