Hey - happy Thanksgiving! Hope you are enjoying the holiday.
I recognize this edition is different from our usual city and tech analysis. Still, we wanted to do something fun for our community to provide some escapism through music inspired by places and urbanism.
We will be back to our usual topics on Monday.
Given the multimedia elements of this piece, you should read it online. It offers the best reading and listening experience.
This post is excellent in email, but playing the fantastic music included in the piece is more seamless online. (Huge thanks to Spotify and Substack for making that work well.)
Audio storytelling is top of mind for Urban Tech right now:
We are working on launching the Urban Tech Podcast by early 2021. Ya, we will soon have a podcast feed to complement the newsletter! More details to come in the next few weeks.
During my recovery from COVID, music has been a massive source of escapism. It had me thinking about how I can share some of that escapism with our community.
It also had me asking, “what’s a bigger piece muse for music than cities?” The answer is clearly love, but this quote I think captures the inspiration for this edition:
You could argue that pop [music] is a metaphor for the city; certaintly, that it is a continuation by other means of the urban mind. …The simple fact is that pop is better on cities than on anything else, apart from love. It’s taught us to be intrigued by cities, to fear them, to face up to them. (Source)
In this edition, we are going to explore a playlist of songs with two characteristics:
the song deploys a sense of place
or the song is inspired by an urbanism theme (like transportation or parks)
Simply put: If you close your eyes when listening to any of these songs, they take you to another place.
Some of the songs are about specific cities (Miami by Will Smith); some are about themes like suburbanization (The Suburbs by Arcade Fire); some take you to a place that isn’t our home mid-pandemic (Positively 4th Street by Bob Dylan).
Some are optimistic, some are angry, but all are from the heart. (Okay, promise that’s as deep as I’ll get about my love for music in this piece; let’s keep it light.)
🎧 Here’s the playlist on Spotify.
🎧 Here’s the link to the full playlist on Apple Music
Below, I share a few words for each song to explain why Urban Tech included it. (I also embedded the songs so you can enjoy the tunes along with us.)
Before undergoing this endeavor, I needed ground rules. Luckily for me, I just finished Hulu’s High Fidelity (adapted from the John Cusack movie) starring Zoe Kravitz.
In an episode, Kravitz’s character outlines crucial playlist rules.
I’ve adapted those rules for our purposes:
There has to be a theme: Our theme is brilliant songs that convey a sense of place. 📍
It has to be entertaining: See the brilliant songs part above. ✅
The message behind it can't be too obvious: ✅
You can't double up on songs by the same artist unless that's your theme: ✅
It will be challenging to make: ✅
The most important track is #1 because it sets the tone for the rest of the playlist: this track was the hardest to pick. ✅
There needs to be an element of surprise: ✅
The closing song is tough to find because you want to finish on a high note: I chose a song dedicated to parks 🌳. (There’s also a great trivia Q in the explaniation for this one.)
While you read, listen along with the playlist or hit play on the Spotify embeds.
“1950” — King Princess (2018)
This is one of my favorite songs on the list and captures two qualities I thought were essential for the first song:
full of nuance
it’s soulful
King Princess, who identifies as gay and genderqueer, tells a complicated story lyrically using a city and "1950” as metaphors. Here is how they explain the meaning of the metaphor:
It’s a metaphor in the sense that I think I was using the idea of the way that queer people had to hide their love in history, throughout our history. Being a parallel to unrequited love. Feeling like somebody’s being cold to you in a public space. Somebody’s giving you the cold shoulder to bring you in more, and how that looks very similar to the way people once couldn’t be gay in public. I wanted to pay tribute to that point in history, in an empowering way. Now when we can be gay in public for the most part in the cities that I’ve lived. I wanted to pay tribute to that.
Not all the songs on the list are as complex as this one, but given our appreciation of complexity at Urban Tech, this one felt like the perfect first song.
King Princess is a brilliant, reflective artist who has much more great music you should check out.
“Gold Rush” — Death Cab for Cutie (2018)
This song is by far the most “urban tech” song on our playlist! The lyrics are inspired by Amazon’s growth changing Seattle.
“Living For The City” — Stevie Wonder (1973)
Earnestly, this song was one of my favorites I found during my search. Stevie Wonder tells a story about a Mississippi Man, escaping to NYC, and the obstacles he faces.
“Drive My Car” — The Beetles (1965)
While we are pro-biking over using a car, this classic from the Beetles was a must include. It’s a great companion track while reading Urban Tech’s Waymo self-driving car essay.
“Black Parade” — Beyonce (2020)
No playlist can truly be great without a Queen B song. This is the newest song on the playlist, but with all proceeds of this single going to causes aimed at criminal justice reform, it has a special place on this list for its benefit to real communities and cities.
“London Calling” — The Clash (1979)
The Clash can only be described as a vibe. This track is a dense text.
“Empire State of Mind” — JAY-Z and Alicia Key (2009)
Maybe a little cliche to include this one on the playlist, but it’s great, JAY-Z is great, NYC is great — let’s just agree on it.
