Songs About New York City Without the Words "New York" in the Title

My favorite place is where I was born, not a lot of people can say that. And the place I was born just happens to be the greatest city in the world. Now, there is no reason to write a love song to New York City because it has already been done in volumes, by writers considerably better than myself, and I say that with no false humility because I already know I’m great. So I got it in me one day that I would make a list of said songs, but the phrase “New York” could not be in the song’s title. New York State of Mind by Billy Joel doesn’t make this list for obvious reasons, but it certainly does remind me of my hometown. Neither does the unofficial State song New York, New York by Frank Sinatra (That’s Mr. Sinatra to you peons, only I can call him Uncle Frank). I still think that even with this prerequisite, I can still find many great songs that give praise to my city, and I did. Feel free to add your own if you like, but here they are, in no particular order…


Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard / Paul Simon – This song could be the National Anthem for Queens (If it were a country of course). I can’t say I’m a huge fan of story songs, but this story takes a back seat to the beat, rhythm and spirit of the place where this song was born, the 108th street border between Corona and Forest Hills. If you don’t get that reference, then you aren’t from New York no matter what corporation transferred you here.

Walk on The Wild Side / Lou Reed – He is originally from Long Island, but if New York City had a house band, he would be the lead singer and songwriter. I could have easily chosen any one of Reed’s classics for this list; “Dirty Blvd.” or “Coney Island Baby” come to mind. But that haunting sax solo on “Wild Side” is Bowery and Bleecker.

City of Blinding Lights / U2 – Someone said the song reminded them of Paris, I told them to go fuck themselves and reminded them that those snail eating cowards would be speaking German if not for the US. Even Bono has repeated that the band seems to step their game up when they play in New York, and they are not alone. The Police, Bruce Springsteen and so many other bands have admitted that there is a certain energy in a New York audience that is lacking elsewhere. There is no way this song can be about any other city.

Manhattan / Kings of Leon – How a band from Tennessee can bring New York to life in a song is amazing. Remember the rules say you can’t have the word “New York” in the title, they say nothing about the boroughs.

Shattered / The Rolling Stones – The broke, crime-ridden, dirty, strung out version of New York City in the late 70’s “personified,” for lack of a better word, in a song.

Apartment Story / The National – This is really a song about staying home, but it’s still about staying home in New York City.

The Message / Grand Master Flash & The Furious Five – What “Shattered” did for New York City in the 70’s this song did for the city in 1980’s. There is no real glimmer of hope here, just the harsh reality forced upon minorities and the poor during the Reagan era.

Downtown Train / Tom Waits – One of the best American songwriters ever decided to write about a girl on a train. Simply beautiful. Some people just have it, and some should just give up. After hearing this song you realize how most of those currently spouting the latest irrelevant pop drivel should just give up.

Empire State of Mind / Jay Z & Alicia Keys – Ok so this is a bit of an obvious choice, which is exactly what I was looking to avoid, but I can’t ignore the fact that this song just takes me to the places he is talking about, and it does it without being too gratuitous. That’s enough for me.

New Frontier / Donald Fagen – In an epoch before this song’s time, there was a lovely pre war with a balcony overlooking the skyline and Central Park. There was a smoke and bourbon filled living room where a group of people were listening to Charles Mingus as they decided what club they would visit that night. Donald Fagen must have been a dry-eyed fly on the wall that night.