The perfect New York City playlist (2024)

The Black Keys

The Black Keys' "Brooklyn Bound" from the band's debut album is a great way to start the playlist. The song's message signifies wanting a fresh start. It's a solid, bluesy introduction and sets up the next song quite nicely.

Beastie Boys

You can't have a New York City playlist without the Beastie Boys, specifically "No Sleep Till Brooklyn." It's one of their best songs, for obvious reasons. "Hello Brooklyn" also deserves an honorable mention.

Taylor Swift

Do I even need an explanation for this one? If ever there was a perfect song to welcome you into the city (with the exception of the next one on this list), it's "Welcome to New York" by Taylor Swift. Her version, of course.

Frank Sintra

Frank Sinatra's version of "New York, New York" celebrates the city like no other song could. It's absolutely timeless and is the one constant on every NYC playlist.

NBC

I had to include at least one soundtrack song, and sure, it could have easily been "La Vie Boheme" from Rent, but this is my playlist! Smash is a completely underrated series and features an incredible cast of Broadway actors, including Jeremy Jordan. Give it a listen if you're a fan of Broadway or Jeremy Jordan's beautiful voice.

Billy Joel

Another New York City classic, Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind, makes you long for the city even if you've never been. I mean, can you even imagine a New York-specific playlist without this gem?

Mumford & Sons

An underrated song on an even more underrated album, "Tompkins Square Park," is one of my favorites. Mumford and Sons' use of electrical instruments pushes this song about an inevitable breakup into the indie rock hit that it is (or should have been).

Green Day

Green Day explores more political themes in "Macy's Day Parade," offering an alternate take on consumerism. Its lyrics may seem rather bleak, but the song's simplicity makes it one of the band's more memorable tracks of that era.

Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran's "New York" is a sweet song about falling in love in the city. It is probably not everyone's first choice to put on an NYC playlist, but it definitely deserves some recognition. We have to bring the vibes back up at some point, right?

Death Cab for Cutie

You can never go wrong with a little Death Cab. "Coney Island" not only gives a shout-out to Coney Island, but it's a very chill track and ideally one to listen to during a light drizzle. If you know, you know.

St. Vincent

"New York" is one of St. Vincent's more intimate songs and a perfect tribute to the city. Whether you're mourning a relationship or a moment, this track hits every time.

Sara Bareilles

I couldn't leave out the moody, melancholy part of New York, now could I? This song is a great opportunity to feel your feelings. Don't be afraid to have a good cry while you're at it.

Norah Jones

Norah Jones' "Back to Manhattan" fits effortlessly into this slower-paced portion of the playlist. This one and Sara Bareilles' "Manhattan" are similar, but Jones' song embraces a fresh start.

Billie Holiday

Norah Jones was just the warm-up for Billie Holiday's rendition of "Autumn in New York." It's an all-around pleasant tune that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of the season in the city.

Lana Del Rey

We're going back to Brooklyn with Lana Del Rey's "Brooklyn Baby." She says her "jazz collection's rare." Hopefully, she had some Billie Holiday in there somewhere.

DNA, Suzanne Vega

This seemed like a good place for this classic. DNA made Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner" a hit, and it'd be a crime not to include it on this playlist.

Sting

Sting's "Englishman in New York" is a great follow-up to "Tom's Diner." I particularly enjoy that it starts with "I don't drink coffee; I'll take tea, my dear," after Suzanne Vega's lyrics, "I am waiting at the counter for the man to pour the coffee."

Ace Frehley

Shifting gears here into more of a rocky vibe with Kiss' Ace Frehley's cover of "New York Groove." I was excited to discover that there is another version by Andy Scott of the British band Sweet that incorporates the next song's chorus, so how's that for flow?

Jay-Z, Alicia Keys

This is a NYC playlist staple. It was one of the best songs of 2009 and is forever iconic. Let's hear it for New York.

Aloe Blacc

If ever there was a New York City summer bop, it is "Brooklyn in the Summer" by Aloe Blacc. Obsessed is the first word that comes to mind when I think about this song. My next playlist is just this on repeat.

Lady Gaga

Ready for a night on the town? This is the jam for you. "Marry the Night" is essentially Lady Gaga's ode to the city that never sleeps.

Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino (a.k.a. Donald Glover) captures the nightlife vibe on the Lower East Side with "L.E.S." After a banger like "Marry the Night," this is a good come-down song.

Princess Nokia

Before we get into the '90s rap scene, we have Princess Nokia kicking it off with the "ABCs of New York." Sure, it was released in 2017, but it has a similar feel, which makes it so good.

Wu-Tang Clan

I mean, do we even have a playlist without the Wu-Tang Clan? "C.R.E.A.M." (or "Cash Rules Everything Around Me") off of the group's debut album is considered to be one of the best hip-hop songs of all time.

Nas

"N.Y. State of Mind" by Nas is another song that no New York playlist is complete without. This standout track is from yet another debut album that ended up being one of the greatest hip-hop songs ever.

Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G.

"Brooklyn's Finest" was one of Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G.'s best collaborations. If only we had more. Have a listen the next time you're strolling the streets of Brooklyn.

Madonna

Yep, we're back to the pop girlies, at least for now. Madonna's "I Love New York" is a bit of an underrated bop that is receiving justice on this playlist. Favorite lyric? "If you can't stand the heat, then get off my street!"

Jennifer Lopez

I'm sorry, but I'm not sorry because "Jenny from the Block" is great! It's obviously her best, and I will never not sing along when I hear it, even if JLo doesn't seem to know where she came from.

ROLE MODEL

Slowing it back down a little bit with this chill track, "Girl in New York" by Role Model, because this playlist is all about balance. It's totally underrated and, ideally, should be played while hanging out at the park with your buddies.

The Chainsmokers

You wanted some EDM on here, right? It's one of The Chainsmokers' lesser-known tracks, but hey, it freaking slaps. If you can't get enough, check out Fivio Foreign's "City of Gods," where it samples the chorus.

Taylor Swift

I know I have Taylor Swift on here twice, and I'm not even that die-hard of a Swiftie. It's a pleasant pop song about a street she used to live on in Manhattan, and I have zero regrets about including it.

Sharon Van Etten

I think we all can appreciate Sharon Van Etten's New York story in her song, "Seventeen." It's an opportunity to reflect on the person you used to be, how things have changed, and the city you grew up in.

Harry Styles

This one is a little sad, but it's easy to listen to and a good song to leave the playlist on. Harry Styles just gets it. So yes, "Ever Since New York" is my final answer. Lock it in. Happy listening!