“Know Yourself” — Drake (2015)
Runnin' through the 6 with my woes
You know how that shit go
An iconic line for younger millennials and gen-z. This song officially catalyzed Toronto as the “6”.
Also, Toronto has a great urbanism history with icons like Jane Jacobs making the city home, so this song was a lock for our list.
“The Suburbs” — Arcade Fire (2010)
The lyrics for this Arcade Fire song were inspired by some of the band members’ childhood growing up in suburban Houston. As someone who grew up in the suburbs of Houston, I can confirm this song captures a part of Houston’s suburban experience.
“In the Heights” — Lin Manuel Miranda (2008)
The song from the hit broadway play by Miranda captures a New York Morning scene in Washington Heights. The power of this song is you truly feel there when listening. Hamilton also didn’t have any relevant songs — I tried.
“Casey Jones” (live at the Fillmore East, New York City, NY) — The Grateful Dead (1970)
Personal taste disclosure: I love The Grateful Dead…
For why I included this song on the list, other than the song is about a train conductor, the Dead’s fame for their live shows adds a special piece to the playlist. This 1971 live version is also my favorite rendition of Casey Jones.
“Chain Gang” — Sam Cooke (1960)
I discovered this beautiful song in an episode of Donald Glover’s Atlanta. When listening, Cooke transports you to the time and place he describes in the song’s lyrics.
Cooke is one of the greats — we should never forget that — and this song shows why — the lyrics and soul are incredible.
“Folsom Prison Blues” (live at Folsom Prison, Folsom, Ca) — Johnny Cash (1960)
This entire live album was composed by Cash in Folsom Prison. Trains and prison songs are key themes in folk music and Cash creates a video-like image in this song. Cash was a vocal activist for criminal justice reform which makes him even cooler in our book.
“The Trolley Song” — Judy Garland (1945)
This song comes from the motion picture “Meet Me in St.Louis”. It’s a fun tune that makes you want to hop on a trolley asap 🚃. The themes of the musical are connected to St.Louis and the experiences of a woman played by Garland coming of age in St.Louis during the 1904 World’s Fair.
“Big Yellow Taxi” — Joni Mitchell (1970)
The great social activist Joni Mitchell gives us this tune about one of the defining characteristics of a big city in the 20th century: 🚕. The song speaks to themes of urbanization and rural areas becoming more like cities.
“Bicycle Race” — Queen (1978)
This bop from Queen features amazing lyrics and a joyful spirit for bikes. Even if Freddy Mercury admitted he wasn’t a huge fan of cycling, It’s still an amazing anthem for anyone that likes to ride a bike — myself included! 🚲
“Barcelona” — Ed Sheeran (2017)
Barcelona is one of the best-planned cities in the world. It’s a model that all cities in the world are looking to for making cities more efficient.
As someone who loves Barcelona and has been multiple times, this song from Sheeran paints a vivid picture of the city and the Catalan spirit for me.
If you want more Barcelona planning reading. David Roberts at Vox wrote a great series on Barcelona that I read when I went back to the city in the Summer of 2019.
“Cornelia Street” (live from Paris) — Taylor Swift (2020)
If “Empire State of Mind” paints a picture of summer in New York City, this song from Swift captures another part of the city’s magic that’s clear during Winter.
“Positively 4th Street” — Bob Dylan (1965)
Sticking to the NYC Village theme, the next song from Bob Dylan teleports us to 1960s New York.
Honestly, it’s one of my favorite time periods to imagine living for a day. The Gaslight Cafe would have been sick.
“Green, Green Rocky Road’ — Oscar Isaac (2013)
If you didn’t know Oscar Isaac is also a gifted musician, watch Inside Llewyn Davis, the Coen brother’s movie this song is from.
Isaac plays a folk singer hustling to make it happen without selling out in 1960s NYC. It’s probably one of the best movies of the 2010s. (JFYI it’s free to watch for Amazon Prime subscribers now!)
“Baltimore” — Nina Simone (1978)
Sung by the amazing Simone, and originally written by the great Randy Newman, this song gives us a picturesque escape to Baltimore.
“The House That Jack Built” — Aretha Franklin (1985)
Aretha Franklin is one of the best singers ever. This song is about building a house and creating a home. What more could earn inclusion on a list like this? 🏡
“Valerie” — Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse (2007)
This cover by Whinehouse is one of those songs that just brings joy. It uses the imagery of the singer’s home and other places to tell the story of a complicated relationship.
“Mercedes Benz” — Janis Joplin (1971)
Consumerism is a major theme of urban life. This song is all about rejecting that idea and uses a Mercedes Benz to make the case. Joplin is also iconic and the world lost her far too soon, like Amy Whinehouse.
“Cleveland Rocks” — The Presidents of the United States (1998)
This song immediately makes me want to hop on a plane and go visit Cleveland, which isn’t something I can say I feel often. Also, this was the theme song for The Drew Carrey Show for a run!
“Rockin’ the Suburbs” — Ben Folds (2001)
Like the Arcade Fire song, Ben Folds song is a critique on suburban life though not as sophisticated as Arcade Fire.
