OK this is my first Thread... I am trying to find NYC in 80's Music.

What I want to know is if you guys know of any songs that included or mention NYC back in the 80's? (Any type of music...but from the 80's. It doesnt just have to be a top 40 hit neither)

It could be an Avenue or a Street name or a Location in NYC or a sub-name like the Big Apple or Gotham... or anything else. But please (if you can) sort of tell me what was it that is mention on the song. If you know the year that was release it will be awesome aswell!

I am tryng to put together songs about NYC in the 80's. :)

Thank You 80's fans!!!

The only one that comes to mind right now is:

"New York Groove" by Ace Frehley.

But that was in '77 so I don't know if that'll help you.

:wave: Fellow New Yorker Krull. My favorite song about New York is New York State of Mind by Billy Joel who is also from New York :thumb: He is amazing & I love the song :) It was from 1976 though so I hope it may help somewhat.


Some folks like to get away,
Take a holiday from the neighborhood.
Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood.
But I'm takin' a Greyhound on the Hudson River line.
I'm in a New York state of mind.

I've seen all the movie stars in their fancy cars and their limousines.
Been high in the Rockys under the evergreens.
I know what I'm needin', and I don't wanna waste more time.
I'm in a New York state of mind.

It was so easy livin' day by day
Out of touch with the rhythym and blues
But now I need a little give and take
The New York Times, the Daily News.

It comes down to reality, and it's fine with me cause I've let it slide.
I don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside.
I don't have any reasons.
I left them all behind.
I'm in a New York state of mind.
Oh yeah.

It was so easy living day by day
Out of touch with the rhythym and blues
But now I need a little give and take
The New York Times, the Daily News.
Who, oh, oh whoa who.

It comes down to reality, and it's fine with me cause I've let it slide.
I don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside.
I don't have any reasons.
I left them all behind.
I'm in a New York state of mind.

I'm just taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River line.
Cause I'm in a, I'm in a New York state of mind

New York, New York - Frank Sinatra <- only one I know?

New York, New York - Frank Sinatra <- only one I know? :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:


That is like the Ultimate New York song... Just was trying to get him closer to the 80's though:D

Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it - New York, New York
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it - New York, New York

I want to wake up in a city, that doesn't sleep
And find I'm king of the hill - top of the heap

These little town blues, are melting away
I'm gonna make a brand new start of it - in old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you - New York, New York

New York, New York
I want to wake up in a city, that never sleeps
To find I'm a number one, head of the list,
Cream of the crop at the top of the heap.

These little town blues, are melting away
I'm gonna make a brand new start of it - in old New York
If I can make it there, I'm gonna make it anywhere
It's up to you - New York, New York

"Manhattan Skyline" - by A-ha (1986). But it doesn't mention NYC as such.

The Boy From New York City by The Manhattan Transfer
An Englishman in New York by Sting

Manhattan Transfer did a song in 1975 called "Boy from New York City", it was kinda like a jazz/do-wop song.
-----------------
The song "52 Girls" by the B-52s has a one sentence mention of New York City: Effie, Madge and Mabel and Biddie
See them on the beach
Or in New York City
-------------
Art Garfunkle sang a song called "A Heart in New York" around 1990

New York
To that tall skyline I come
Flyin' in from London
To your door

New York
Lookin' down on Central Park
Where they say you should not wander after dark

New York
Like a scene from all those movies
But you're real enough to me
There's a heart
A heart that lives in New York

A heart in New York, a rose on the street
I write my song to that city heartbeat
A heart in New York, the love in her eyes
An open door and a friend for the night

New York
You've got money on your mind
And my words don't make a dime's worth of difference
So here's to you New York
--------------------------
All The Critics Love U In New York
by Prince

Album : 1999
Submitted by :
Corrected by :


U can dance if U want 2 -- All the critics love U in New York
U don't have 2 keep the beat, they'll still think it's neat -- in New York
U can wear what U want 2, it doesn't matter -- in New York
U could cut off all your hair, I don't think they'd care -- in New York

All the critics love U in New York
--------------------------------


Bono "Angel of Harlem"
Angel Of Harlem
by Bono

Album :
Submitted by :
Corrected by :


It was a cold and wet December day
When we touched the ground at J.F.K.
The snow was melting on the ground
On B.L.S. I heard the sound
(Of an angel).
New York like a Christmas tree
Tonight, this city belongs to me,
(Angel).

