Marc Smith

Love it or hate it, New York City might be the most romantic, mind blowing or worst date you’ll have in 2014. Ring in the new year with Brooklyn songwriter Marc Smith’s latest rocking love/hate ode that is the very embodiment of “it’s complicated.” This basically captures my entire vibe towards my home of the last 12 years. NYC, sometimes I want to quit you, but I just can’t. [MarcSmithMusic.com]

(SEE NEW YORK CITY- MARC SMITH OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) - The Frisky

I hate Halloween.

But with a title like ‘Ghost’ for a track, this seemed fitting. It’s good acoustic American rock.

Check it out here. - Alfitude, Swedish Music Industry Blog

I’ve always wondered what it would be like to visit New York City. When you’re born and raised in a city that so many dream of visiting, living in or seeing their name in lights, it’s hard to truly experience that feeling of excitement. New York City reached a record 54.3 million visitors (domestic and international) in 2013.

New York City is the nation’s number one big city destination, the number one port-of-entry for foreign visitors, and it has the highest share of overseas visitation to the U.S. (approximately one-third). A visit to New York City is a rite of passage and no other place offers the energy, excitement, and diversity.

In terms of music, there is a plethora of hit songs. Frank Sinatra, Liza Millini and most recently Alicia Keys and Jay-z paid tribute to the Big Apple, Concerte Jungle, and the City that Never Sleeps.

“The best city in the world has inspired some of the best music ever written and recorded. From Sinatra’s “New York, New York” to Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind,” songs about New York City span genres and generations.” Each set of lyrics in a song about New York City is a tale, a story and experience that can only be expressed by music.

Whether you’re a native New Yorker feeling homesick, tourist visiting for the first time, or a New Yorker siting on the iron-horse (subway) on your way home from work, here are 10 New York inspired songs that keep me in the Empire State of Mind:

10. New York is Killing Me – Gil Scott

9. Back to Manhattan – Norah Jones

8. Some Time in New York City – John Lennon & Yoko Ono

7. Chelsea Hotel No.2 – Leonard Cohen

6. New York City Cops – The Storkes

5. Spanish Harlem – Ben E. King

4. 53rd and 3rd - The Romones

3. Talkin ‘New York’ – Bob Dylan

2. Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys

1. New York, New York – Frank Sinatra

A bonus track I play often is from Brooklyn singer and songwriter Marc Smith, “New York City.” It’s the perfect song to relax with a beer or glass of wine after a long day at work.

SEE MARC SMITH- NEW YORK CITY OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO - Urban Land Media