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 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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
It's easy to find New York-inspired music online or at any good record store. Compile yourself a playlist of numbers in your favorite genres. Then find a map online that shows you the locations of places mentioned in song and go exploring with the perfect soundtrack.
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 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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
It's easy to find New York-inspired music online or at any good record store. Compile yourself a playlist of numbers in your favorite genres. Then find a map online that shows you the locations of places mentioned in song and go exploring with the perfect soundtrack.
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