1

"New York, New York" - Frank Sinatra

Image: Adrian Falcon

Of course, when we think of songs about the Big Apple, the first that comes to mind is the iconic "New York, New York," popularized by Frank Sinatra. Perhaps this is because it’s the tune that best captures the essence , resilient spirit, and unwavering magnetism of the city that never sleeps.

It was written in 1977 by John Kander and Fred Ebb as the theme song for New York, New York , a film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli. Minnelli performed the song in the film, but it wasn’t very successful at the time. It was The Voice 's 1980 version that would turn it into the city's unofficial—yet unquestionable—anthem .

2

"Chelsea Hotel #2" - Leonard Cohen

Image: Thought Catalog

The Chelsea Hotel is one of the most emblematic hotels in New York City. Artists such as William S. Burroughs, Bob Dylan, and Chet Baker, among many others, have stayed there. So, it makes perfect sense that some of these stars were inspired by the iconic building to create some of their most famous works.

Such is the case with Leonard Cohen’s "Chelsea Hotel #2," released in 1974. The lyrics not only recount a romantic encounter between the singer-songwriter and Janis Joplin but also capture the city’s bohemian atmosphere at the time.

3

"New York State of Mind" - Billy Joel

Image: Stefano Zocca

In the mid-1970s, after a long stint in Los Angeles, Bronx-born songwriter Billy Joel was terribly missing his hometown. During a return trip to the Big Apple while on tour, the Piano Man wrote his tribute to the city he loved most: "New York State of Mind."

At the time, the song wasn’t even released as a single and went largely unnoticed. However, over time, it became one of Joel’s signature songs . Decades later, the timeless tune would go on to inspire a hip-hop version—the next one on our list.

4

"Empire State of Mind" - Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

Image: ian dooley

With its evocative lyrics, Jay-Z’s modern rhythm, and Alicia Keys’ poignant backing vocals, "Empire State of Mind" captures the essence, energy, and resilient spirit of those who inhabit the city of New York. Released in 2009, the song was an instant hit. It achieved commercial success worldwide and has been featured on multiple critics' top 10 lists of best songs.

As mentioned earlier, the song’s title nods not only to Billy Joel’s "New York State of Mind," but also to rapper Nas’s 1994 single "N.Y. State of Mind."

5

"Autumn in New York" - Billie Holiday

Image: Josh Couch

Did you know that the famous "Autumn in New York" was originally conceived as a poem rather than a song? Its composer, Vernon Duke, wrote it in 1934 while vacationing in Westport, Connecticut, and added the music sometime later. Since then, many artists have recorded their own renditions, including Frank Sinatra, who helped popularize it in 1949.

But perhaps the version that best conveys the haunting melancholy of this iconic jazz standard is Billie Holiday’s, recorded in 1952. With her deep, raspy voice, the Angel of Harlem (see the next song on our list) delivers this love letter to the Empire City like no one else.

6

"Angel of Harlem" - U2

Image: The New York Public Library

"Angel of Harlem," a 1988 single by the Irish band U2, alludes to several New York City landmarks but is also a heartfelt tribute to Billie Holiday.

According to Bono, the song was inspired by the band’s first trip to the Big Apple . When they landed at JFK Airport, a limousine picked them up, and the driver had the radio tuned to Lady Day’s voice. They were so captivated by her sound that they couldn’t help but compose a song in honor of one of the city’s most influential musical figures.

7

"Englishman in New York" – Sting

Image: George Bakos

Bono wasn’t the only foreign artist who was inspired by the Empire City to pen a song. In the late 1980s, Sting released the single "Englishman in New York" as part of his second solo album after the dissolution of The Police. The song quickly became a global hit.

The "Englishman" in question is Sting’s friend, British writer and LGBTQ+ icon Quentin Crisp, who had recently relocated to New York. The singer-songwriter said that the different musical references in the song seek to capture the mood of someone walking down the street and listening to different styles, representing what it's like to walk around New York.

8

"Chelsea Morning" - Joni Mitchell

Image: Dan Braga

One of the most celebrated voices in American folk music, Joni Mitchell, wrote this song about her apartment in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. The song was inspired by the colorful reflections that danced on her walls when sunlight filtered through a mobile made of colored glass she had found in the street.

"Chelsea Morning" is part of her second album Clouds from 1969. Her sweet voice, merry acoustic guitar chords, and hopeful lyrics convey the deep emotions of the hippie lifestyle of a young woman living in 1960s New York.

9

"The Only Living Boy in New York" – Simon & Garfunkel

Image: Camila Fernández

Many songs about New York City explore the loneliness of living in a vast metropolis—and "The Only Living Boy in New York" is no exception. Paul Simon wrote the track when his musical partner, Art Garfunkel, left him behind in the city to film a movie in Mexico.

