Ten years ago today, the worst attack on American soil occurred. You will always remember exactly where you were when you first heard the news of a plane hitting the Twin Towers. On that dreadful
Tuesday morning, I was beginning my final year at high school in a small town in Long Island that is not that far from New York City. That day, New York, America and the world changed forever.
The zealots who brought down the Towers may have altered the skyline and face of the city that never sleeps, but they failed to bring us down as people, as New Yorkers and as citizens of the world. Ten years later, we all still live in the shadow of what once was, but we keep moving, we keep evolving but we never forget.
The thought that something could happen is always in the backs of our minds, but we go on and live and enjoy our time here, because in a city that caters to every outlet, your mind is constantly occupied and you are not allowed to dwell… there just simply is not time for it.
It is a true honor and privilege to create this special Spotify Sunday for The Spectator; here is a playlist of songs that pay tribute my city, my home and life.
An Open Letter to NYC – The Beastie Boys
Who would have thought that three white, Jewish kids from Brooklyn who started in a hardcore band would bring hip-hop to the mainstream? The Beastie Boys are an institution: as much a staple of this city as Times Square and they could only come from a place like New York. This song is a love letter to the city and one of the greatest songs written about it.
New York – KRS-One
New York is made of five boroughs, all different from each other, and part of the aim of this playlist to showcase artists from each borough and capture the diversity in their music. Hailing from the birthplace of hip-hop, the boogie down Bronx, KRS-One is a hip-hop pioneer who manages to stay afloat, while many of the creators of the genre have faded away.
Bring Da Rukus – Wu-Tang Clan
The only major musical superstars from Staten Island, Wu-Tang struck fear in ears of every listener and opened the eyes of those outside the city that there are big problems in the projects. ‘Bring Da Rukus,’ is song that not only serves as an aggressive prompt but also demonstrates the city’s attitude – just bring the raucous.
Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z feat. Alica Keys
“I am the new Sinatra, if I can make it here, I can make it anywhere.” Jay-Z is the perfect New York story and has become its modern day musical icon. A kid from Brooklyn’s harsh Marcy Projects, who is now married to Beyoncé and in essence the CEO of hip-hop – does it get better than that? “Empire State of Mind” has become what Sinatra’s “New York, New York” was to the generations before it – an anthem.
Gloria – Patti Smith
This song may not be about New York, but you cannot make a playlist about this city and not include its most famous punk and poet.
53rd and 3rd – The Ramones
The Ramones were the first punk band; they are also the best band to ever come from New York City. Birthed in Queens, then making a name for themselves in the Bowery at the city’s most iconic music venue, CBGB’S, The Ramones are as raw and powerful as this city gets.
Hard to Explain – The Strokes
In the aftermath of 9/11, the light was shining for a band or artist to break out from this city and provide the first post-9/11 New York sound. The Strokes were the perfect fit. Forming not too far from where CBGB’s was in the Lower East Side, The Strokes busted through the door and brought back a retro fuzzy guitar sound and paved the way for bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol and Secret Machines.
New York – U2
U2 may not be from New York, but they have become honorary citizens. In the wake of 9/11, no other band gave this city hope and reason to believe more than they. This song was written before the attacks but it managed to capture the essence of a summer day in the city. As the years go by, New York’s appreciation for these men from Dublin grows; streets have been named after them, awful musicals baring their name stay open on Broadway, and they cannot walk down the street without someone screaming “God Bless Bono!” – and, as a side note, it’s usually me screaming.
NYC – Interpol
One of those bands to shine bright once New York was put back on the rock and roll map, Interpol took what was murky about this city and put it into a brilliant song.
I’m Waiting For the Man – The Velvet Underground
Just as you couldn’t leave out Patti Smith, you cannot have a New York-inspired playlist and not have Velvet Underground.
Hotel Chelsea Nights – Ryan Adams
Adams broke big after 9/11, with his radio-friendly hit, ‘New York, New York,’ but hated that he was pop star. Like most artists, he found solace in his dark and dreary mood, and he took up a short residency at the legendary and recently defunct Hotel Chelsea. This song is homage to a cultural institution that is no longer. From its famous guests to infamous parties and happenings (such as the death of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen), Hotel Chelsea will always be remembered as the epicenter of bohemian and radical New York culture.
New York, I Love You but You are Bringing Me Down – LCD Soundsystem
In the last decade, Brooklyn has been the ‘it spot’ for all things creative in this town. From hipster fashion to indie film and book culture, it has all been given a soundtrack from the bands that have sprung from the borough. Much like the Lower East Side in its heyday, Brooklyn is now the forefront of all things cool and trendy in New York.
LCD Soundsystem were the first major band to break from the area and do it on their own without the help of a label; they have paved the way for the likes of Hold Steady, The National, TV on the Radio, Grizzly Bear and countless others. This song is a bittersweet symphony about how great this city can be, but also about how hard it can get to live here and support yourself while pursuing a dream. With high rent, high cost of living, hard-to-find work, it is a difficult place to find stability. I may love New York, but New York sometimes may not love me.
My City of Ruins – Bruce Springsteen
New Jersey’s favorite son has a special place in the hearts of every New Yorker. This song was the closing to his epic 2002 comeback album with the E-Street Band, The Rising. ‘My City of Ruins’ was originally written about Bruce’s favorite city, Asbury Park, NJ, which, at the time of this song’s conception, was falling apart.
In the days after 9/11 a telethon took place that saw Bruce play this song on national TV and from there on in, “My City of Ruins” has become the siren song for FDNY, NYPD, Port Authority and every single person affected by September 11th. As he belts in the song: “Come on rise up, rise up!” We did, because we were powered by hope; we were powered by unity; and, most of all, we were powered by each other.
You can listen to the playlist on Spotify HERE.
Salvatore Bono is a music writer from New York. He runs the music blog Officially A Yuppie.
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