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Fun Stuff => BAND => Topic started by: Maximo_Bean on 24 May 2009, 10:47

Title: City Playlists.
Post by: Maximo_Bean on 24 May 2009, 10:47
I'm going to New York on Tuesday so I was wondering if anyone had a New York playlist, or songs they could recommend.

I'm from London, I will edit this later with my London playlist  :mrgreen:

Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: BlahBlah on 24 May 2009, 11:56
A new york playlist could go on forever, just think of the bands: Television, Sonic Youth, Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem, Velvet Underground, etc...
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Avec on 24 May 2009, 12:52
Just a week ago I was walking through Central Park really appreciating my Belle & Sebastian discography. I highly advise Dear Catastrophe Waitress, seriously.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Maximo_Bean on 24 May 2009, 14:37
Thanks! So far I have:

New York I love you- LCD Soundsytem
New York- Stephen Fretwell
New York New York New York- Moby
Moving to New York- The Wombats
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: StaedlerMars on 24 May 2009, 14:50
Wait, are you looking for songs about the city / to do with the city or songs for walking through the city and kinda get its feel?
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Avec on 24 May 2009, 15:31
Thanks! So far I have:

New York I love you- LCD Soundsytem
New York- Stephen Fretwell
New York New York New York- Moby
Moving to New York- The Wombats
Piazza, New York Catcher - Belle & Sebastian

Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Harun on 24 May 2009, 18:58
searched for 'new york' in my library and came up with this (minus any repeat mentions):

Cat Power - New York (speaking of, why not every Sinatra song ever)
Herman Düne - Take Him Back to New York City
HORSE the Band - New York City
Moby - New York, New York
The Mooney Suzuki - New York Girls
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Gridgm on 24 May 2009, 19:26
adding to more titles with new york in the name - yay for list threads
morcheeba - what new york couples fight about
the pogues - faerie tale of new york
simon and garfunkle - the only living boy in new york

...also some of the stuff metioned above but we don't need to keep mentioning these
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: JimmyJazz on 24 May 2009, 19:42
"New York" - The Sex Pistols
"What New York Used to Be" - The Kills
"New York Town" - Woody Guthrie
"New York Serenade" - Bruce Springsteen
"New York City" - Gil-Scott Heron
"New York City Cops" - The Strokes
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Aegir on 24 May 2009, 22:21
I'm sure there are plenty of songs about NYC that don't have "New York" in the title, like "53rd and 3rd" by the Ramones. You people who just type "New York" into your iTunes search box are lazy.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Avec on 25 May 2009, 08:23
That was my original intention with the exclusion of the fact that every song had to be about New York.

Also, Gray's Papaya.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: TheFuriousWombat on 25 May 2009, 22:16
According to my itunes and excluding ones already mentioned:

Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker - Live at Town Hall, New York, 1945 (full album)
New York Girls - Angels of Light
Piazza, New York Catcher - Belle and Sebastian
Autumn in New York and There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York - both by Louis Armstrong and Elle Fitzgerald
MONO - New York City Soundtracks (full album)
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: StaedlerMars on 26 May 2009, 00:48
Also, Gray's Papaya.

Fuck Yeah

EDIT: I'm coming up with my NY playlist right now, it won't be just songs I have with new york in the title though.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Hat on 26 May 2009, 01:01
Brisbane playlist would probably just be Go-Betweens on repeat with a Six Ft Hick and Screamfeeder song thrown in for good measure.


Actually I'm tempted to make this.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: BeoPuppy on 26 May 2009, 01:02
Beauty & Crime - Suzanne Vega
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Inlander on 26 May 2009, 01:10
Brisbane playlist would probably just be Go-Betweens on repeat with a Six Ft Hick and Screamfeeder song thrown in for good measure.

Sounds good. Leave out the Screamfeeder and whatever that other band is.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Thrillho on 26 May 2009, 06:44
Ryan Adams - New York, New York
U2 - New York
Beastie Boys - An Open Letter to NYC
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: A Wet Helmet on 27 May 2009, 02:37
You only need one song, on repeat:

New York's Alright If You Like Saxophones by Fear
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: rynne on 27 May 2009, 07:00

(http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/9342/citywok.jpg) Shitty Pray-rists


I cannot read the title without hearing this.  Thanks a lot, South Park.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: fish across face on 27 May 2009, 14:27
I guess if you're wanting stuff that's in some sense New York music rather than just songs with New York in the title, go back to Blah Blah's comment...

A new york playlist could go on forever, just think of the bands: Television, Sonic Youth, Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem, Velvet Underground, etc...

... and add to that a huge volume of 90s / early 00s hip-hop.  Lots of that stuff is about New York too.  Gangstarr, if you can stomach Guru's shit MCing - maybe the first two Jeru The Damaja albums if you can't; Wu-Tang obviously has millions of tunes about Brooklyn & Long Island, down to albums like Mastah Killa's Made In Brooklyn; and I always take opportunities to recommend Black Star as well (Mos Def & Talib Kweli, both on form for once - tunes like 'Definition' make explicit reference to the city).

