One of the most exciting cities in the world is the Big Apple. It's one of the world's main financial and cultural centers and what's trendy here will soon be considered trendy everywhere else. Naturally a visit should include seeing the famous sights. However, to really get under its skin, simply wander around and look for the many places mentioned in music inspired by NYC.
The music scene in New York has always reflected the liveliness and the incredible diversity of this city. Many of the world's top musicians were born here, from Maria Callas to Neil Diamond and even Christina Aguilera. Others came here from all over the world to try and make it, including Madonna, who moved to the city with only a few dollars and loads of ambition.
The lives of those musicians trying to make it big have been the subject of several movies, including 'New York, New York'. The movie's theme song was a hit for Liza Minnelli but became even bigger when Frank Sinatra made it one of his signature songs. In contrast to the optimistic mood of this song is 'The Boxer' by folk duo Simon and Garfunkel, which is about someone whose NYC dreams didn't quite work out as planned.
In the Sixties, the clubs of the Lower East Side were at the center of the folk movement. Many of the era's best songwriters used the city streets to inspire them. Joni Mitchell wrote about the yellow cabs and about the Chelsea neighborhood, while Leonard Cohen immortalized the iconic Chelsea Hotel in song. Later folk singers such as Suzanne Vega also sang about New York locations.
Musicians in other genres have also mentioned city locations in their songs. For instance, Gogol Bordello sings about Avenue B. Some sing about the atmosphere rather than about specific locations. Billy Joel, for instance, sings about being in a New York state of mind and how he'd rather be here than in Miami Beach or Hollywood.
The home of the Broadway musical naturally is a theme for many a stage show too. 'West Side Story' is one of the most famous and looks at the ethnic diversity of native New Yorkers. A more recent musical that takes a look at the seedier part of life in the East Village and Alphabet City is 'Rent'. Other hit musicals to consider include 'Guys and Dolls', 'Follies', 'A Chorus Line', 'Annie', 'Funny Girl' and 'Hair'.
New York life doesn't always have to be explained in words. Some great composers have used the city as inspiration for instrumental numbers. These include Duke Ellington's jazz classic 'A Tone Parallel to Harlem'. Charles Ives composed 'Central Park in the Dark' in 1906 already and a later piece worth listening to is Aaron Copland's 'Quiet City'. The one that really should be on your playlist though is George Gershwin's sweeping 'Rhapsody in Blue'.
With so much music about the city that never sleeps, you'll have no problem finding some tunes that will be to your liking. They're available online or you can buy CDs by your favorites. For some sightseeing inspiration, you'll also find online maps pinpointing the locations of places mentioned in song.
The music scene in New York has always reflected the liveliness and the incredible diversity of this city. Many of the world's top musicians were born here, from Maria Callas to Neil Diamond and even Christina Aguilera. Others came here from all over the world to try and make it, including Madonna, who moved to the city with only a few dollars and loads of ambition.
The lives of those musicians trying to make it big have been the subject of several movies, including 'New York, New York'. The movie's theme song was a hit for Liza Minnelli but became even bigger when Frank Sinatra made it one of his signature songs. In contrast to the optimistic mood of this song is 'The Boxer' by folk duo Simon and Garfunkel, which is about someone whose NYC dreams didn't quite work out as planned.
In the Sixties, the clubs of the Lower East Side were at the center of the folk movement. Many of the era's best songwriters used the city streets to inspire them. Joni Mitchell wrote about the yellow cabs and about the Chelsea neighborhood, while Leonard Cohen immortalized the iconic Chelsea Hotel in song. Later folk singers such as Suzanne Vega also sang about New York locations.
Musicians in other genres have also mentioned city locations in their songs. For instance, Gogol Bordello sings about Avenue B. Some sing about the atmosphere rather than about specific locations. Billy Joel, for instance, sings about being in a New York state of mind and how he'd rather be here than in Miami Beach or Hollywood.
The home of the Broadway musical naturally is a theme for many a stage show too. 'West Side Story' is one of the most famous and looks at the ethnic diversity of native New Yorkers. A more recent musical that takes a look at the seedier part of life in the East Village and Alphabet City is 'Rent'. Other hit musicals to consider include 'Guys and Dolls', 'Follies', 'A Chorus Line', 'Annie', 'Funny Girl' and 'Hair'.
New York life doesn't always have to be explained in words. Some great composers have used the city as inspiration for instrumental numbers. These include Duke Ellington's jazz classic 'A Tone Parallel to Harlem'. Charles Ives composed 'Central Park in the Dark' in 1906 already and a later piece worth listening to is Aaron Copland's 'Quiet City'. The one that really should be on your playlist though is George Gershwin's sweeping 'Rhapsody in Blue'.
With so much music about the city that never sleeps, you'll have no problem finding some tunes that will be to your liking. They're available online or you can buy CDs by your favorites. For some sightseeing inspiration, you'll also find online maps pinpointing the locations of places mentioned in song.
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