Resolution makes City of Simpsonville unique among municipalities in state
Simpsonville, S.C. — It’s official: Simpsonville City Council adopted the song “Simpsonville (Simply Home)” by musician Steve Eager as the anthem for the City of Simpsonville, a unique distinction in the state and maybe even the U.S.
Simpsonville Community Relations Specialist Justin Campbell said the unanimous vote by City Council to adopt Resolution R-2025-03 was a very special moment for the City of Simpsonville.
“Having an official anthem is another point of pride for the Simpsonville community,” Mr. Campbell said. “The City is excited to use the song to promote Simpsonville at special events, market all that Simpsonville has to offer and continue to inspire pride in calling Simpsonville ‘simply home.'”
Councilman Lou Hutchings of Ward 6 motioned to adopt the resolution on Tuesday night with a second by Councilwoman Sherry Roche of Ward 4 before reading the resolution. After the 7-0 vote by Council to approve and adopt the resolution, the music video by Steve Eager and his band was played for those in attendance.
During my time on Council, I have been guided by the concept of “Preserving the past, Building the future” while fostering a strong sense of community. When I first heard Steve Eager’s performance of “Simpsonville (Simply Home)” at our Tree Lighting ceremony, I envisioned how powerful visuals paired with Steve’s heartfelt lyrics could elevate this message and convey these ideals to both our longtime residents and newcomers alike. Steve has brilliantly achieved this, creating a shared experience that not only honors our history but also inspires our future. “Simpsonville (Simply Home)” beautifully encapsulates what Simpsonville was, what it is today, and what it has the potential to become.
Mr. Hutchings said the resolution reminded him that the concept of “Preserving the past, Building the future” while fostering a strong sense of community has guided him ever since he took office.
“When I first heard Steve Eager’s performance of ‘Simpsonville (Simply Home)’ at our Tree Lighting Ceremony, I envisioned how the powerful visuals paired with Steve’s heartfelt lyrics could elevate this message and convey these ideals to both our longtime residents and newcomers alike,” said Mr. Hutchings, who introduced the resolution for consideration at the Committee of the Whole meeting in July when Council voted to move the item to the August business meeting. “Steve has brilliantly achieved this, creating a shared experience that not only honors our history but also inspires our future. ‘Simpsonville (Simply Home)’ beautifully encapsulates what Simpsonville was, what it is today and what it has the potential to become.”
Mr. Eager, a musician based in Greenville whose wife grew up in Simpsonville, premiered “Simpsonville (Simply Home)” at the 6th Annual Simpsonville Tree Lighting Ceremony in December, accompanied by the Hillcrest High School student choir Ram Voices led by Holly Hill. In the spring, Mr. Eager and his musicians produced a music video, in part funded by local businesses Integrity Animal Health Group and 1885 and discretionary funds from the City. Mr. Hutchings partnered with Mr. Eager to support the project before suggesting that the City adopt “Simpsonville (Simply Home)” as its official anthem.
Mr. Eager said the last six years of playing with his band Steve Eager and Friends have brought incredible and amazing opportunities, one of which is the “Simpsonville (Simply Home)” project.
“One of the most exciting opportunities I’ve ever had was the privilege to be involved with creating and recording ‘Simpsonville (Simply Home),'” said Mr. Eager, who had written songs in honor of a couple of other municipalities in the Upstate before his Simpsonville project. “To see it adopted as the official song of Simpsonville was a privilege and an honor that I can’t put into words. I’m beyond humbled that the song would be received in this way and am thankful and grateful beyond words to my musicians and all of those involved, as well as to the City of Simpsonville for this truly remarkable recognition.”
While there may be other city anthems throughout the country, Simpsonville staff has learned of only one other song memorialized by another municipality.
“The adoption of ‘Simpsonville (Simply Home)’ as the anthem for the City of Simpsonville is special for many reasons, one of which is Simpsonville may be the only municipality in South Carolina to have codified or memorialized a song to officially represent the city or town,” Mr. Campbell said. “In fact, there is only one other city in the United States that we found in our research to have the same distinction, and that’s all the way on the other side of the country, San Francisco with ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’ by Tony Bennett. We’d love to know if there are others.”
