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.
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 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.
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.
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'.
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.
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 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.
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.
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'.
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.
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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