New York, the city that never sleeps, has inspired countless songs across different genres and generations. The vibrant and diverse city, with its iconic landmarks, bustling streets, and rich cultural history, has become an iconic symbol of America, and its music reflects that. The best songs about New York are a tribute to the city’s unique character and its many contradictions. From the glamour and excitement of Broadway to the grit and hustle of the Bronx, the city has something to offer everyone, and the music that comes out of it is just as diverse. From the classic sounds of Frank Sinatra to the modern beats of Jay-Z and Taylor Swift, the songs about New York are a celebration of the city’s energy, vibrancy, and resilience. Whether you’re a native New Yorker or just a fan of the city, these songs will transport you to the heart of the Big Apple and make you fall in love with it all over again. In this list, we have compiled ten of the best songs about New York that capture the city’s essence, and we have included links to the songs so that you can listen and experience the magic of New York through its music.
1. “New York, New York” By Frank Sinatra
“New York, New York” is a classic American song performed by the legendary singer Frank Sinatra. The song has become an iconic anthem for the city of New York, with its lyrics celebrating the city’s energy, vibrancy, and endless possibilities. Sinatra’s performance of the song is characterized by his powerful, resonant vocals and the lush orchestration that supports his singing. The use of horns, strings, and piano adds a sense of grandeur to the song and emphasizes its celebratory tone. The lyrics of “New York, New York” capture the excitement and ambition that are so central to the American Dream. The song speaks to the universal human experience of striving for success and the importance of hard work and determination in achieving our goals.
2. “Autumn In New York” By Billie Holiday
“Autumn in New York” is a timeless jazz standard performed by the legendary singer Billie Holiday. The song’s lyrics capture the essence of autumn in the city of New York, with its changing leaves, crisp air, and sense of melancholy. Holiday’s performance of the song is characterized by her rich, soulful vocals and the understated instrumentation that accompanies her singing. The use of piano, drums, and saxophone adds a sense of intimacy and warmth to the song and emphasizes its wistful, contemplative tone. The lyrics of “Autumn in New York” evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past, with lines like “It’s autumn in New York / That brings the promise of new love” speaking to the universal human experience of seeking connection and meaning in our lives.
3. “Empire State Of Mind” By JAY-Z Featuring Alicia Keys
“Empire State of Mind” is a popular hip-hop song by JAY-Z featuring Alicia Keys. Released in 2009, the song quickly became a cultural phenomenon and a celebration of New York City’s unique cultural heritage and influence on the world. The song’s driving beat and soaring chorus make it an anthem of positivity, energy, and ambition. JAY-Z’s lyrics celebrate the city’s famous landmarks, diverse neighborhoods, and the unique spirit of its people. Meanwhile, Alicia Keys’ soulful vocals add a sense of heart and soul to the song, conveying the deep emotional connection that people have to New York. “Empire State of Mind” is a powerful reminder of the enduring influence and cultural significance of New York City. The song’s upbeat rhythm, catchy melody, and inspiring lyrics have made it a favorite of music lovers and New Yorkers alike, and it remains a beloved classic of the hip-hop genre.
4. “New York State Of Mind” By Billy Joel
“New York State of Mind” is a classic song by Billy Joel, released in 1976 on his album “Turnstiles.” The song is an ode to Joel’s hometown of New York City and captures the essence of the city’s vibrant culture and the people who live there. The song’s slow and soulful melody, coupled with Joel’s powerful vocals, create a melancholic yet hopeful mood. The lyrics speak to the beauty and complexity of the city, with lines such as “I don’t care if it’s Chinatown or up on Riverside” and “I’m just taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River line” evoking the gritty reality and diversity of New York. “New York State of Mind” has become a beloved anthem for New Yorkers and a symbol of the city’s unbreakable spirit. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless message and Joel’s incredible songwriting and musical talent.
