30. Brooklyn Roads - Neil Diamond

Am I a bit biased toward Brooklyn? I suppose. Then again, there are far more songs about Brooklyn than Queens, or that dump Staten Island. I’m kidding, SI is not a dump. It just has a dump across the street from the Mall. No really, it does. At any rate, “Brooklyn Roads” reminisces about growing up in the big city in the most glamorous borough this side of Manhattan. Yeah.

29. New York City - John Lennon

“Que pasa New York?” John loved this city. The city loved him. Fate is a sad, sad irony. Just imagine if … But at least he left us this song. It’s as hectic and vibrant as your typical day in the big apple. And it rocks.

28. Take the ‘A’ Train - Duke Ellington

In case you didn’t already know, the ‘A’ train is the quickest way to Sugar Hill in Harlem. And Duke Ellington + jazz + a song about a subway and Harlem = cool.

27. In A New York Minute - Don Henly

Not a huge fan of this one. But it’s hugely popular. And it’s true. Everything really can change in a New York minute.

26. Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) - Christopher Cross

Even though the lyrics about the city are fairly sparse, for some reason the “sound” of this song just exudes NYC. And I’ve had nights like this song in the Big Apple. So I guess it’s a sentimental favorite of mine.

25. On Broadway - The Drifters

Is there a more famous street in the USofA? West coast peeps will argue about Sunset Blvd. But Broadway has more history, more glamour, more edge. And the Drifters never made a song about the Sunset Strip.

24. Native New Yorker - Odyssey

This one is on the list because it celebrates the ladies of the city in all their charms. “You’re no tramp, but you’re no lady.” It’s a top 25 because of that HBO softcore porno series I never watched but was filled with hot chicks always sleeping with men. Can you believe they’re showing it on TBS now?

23. Brooklyn Bridge, The - Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra is known for many things. His ode to NYC tops them all. And fortunately for us, he made another ode … this one for the Brooklyn bridge. It’s a beautiful, classic old-school tune with awesome lyrics. Now they play it before the Cyclones games in Coney Island. Cool.

22. New York - U2

This song just soars … like your flying over every roof, every street, every alleyway in NYC. Beautiful … haunting. A personal favorite.

21. Spanish Harlem - Ben E. King; The Drifters; Aretha Franklin; Herb Alpert

One of the most classic NYC songs out there. There is a rose in Spanish Harlem indeed. NYC is garden filled with every variety of flower you could possibly desire.

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