------------------
Another Rainy Day In New York City
by Bay City Rollers
Listen to the radio
A voice on the early show says I'm not alone
It's just another rainy day in New York City
And the rain comes pouring down
Like early morning strangers we had nothing left to say but
"See you round".

----------------------
Another Reason To Believe
by Jon Bon Jovi

Love lives in New York City
He got a place off of the park
Heard he was standing in the ruins
And in his hands a broken heart
He called an army of his angels
I heard they had to hide their wings
It was them who brought you water
If you listen closely I know you can hear
The choir singing
Hey, hallelujah, baby
Rise Up
Hold out your hands and reach out
Higher
Get up on your feet

----------------------
Arthur's Theme
by Christopher Cross

Once in your life you find her
Someone that turns your heart around
And next thing you know you're closing down the town
Wake up and it's still with you
Even though you left her way across town
Wondering to yourself, "Hey, what've I found?"

When you get caught between the Moon and New York City
I know it's crazy, but it's true

---------------------

Back To The Coast
by Quiet Riot

West coast, try outs
You've got to make it before you die out
New York is the hard way
Time to pack it up and get to L.A.

-------------
Bette Davis Eyey
by Kim Carnes

Her hair is Harlow gold, her lips sweet surprise
Her hands are never cold, she's got Bette Davis eyes

She'll turn her music on you, you won't have to think twice
She's pure as New York snow, she's got Bette Davis eyes

---------------------

Big Apple Dreamin' (Hippo)
by Alice Cooper

We're so young and pretty, we're so young and clean
So many things that we have never seen
Let's move from Ohio, sell this dam' old store
Big Apple dreamin' on a wooden floor

Skyscrapers and subways and stations
Staring up at the United Nations

New York is waiting for you and me, baby
Waiting to swallow us down
New York, we're coming to see what you're made of
Are you as great as you sound

--------------
Cheatin'
by Gin Blossoms

Album : New Miserable Experience

New York City where it's cold as hell
And the streetlights shone in my blue room
I was thinking about the nights we spent
Back in Galveston beneath the Georgia moon
It was early and I'd had my share

---------------
Dancing On The Sidewalk
by Fame (Television series Musical )

Everyday I'll wake up in the morning
Splash my face to keep myself from yawning
Get dressed and get my bones together
Open the window to check out the weather
Then like I've seen a ghost, man
I'll be moving my feet
Just like the postman
In the cold or the heat
No time to talk, no
And I go dancing on the sidewalk

Dancing on the sidewalk
Dancing on the sidewalk
Dancing on the sidewalk
Oh

Lunchtime is music to my ears
I'm down on Wall Street with all them financiers
South Street Seaport I am the action
The number one tourist attraction
Hip-hop to the West Side
Where i do myself proud
The West Side is the best side
For drawing a crowd
The cabbies squalk, yeah
When I am dancing on the sidewalk

Dancing on the sidewalk
Dancing on the sidewalk
Dancing on the sidewalk
Dancing on the sidewalk
Dancing on the sidewalk
Dancing on the sidewalk
Oh

Are we gonna do this?
Are we gonna do this?
5,6,7,8

Uptown I do my boogaloo
Stopping traffic on 7th Avenue
Nighttime the corner to be on
Time Square! Under the neon
And for my finale I'll be doing my thing
In Shubert Alley they're gonna crown me the King
OF ALL NEW YORK!
When I am dancin;
Dancin'
Dancin on the sidwalk

-------------------
Empty Garden
by Elton John

What happened here,
As the New York sunset disappeared?
I found an empty garden among the flagstones there.
Who lived here?
----------------------
Englishman In New York
by Sting

Album : Nothing Like The Sun

I don't drink coffee, I take tea my dear
I like my toast done on one side
You can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York

