Five great New York songs

Are you considering an English course in New York?

Good choice! There’s nowhere like it on Earth. One of the most exciting things about the giant melting pot is the music that comes out of it. The birthplace of hip hop, disco and punk is a great place to catch everyone from up and coming bands to international stars.

In that spirit, we bring you five of the finest songs about New York.

Jay Z & Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind (2009)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8

Jay Z is one of New York’s new statesmen. This is his and Alicia Keys’ paen to their home city. We challenge you not to hum it to yourself when you are walking around the city!

The Strokes – New York City Cops (2001)

The young rockers were clearly not fans of New York’s police department. This is from the seminal 2001 album Is This It.

Frank Sinatra – Theme from New York, New York (1980)

For many people, this is the New York song. It was originally written for Martin Scorsese’s film New York, New York (1977) and performed by Liza Minnelli. Sinatra’s version captured the world’s attention and the song will always be associated with Ol’ Blue Eyes.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five – The Message (1982)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4o8TeqKhgY

If Jay Z and Sinatra are unashamedly positive about New York City, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five paint a very different picture. New York in the late 1970s was a dangerous place. Mellee Mel’s lyrics arguably marked the start of politically aware, conscious hip hop.

Lou Reed – Walk on the Wild Side (1972)

For many, this is the song that best sums up New York – a city where anything goes. Session bassist Herbie Flowers later claimed that he played the distinctive double bassline twice because he got paid double for the work.

Are you ready to take a walk on the wild side in New York? Book that trip!