“Waking Up in Vegas” — Katy Perry (2008)
Katy Perry is undoubtedly one of the biggest pop stars of our time. This throwback is a fun song that can take you to Vegas almost as the movie Swingers can. 💰
“San Francisco” — The Mowgli’s (2013)
We had to give San Francisco a song and we love this one from The Mowgli’s. Just read the lyrics:
Well, I lost my head in San Francisco
Waiting for the fog to roll out
But I found it in a rain cloud
It was smiling down
“Private Idaho” — The B-52’s (1978)
Never been to Idaho — The B-52’s had never been either when they wrote this song — but this song is a jam about the mystery of Idaho.
“Philadelphia Freedom” — Elton John (1975)
I love that a British man is able to capture the raw spirit and energy of Philly in this song. Sir Elton John is also all-time so we needed one song from the great.
“Fall in Philadelphia” — Hall & Oats (1972)
Another fun Philadelphia tune captured by a group formed in Philly.
“Miami” — Will Smith (1997)
Damn, this song makes me really want to head to Miami when Covid is over.
Also, does it feel like we sleep on the fact Will Smith was a good rapper? Feels like something we don’t talk about enough!
“Crazy Train” — Ozzy Osborne (1980)
Another tune about a train! Very different vibes than Johnny Cash though. 🚞
“Welcome to Atlanta” — Jermaine Dupri (2001)
Atlanta’s music history is so rich that we wanted to include a song that captures the city’s spirit and this song I think does it. It’s energizing and a great 2000s throwback.
“Kokomo” — The Beach Boys (1988)
Had to include one song of this nature. If you need a song to feel like you’re on a tropical vacation, we got you with this one: 🏝
“Hometown Glory” — Adele (2008)
Songs about hometowns and the trials returning to them seem to be pretty rich material for musicians. Adele tells us a beautiful story, even if it’s sad: 💔
“Homecoming” — Kanye West and Chris Martin (2007)
Like I said, coming home is rich material for artists. This jam invokes Kanye’s home of Chicago with all the grace that makes him such a compelling artist despite being controversial.
“Summer Friends” — Chance the Rapper (2015)
A more somber song about Chicago, but such a beautiful song from Chance. The song is about Chance’s childhood in Chicago and the violence that his community experiences every summer. It’s pretty much perfection.
“California Love” — Tupac (1995)
One of my personal favorite songs about California. Tupac defines the West Coast rap style so this one was a must include when Urban Tech began to build our list.
“California” — Phantom Planet (2002)
Okay, real talk: yes the O.C. is one of my favorite guilty pleasure shows — even if you hated it, the show was undeniably fantastic at its choice of music!
The theme song is one of my favorite show themes ever. I’m not going to pretend I don’t love it.
This song from California paints a vivid picture and tells a good story which is all we ask of a song for this playlist.
“Carolina In My Mind” — James Taylor (1969)
James Taylor knows how to send you to a picturesque Carolina with this one.
“Tulsa Time” — Eric Clapton (1980)
Another fun live song from one of the best musicians alive. You feel with the crowd in this one.
“Rocky Mountain High” — John Denver (1972)
This is a song on the playlist that doesn’t have urban influences, but Denver is inspired by a place for the song, so it fits.
“Glory Days” — Bruce Springsteen (1984)
Urban Tech has a large Jersey constituency among our readers, so it would have felt like a sin to leave off a song from The Boss, who has used cities as inspiration over his career.
This is another song about a hometown — like I said hometowns are compelling subjects! 🇺🇸
“Another Hundred People” — Stephen Sondheim (1970)
My personal favorite show tune on this list. New York City was a muse for Sondheim throughout his career and this song gives a small part of theatre when you listen. 🎶
“American Life” — Madonna (2003)
Madonna singing about the values of modern American life is always going to be great stuff. There’s a reason we only refer to her by “Madonna” and not her full name!
“Free Fallin’ ” — John Mayer (2008)
This song created by the late Tom Petty tells the story of scenes he saw on drives along Ventura Boulevard in LA.
“For What It’s Worth” — Buffalo Springfield (1996)
A personal favorite of mine on this playlist. The song was inspired by riots in LA during the 60s.
“No Sleep Till Brooklyn” — Beastie Boys (1986)
Okay, this one is probably another influenced by me living in Brooklyn. This song makes me dream of going to some of my favorite Brooklyn bars next time I’m in NYC and it’s not a pandemic…
“Saturday in the Park” — Chicago (1972)
I want to leave you with this jam to end our playlist. Partly because it lets me drop a trivia fun fact:
Chicago began as a band calling themselves the Chicago Transit Authority in 1968 before shortening the name in 1969.
Urban Tech wishes they would have kept the original!!
The other reason I wanted to end with this one is parks are one of my favorite things in any city. This final note is one of optimism for when we can all spend our days in the amazing parks again.
Thank you for reading this week’s edition. I know it was different from anything we’ve done at Urban Tech before. Please share the playlist far and wide!