5. “Talkin’ New York” By Bob Dylan
“Talkin’ New York” is a song by Bob Dylan, released in 1962 on his self-titled debut album. The song tells the story of Dylan’s arrival in New York City and his early struggles to establish himself as a musician. The song’s upbeat tempo and Dylan’s distinctive vocals capture the excitement and energy of the city, as well as its unique blend of cultures and characters. The lyrics are filled with vivid descriptions of the city’s landmarks, people, and neighborhoods, painting a vivid picture of life in New York in the early 1960s. “Talkin’ New York” is a powerful reminder of the city’s rich cultural history and its enduring influence on American music and culture. Dylan’s raw and honest storytelling, combined with his remarkable musical talent, make this song a classic of the folk music genre and a testament to the power of music to capture the essence of a place and time.
6. “First We Take Manhattan” By Leonard Cohen
“First We Take Manhattan” is a song by Leonard Cohen, released in 1988 on his album “I’m Your Man”. The song’s driving beat and intense lyrics are a departure from Cohen’s usual slow, introspective style, and it quickly became one of his most popular and iconic tracks. The song’s lyrics are cryptic and open to interpretation, but they seem to touch on themes of power, violence, and the struggle for control. The chorus, “First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin,” has become an oft-quoted phrase and has been interpreted in various ways, from a call for political revolution to a metaphor for personal ambition.
7. “Englishman In New York” By Sting
“Englishman In New York” is a song by British musician Sting, released in 1987 on his album “…Nothing Like the Sun”. The song is about Quentin Crisp, an English writer and raconteur who moved to New York City in the late 1970s and became something of a celebrity for his flamboyant personality and unapologetic homosexuality. The song is characterized by its catchy saxophone riff, which forms the backbone of the track, as well as Sting’s distinctive vocals and the song’s upbeat, jazzy instrumentation. Lyrically, the song is a tribute to Crisp’s unapologetic individuality and refusal to conform to societal norms, as well as an exploration of the cultural differences between the UK and the US. The song’s chorus, “I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien, I’m an Englishman in New York,” has become a memorable catchphrase and has been used in various contexts to express feelings of otherness or cultural displacement.
8. “Welcome To New York” By Taylor Swift
“Welcome to New York” is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released in 2014 as the opening track on her fifth studio album, “1989”. The song serves as a celebration of the vibrant energy and diversity of New York City, with Swift describing the city as a place of endless possibilities and excitement. The song is characterized by its catchy synth-pop sound and upbeat tempo, with Swift’s vocals soaring over the driving beat. The lyrics evoke the feeling of arriving in the city for the first time and being swept up in its energy and excitement, with lines like “Like any great love, it keeps you guessing / Like any real love, it’s ever-changing”.
9. “Chelsea Morning” By Joni Mitchell
“Chelsea Morning” is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, originally released in 1969 on her second studio album “Clouds”. The song is an upbeat celebration of a beautiful morning in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, with Mitchell’s delicate vocals and intricate guitar picking capturing the sense of wonder and possibility that can come with a new day. The song’s lyrics are filled with vivid imagery, describing the sights and sounds of the city as the morning unfolds, with lines like “Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning / And the first thing that I heard / Was a song outside my window / And the traffic wrote the words”. Mitchell’s love for the city is clear in every line, with the song serving as a tribute to the vibrant energy and creativity that can be found in even the most mundane moments.
10. “New York Serenade” By Bruce Springsteen
“New York City Serenade” is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released in 1973 on his second studio album, “The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle”. The song is a lush, romantic tribute to New York City, with Springsteen’s soulful vocals and sweeping orchestral arrangement capturing the grandeur and mystery of the city. The song begins with a sparse piano intro, gradually building in intensity as Springsteen’s vocals come in, painting a vivid picture of the city and its people. The lyrics are filled with references to iconic New York City landmarks, including Central Park, the Bowery, and the Staten Island Ferry, as Springsteen sings about love, loss, and the endless possibilities of life in the big city.
Jared Parker is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
