PRETTY CITY DITTIES

While there’s a higher ratio of beautiful things in natural landscapes, urban landscapes and cities, in general, a centers for beauty as well. The concentration of artists, the mix of cultures, the mashup of history, the intense energy, all come together and inspire the creation of even more beauty.

Songwriters have been celebrating the beauty of cities for as long as songs have been written. We’ve gathered some old and new favorites to share, along with magnificent photos. Check them out below.

“You feel the deal is real

You're a New York City boy

So young, so run

into New York City”

 

-- Pet Shop Boys, “New York City Boy”

 

“Day breaks over the city of my childhood

Daybreak over the city i called home

where the sage met the sea and the groves were sweet and green

it's a city that lives only in my dreams.”

 

-- Ben Harper, “City of Dreams”

 

“I’m burning on the back street

Stuck here sitting in the backseat

I'm blazing on the street

What I do isn't up to you

And if the city never sleeps then that makes two.”

 

-- Ed Sheeran, “The City”

 

“In these deep city lights

Girl could get lost tonight

I'm finding every reason to be gone

There's nothing here to hold on to

Could i hold on to you?”

 

-- Sara Bareilles, “City”

 

“Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile.

Da-n-do-da-n-do-da-n-do

Here I am,

The only living boy in New York.

Half of the time we're gone but we don't know where,

And we don't know where.”

 

-- Simon & Garfunkel, "The Only Living Boy In New York"

“A hustle here and a hustle there

New York City's the place

Where they said, "Hey, babe,

Take a walk on the wild side."

 

-- Lou Reed, “Walk on the Wild Side”

 

“Now you're in New York

These streets will make you feel brand new

The lights will inspire you

Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York.”

 

-- Jay Z, “Empire State of Mind”

 

“Night in the city looks pretty to me. Night in the city looks fine.”

-- Joni Mitchell, “Night in the City”

“We built this city, we built this city on rock an' roll

Built this city, we built this city on rock an' roll.”

 

--  Bernie Taupin, Martin Page, Dennis Lambert, and Peter Wolf, “We Built This City”

 

“New York, Just like I pictured it

Skyscrapers and everything…”

 

-- Stevie Wonder “Living for the City”

 

Read more about Urban Beauty in Random & Planned Beautiful Spots in Paris and Way Beyond Pretty City Suites.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Daniel Mennerich. “Hannover - Neues Rathaus.” Hannover, Germany.
2. Image: by leasqueaky. “Bubbles.” Central Park. New York, NY.
3. Image: by Michael Levine-Clark. “Denver Skyline.” Denver, Colorado.
4. Image:  by Jacob Surland. “Tower Bridge and City Hall under the Stars.” London, UK.
5. Image: by Can Pac Swire. “Night Calm, Night Rush.” Cleveland, Ohio.
6. Image: by Chris Goldberg. “Hot Summer Day in Park Slope, Brooklyn.” New York, NY.
7. Image: by Andreas Komodromos. “Manhattan After Dark, Comme des Garçons.” New York, NY.
8. Image: by Brian Kingsley. “Brooklyn 4th of July.” New York, NY.
9. Image: by Scott Ableman. Paris, France.
10. Image: by Erik Drost. “Cleveland Skyline.” Cleveland, Ohio.
11. Image: by MK Feeney. “New York City Skyline.” New York, NY.
12. Image: by Chris. “Magyar magnificent.” Hungary.
13. Image: by Studio Incendo. “Sunset Hong Kong.” Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong.
14. Image: by torbakhopper. “details from a beautiful city, Scott Richard.” San Francisco, CA.
15. Image: by PaulSchliebs. “Oia - Santorini.” Oia, Greece.