See me walking down Fifth Avenue
Walking cane here at my side
=========

Excuse Me John
by Shakespear's Sister

You could have been a docker
You had it all
Feather cut and muscles
I hear you're a banker these days
Well we took New York
And wrapped it up in a silver shawl
Yeah yeah yeah
-----------------
Beastie Boys - No sleep til Brooklyn

-------------------
Heart of Rock n Roll
by Huey Lewis and the News
New York, New York, is everything they say
And no place that I'd rather be
Where else can you do a half a million things
All at a quarter to three
When they play their music, ooh that modern music
They like it with a lot of style
But t's still that same old back beat rhythm
That really drives 'em wild

They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating
-------------------
Last Exit To Brooklyn
by Modern Talking
Refrain
Refrain It's the last exit to Brooklyn
New York City, oh is waiting
You're a new boy, you're a party guy
Baby let's dance, and have some joy
West coast, east side, that is the place where
New York, L.A. I wanna live there
New York City boy, L.A. party girl
Baby let's dance, in a brand new world

--------------
And my personal favorite:

A Fine, Fine Day by Tony Carey
He called out to a taxi cab
Take me down to Central Park
And keep that meter runnin' to the twenty dollar mark
-----------------

Harlem Shuffle
by Rolling Stones


---------
I Hope this helps some

:thumb: Cool guys!!! These songs are helping me alot! I can't wait to have a bunch! UK, Canada, Australia or any other country that had songs (in english ofcourse) that anyone knows or remembers in the 80's will be fantastic! NYC or anything that relates to the city doesn't have to be in the title neither... It can be in the song itself.

Like always thanks!!!

The Canadian band The Demics released the brilliant song "New York City" in 1980. Produced by the legendary Chris Spedding.

Still one of my fave songs from the 80s and was a huge punk/club hit here.

Can be a little hard to find though.

Then there was Nina Hagen's brilliant club hit "New York, New York"

and a million more I'm sure :)

These appered into the U.S. Hot 100
A Heart in New York by Art Garfunkel
The Heart of Rock and Roll by Huey Lewis and the News mentions New York

In the UK Top 40 charts...
A Night in New York by Elbow Bones and the Racketeers
and the 1988 Christmas hit Fairytale of New York by The Pogues featuring Kirsty McColl

Rockaway Beach.. The Ramones. Only one I can think of at the moment. Not really NYC though.

Manhattan Transfer did a song in 1975 called "Boy from New York City", it was kinda like a jazz/do-wop song.

It was actually a US #7 hit in America 1981 :)
It was a also a UK hit for The Darts in 1978 and began as an original hit for The Ad-Libs in 1965 :)

What about New York by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five:

New York, New York, big city of dreams
but you might get fooled if you come from out of town
but I'm down by law and I know my way around.

bv

'Big Apple' - Kajagoogoo

AC/DC - SAFE IN NEW YORK CITY
Stiff Upper Lip (2000)
(Young, Young)

Head over baby give me your hand
Check out the lay of the land
Need a little rockin' in my big limousine
Oh, come on over baby and I'll make you obscene

I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City

All over the city and all of the dives
Don't mess with this place, it will eat you alive
Got a lip smacking honey to suck off the jam
I'm on top of the world now, ready to slam

I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City

Running all over like a jumping bean
Take a look at that thing in the tight assed jeans
Coming your way now, you may be in luck
Don't you fret boy, she's ready to buck

I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
I feel safe in New York City
Let it rip
New York
New York
New York
I feel safe in a cage in New York City

Rockaway Beach.. The Ramones. Only one I can think of at the moment. Not really NYC though.
Right band, SG...wrong song. "53rd and 3rd" or "Sheena is a Punk Rocker" are better ones. ;)

"New York Minute" - Don Henley
"New York's Not My Home" - Jim Croce
"Aladdin Sane" - David Bowie
"Subway Train" - The NY Dolls
"Que Pasa, NY" - John Lennon
"Walk On The Wild Side" - Lou Reed
"Manhattan" - Ella Fitzgerald
"Shattered" - The Rolling Stones
"Egg Cream" - PJ Harvey
"I Love NYC" - Andrew WK
"Detachable Penis" - King Missile :lol:
"Life During Wartime" - Talking Heads
"Brooklyn" - Steely Dan
"NYC Ghosts and Flowers" Sonic Youth
"Crosstown Traffic" - Jimi Hendrix

