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 musical movie 'New York, New York', with Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro, told the story of two people who tried to make it in the world's most exciting city. Its theme song later became Frank Sinatra's signature song and is filled with optimism. However, moving to the big city doesn't work out for everybody and in their song 'The Boxer', Simon and Garfunkel tell the story of one such a person.
Simon and Garfunkel were icons of the folk movement of the Sixties. This movement embraced the streets of areas like the Lower East Side and many hit songs from the era mention locations by name. One of these is the Chelsea Hotel, which Leonard Cohen sang about and which still stands. Chelsea is of course a neighborhood immortalized in song by Joni Mitchell too.
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.
Countless singers and dancers have dreamed of the bright lights of Broadway and starring in a musical here. Some musicals are even about this, including 'A Chorus Line' and the great hippie musical 'Hair'. For a look at the seedy side of being a struggling East Village artist, you can't go wrong with 'Rent'. However, the one musical that will forever be associated with the streets of New York is the Romeo and Juliet tale of 'West Side Story'.
Not all music inspired by New York has lyrics. There are many orchestral numbers too. George Gershwin, who composed 'Rhapsody in Blue', was a New Yorker, as was jazz legend Duke Ellington, who composed 'A Tone Parallel to Harlem'. Among the classical pieces you may want to listen to are 'Quiet City' by Aaron Copland and 'Central Park in the Dark' by Charles Ives.
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 musical movie 'New York, New York', with Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro, told the story of two people who tried to make it in the world's most exciting city. Its theme song later became Frank Sinatra's signature song and is filled with optimism. However, moving to the big city doesn't work out for everybody and in their song 'The Boxer', Simon and Garfunkel tell the story of one such a person.
Simon and Garfunkel were icons of the folk movement of the Sixties. This movement embraced the streets of areas like the Lower East Side and many hit songs from the era mention locations by name. One of these is the Chelsea Hotel, which Leonard Cohen sang about and which still stands. Chelsea is of course a neighborhood immortalized in song by Joni Mitchell too.
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.
Countless singers and dancers have dreamed of the bright lights of Broadway and starring in a musical here. Some musicals are even about this, including 'A Chorus Line' and the great hippie musical 'Hair'. For a look at the seedy side of being a struggling East Village artist, you can't go wrong with 'Rent'. However, the one musical that will forever be associated with the streets of New York is the Romeo and Juliet tale of 'West Side Story'.
Not all music inspired by New York has lyrics. There are many orchestral numbers too. George Gershwin, who composed 'Rhapsody in Blue', was a New Yorker, as was jazz legend Duke Ellington, who composed 'A Tone Parallel to Harlem'. Among the classical pieces you may want to listen to are 'Quiet City' by Aaron Copland and 'Central Park in the Dark' by Charles Ives.
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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