The song is part of the duo's fifth studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water released in 1970. The song blends bittersweet lyrics with a gentle, introspective melody. Its themes of solitude and longing have resonated with many over the years, inspiring a variety of heartfelt covers by artists who connected with its quiet sorrow.

10

"New York City Serenade" – Bruce Springsteen

Image: Danny Lyon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

While Bruce Springsteen is known for being a New Jersey native, his prolific career also allowed him to write about the city across the Hudson River. "New York City Serenade" is part of the 1973 album The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle , considered by some critics to be one of the greatest albums in rock n' roll history.

The song tells the tormented love story of Billy and Diamonds Jackie as they wander the dark streets of Gotham in the 1970s. Blending Springsteen’s signature suburban rock with elements of jazz and gospel , "New York City Serenade" is one of his most atmospheric and musically ambitious pieces—a sprawling homage to the city’s grit, soul, and romance.

11

"Rhapsody in Blue" – George Gershwin

Image: rosanna17

Although it has no lyrics, we can all agree that this composition is a true musical portrait of 20th-century New York City. Written by George Gershwin in 1924, the piece blends classical tradition with jazz-inflected flourishes, capturing the vibrant, chaotic spirit of the Big Apple in full swing.

The speed and rhythm of the tune perfectly reflect the frenetic life of one of the world's greatest metropolises. "Rhapsody in Blue" is so quintessentially New York that even Woody Allen used it for the opening sequence of his film Manhattan alongside gorgeous vistas of the most iconic locations and buildings in the city.

12

"Downtown Train" – Tom Waits

Image: Erik Calonius, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

You may know this song best from Rod Stewart’s 1989 hit version, but "Downtown Train" was originally written and performed by Tom Waits for his 1985 album Rain Dogs . Without leaving behind his jazz and blues influences —and his trademark avant-garde style—this tune has an unmistakable pop touch.

Set against the backdrop of New York’s restless nightlife, the song paints a wistful portrait of longing and unattainable love—particularly for the elusive Brooklyn girls. Through his gravelly voice and poetic imagery, Waits cements his place as one of the great modern chroniclers of the Big Apple .

1

The frisbee

Image: Robin Jonathan Deutsch

The best things are often created by accident, and you never know when that accident will strike. For example, did you know the Frisbee was born from a humble cake pan?

In 1938, Fred Morrison and his girlfriend were tossing a pan around on a beach in Connecticut when a passerby offered to buy it. That moment sparked an idea that stayed with Morrison through his service in World War II, where he learned about aerodynamics and began to dream of creating the perfect flying disk. After several failed attempts, he finally hit on a design in the 1950s, calling it the "Pluto-Platter."

Enter Wham-O, a company known for quirky toys like the Hula-Hoop. They bought the rights in 1957, gave it the now-iconic name "Frisbee" (inspired by Yale students tossing pie tins from the Frisbie Pie Company), and refined the design. The Frisbee took off—quite literally—spinning its way into parks, beaches, and backyards across America.

2

The slinky

Image: Adam Valstar

The slinky was also the result of accidental creativity in 1943 when Richard James, a naval engineer, knocked a spring off a shelf and noticed it "walked" in a curious way. Intrigued, he refined the design, and with his wife Betty’s help, they turned it into a toy sensation. Although the name was purely her idea!

In 1945, a demo at Gimbels Department Store sold 400 units in 90 minutes, and the Slinky quickly became a household name.

Without going into too much detail, Richard later took a wrong turn, and it was Betty who stepped in as CEO, saving the company from financial ruin. She even commissioned the iconic Slinky jingle! Under her leadership, the Slinky sold 300 million units before she finally sold the company in 1998. Talk about female power, huh?

3

The Ferris wheel

Image: Steve Shreve

Did you know the Ferris wheel was named after a person? That person was George Ferris who, in 1893, introduced the Ferris wheel at the Chicago Columbian Exposition.

Ferris, a young engineer, proposed the idea of a massive steel wheel that would rival the Eiffel Tower both in size and symbolism. He certainly set quite the challenge for himself!

Though initially rejected, Ferris funded his own research to prove the design’s safety, and his persistence paid off. The Ferris wheel became the star attraction—naturally since it stood 250 feet tall and offered visitors a thrilling 20-minute ride for fifty cents.

Sadly, Ferris’s success was short-lived. After the fair, he faced legal battles and financial ruin, and so the original wheel had one last appearance at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904 before being destroyed.

4

Gatorade

Image: Jacob Rice

Sports legends become such because they strive to get better. And because they had a good coach who had their back. An example of a coach who went above and beyond was that of Florida’s football team.