If you're just looking for songs that namecheck the place, I can't really help... except maybe 'First We Take Manhattan' (famously Jennifer Warnes, written by Leonard Cohen).
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: De_El on 27 May 2009, 14:38
Wait, someone else did a version of "First We Take Manhattan"? I've only heard the Leonard Cohen one.

If I were to make a New York playlist (and it's essentially impossible to do just one) mine for the moment would mostly be a bunch of YYYs and James Chance, maybe some Sonic Youth.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: JimmyJazz on 27 May 2009, 14:39
The Ramones and the Velvet Underground, anyone?
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: fish across face on 27 May 2009, 15:23
Wait, someone else did a version of "First We Take Manhattan"? I've only heard the Leonard Cohen one.

I say "famously" because it was her version that used to play on the radio and TV when I was a kid.  I only heard Cohen's version much later when friends were, you know, consciously checking out music and stuff.

(Edit to avoid double-post)  Forgot all about the no wave bands - as well as James Chance, I think of John Lurie's stuff with Lounge Lizards as sounding pretty New York somehow.

Man... Liquid Liquid... Mmmm.  ESG? 

It's almost as if a huge city with heaps of history can't be summed up by a few pop songs.  What the hell!?
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: TheFuriousWombat on 27 May 2009, 15:26
If you're in New York and it's late at night and raining and no one is around for some reason, you'll want to have some Bohren & der Club of Gore on you. Just to enhance the mood and all.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: fish across face on 27 May 2009, 15:46
Heh, and if you need to recover from that, try Pride's 'Come On Get Dancing', which is a great Latin funk track. 

We live in the Apple
Of the Apple we are proud
We came to make a funky sound
Get down get down get down

Or try any of the Nu Yorica! series on Soul Jazz Records. 
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: MrBlu on 27 May 2009, 18:52
Wait, you're doing "New York" and no Hip-Hop/Rap until FAF posted?

Come on.

"New York Shit"- Jean Grae and Talib Kweli
"New York Shit"- Hi-Tek
"A Brooklyn Summer"- Skyzoo and Joel Ortiz
"Old School"- Danger Doom and Talib Kweli

... Y'know what, it'd be easier if I listed:
DJ Shadow
Talib Kweli
Mos Def (TK + MD= Blackstar)
Apani B Fly Emcee
Amanda Diva
Jean Grae
Mobb Deep
Gang Star
A Tribe Called Quest
Eric B. and Rakim
Afrika Bambaataa (And the Soul Sonic Force)
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Masta Ace
MC Lyte
Capone-N-Noreaga
Big Daddy Kane
Biz Markie
MC Shan

... I think that's enough for a trip.

EDIT:: Also, Kool Rock Steady, Nature, Nayshaun, Cormega, De La Soul, Brand Nubian.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: fish across face on 27 May 2009, 21:26
Most people on here seem to like rock the most, so I can't say I was at all surprised.  Won't be surprised if the OP says s/he doesn't like hip-hop either.  Not that s/he should, of course, am just saying this forum leans heavily in certain directions.

Shadow's Bay Area, FWIW...

Was wondering about Pharoahe Monch, too.  'I Shot The Mayor', 'Simon Says'.  Seem like classic moments towards the end of NYC's hip-hop dominance.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: a pack of wolves on 27 May 2009, 22:12
The crime isn't in not mentioning hip-hop. The crime is not recommending NY State Of Mind by Nas. On repeat.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: MrBlu on 27 May 2009, 22:48
Man, I really don't like Nas. I have Illmatic and his latest, but I just can't get into him as much as any other rapper from QB. I can jam to "NY State of Mind" though.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Thrillho on 28 May 2009, 04:40
Yes, no rap was posted until FAF posted, what a shame.

...Oh wait, I posted a song by the Beastie Boys.

And I'm guessing you're all just going to roffle your way through a post saying they aren't hip-hop.

If we're talking New York, how about Brooklyn Zoo by ODB? Or has this been mentioned?
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: a pack of wolves on 28 May 2009, 04:42
I think the general NYness of the Wu-Tang has been mentioned but not that specifically. And I was thinking of the Beastie Boys as not hip-hop, but purely because for some reason I thought that was one of their hardcore tracks.

Man, I really don't like Nas. I have Illmatic and his latest, but I just can't get into him as much as any other rapper from QB. I can jam to "NY State of Mind" though.

It is easily his greatest moment. I never got that into any of his records apart from Illmatic, but god I love that one.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: el_loco_avs on 28 May 2009, 05:19
Bobby Womack - Across 110th Street.  :mrgreen:


No Sleep Till Brooklyn - Beastie Boys.
King of New  York - Fun Lovin Criminals

Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: KharBevNor on 28 May 2009, 15:47
It's pretty crazy how so many bands who sing about new york are kinda shit, huh?
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Tyler on 28 May 2009, 15:52
West Side Story soundtrack.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: KharBevNor on 28 May 2009, 16:03
Well I mean I suppose New York is kind of a hell on earth so it's not surprising.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Tyler on 28 May 2009, 16:05
Hehe. It is a pretty silly place! Good 'ol New York.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: rynne on 28 May 2009, 16:19
It's pretty crazy how so many bands who sing about new york are kinda shit, huh?

