8 Songs That Will Make You Want to Visit NYC
Award season is here, which means the biggest night in music is upon us. For years, the GRAMMY telecast has alternated between Los Angeles and New York; since 2004 the awards have taken place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. But this year’s GRAMMY show will be one to remember, marking the return to New York City after 15 years. To commemorate this moment in music history, we’ve compiled a list of some of the greatest NYC odes and lyrics in its honor.
1. Frank Sinatra: Theme From New York, New York
"Start spreading the news/ I am leaving today/ I want to be a part of it/ New York, New York"
This classic ode to New York can be heard across the city — from Radio City Music Hall to Yankee Stadium. It captures what it means to be a New Yorker, because quite frankly if you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere. Although this song never won a GRAMMY, it is deemed the unofficial anthem of NYC. Today, the song is played after a Yankee victory home game.
2. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys: Empire State of Mind
"In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of/ There's nothin' you can't do/ Now you're in New York/ These streets will make you feel brand new/ Big lights will inspire you"
Rapper Jay-Z infuses his Brooklyn experience in just about everything he performs or produces, but nothing is quite as affecting as this popular hip-hop ode to New York City. The song is a gritty update to Sinatra's "Theme From New York, New York" because it uses Jay-Z’s personal narratives as a tribute to the Big Apple. Its lyrics pay homage to New York’s most famous neighborhoods, from Bedford Stuyvesant to downtown Brooklyn to TriBeCa. In 2011, the song won two GRAMMYS for best rap song and song collaboration.
3. Billy Joel: New York State of Mind
"Some folks like to get away/ Take a holiday from the neighborhood/ Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood/ But I’m taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River line/ I'm in a New York state of mind"
For Billy Joel, there’s truly no place like home. The Bronx-born musician wrote this song upon his return to New York in 1975, after years spent breaking into the LA music industry. The lyrics contrast his experiences outside of NYC, which for him cannot compare to the grittiness and beauty of New York. In one verse he sings that he doesn't care if he's in "Chinatown or on Riverside," that he will always be in a New York state of mind. This song has become an iconic tune both for Joel and for the Big Apple.
4. Stevie Wonder: Living for the City
"A boy is born in hard time Mississippi/ Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty/ His parents give him love and affection/ To keep him strong moving in the right direction"
"Living for the City" is a 1973 single by legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder from his Innervisions album. The song reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won a GRAMMY for best rhythm and blues song in 1974. It tells the story of a young boy from Mississippi who migrates to the Big Apple and is one of the first soul singles to deal so explicitly with systemic racism in America. Although the lyrics don't mention NYC specifically, it is evident which city Wonder is talking about. ln the interlude, Stevie sings, “Wow! New York! Just like I pictured it: skyscrapers and everything!”
5. Vernon Duke: Autumn in New York
"Autumn in New York, it spells the thrill of first-nighting/ Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds in canyons of steel/ They're making me feel I'm home…"
Where else can you enjoy Central Park foliage but in New York City? Autumn in New York by Vernon Duke is a song that has no definitive owner. The song was recorded by many, from Louis Armstrong to Frank Sinatra to Billie Holiday. Regardless of the singer, each version captures the song's message of the picture-perfect season of autumn. The lyrics reflect the beauty and grace that exists between the hot summer and brutal winter, which every New Yorker learns to appreciate.
6. Duke Ellington: Take the "A" Train
"You must take the "A" train/ To go to Sugar Hill way up in Harlem/ If you miss the "A" train/ You'll find you missed the quickest way to Harlem"
How did one of the oldest NYC subway lines inspire one of the greatest jazz anthems of all time? “Take the ‘A’ Train” was released in 1941, written by longtime Ellington collaborator Billy Strayhorn. The lyrics follow the A train to Sugar Hill, the historic district known today as Hamilton Heights in Harlem. As noted in the song, the A train is one of the fastest ways to get to the neighborhood (even with all its delays and breakdowns) and this became one of Ellington's signature tunes, as well as the unofficial song for the NYC subway transit.
7. Beastie Boys: No Sleep Till Brooklyn
"While you're at the job working nine to five/ The Beastie Boys at the Garden/ Cold kickin' it live"
The Beastie Boys released this song in 1986. It was fresh from the new Def Jam recording studio, which was headed up by the Boys' then-producer Rick Rubin. The song was the band's personal tribute to the borough they called home and with little mention to the borough itself, the song did allude to the party life in NYC during the 1980s. "No Sleep till Brooklyn" contributed to the Beastie's 1986 album License to Ill going multi-platinum, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
8. Nas: N.Y. State of Mind
"I never sleep, ‘cause sleep is the cousin of death/ Beyond the walls of intelligence, life is defined/ I think of crime when I'm in a New York state of mind"
This song is far from a New York anthem or ode to the city; it's a detailed narrative of the NYC hustle through the eyes of a Queens-born rapper. Delivered in a nearly 60-bar run, Nas released this single on his debut album Illmatic in 1994. It served as a self-introduction to the hip-hop world and a glimpse of the city struggle; it's still considered one of the greatest rap songs of all time.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.