New York is a city that inspires people to create movies, write books, and, of course, make music. From hip hop artists to broadway stars, everyone has something to say about NYC, good, bad, but never indifferent. So in this time of limited travel, how about getting to know the Big Apple through the songs written about it? Below is an eclectic mix of songs that capture NYC’s vibes from the streets to your headphones. I hope you enjoy these 12 songs about New York!

1. Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys

Most New York lyric:
Yea, I’m out that Brooklyn, now I’m down in Tribeca
Right next to De Niro, but I’ll be hood forever
I’m the new Sinatra, and, since I made it here
I can make it anywhere, yea, they love me everywhere

2. New York Groove – Ace Frehley

Most New York lyric:
To the left and to the right,
Buildings towering to the sky
It’s outta sight in the dead of night

3. Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees

Most New York lyric:
Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother
You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’
And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive

4. Uptown Girl – Billy Joel

Most New York lyric:
You know I’ve seen her in her uptown world
She’s getting tired of her high class toys
And all her presents from her uptown boys
She’s got a choice

5. Rockaway Beach – The Ramones

Most New York lyric:
Rock, rock, Rockaway beach
We can hitch a ride
To Rockaway beach

Author’s note: If you can, do hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach. Getting there by any other method is a pain.

6. Lighters Up – Lil Kim

Most New York lyric:
Police stay on us like tattoos
N***** only grind ’cause we have to
Money is power

7. Brooklyn We Go Hard – Jay-Z

Most New York lyric:
But if a man tests my stye,
I promise he won’t like my reply
Boom bye bye, like Buju I’m crucial
I’m a Brooklyn boy, I may take some gettin’ used to

8. Give My Regards to Broadway – Judy Garland

Most New York lyric:
Give my regards to Broadway
Remember me to Herald Square
Tell all the gang at Forty Second street
that I will soon be there

9. The Schuyler Sisters – From the “Hamilton” Soundtrack

Most New York lyric:
Look around, look around at how
Lucky we are to be alive right now!
History is happening in Manhattan and we
Just happen to be in the greatest city in the world!

10. New York, I love You But You’re Bringing Me Down – LCD Soundsystem

Most New York lyric:
New York, I love you
But you’re bringing me down
Like a rat in a cage
Pulling minimum wage

11. New York State of Mind – Billy Joel

Most New York lyric:
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

12. Theme from New York, New York – Frank Sinatra

Most New York lyric:
If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere

What are your favorite songs about New York? Share them in the comment section!