Songs about New York [Archive]

nailatixela

10-13-2009, 06:15 PM

I'm going to New York City next week and I'm thrilled...I haven't been there in about 10 years.

I was thinking it would be cool to listen to songs that are about NY on the drive up. Of course there are the Mac tunes - The City, Empire State, and Illume. Also already on my iPod is New York, New York by Moby feat. Debbie Harry, and New York by Richard Ashcroft. (the song that sounds similar to Illume)

What are you other favorite songs about New York? I'd like to check them out and add more to my playlist.

LikeAWillow

10-13-2009, 06:24 PM

I'm going to New York City next week and I'm thrilled...

Ha. Ditto. Have fun. And if you don't mind, PM me your completed playlist or post it here ;)

Ryan Adams- New York, New York
Vanessa Carlton- NoLita Fairytale
Tori Amos- I Can't See New York

And don't tell me you've forgotten Frank Sinatra. I also think much of PJ Harvey's Songs from the City, Songs from the Sea album is about NYC, and I'd specifically recommend Big Exit.

nailatixela

10-13-2009, 06:28 PM

Ha. Ditto. Have fun. And if you don't mind, PM me your completed playlist or post it here ;)

Ryan Adams- New York, New York
Vanessa Carlton- NoLita Fairytale
Tori Amos- I Can't See New York

And don't tell me you've forgotten Frank Sinatra. I also think much of PJ Harvey's Songs from the City, Songs from the Sea album is about NYC, and I'd specifically recommend Big Exit.

Thanks a lot. I'll check them out for sure. I believe I've heard Nolita - I thought that was the one with Stevie's name in it? I also have some of Ryan and Tori's and they are good, I'll check out these songs. :)

Yup I didn't forget Frank - I should of posted a warning that I didn't want to include that old song my grandma listens to... ;)

FMlex

10-13-2009, 06:30 PM

"New York Minute" -- Don Henley

Although it's not exactly about New York City, it's got it in the title. That counts, right? :shrug:

fleetwoodtrick

10-13-2009, 06:33 PM

"New York Minute" -- Don Henley

Although it's not exactly about New York City, it's got it in the title. That counts, right? :shrug:

That's the only one I thought of, haha!

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Yum.

LikeAWillow

10-13-2009, 06:34 PM

Yup I didn't forget Frank - I should of posted a warning that I didn't want to include that old song my grandma listens to... ;)

You are lucky he and his organized crime connections are not around to see this :distress:

chiliD

10-13-2009, 06:46 PM

John & Yoko - "New York City"....starts out with the line...."que pasa, New York?"....how can you go wrong with that?

Little Feat - "Tripe Face Boogie" "New York, Yew Nork, you gotta choose one..."

Are we forgetting....? Frank Sinatra - "New York, New York" "These little town blues...."

mylittledemon

10-13-2009, 07:02 PM

Ryan Adams- New York, New York

I remember this track was on the album "Gold" --which was set to be released on 9/11. I had the promo copy about 1 week before the release. Eerie.

trackaghost

10-13-2009, 07:08 PM

Bob Dylan - Hard Times In New York Town (lots of references to the sights in this one)
Bruce Springsteen - New York City Serenade
Cat Power - New York
Cerys Matthews - Streets Of New York
Ryan Adams - New York, New York (he's also got a song called My Blue Manhattan)
Martha Wainwright - New York, New York, New York

(These are all different songs btw, although Cat Power's is an awesome re-working of the Frank Sinatra song).

daniellaaarisen

10-13-2009, 07:15 PM

Bob Dylan - Hard Times In New York Town (lots of references to the sights in this one)
Bruce Springsteen - New York City Serenade
Cat Power - New York
Cerys Matthews - Streets Of New York
Ryan Adams - New York, New York
Martha Wainwright - New York, New York, New York

(These are all different songs btw, although Cat Power's is an awesome re-working of the Frank Sinatra song).

Cat Power is amazingly good at covers. Always. Her version of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" is beautiful.

trackaghost

10-13-2009, 07:19 PM

Cat Power is amazingly good at covers. Always. Her version of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" is beautiful.

I agree! I love both her covers albums. Have you heard her version of Dreams?

daniellaaarisen

10-13-2009, 07:20 PM

I agree! I love both her covers albums. Have you heard her version of Dreams?

Yes I have, from some random live show? I loooooooooooove it. I love her. I have her entire discography and simply can't get enough.

sarahw

10-13-2009, 07:29 PM

Billy Joel, New York State Of Mind

mylittledemon

10-13-2009, 07:33 PM

Try this for NEW YORK songs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_New_York_City

;)

trackaghost

10-13-2009, 07:42 PM

Yes I have, from some random live show? I loooooooooooove it. I love her. I have her entire discography and simply can't get enough.

The last time I saw her live she played Dreams, it was fantastic.
I can't wait for her new album, it's been far too long coming.

