Sounds of the City

In today's Metro Section, Clyde Haberman, closet Gothamist, applauds the Belmont Stakes for changing their official song from "Sidewalks of New York" (which you might know from Ken Burns' documentary on the City, if no where else) to the slightly more up to date "New York, New York". Haberman feels however, that our fair Gotham is poorly represented by the whinings of a "self-involved parvenu who wants to be 'king of the hill, top of the heap.'" He goes on to suggest several other songs that might replace it, including: "New York, New York (It's a Helluva Town)" by Leonard Bernstein, "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel, "I Happen to Like New York" by Cole Porter, "New York" by U2, "We Run N.Y." by Redman, "Manhattan" by Rodgers and Hart, and "N.Y.C." from the musical "Annie" with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin.

Since this seems like a game right up the alley of Gothamist readers, we put the question to you. What should the iconic New York City song be?

I'll kick it off with two: "Dropping some NYC" by Blues Traveler and "The Place Where We Dwell" by Gang Starr.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

June 10, 2003 1:53 PM

Comments [rss]

Hinchcliffe

Here's a few nominations (am I allowed to comment even though I live in London:

Tony Scwartz - The New York Taxi Driver:

http://www.basichip.com/tony_schwartz/ts003.htm

Excerpt:

http://www.basichip.com/tony_schwartz/ts004.mp3

More Scwartz:

http://www.basichip.com/tony_schwartz/ts000.htm

Aserdaten

I like Sidewalks of New York.

re: the Sinatra photo: no one remembers that in the 30s Frank Sinatra was a cat-house crooner in Hoboken's Barbary Coast neighborhood, keeping the johns busy as they waited their turns at the girls-for-hire. Or his arrest for "seduction" in Englewood Cliffs, for luring the very young waitresses at the Rustic Cabin into trysts following his WNEW performances, while his wife waited at home in Hudson County. (WNEW continued to play Frank Sinatra songs almost incessantly for almost 60 years afterwards--until they station switched over to a Disney kids format in the late 90s.) Just kind of a low-rent guy, IMHO. Pete Hamill got this one wrong.

Sam T

I Love New York City by Andrew W.K.

...Some lyrics may have to be changed in order to politically-correctify it...

Jen

Two current songs from day critics' darlings:

- NYC by Interpol

- NY by the Doves

jake

i thought about including NYC by TMBG- but i feel that because they didn't write the song, it doesn't have the same impact and power as the lou reed. but i do often think of the lyrics- a powerful ode to the power of our city::

'Cause everyone's your friend in New York City

And everything looks beautiful when you're young and pretty

The streets are paved with diamonds and there's just so much to see

But the best thing about New York City is you and me

more on the song can be found here.

Dahl

"Rhapsody in Blue" is definately up there - perfect for the opening scene of Manhattan or any kind of NY montage, but not great as an anthem. I would say "New York State of Mind" is probably my favorite NY song though.

LIRC

I concur on Lou Reed, but, perhaps as an alterate brighter theme, NYC by They Might Be Giants..

Justin Case

Oddly, RIO, I wasn't being ironic, and I stand by my suggestions, despite the laughter of slack-jawed yokels. I certainly agree with you regarding Rhapsody, but think that the lack of lyrics is a deal-breaker here. Incidentally, have you ever seen Disney's Fantasia 2000? It has a great animated short set to Rhapsody.

RIO

I know everyone is being ironic and it's my job as a native new yorker to follow suit, but I have to offer what I have always considered the classic new york city tune (although it has no words): "RHAPSODY IN BLUE" George Gershwin.

further corny alert... I think the tune melodically expresses the ups, downs, grandeur and grittiness of new york. the song is timeless.

abe

How about "Highway to Hell" by ACDC?

jake

Blues Traveler? What fucking year is this? 1992? The only true NYC anthem is the "New York" album by Lou Reed, which should be sung before every sporting event in the city from start to finish- it should take about an hour- there are only 14 songs- and the "Last Great American Whale" track can probably be safely omitted. The album features these priceless lyrics, among many others:

"Outside it's a bright night, there's an opera at Lincoln Center

Movie stars arrive by limousine

The klieg lights shoot up over the skyline of Manhattan

But the lights are out on the mean streets

A small kid stands by the Lincoln Tunnel

He's selling plastic roses for a buck

The traffic's backed up to 39th street

The TV Whores are calling the Cops out for a Suck

And back at the Wilshire Pedro sits there dreaming

He's found a book on Magic in a garbage can

He looks at the pictures and stares at the cracked ceiling

"At the count of 3," he says, "I hope I can disappear"

And fly fly away..."

"They discovered some animal no one's ever seen

It was an inside trader eating a rubber tire

after running over Rudy Giuliani"