I wonder what city has the highest ratio of nonshit-to-shit songs written about it?
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: De_El on 28 May 2009, 18:51
Process of elimination? It definitely isn't LA.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: KharBevNor on 28 May 2009, 21:21
Maybe there are no good songs written about cities because cities totally suck.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Babpacih on 28 May 2009, 21:59
tho their stuff is more about philly, especially the early stuff, id get some Marah. the later stuff like (albums) If You Didn't Laugh You'd Cry or Angels of Destruction are more NY oriented, but its all worth a looksy. except Float Away. thats just weird.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Fishboy on 28 May 2009, 22:21
It's pretty crazy how so many bands who sing about new york are kinda shit, huh?

I wonder what city has the highest ratio of nonshit-to-shit songs written about it?

Adelaide?
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: orangepeas on 04 Jun 2009, 17:40
"Alphabet Town" by Elliott Smith
"Avenue B" by Iggy Pop
"Downtown" Originally written by Tony Hatch, but I like the version performed by Petula Clark
"I'm waiting for the man" by The Velvet Underground
"Rockaway Beach" by The Ramones
 
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: MrBlu on 04 Jun 2009, 18:29
...Oh wait, I posted a song by the Beastie Boys.

And I'm guessing you're all just going to roffle your way through a post saying they aren't hip-hop.
... Why would I do that?
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Inlander on 04 Jun 2009, 19:40
For classics I'd recommend "Manhattan" by Rodgers & Hart.

To further prove the rule that any mix-tape can and should include something from the Magnetic Fields' album 69 Love Songs, I'd recommend "The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side".
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: yamaha2k3 on 04 Jun 2009, 20:59
Thieves Like Us - Drugs In My Body
Get drunk/high and party it up in NY to this song
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Gridgm on 04 Jun 2009, 21:32
It's pretty crazy how so many bands who sing about new york are kinda shit, huh?

I wonder what city has the highest ratio of nonshit-to-shit songs written about it?

Adelaide?
this is because no one would write about adelaide right?
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Inlander on 04 Jun 2009, 21:34
Paul Kelly wrote a song called "Adelaide". It was on his album Gossip.

The chorus was "All the King's horses, all the King's men/Wouldn't drag me back again to Adelaide".
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: BeoPuppy on 05 Jun 2009, 02:20
Wait, someone else did a version of "First We Take Manhattan"? I've only heard the Leonard Cohen one.

I own a version by Sirenia ...
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Hat on 05 Jun 2009, 02:37
Paul Kelly wrote a song called "Adelaide". It was on his album Gossip.

The chorus was "All the King's horses, all the King's men/Wouldn't drag me back again to Adelaide".

How is this man not a national icon on par with Norman Gunston, is basically the question I am asking.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Fishboy on 07 Jun 2009, 21:42
Paul Kelly wrote a song called "Adelaide". It was on his album Gossip.

The chorus was "All the King's horses, all the King's men/Wouldn't drag me back again to Adelaide".

It was a good enough song though, Ben Folds also wrote a song titled Adelaide, it was pretty good.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: BrittanyMarie on 08 Jun 2009, 21:08
I wonder what city has the highest ratio of nonshit-to-shit songs written about it?

I'm going to go ahead and suggest Minneapolis/St Paul. Sure they're two cities, but there are way more good songs than bad songs written about it.
(Tom Waits-Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis
Lucinda Williams-Minneapolis
Okkervil River's John Allyn Smith Sails is about John Berryman jumping off the bridge in the Cities
and I'm pretty sure the Hold Steady, Dillinger Four and the artists on Rhymesayers and Doomtree mention the cities in a few tunes)

As for Songs About NY, I'm gonna suggest a couple Jeffrey Lewis tracks. The Chelsea Hotel Oral Sex Song mentions walking alone up 23rd street past the Chelsea Hotel and East River has lyrics talking about crossing Madison, Park Avenue, Lexington, then crossing FDR to the East River and both songs are fantastic
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Catacombs on 08 Jun 2009, 23:18
I'm going to go ahead and suggest Minneapolis/St Paul. Sure they're two cities, but there are way more good songs than bad songs written about it.

Pretty much anything by the Hold Steady.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: boneykingofnowhere on 09 Jun 2009, 13:31
"New York, I love you, but you're bringing me down"  :-D
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: Yayniall on 09 Jun 2009, 14:27
It's pretty crazy how so many bands who sing about new york are kinda shit, huh?

I wonder what city has the highest ratio of nonshit-to-shit songs written about it?

Manchester, all bad songs about Manchester are really about shitty outskirts.
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: skydivingninja on 13 Jun 2009, 18:07
Might be a bit late, but here's what I've got:

Back in N.Y.C.-Genesis
Welcome to N.Y.C./Love Beyond Words-Spock's Beard
New York State of Mind-Billy Joel
Title: Re: City Playlists.
Post by: spoon_of_grimbo on 26 Jun 2009, 03:33
"mother city" by ginger - it's about finally moving to new york after wanting to your whole life, and loving it.