HejiraNYC

10-13-2009, 07:47 PM

Try this for NEW YORK songs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_New_York_City

;)

What kind of a **** list is this?? It doesn't even list the best New York song, evah: "Let the River Run" - Carly Simon.

Ghost_Tracker

10-13-2009, 09:36 PM

Try this for NEW YORK songs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_New_York_City

;)

Well THAT was just effing brilliant.
You get the "Ledge Researcher of the Month" award. :nod:

DavidMn

10-13-2009, 10:26 PM

Big Shot-Billy Joel great song!

Amlyn

10-13-2009, 10:42 PM

gldstwmn

10-14-2009, 12:09 AM

Empire State of Mind:

http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/435686/empire-state-of-mind-live.jhtml#id=1620604

GypsySorcerer

10-14-2009, 07:51 AM

Well, you'll definitely want to avoid Madonna's song "I Love New York." :laugh: That song has some of the worst lyrics EVER.

petep9000

10-14-2009, 08:18 AM

Don't laugh. But I saw Barry Manilow not too long after 9/11, and he dedicated 'New York City Rhythm' to the audience and to NYC, and got a big cheer. Of course, Lou Reed's 'Take a Walk on The Wild Side' is a depiction of a seedier, edgier, long-gone New York City. And here are two ancient disco nuggets:

'Native New Yorker' by Odyssey
and
'I Love America' by Patrick Juvet (which is about a European coming to NYC, (among other places) presumably to go dance in the discos)

Cornflake Girl

10-14-2009, 08:25 AM

The Only Living Boy In New York - Simon & Garfunkel -- Not necessarily about NYC, but Paul wrote it while feeling lonely in NY.

Actually, a lot of S&G songs are about or inspired by NY. Here are another two:

At the Zoo
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

Brilliant songs, I love S&G. I think 'Bleeker Street' and 'The Boxer' would count too. Also, Lou Reed has an album called 'New York; word of warning, it is not a positive account of the city. :laugh:

GODDESS6

10-14-2009, 08:51 AM

Big Shot-Billy Joel great song!

so is 'new york state of mind' by him too~

AgeOldDesire

10-14-2009, 09:53 AM

New York Groove - Ace Frehley

New York, New York - Nina Hagen

petep9000

10-14-2009, 10:46 AM

The theme to 'Green Acres':

"Noo Yawk iz vhere I vant to be!"

HejiraNYC

10-14-2009, 10:52 AM

The theme to 'Green Acres':

"Noo Yawk iz vhere I vant to be!"

"Dahling, I love you, but give me Park Avenue."

HejiraNYC

10-14-2009, 11:18 AM

Cornflake Girl

10-14-2009, 11:21 AM

Dodfather

10-14-2009, 11:23 AM

New York Is A Woman - Suzanne Vega.

It's from Beauty and Crime, a criminally underrated (see what I did there?!) album for a couple of years ago.

Of course, Tom's Diner is about a diner in New York as well.

nailatixela

10-14-2009, 02:01 PM

Thanks so much everyone for all the great suggestions. I've been able to check some of them out so far and they are great. Can't wait to put together a playlist, keep the songs coming.

Dodfather

10-14-2009, 05:33 PM

Thanks so much everyone for all the great suggestions. I've been able to check some of them out so far and they are great. Can't wait to put together a playlist, keep the songs coming.

Don Henley - New York Minute
Alison Krauss - Broadway

mylittledemon

10-14-2009, 05:47 PM

Don Henley - New York Minute

Good choice.

Also "Broadway"--Goo Goo Dolls :thumbsup:

nailatixela

10-14-2009, 06:02 PM

Oh yeah - New York Min was mentioned on the first page. Extra thanks for that one, I forgot all about it. I think I'll end up going with a live version with Don and Stevie.

Villavic

10-14-2009, 06:13 PM

I like 'Native New Yorker' by Odyssey
George Benson - On Broadway (All that Jazz soundtrack)
New York city boy - Pet Shop Boys (I'll see them next tuesday!!!)
Bee Gees - New York Mining Disaster 1941 (though I doubt it's related to the city)

Don't know if this may be included, but Rolling Stones 'Miss You' has these lyrics I love:
Ive been walking in central park
Singing after dark
People think I'm..... craaaaazy

Can't Stop the Music, that old Village People movie, started with a David London song. "Sound of the city", and that song was about NYC too.
New York (New York) - we're skatin' down Broadway
At midnight or midday - we do our own thing
New York (New York) - a city with gusto
New York is a big show - it's what's happening

Listen to the sound of the city, listen to the cars on the street
New York is the fans of the Yankees, New York is a cop on the beat
Listen to the sound of the city, listen to the steeple bells chime
New York is a city of magic, New York is a hip state of mind

New York (New York) - the city of night life
The city of bright lights - we're doin' our part
New York (New York) - the city of fashion
The city of passion - this town has a heart

Dodfather

10-14-2009, 06:25 PM

Good choice.

