Few cities in the world are as exciting to visit as the Big Apple. For many, it's the ultimate urban destination. There are many famous places to see here but when you visit, having a soundtrack of music inspired by NYC will help you with ideas of where to go and what to do.
Through the years, New York has been home to a vast variety of musicians. Some were born here, including Christina Aguilera, Neil Diamond and opera diva Maria Callas. Many more moved here later in life to try and find fame and fortune. Madonna famously arrived in New York with only thirty-five dollars to try and become a dancer.
The struggle to make it in the big city has been the inspiration for many movies, among them the Martin Scorcese musical 'New York, New York'. Its theme song, originally sung by Liza Minnelli, became a huge hit for Frank Sinatra and is synonymous with the Big Apple. However, not everyone here gets to realize their dreams, as Simon and Garfunkel sang in 'The Boxer'.
Simon and Garfunkel were one of the folk acts that first found a loyal following among the inhabitants of the Lower East Side back in the Sixties. This area was a hotbed for the genre and legends such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell used to earn their keep by performing in folk clubs. Many songwriters of the time wrote about the places they frequented, including the famous Chelsea Hotel that Leonard Cohen sang about. A later folk singer who sang about places such as a famous diner called Tom's Restaurant is Suzanne Vega.
It's not only folk musicians that have made New York their inspiration. You'll find songs about the Big Apple in many different genres too, from East Coast hip hop to good old rock 'n roll. One song that your NYC playlist shouldn't be without is 'New York State of Mind' by rock legend Billy Joel, who grew up on nearby Long Island.
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'.
Often, words aren't really necessary to capture the spirit of America's largest city. You simply need to listen to the jazz of Duke Ellington's composition 'A Tone Parallel to Harlem' or to the soaring notes of 'Rhapsody in Blue', the classic by George Gershwin. Aaron Copland captured a different atmosphere in 'Quiet City' and if you want to visit Central Park after nightfall, be sure to have 'Central Park in the Dark', a 1906 composition by Charles Ives, to accompany you.
Compiling a playlist of music about NYC is very easy. You simply need to visit your local record store or an online site that allows you to download the numbers of your choice. While you're online, you may also want to find a map that shows different city locations immortalized in song and then go visit these places.
Through the years, New York has been home to a vast variety of musicians. Some were born here, including Christina Aguilera, Neil Diamond and opera diva Maria Callas. Many more moved here later in life to try and find fame and fortune. Madonna famously arrived in New York with only thirty-five dollars to try and become a dancer.
The struggle to make it in the big city has been the inspiration for many movies, among them the Martin Scorcese musical 'New York, New York'. Its theme song, originally sung by Liza Minnelli, became a huge hit for Frank Sinatra and is synonymous with the Big Apple. However, not everyone here gets to realize their dreams, as Simon and Garfunkel sang in 'The Boxer'.
Simon and Garfunkel were one of the folk acts that first found a loyal following among the inhabitants of the Lower East Side back in the Sixties. This area was a hotbed for the genre and legends such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell used to earn their keep by performing in folk clubs. Many songwriters of the time wrote about the places they frequented, including the famous Chelsea Hotel that Leonard Cohen sang about. A later folk singer who sang about places such as a famous diner called Tom's Restaurant is Suzanne Vega.
It's not only folk musicians that have made New York their inspiration. You'll find songs about the Big Apple in many different genres too, from East Coast hip hop to good old rock 'n roll. One song that your NYC playlist shouldn't be without is 'New York State of Mind' by rock legend Billy Joel, who grew up on nearby Long Island.
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'.
Often, words aren't really necessary to capture the spirit of America's largest city. You simply need to listen to the jazz of Duke Ellington's composition 'A Tone Parallel to Harlem' or to the soaring notes of 'Rhapsody in Blue', the classic by George Gershwin. Aaron Copland captured a different atmosphere in 'Quiet City' and if you want to visit Central Park after nightfall, be sure to have 'Central Park in the Dark', a 1906 composition by Charles Ives, to accompany you.
Compiling a playlist of music about NYC is very easy. You simply need to visit your local record store or an online site that allows you to download the numbers of your choice. While you're online, you may also want to find a map that shows different city locations immortalized in song and then go visit these places.
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