In 1965, the Florida Gators’ football coach asked a group of professors if there was a way to help players reload fluids lost during games. Led by Dr. Robert Cade, the team created a mix of water, sodium, sugar, and lemon juice, later called "Gatorade," you can imagine why.

Of course, the first few versions tasted awful, but after some adjustments, the drink became more palatable. The Gators credited their improved performance, including their 1967 Orange Bowl win, to this new beverage.

No gatekeeping on the teams’ side, word spread, and by 1970, Gatorade was under the national spotlight when the Kansas City Chiefs used it in their Super Bowl victory.

5

The super ball

Image: Shubham Dhage

Some toys became popular after being discovered to be useless for anything else! That was the case with the Super Ball.

In 1964, chemist Norman Stingley invented a unique synthetic rubber but couldn't find an industrial use for it. However, he quickly found a solution: he turned to Wham-O, the toy company behind the Hula-Hoop and they released the Super Ball in 1966. The ball, made from the secret ingredient "Zectron," could bounce to incredible heights.

Aside from the fun, we have something else to thank the Super Ball for—it inspired the name of one of the biggest events in sports today. Lamar Hunt, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, saw his daughter play with the toy and jokingly suggested to NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle that the first championship game between the NFL and AFL should be called the "Super Bowl." The rest is history!

6

Fritos

Image: Roberto Carlos Román Don

Few things are as American as snacks, don’t you think? Let’s take a look at how Fritos came to be!

In 1932, Charles E. Doolin, a San Antonio confectioner, was looking for a new product when he bought a fried corn recipe from a man named Gustavo Olguin for $100.

After tweaking the recipe, Doolin created bite-sized corn chips called Fritos, which quickly became a hit. By 1933, Fritos were being mass-produced, and Doolin pioneered new marketing strategies, like direct stocking and placing clip-racks near cash registers—making his product even more accessible. (We all fall for that one, don’t deny it!)

But that’s not all. Doolin’s business success led him to invest in Disneyland, where his "Casa de Fritos" restaurant accidentally gave birth to Doritos.

7

Crossword puzzle

Image: Ross Sneddon

It feels like the crossword puzzle has been around forever, but it wasn’t actually invented until 1913. Arthur Wynne, working for the New York World newspaper, was asked to create a challenging puzzle for the "Fun" section. The concept of fun is indeed a time-sensitive concept!

The inspiration came from a childhood word game: he designed a puzzle with clues instead of words and the first crossword was published on December 21, 1913. Want to hear a fun fact? One of the clues was "What this puzzle is." The answer? "Hard."

And this invention is full of interesting tidbits. For instance, the name "Cross-word" was the result of a typing mistake—but it stuck! And, over a hundred years later, here we are!

8

Alka-Seltzer

Image: Daniel Gregoire

Alka-Seltzer was born in 1928 when Hub Beardsley, president of the Dr. Miles Medical Company, noticed a local newspaper staff staying healthy during a flu epidemic. The editor told him their secret: aspirin with baking soda dissolved in water. Inspired by this, Beardsley asked his chief chemist, Maurice Treneer, to create a remedy based on the idea, leading to a compound of aspirin, bicarbonate of soda, and Vitamin C. When Beardsley tested it on flu sufferers, the results were promising—and Alka-Seltzer was born.

You can imagine what happened next, a strong advertising campaign in the 1930s, turned Alka-Seltzer into the go-to remedy for everything from colds to hangovers. The company rebranded as Miles Laboratories in 1935 and was later acquired by Bayer in 1979. Even today, Alka-Seltzer remains a staple of American medicine cabinets.

9

Zamboni

Image: Aleksi Partanen

One would think that a machine like the Zamboni, which is used to make ice smooth was created in a place like Alaska, right? Or at least a place where snow is present almost all year round. Surprisingly, it wasn’t—the Zamboni was invented in sunny Paramount, California.

Frank Zamboni, a man who came from the ice and refrigeration business, built the machine to save time at his Skateland Skating Rink. Before the Zamboni, resurfacing the ice was a 90-minute task done manually by five workers. Can you imagine how tedious that must have been?

Using parts from an airplane, oil derrick, Jeep, and wooden bin, Zamboni created a machine that could clean and smooth the ice in only a few minutes. Realizing its potential, Zamboni turned his invention into a business, with the first orders coming from Olympic skater Sonja Henie and the Chicago Black Hawks.

10

Baseball scoreboard

Image: Taiki Ishikawa

It goes without saying that baseball is one of Americans’ favorite pastimes. Everything about it is fun; it’s not just the game.

