Song Choice Help - Ballad that Mentions NYC

[dshnookie]

Posted: 4/7/17 at 6:34pm

Friend is performing a recital, and needs to sing a song that is about or mentions NYC with only piano accompaniment. Figured you're the best people to ask. Appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/7/17 at 7:32pm

1) Google is very good at this,but since u asked

2) “Visions of Johanna,” Bob Dylan, 1966, “Famous Blue Raincoat,” Leonard Cohen, 1971,“Empire State of Mind,” Jay-Z, 2009 ( not really a ballad)  and my choice-

“New York State of Mind,” Billy Joel, 1976.

A  more classic example could be Cole Porter's "I Happen To Like New York" but it's not an easy sing.

 

 

[The Other One]

Posted: 4/7/17 at 11:42pm

How about Harry Nilsson's I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City?

[dshnookie]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 1:07am

Apologies, I should have clarified - showtunes about or mentioning NYC.

Sincere thanks for the responses so far.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 4:23am

Another Hundred People is an ode to NYC

edit: oops, just realized idk if that's a ballad technically. there's the lullaby rendition of NYC from Annie that may be appropriate.

Updated On: 4/8/17 at 04:23 AM

[DJBJ]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 8:53am

"Take Me Back to Manhattan" can probably be slowed down too.

[Jshan05]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 11:00am

I Happen To Like New York by Cole Porter. 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 1:01pm

"Only in New York" from Thoroughly Modern Millie

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 9:22pm

"New York, New York" from On the Town. 

"Put on your Sunday clothes" from Hello Dolly

 

 

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 9:40pm

Wick3 said: ""New York, New York" from On the Town. 

"Put on your Sunday clothes" from Hello Dolly

 

Where does Sunday Clothes  mention NY? Delmonico's and The Astors but not NY proper.

New York New York ia also not a ballad.

 

 

 

"

 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 10:25pm

ANNIE's "NYC" isn't primarily a ballad in the show, but the best chorus, that of the "Star to Be" is definitely ballad tempo. Depending on the length she needs, that might be a fresh choice.

Cole Porter's "Down in the Depths on the Ninetieth Floor" may not mention Manhattan specifically, but it is certainly implied--as it is in "Another Hundred People".

Rodgers & Hart's "I'll Take Manhattan" has been and can be done as a ballad. There are numerous choruses from which to choose.

Sondheim's "Broadway Baby" may not mention the city by name, but the street and neighborhood references are so specific, the locale is clear.

 

Updated On: 4/8/17 at 10:25 PM

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 10:53pm

For that matter, since,Billy Joel's Movin Out  became a Bway musical, technically ""I'm in a New York State of Mind" would qualify.

[seeseveryshow2]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 12:17am

Sondheim's "What More Do I Need" from "Saturday Night."

[NoName3]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 7:04pm

Another vote for Rodgers & Hart's "I'll Take Manhattan," which, as Gaveston pointed out, "has been and can be done as a ballad." And as well Porter's "I Happen to Like New York."

And for a wild choice, "The Ballad of the Sad Young Men" from the beat Broadway musical "The Nervous Set," which ran for only a few performances in 1959. It's obliquely about gay men cruising Washington Square Park in the late 1950s and might be difficult for people unfamiliar with that scene to fully understand the song. Tons of coded subtext. God bless Mabel Mercer.

"Sad -- because they're growing old."

Updated On: 4/9/17 at 07:04 PM

[JHughesPSPB]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 8:59pm

"I'll Be Here".  Heartbreaking...but very NYC

"I'll Be Here" by Adam Gwon

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 10:40pm

Autunn in New York

Poses, Rufus Wainwright

West End Avenue from THE MAGIC SHOW

New York State of Mind, Billy Joel

How About You?, Burton Lane and Ralph Reed

 

[macnyc]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 11:13pm

This probably won't fit, but how about Broadway, Here I Come by Joe Iconis (written for Smash). Would it be considered a ballad?