# New York City songs? City songs in general? HELP! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 5, 2004, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600 "2004-10-05T03:15:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![buncombe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@buncombe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buncombe)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/1 "2004-10-05T03:15:42Z")
Hey trusty informed folk… I rarely post on these boards though I read them avidly, but I find myself now in a bit of a quandary. I am a graduate student trying to make a sort of multimedia presentation on New York City, where I reside, and part of that entails making a sort of super-mix of all the songs I can gather that refer to this crazy city of mine. I have certain songs set aside already (Springsteen’s “New York City Serenade” and Moe’s “New York”, for instance) and my partner on the project has been steadily compiling old standards that refer back to the city, but right now I am looking for less obvious choices-- songs that don’t have “New York” in the title, and perhaps only obliquely refer to living in a cramped big city. The only requirement, really, is that the songs have something to do with this city, be it in tone or hints or outright reference… So now I turn to the Straight Dope. Any recommendations for my monster “academic” mix? BTW, I am leaving out Broadway musicals (too many). Non-American songs that refer to NYC are especially prized. If you can recommend one of those, I will send you my super-unique cookies, which taste a little like marmite but are high in charm. No, sorry, I can’t make cookies, but, uh, I will always remember you with awe and respect. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![dbygawdcapn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dbygawdcapn/32/3995_2.png) [@dbygawdcapn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dbygawdcapn)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/2 "2004-10-05T03:41:03Z")
Talkin’ New York - Bob Dylan Fairytale of New York - Pogues New York City - They Might Be Giants I’ll Take New York - Tom Waits Central Park (New York) - Tangerine Dream A Heart In New York - Art Garfunkel Rockin Around in NYC - Marshall Crenshaw ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/3 "2004-10-05T03:44:39Z")
New York State of Mind, by Billy Joel ---
**Author:** ![Reepicheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@Reepicheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reepicheep)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/4 "2004-10-05T03:48:03Z")
Putting on the Ritz (by Irving Berlin) Park Ave mention Downtown (by Petula Clark) ---
**Author:** ![zippyh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/839c29/32.png) [@zippyh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zippyh)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/5 "2004-10-05T03:48:57Z")
New York City Boy - Pet Shop Boys Home and Dry - Pet Shop Boys ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/6 "2004-10-05T03:50:49Z")
Forget that modern pop stuff–go to musical theater, a real American art form! Plenty of songs in _Wonderful Town, On the Town, Rent, Company,_ etc. My favorite is ‘I happen to Like New York’ by Cole Porter. Donna Murphy, soon after 9/11, brought the whole still-shellshocked crowd of us to tears with it. Here’s a [review:](http://www.vanessawilliams.de/fil_mus_bbashengl.htm) > [@](#): > > If majesty was called for, Mr. Fisher and company provided it. The sublime Ms. Murphy, a two-time Tony winner who sent off fireworks for Encores! with “Wonderful Town” two season ago, conveyed majesty and more with an 11 o’clock number that stopped the show. The song, by Cole Porter, had a deceptively casual title, “I Happen to Like New York.” > > But this was no blithe ode to urban pleasures à la “We’ll Take Manhattan.” “I Happen to Like New York” is from “The New Yorkers” (1930), and it has the haunting Depression- era grit and gravity of that show’s biggest hit, “Love for Sale.” > > A repetition of one stark melody, rising in different keys to a bell- tolling climax, this lesser-known song exudes a hard-shelled sentimentality that is the essence of New York City. The same could be said of Ms. Murphy, standing stock still in a spotlight in a beaded sheath, her velvet voice woven with a defiance that suggested, “What’s it to you, buddy?” > > The song’s narrator concludes that given the choice of heaven or hell when she dies, she would prefer to stay in New York. As Ms. Murphy worked her way into this priceless summing up of New York arrogance, you could feel the whole house shivering. > > If New York is in search of an anthem, it couldn’t do better than this. And by the way, if she could bring the same qualities of control and command to politics that she brought to this number, Ms. Murphy would make a fabulous mayor. ---