"Egg Cream" - PJ Harvey
nuh UH!! :lol: That SO reminds me of NY!! :rockon:

Lots of ones I would have posted! Most notebly
Billy,Henley and Chris Cross
Though several are from earlier or later than the 80's here are some more:

"Too Late(New York City)"-Tycoon 79' S/T LP One hit wonder band "Such A Woman" (HIGHLY recommend their stuff! Great AOR!) INFO:
http://www.itsaboutmusic.com/tycoon.html

"Harlem Shuffle"-Belle Stars 1983'(80's Go-Go's type group) More info:
http://www.aurealm.com/belles.htm
later redone by the Rolling Stones in 1986

"New York City Band"-New York City Band 1979 Soundtrack LP featuring Luther Vandross on vocals on 3 tracks!

"New York Eyes"-Nicole J McCloud w/Timmy Thomas 1985
http://www.discogs.com/release/216385

"New York City"-T Rex Strange diddy of 76' "Futuristic Dragon" LP by Marc Bolan & Co. Entire Lyrics:
Did you ever see a woman
Coming out of New York City
With a frog in her hand

I did don't you know (x3)
And don't it show


"New York City Boy"-Pet Shop Boys1999 Video:
http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/pet_shop_boys/artist.jhtml

"(Back In the) New York Groove"-Hello 1975 (Redone in 78' by Kiss's Ace Freley)

"The Girl From New York City"-Beach Boys 65' Summer Days,Sumer Nights (Redone in 97' by Tom Jones duet w/ Donny Osmond on Tom Jones & Friends Vol.2

"New York,New York(So Good they named it Twice)"-Gerard Kenny (NOT the Sinatra standard) from his 1979 release "Made It through the Rain".(Yes, the Barry Manilow tune.. Gerard wrote it!) Very similar to Billy Joel's early stuff!...Very Cool!
Websites:
http://www.gerardkenny.co.uk/
http://music.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/cpc_150701_ps_684317_gs_15811501.html

"Venezuelan In New York"-King Chango Reggae cover of Police "Englishman In New York" on 99' V/A Reggae tribute to the Police CD Reggatta Mondatta

"NewYork,New York"-Ryan Adams (Again NOT the Sinatra standard)2002 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005QVXQ/103-1857298-3050201?v=glance

"Holiday in Harlem"-Ella Fitzgerald 1999
V/A CD of Harlem Songs:
http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/album/album.cgi?ALBUMID=1453172


"Man From Manhattan"-Eddie Howell 1976 backed by QUEEN's Freddie Mercury & Brian May

"New York City Here I Come"-Albert Hammond 1974

"New York Afternoon"-Mondo Kane 1986
http://www.discogs.com/release/210996

"New York Mining Disaster 1941"-The Bee Gees 1967

"Another Rainy Day in New York City"-Chicago Awesome little heard Reggae style (Yes...I said Reggae!) tune from their "X" album with Cetera on lead vocals! LISTEN!...
http://www.mp3.com/albums/3200/summary.html

Here's a whole CD of NY songs!
http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/album/album.cgi?ALBUMID=553100

Here's a book on the subject!:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D0823083497/autonomypublishi/002-5386213-8242431#product-details

Hope these help! :thumb:

Awesome Guys!!!

Thanks alot... This is really cool! I know you guys know alot more of the 70's than I do and ironically the 90's or 00's but I am more interesting in the 80's. I am currently keeping record of all these songs you guys have mention. Again thanks!! Also If you guys know the date of the songs that will be a super plus! :happy:

You guys are so 80's knowledgable. :thumb:

How about New York Minute by Don Henley, one from the 70's Native New Yorker by Odyssey.

New York - Micro Chip League 1988
The Bridge - MC Shan 1987
South Bronx - KRS One and Scott La Rock (shortly after The Bridge)
Boogie Down Bronx - Freeze Force w/ Man Parish (1984)

Even though it doesn't mention New York City directly, Glenn Frey's You Belong To The City always makes me think of it... not only because it's about living in the city, but also because I used to hear that a lot when I actually lived on the Upper West Side :).

