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New York Series
Now seems like a good time to revisit, and ask, “Which Side Are You…
With the moment in American history that we are experiencing right now, amid protests in all 50 states against…
This darkness has got to give: Music venues during COVID-19 across New York State
As we enter June, the fourth month where live music performances are postponed until it is deemed safe to have…
The Warnings of Past Leaders: Gil Scott-Heron’s Revolution, now our own.
In times of revolution, those in upheaval look to the leaders of their communities for guidance and support. The…
Ja Rule’s “New York”: How the City Began a War Within from One…
Hit records celebrating a city are supposed to bring people together. Take Ja Rule’s 2004 smash single “New York,”…
New York Series: Cam’ron and Jay – Z team up on ‘Welcome to New York City’
The city of New York is used to being serenaded. Entertainers famous and obscure alike have sung the city's…
New York Series: Run-DMC’s holiday classic ‘Christmas in Hollis’
Run-DMC decided they were going to combine the fantasy and mysticism that comes with the holiday with real life…
New York Series: The Lovin’ Spoonful “Summer In The City”
While thinking about all the phrases across the American songbook which define moments or places recurring through…
New York Series: Billy Joel “New York State of Mind”
Among the songs that celebrate New York City, "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel, from his 1976 album…
New York Series: Irving Berlin ‘God Bless America’
Irving wrote the first version of ‘God Bless America’ in an attempt to write the perfect peaceful song that would…
New York Series: Guy Carawan ‘We Shall Overcome’
From there other artists began using it as a protest tool, played at rallies, folk festivals, and other…
New York Series: Jennifer Lopez ‘Jenny From The Block’
It gives young listeners hope that, although they may be from a bad area and the future looks bleak, there is a way…
New York Series: Tom Waits ‘Downtown Train’
He is stuck living the same night over and over again, hoping for something new, but nothing new ever happens. In…
New York Series: Bayside ‘Montauk’
While anyone who has had their heart broken knows that in time it is possible to love again, the song provides a…
New York Series: Bruce Springsteen ‘New York Serenade’
Springsteen is an artist who writes for the workingman, the underdogs, and the underbelly of society. He writes to…
New York Series: Steely Dan ‘My Old School’
“These were the days when there was a ‘war on longhairs,’ as they used to call it,”
New York Series: Duke Ellington ‘Take the A Train’
The Harlem Renaissance was responsible for allowing African-Americans to focus on their past, as well as develop a…
New York Series: The Beastie Boys ‘An Open Letter to NYC’
The overall message of the song is about how the cities’ fortitude comes from diversity, and that no matter what…
New York Series: LCD Soundsystem ‘New York, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me…
He thumbs his nose at the city and the life he lives, but eventually concludes at the epiphany that maybe New York…
New York Series: Joni Mitchell ‘Woodstock’
Woodstock, for some reason, impressed me as being a modern miracle, like a modern day fishes-and-loaves story. For…
New York Series: The Ramones ‘Rockaway Beach’
“We started off just wanting to be a bubblegum group,” said Johnny Ramone. “We looked at the Bay City Rollers as…