**Author:** ![sleeping](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/7 "2004-10-05T05:21:50Z")
Simon and Garfunkel - The Only Living Boy in New York Orange Juice - Salmon Fishing in New York AC/DC - Safe in New York City Belle and Sebastian - Chickfactor Lou Reed - New York Telephone Conversation The Moldy Peaches - New York City’s Like a Graveyard Belle and Sebastian - Seymour Stein The Pixies - Monkey Gone to Heaven Iggy Pop - Don’t Look Down Cat Stevens - New York Times ---
**Author:** ![Manatee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@Manatee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manatee)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/8 "2004-10-05T05:30:57Z")
“Shattered,” the Rolling Stones. “Summer in the City,” by the Lovin’ Spoonful. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/9 "2004-10-05T06:10:41Z")
What about Fear’s “I Love Living in the City”? I know it doesn’t fit your guidelines but what about “New York, New York”? Great song. ---
**Author:** ![Gamaliel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b487fb/32.png) [@Gamaliel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gamaliel)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/10 "2004-10-05T07:29:59Z")
Most stuff on the album _New York_ by Lou Reed would apply. ---
**Author:** ![initech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/439d5e/32.png) [@initech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/initech)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/11 "2004-10-05T07:51:06Z")
I Love NYC - Andrew W.K. ---
**Author:** ![buncombe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@buncombe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buncombe)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/12 "2004-10-05T08:24:16Z")
Oh good good good, keep it coming… remember that NYC doesn’t have to be in the title of the song-- “Downtown Train” by Tom Waits is a good example-- I really appreciate all the help. Also, songs about being miserable in the city are useful too. **Mehitabel** , great suggestions all and I am sorely tempted but I have decreed that musicals are most certainly not allowed. Still, though, looking at that list pains me-- but I have to leave 'em out! I HAVE TO! more? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/13 "2004-10-05T08:28:59Z")
> [@Tracy Lord](#): > > New York State of Mind, by Billy Joel Also: Anthony’s Song (Movin’ Out) 52nd Street Big Man on Mulberry Street Miami 2017 (I Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) Big Shot ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/14 "2004-10-05T08:30:06Z")
Back in the New York Groove–Ace Frehley Do You Miss New York?–David Frischberg ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/15 "2004-10-05T08:38:48Z")
> [@dbygawdcapn](#): > > New York City - They Might Be Giants Yes, but that’s a cover. **buncombe** , see if you can find the original by a cuddlecore punk band called Cub. If any of your audience knows the TMBG version, this’ll be a surprise. And it’s foreign, they’re from Vancouver. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/16 "2004-10-05T09:54:39Z")
**Genesis** : The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway **Genesis** : Back in New York City ---
**Author:** ![electrozion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/85f322/32.png) [@electrozion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/electrozion)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/17 "2004-10-05T11:14:26Z")
> [@Robot Arm](#): > > Yes, but that’s a cover. **buncombe** , see if you can find the original by a cuddlecore punk band called Cub. If any of your audience knows the TMBG version, this’ll be a surprise. And it’s foreign, they’re from Vancouver. This is one of my favourite songs ever! I got it on an old beat up tape. I got it from a show on KUSF (San Francisco College Radio) in 1994/1995 when I was an studied in the US. I love it, love it, love it! “Everyone’s a friend in New York City”- thats so cute! I didn’t know the band - I could only find the TMBG version. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/18 "2004-10-05T11:40:03Z")
You’re welcome. I saw them live, once, as the opening act for They Might Be Giants, and they rocked. That was in November of '96, and they broke up a month later. It took me a couple years to find copies of all their CD’s, I have no idea how hard they’ll be to find now. If you’re looking for _New York City_ it’s on their CD _Come Out, Come Out_. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/19 "2004-10-05T12:09:15Z")
New York, New York–For a really great, unusual version, get Dudu Fisher’s Hebrew cover on his “Over the Rainbow” CD. I can’t listen to “Try to Remember” from the Fantastics without thinking about NYC–Try to remember that kind of September… ---
**Author:** ![ryanbobo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ryanbobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryanbobo)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600/20 "2004-10-05T12:59:55Z")
Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Boxer” has a couple NYC references Old Jazz standard “Stompin’ at the Savoy” about the old Savoy ballroom. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-city-songs-city-songs-in-general-help/267600.md?page=2)