NYC or Bust

September 14, 2011 10:29 AM

The perfect NYC cross-country road trip mix?

I am driving across the country in a week with a guy I've been dating for the past six weeks. He is moving to NYC, and our road trip will last around 7 days. I want to make us the perfect road trip-mix, and I need NYC-themed song recommendations.

We're young (24 and 25) and my taste steers toward hip-hop, rap, and high-energy music, but I'm flexible. His taste, as far as I can tell, is toward music that is slightly more relaxed, but we have a lot of overlap as well. I won't reject anything based on genre alone.

I want all songs to be NYC themed; classic or obscure, doesn't matter. I can only come up with one or two by myself, so I am sure I'm missing lots!

Thanks :)

posted by queens86 to media & arts (9 answers total)

I'm at work, and can't link to these in Youtube: -- apologies.

First: Ace Frehley, "Back In The New York Groove."

A mellow song: Simon and Garfunkel's "America" is more about a road-trip itself, but it ends with driving on the New Jersey Turnpike, so it's good for an epic "this is it and we are now entering the city."

"No Sleep Til' Brooklyn", Beastie Boys

"Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)" by Billy Joel

The Wikipedia list of songs about New York.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:49 AM on September 14, 2011 [1 favorite]

I will just link to some individual tracks, but am recommending the entire albums, based on their NYC-itude.

Interpol - NYC, on the album Turn on the Bright Lighrts, is kind of a New York masterpiece. Oldie but goodie (2002).

Television - Marquee Moon. (yes, listen to the entire 11 minutes!) This album, another CBGB/New York staple (1977).

As for rap-hip/hop, I would say: Aesop Rock - Labor, from Labor Days.

Hope these fit the bill, enjoy the trip!
posted by obscurator at 11:16 AM on September 14, 2011

Steely Dan, "Daddy Don't Live in that New York City No More"
Genesis, "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway"
posted by judomadonna at 12:42 PM on September 14, 2011

They Might Be Giants "New York City"

(Originally by another band, but their version is the one everyone knows)
posted by Hactar at 12:54 PM on September 14, 2011

I'm from NYC originally. The two classic NY songs are Frank Sinatra- New York, New York, and Billy Joel - New York State of Mind. His "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" is pretty NYCish also.

Also a big, fat seconding of Beastie Boys- No Sleep Till Brooklyn.

Ramones- Rockaway Beach

AC/DC had a great song that had the misfortune to be released shortly before 9/11, called I Feel Safe in New York City. (It totally disappeared after 9/11, of course.)
posted by MexicanYenta at 2:20 PM on September 14, 2011

The two classic NY songs are Nas' 'NY State of Mind' and Jay-Z's 'Empire State of Mind.'
posted by box at 2:59 PM on September 14, 2011

Wait, Kool G. Rap's 'Streets of New York' is pretty good too.
posted by box at 3:22 PM on September 14, 2011

Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz - Deja Vu (Uptown Anthem)
JVC Force - Strong Island
Ol Dirty Bastard - Brooklyn Zoo
Jay-Z (f Notorious B.I.G.) - Brooklyn's Finest
Thirstin Howl III - Brooklyn Hard Rock
Jeru tha Damaja - Brooklyn Took It
Boogie Down Productions - South Bronx
MC Shan - The Bridge
Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M.
Gang Starr - The Place Where We Dwell
posted by box at 4:04 PM on September 14, 2011

Awesome, thanks everyone! This gives me a ton to work with :)
posted by queens86 at 11:19 AM on September 15, 2011