In the late 1800s, English immigrant Harry M. Stevens saw that and made the most of it. After moving to Ohio, Stevens started a business providing food and drinks at baseball games and eventually secured contracts with major league ballparks. While he’s often credited with popularizing the hot dog, his real innovation was the creation of the modern baseball scorecard. Using Henry Chadwick's shorthand scoring system, Stevens designed a simple grid fans could use to track the game. Does the phrase "You can't tell the players without a scorecard" ring any bells?

Stevens’s scorecard caught on, and fans began scoring games themselves. Today, his scorecard system is still in use, and we all love it!

1

Jones Cream Soda

Image: Kevin Butz

Cream soda is a sweet soft drink, typically flavored with vanilla and inspired by the taste of an ice cream float . Many brands and variations can be found across America, and its roots can be traced to at least 150 years ago. Interestingly, Jones Cream Soda, which started in 1886, is not even the oldest one around.

This drink is available in both regular and diet options, and it's also one of the most popular mixers for alcoholic beverages. Cream soda is one of those drinks people associate with their childhood, and it's the perfect perfect pairing for ice cream.

2

Dr. Brown’s Root Beer

Image: David Trinks

Root beer is a sweet and classic American soft drink traditionally made using the root bark of the sassafras tree as the primary flavor . Root beer is usually alcohol and caffeine-free, sweet, and carbonated, with a thick, foamy head.

Dr. Brown's version of this classic soda is unbeatable, offering a harmonious blend of sugar and spice. It’s not just sweet—it boasts a distinct celery seed earthiness that keeps every sip interesting.

3

Olipop Lemon Lime

Image: Mariah Hewines

Lemon lime drinks have been around for a long time now (just ask Sprite or 7-Up), but Olipop manages to add a new twist to this old classic. This fizzy tonic boasts prebiotics, plant fiber, and botanicals, which not only taste great but also help your digestive health.

Olipop is also low in sugar, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in sweetness. It uses cassava root and other alternative sweeteners to maintain its delicious flavor.

4

Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water

Image: Nick Fewings

Tonic water is often considered a soda for adults due to its bitter taste. However, the brave ones who love this delicious beverage will find Fever-Tree’s Mediterranean Tonic Water has the perfect mix of bitterness for tonic water fans, but a balanced flavor that makes it appropriate for people who are just dipping their toe into the tonic water.

In addition to that traditional quinine flavor, this tonic is infused with rosemary and lemon thyme , adding a layer of complexity to its taste.

5

Cheerwine

Image: sq lim

Named for its color and taste, Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink with a mildly sweet flavor with strong cherry notes, most notably black cherry . It is burgundy-colored and has an unusually high degree of carbonation compared to other soft drinks.

Cheerwine is widely available throughout the southeastern United States, from Maryland to Florida, but it is best known and beloved in the Carolinas.

6

Sangrita Blast Mountain Dew

Image: Ashley Kirk

As the "Limited Edition" tag implies, this product was only available for a limited time, but it was enough to leave a lasting impression. Sangrita Blast, a Citrus Punch-flavored Mountain Dew with a maroon hue, was available at Taco Bell restaurants from 2013 to 2017. It was also released in cans and bottles in 2015 for a short period.

7

Cactus Cooler

Image: Thomas Verbruggen

Cactus Cooler is an orange-pineapple-flavored soft drink sold primarily in Southern California and the surrounding Southwestern region. The orange flavor is very present, with the pineapple appearing a bit behind but adding a layer of complexity to the overall flavor.

This soda has no caffeine, making it a safe product for anyone who gets the jitters from caffeine-infused beverages.

8

United Sodas Toasted Coconut

Image: Jonas Dücker

The words "healthy" and "soda" are not usually heard together but this is one of those occasions. United Sodas is a healthy soda brand that offers products with a lightly carbonated fizz and low sugar content.

Their Toasted Coconut flavor stands out with its distinctive coconut taste. Each can contains fewer than 30 calories, has no artificial ingredients, and is organically sweetened —making it the perfect alternative for health-conscious soda lovers.

9

Boylan Creme Soda

Image: Gourmet Lenz

Even if we started this list with a cream soda, we couldn’t leave out Boylan’s version. This glass-bottled beverage has a rich vanilla flavor and a robust amount of carbonation that make it very easy to drink.

While many cream sodas can be overly sweet, Boylan’s is refreshing, complex, and downright delicious. The use of cane sugar gives it a crisp, clean flavor all the way to the last drop.

10

Moxie

Image: Tom Paolini

The last entry on our list is a bitter and herbal soda named Moxie. It originated in Maine in the late 1800s as a patent medicine called "Moxie Nerve Food." It is flavored with gentian root, sassafras, wintergreen, and other herbs.

Though still somewhat unique to the Northeast, Moxie has become more widely available in specialty and larger grocery stores since Coca-Cola acquired the brand in 2018. Have you ever seen it?