Top 5 songs about New York City

Subjective, of course. Except for Stevie.

Up on muxtape now: NYC Songs

5. Central Park N West - Ian Hunter

Dylan wrote about Greenwich Village, Velvets about scoring dope on 125th, Ramones about Rockaway Beach. But the twisted mind of Ian Hunter wrote about … the upper west side? For that alone (“I think it’s the best, when I’m locked in the middle of New York city on Central Park ‘n’ West”) this makes the list. Live from New York with a raucous crowd.

4. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues - Bob Dylan

In a song about dislocation (lost in the rain), tension (fingers in a knot), drugs, fame, and a million other negative things, Zimmy finds his answer, his salvation, in the last line of the song:

“I’m going back to New York City, I do believe I’ve had enough”

Please come back from Malibu Bob.

3. New York City Serenade - Bruce Springsteen

Dude from New Jersey sits across the river and fantasizes about boys, girls, music and church. Damn he never wrote a song, or recorded an album, as good as this off of Wild Innocent and E Street Shuffle.

2. New York Groove - Ace Frehley

The song Interpol wished, but never could, write. Dance punk at its best, sounds as good now as 30 yrs ago.

1. Living For the City - Stevie Wonder

“New York just like I pictured it skyscrapers and everythang” still gives me chills every time I drive into Manhattan across an East or Hudson river bridge. How badass is Stevie for opening the song with these words?