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.
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 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.
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 gritty city has inspired many a musical too. After all, Broadway is the spiritual home of this genre of the stage. To get a sense of how diverse New Yorkers are, listen to the songs from 'West Side Story'. 'Rent' looks at the struggle of artists and the scourge of HIV in the East Village. Other famous musicals set in NYC include 'Funny Girl', 'Hair', 'A Chorus Line', 'Annie' and the classic 'Guys and Dolls'.
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'.
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 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 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.
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 gritty city has inspired many a musical too. After all, Broadway is the spiritual home of this genre of the stage. To get a sense of how diverse New Yorkers are, listen to the songs from 'West Side Story'. 'Rent' looks at the struggle of artists and the scourge of HIV in the East Village. Other famous musicals set in NYC include 'Funny Girl', 'Hair', 'A Chorus Line', 'Annie' and the classic 'Guys and Dolls'.
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'.
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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