Ok, Is Bedford-Styvescent a neighborhood in NY? IF so, then it's mentioned in Billy Joel's song "You may be right"

Another interesting entry into this game would be mostly written in German (Good luck in translating as the only things I know in German are Good Morning, Thank You, Good-bye, and probably various entrees available in America)

Hoch Wie Nie
by Falco

Über Paris nach Madrid, Wetterbericht fährst du air cargo mit
ich meine - yah know I mean, John ?
Updown, middletown, downtown
to get the best sales around in town you have to - work it out

Wir haben nichts und haben viel - wir kennen unser Spiel
Hatten dies, hatten jenes, hatten schönes genes - weg von Amsterdam
You don’t speak german, no, du verstehst mich nicht
Ich hab genug von mir, kenne mein Gesicht, ich will dich

Du bist so schön wie nie
Und bis ans Ende aller Tage
sind wir so hoch wie nie
Du bist die Antwort jeder

Jive talkin’ now
Via Roma-Francoforte apple big and red
N.Y., N.Y. the only place where they say-hey
you won’t believe it I just wanna

Updown, middledown, downtown
Make sure to know the baddest place around - listen
Andy Warhol, David, Lou, o Klaus, o Klaus, o Nomi, o

Hoher Schnee versperrt die Sicht
Wir sehen den ersten Schneemann Central Park East
Keine Spur von Beauties Beast

Xenons, Roxy, Studio, Limelight, Area
Wo find ich dich, wo find ich dich nur wo

Du bist du schön wie nie
Und bis ans Ende aller Tage
sind wir so hoch wie nie
Du bist die Antwort jeder

Dann bist du schön wie sie
Und bist die Antwort jeder Frage
Hoch höher hoch wie nie
und bis ans Ende aller Tage

Du bist du schön wie nie... (fade)

-------------
Today
by Alphaville

central park looks like a graveyard
it never rained like that before
i took the ferry to new jersey
never coming back no more
in my hand i hold a ticket
statue points up to the clouds
now i'm leaving new york city
i can hear the seagulls cries
whenever i saw you, it felt like the first time
whenever i kissed you, just like the furst time
whenever i hold you it was never the same

-------------------

Another Billy Joel:
Why Should I Worry
by Billy Joel


One minute I'm in Central ParkThen I'm down on Delancey Street
From the Bow'ry to St Marks
There's a syncopated beat

---------
Do It
by Beastie Boys

Album : Ill Communication

Got The Beats In Manhatten You Can Hear In Westchester
Well, My Mother Was Born Out In Coney Island
Raised On The L.E.S. Manhatten Island

---------------

Downtown Train by Rod Stewart
The downtown trains are full
full of all them Brooklyn girls
They try so hard to break out of their little worlds
------------
My Town
by Patty Smyth
I took a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
The new graffiti says that life’s a bitch
And now I hear this bridge is falling down
Someone will steal it before it hits the ground
Now I wanna go out walking in my old neighborhood
Where I was just a little girl and life was good
But the boys are on the corner, gonna **** with me
I’m gonna keep on walking, they don’t see

This is my town
I was born and raised on these streets
This is my town
Oh yeah, my town

Too many people are on the street tonight
It’s way too hot someone’s looking for a fight
What a mess of faces in an endless sea
I’m getting tired of all this energy
I guess I could just pick it up and move outside of town
And listen to the crickets when the sun goes down
But then we couldn’t hear them playing down at S.O.B.’s
Where my friend Lincoln can get us in for free

This is my town
I grew up too fast on these streets
Hey this is my town
Oh yeah, my town

Tonight the rain is falling, falling down
The lights outside keep changing, without a sound

Now lets just take a train down into ChinatownPast the house of candles, you know they burned it down
Tomorrow is the Puerto Rican Day Parade
They’ll be dancing in the streets
Come to carry me away

Cause this is my town
I was born and raised on these streets
This is my town
I’m walking down these mean streets
It’s a big bad town
Hey yeah, this is my town

Thanks guys... Keep them comming!