This New Local Song Is an Ode to the Wisconsin State Fair

Milwaukee-based singer/songwriter Matt Mueller professes his love for the Wisconsin State Fair in a newly released tune called “I’m a Fair Lover.” 

Mueller is the vocalist, guitarist, drummer, producer – a one-man band – for Middle Child Syndrome, which he describes as a DIY musical endeavor. 

The catchy ditty, done with a country music flair, has Mueller singing about his favorite things about the Fair.

“I really wanted to connect with the culture of Wisconsin and stuff that Wisconsinites love and believe in,” said Mueller, a self-proclaimed “FIB” who moved to Milwaukee 12 years for a job at Harley-Davidson. He quit that job two years ago to pursue a career in music.

“I’m a Fair Lover” is a follow-up to a previously released song titled “Wisconsin Bars.”

“Coming off the song about Up North bars, I thought the next step should be the State Fair. Whether it’s the food, the people watching or the rides, there’s something about it that really screams Americana and Midwest and Wisconsin that fits,” Mueller said. “Beyond that, I feel there is a country undertone, not just to the State Fair but also to Wisconsin and certain parts of it, so I thought that a country song was most appropriate to bridge that connection with Wisconsinites.”

Here are a few lines from “I’m a Fair Lover,” that details the State Fair menu items Mueller has presumably consumed (or at least thought about).

​I ate fried Oreos, taquitos, a loaded baked potato churro

Bacon wrapped tater tots, chocolate chip shish kabob

Corn dog, cookie dough, breakfast waffles, Elvis nachos

Cheese fries, cheese curds, cheeseburger, cheddarwurst

Caramel apple, cinnedog, hot ham, maple donut

Dorito pickle, funnel cake, gyro platter, T-bone steak

Fried butter on a stick, pickle pizza, fish n’ chips

Potato pancake, pork chop, cream puff & Klement brat

And a beer battered bacon wrapped cheddar sausage on a stick

I’m a fair lover