Cities Made Popular In Songs

Clarksville, Tennessee

“Last Train to Clarksville” is a song by the American pop-rock band The Monkees. The song came out as their debut single on August 16, 1966. It is on their self-titled album. The song was written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Lead vocals were performed by the band’s drummer Micky Dolenz. The song was featured in seven episodes of The Monkees TV series.



New Orleans, Louisiana

“City of New Orleans” is a country folk song that was written by American folk and country singer and songwriter Steve Goodman. It was first recorded for Goodman’s self-titled album in 1971. The song describes a train ride from Chicago to New Orleans on the Illinois Central Railroad’s City of New Orleans. It has two major hit versions one by American folk singer and songwriter Arlo Guthrie in 1972 and another by American country musician Willie Nelson in 1984. The song is on Guthrie’s album Hobo’s Lullaby from 1972. This version made it on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and on the Hot 100 chart.

Luckenbach, Texas

“Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)” is a song recorded by American country music artist Waylon Jennings. The song was released in 1977 as the first single from the album Ol’ Waylon. It was written by Chip Moman and Bobby Emmons. The song refers to a couple whose position in “high society” has placed strains on their marriage. References in the song include the Hatfields and McCoys, Hank Williams, Mickey Newbury, Jerry Jeff Walker, and the song “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.” The final refrain of the song features a guest vocal by American country musician Willie Nelson.

Chicago, Illinois

“The Night Chicago Died” is a song by the British group Paper Lace. It was written by Peter Callander and Mitch Murray. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was on the UK and Canada charts. It tells about a fictional shoot-out between the Chicago Police and members of the Al Capone Syndicate. The song begins with an electronic synthesizer sound impersonating a police siren. The first four lines in the intro are spoken by the group, and in the third verse, the sound of a ticking clock is heard. The US single received a Gold certification from the RIAA signifying sales of at least half a million copies.

Memphis, Tennessee

“Walking in Memphis” is a song composed and originally recorded by American singer and songwriter Marc Cohn. It remains his signature song. In 1992 Cohn won the Grammy for Best New Artist. The song is autobiographical and tells of a 1985 trip Cohn took to Memphis to overcome a bout of writer’s block. After he had visited the church where former soul singer Al Green was preaching, Graceland, the home of Elvis, and a small nightclub in nearby Mississippi, and then wandering the streets of downtown Memphis, he returned to New York and composed this song. On his debut album, this was the lead single. The song made it on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and on charts in Canada, Ireland, and Australia. It has been covered many times, but among the best covers is a version by Cher in 1995.

Brooklyn, New York

“Brooklyn Roads” is a song written and recorded by American singer and songwriter Neil Diamond. This song was his first single for MCA Records and introduced an epic storytelling, orchestrated sound that Diamond became known for. He performed it on his 2008 tour singing it at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York, with video clips from his Brooklyn, New York childhood on the video screen. 

Mendocino, California

“Mendocino” is a song performed by the country rock group The Sir Douglas Quintet in 1969. It is the first track on their album of the same name. The song was written by American musician, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Doug Sahm. It made it on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is about the town of Mendocino in California. The song really stood out when it was recorded by the Texas Tornados, a Tejano supergroup, composed of some of country music’s biggest artists who modernized the Tex-Mex style. Among the artists was also Doug Sahm. 

San Bernardino, California

“San Bernardino” is a song by the English band Christie from 1970. The song wasn’t as successful as their previous single “Yellow River” but was still a Top Ten hit in several countries. Once the song became a hit, the band admitted that they had never visited the city of San Bernardino, California, of which they were singing.

New York City, New York

“The Sidewalks of New York” is a popular song about life in New York City during the 1890s. It was composed by vaudeville actor and singer Charles B. Lawlor in 1894. The song soon became a long-lasting hit and is often considered a theme for New York City. It is also known as “East Side, West Side” from the first words of the chorus. The song has been recorded by many artists, but the one version that stands out the most is the one recorded by American singer, jazz pianist, and actor Nat King Cole.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“Streets of Philadelphia” is a song written and performed by American rock musician and songwriter Bruce Springsteen. It was written for the 1993 movie “Philadelphia” starring Tom Hanks and dealing with HIV/AIDS. In 1994 it was released as a single and became a hit in many countries. The song was on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and four Grammy Awards – Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Vocal Performance Solo, and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or TV. The song is listed on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.