The Big Apple is a fascinating city to explore and even people who've been living there for years constantly discover new aspects to the city. When you visit, you'll want to see the famous sights but you can make your stay even more interesting by, for instance, trying to spot locations from the many movies and television shows filmed here. However, you'll need some tunes too and there is nothing better than a playlist of 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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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