Also "Broadway"--Goo Goo Dolls :thumbsup:

God, how could I forget that?! Dizzy Up The Girl is one of my favourite albums ever and that's actually the track I play most often although I rarely skip any of them, it too good! I feel rather foolish...

See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar, waiting for his turn to die...

chiliD

10-14-2009, 06:27 PM

Try this for NEW YORK songs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_New_York_City

;)

Great list, but one flaw...

"You Don't Mess Around With Jim" by Jim Croce is about the southside of CHICAGO, even says so right in the song.

TrueFaith77

10-14-2009, 06:47 PM

New York City Boys - Pet Shop Boys

sarahw

10-14-2009, 07:00 PM

Nights on Broadway

BeeGees

Gypsycat999

10-15-2009, 12:04 PM

My favourite New York related song is Fairytale of New York by the Pogues.
I know it's a christmast song actually but I for one could listen to it anytime. And it's not soooo long anymore till Xmas :)

HejiraNYC

10-15-2009, 12:47 PM

Oh, and how could I possibly miss...

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Villavic

10-16-2009, 05:18 PM

Nights on Broadway

BeeGees

OH that's a great song, one of my BG favorites

David

10-16-2009, 06:36 PM

Some of my favorites:

The Bowery
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
I Happen to Like New York
The Sidewalks of New York
Give My Regards to Broadway

Don't any of you listen to old songs? Expand your horizons! :nod:

chriskisn

10-16-2009, 07:38 PM

Bob Dylan - Hard Times In New York Town (lots of references to the sights in this one)

The other Bob song is "Talkin' New York" which is a bit more bitter...

Don't know if anyone mentioned them already but there is also "New York" by U2 or "New York Groove" by Kiss

nailatixela

10-19-2009, 08:19 PM

Thank you all for your suggestions. I wanted to keep the playlist under 1 hour long and I've got 12 songs in. It was tough to get a running order...all the titles started to merge with each other after a while of looking at them. I might play with the order a little more, but here is what I've got:

New York, New York - Moby feat. Debbie Harry
Empire State - Fleetwood Mac
Illume - Fleetwood Mac
I Can't See New York - Tori Amos
Times Square (live) - Marianne Faithful
New York Minute (live) - Don Henley & Stevie Nicks
New York - Richard Ashcroft
New York - U2
New York, New York - Nina Hagen
New York, New York - Ryan Adams
New York is A Woman - Suzanne Vega
The City - Fleetwood Mac

I wanted to start with an upbeat opener...and then go a little into what I would call 9.11 inspired songs, even though they aren't all. (I'll be visiting ground zero) And then get some live stuff in, and other cool tunes in the middle. I ended with The City - just in case I get sick of NY after listening to all these songs! ;)

Thanks again and hope you like the end result. Not really any classic NY songs but it's what I like, and I'm glad I found a lot of stuff I like from your suggestions. Just couldn't use them all.

Sahara

10-22-2009, 05:18 PM

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters by Elton John is a great track.
I'd love to see New York someday -- lots of other places in America too, but New York is top of the list. Is it wonderful?

Sahara

10-22-2009, 05:20 PM

Good choice.

Also "Broadway"--Goo Goo Dolls :thumbsup:
One of my favourite tracks on that album. Haven't listened to it in so long ... must dig it out.

MoonWaterPoet

10-23-2009, 06:49 AM

Cat Power is amazingly good at covers. Always. Her version of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" is beautiful.

I love, love, love Cat Power aka Chan Marshall... I love her original songs and like you said her cover songs are always amazing... she can take them and literally turn them into 'HER' own songs... I love to hear her play piano... I've also met her a few times on Beale Street in Memphis at a club there that B.B King owns...

Donnie Wayne ~

strandinthewind

10-23-2009, 07:17 PM

Rhinestone Cowboy (one of my fav.'s!!! )

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I've been walkin' these streets so long
Singin' the same old song
I know every crack in these dirty sidewalks of Broadway
Where hustle's the name of the game
And nice guys get washed away like the snow and the rain
There's been a load of compromisin'
On the road to my horizon
But I'm gonna be where the lights are shinin' on me

Like a rhinestone cowboy
Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo
Like a rhinestone cowboy
Getting cards and letters from people I don't even know
And offers comin' over the phone

Well, I really don't mind the rain
And a smile can hide all the pain
But you're down when you're ridin' the train that's takin' the long way
And I dream of the things I'll do
With a subway token and a dollar tucked inside my shoe
There'll be a load of compromisin'
On the road to my horizon
But I'm gonna be where the lights are shinin' on me

Like a rhinestone cowboy
Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo
Rhinestone cowboy
Gettin' cards and letters from people I don't even know
And offers comin' over the phone

Like a rhinestone cowboy
Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo

FADE
Like a rhinestone cowboy
Gettin' card and letters from people I don't even know