10 Best Songs About New York

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Our 10 Best Songs About New York picks out ten of the most heartfelt and genuine songs ever written about the Big Apple. I was born in Manhattan, raised in the Bronx, moved to Long Island, and went to school Upstate. I teach in a New York Public school. I’m about as New York as a slice of Sal’s Pizza on 206th Street in the Bronx. I have been here all my life and will never leave. It’s probably not the easiest place to live or raise a family. The competition is fierce in every field, and the pace is as fast as it gets. It’s not for everyone, but the opportunities are endless for those who can handle it.

In many ways, New York reflects the entire world times ten from the cascade of world cultures in our boroughs and counties. I could go on forever about why I love New York, but this is not about me. It’s about ten songs written or performed by people who understood New York. There are thousands of songs that have been written about New York. Below are ten that I believe are extra special from a New Yorker’s perspective. We tried going with songs written or sung by New Yorkers. We made a few exceptions for some New Jersey artists who are pretty much our brothers.

We mixed up our 10 Best Songs About New York list with some of the most obvious ones that just could not be ignored, with some of the lesser-known songs and even a couple of obscure tunes that we still felt symbolized the New York experience. Of course, so many will be left on this list. Some special ones should have been on it, but that’s the nature of a top 10 list. So here you go with what we believe are ten of the most genuine songs ever written and recorded about New York. From the Island to the City to Upstate……We Are New York, baby!

# 10 – New York Groove – Ace Frehley

We open up our 10 Best Songs About New York list with one of New York’s most loved hometown bands, which we all know as Kiss. Of course, all Kiss fans will tell you this is not a Kiss song. In 1978, all four members of Kiss released solo albums. While we won’t get into the specifics of all those albums, Ace Frehley’s solo album was deemed the most successful of the four. One of the main reasons behind the success of that album was the pulsating hit single “New York Groove.”

The song was written by Russ Ballard, who also wrote hits for Three Dog Night, Roger Daltrey, America, and many more big names. The English Glam band Hello initially recorded the song “New York Groove” in 1975. Yet Ace Frehley’s version gave it that genuine New York feel.

# 9 – Incident on 57th Street – Bruce Springsteen

Continuing with our 10 Best Songs About New York list, we present a song by our New Jersey brother Bruce Springsteen entitled “Incident on 57th Street.” This beautiful song painted a cinematic picture of New York City and a moment in time like a perfect Martin Scorsese film. It is one of the most loved Bruce Springsteen songs of all time, especially by his earlier fans. David Sancious set aside his jazz piano skills in laying down a warm piano riff that set the foundation for Springsteen’s bare up front vocal performance on this stunning song. “Incident on 57th Street” was released on the album The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle The album was released in September of 1973.

# 8 – Up On The Roof – Carole King

Carole King nailed it perfectly on this song about life in New York City in her classic song “Up On The Roof.” There was a time in New York City when many people hung out on the rooftops during the summertime on what they referred to as concrete beaches in the city. Most buildings in the city don’t allow that anymore. It was very popular in the 40s, 50s, and 60s. The song was composed by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. It was initially recorded by The Drifters in 1962, who would have a top 10 hit with the song on the Billboard Hot 100.

# 7 – Rockaway Beach – The Ramones

In the number seven position on our 10 Best Songs About New York list is the song entitled Rockaway Beach. We couldn’t put together a list of the top 10 songs about New York on a rock and roll site like this without including a song by The Ramones. The band The Ramones were as New York City as you could get. And yes, for those not from New York City we do have beaches in the city. The Rockaways, located in Queens, New York, has always been a huge destination beach for those living in the city. Just hop on the A train and then a short bus ride, and you’re at the beach. The song “Rockaway Beach” was released on Ramone’s third album entitled Rocket to Russia. The album was released in 1977.

# 6 – Mercy On Broadway – Laura Nyro

Landing in the number six spot on our 10 Best Songs About New York list, we present the song “Mercy On Broadway.” New York Bronx-born Laura Nyro stands as one of the finest singer-songwriters of the classic rock era. She may not be a household name to many, but many songs like “And When I Die” and “Eli’s Coming” are rock and roll classics. She’s a musician’s musician. From the Bronx, Laura Nyro knew the streets and felt its soul, which she always delivered through her music. This mesmerizing song, “Mercy On Broadway,” was released on the New York Tendaberry album. The album was released in 1969.

# 5 – Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard – Paul Simon

At the halfway point on our 10 Best Songs About New York list, we present a song by Queens born and raised by Paul Simon. This man knew what it was like to grow up in a New York City borough in the middle of the 20th century. For various reasons, the schoolyard was a haven for so many New York City kids. I remember listening to this song on the radio while playing stickball in the schoolyard of PS 80 in the Bronx in the early 1970s. It doesn’t get any more real than that. It’s a perfect city summer song!

# 4 – New York , New York

At the number four spot on our 10 Best Songs About New York list we present the song entitled “New York New York.” Yes, it’s overplayed, and so many people are tired of the song, but it’s such a classic we couldn’t keep it off this list. We are also Yankee fans which is a reference that only Yankees fans who go to the games will get. Nonetheless, the title track from the 1977 Martin Scorsese film, New York, New York, is probably the most popular standard written about New York since Duke Ellington’s “Take The A Train.” A song about New York from a movie about New York directed by a New Yorker and sung by a blue-eyed singer from New Jersey will work well. And, of course, we don’t want to upset any of Frank’s friends by keeping this one off.

# 3 – Egg Cream

If there is one thing that all New Yorkers who grew up in the city in the 20th century have in common, it’s their love for egg creams. There was simply nothing that could compare to it. Lou Reed gets specific with this song, even naming the places where the best egg creams were served. He names many places in this song that are about as genuine New York as it gets. While many would have argued that Lou Reed’s “Walk On The Wild Side” should have been on the list because of its popularity in New York City, we felt this one was more real, at least for real New Yorkers.

# 2 – New York State Of Mind

Long Islander Billy Joel’s mid-1970s song “New York State Of Mind: sure did inspire the title of New York City raised artist Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’s spectacular “Empire State Of Mind. Both songs represent different generations of New Yorkers initially and sound completely different from each other but have also, at the same time, been accepted by all generations. These are classic New York songs sung by New Yorkers with a New York Attitude. Every New Yorker loves these three amazing and legendary artists.

# 1 – Streets Of New York

We close out our 10 Best Songs About New York list with the song, “Streets Of New York.” This song was written and recorded by New York native Willie Nile. The song may not be as widely known as many of the other songs on this list, but Willie Nile sings so specifically about so many New York landmarks and references that only a true longtime New Yorker could sing about. This list is all about the most genuine, heartfelt New York songs, and Willie Nile takes the front page of the Daily News, New York Times, Newsday, and even the New York Post with this one. That’s What I’m Talking About