New York is basically regarded as being the greatest city ever. It’s an easy thing to question, but then you do something like compile a chronological playlist of songs by New York City musicians (and a couple of transplants) over the past 50 years and realize; yeah, this city is pretty alright.

~ Caitlyn Holroyd

1962: Peter, Paul & Mary – “If I Had A Hammer”

1963: The Crystals – “Da Doo Ron Ron”

1964: The Drifters – “Under The Boardwalk”

1965: Bob Dylan – “Like A Rolling Stone”

1966: The Lovin’ Spoonful – “Daydream”

1967: Velvet Underground – “Heroin”

1968: The Mamas & The Papas – “Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)”

1969: Neil Diamond – “Sweet Caroline”

1970: Simon & Garfunkel – “The Only Living Boy In New York”

1971: Don McLean – “American Pie”

1972: Carly Simon – “You’re So Vain”

1973: New York Dolls – “Personality Crisis”

1974: Lou Reed – “Ride Sally Ride”

1975: Patti Smith – “Gloria”

1976: Blue Öyster Cult – “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”

1977: The Ramones – “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker”

1978: Blondie – “Heart Of Glass”

1979: Kiss – “I Was Made for Loving You”

1980: Talking Heads – “Once In A Lifetime”

1981: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll”

1982: Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – “The Message”

1983: Cyndi Lauper – “She Bop”

1984: Run-D.M.C. – “It’s Like That”

1985: LL Cool J – “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”

1986: Beastie Boys – “No Sleep Till Brooklyn”

1987: Sonic Youth – “Schizophrenia”

1988: They Might Be Giants – “Ana Ng”

1989: Public Enemy – “Fight The Power”

1990: Deee-Lite – “Groove Is In The Heart”

1991: A Tribe Called Quest – “Check The Rhime”

1992: Moby – “Go”

1993: Wu-Tang Clan – “Protect Ya Neck”

1994: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – “Flavor”

1995: Mariah Carey – “Fantasy”

1996: Busta Rhymes – “Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check”

1997: The Notorious B.I.G. – “Hypnotize”

1998: Jay Z – “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)”

1999: Le Tigre – “Deceptacon”

2000: Les Savy Fav – “In These Woods”

2001: The Strokes – “Last Nite”

2002: Interpol – “Obstacle 1”

2003: The Rapture – “Echoes”

2004: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Y Control”

2005: The Bravery – “An Honest Mistake”

2006: Grizzly Bear – “Knife”

2007: MGMT – “Kids”

2008: Lady Gaga – “Poker Face”

2009: The Dirty Projectors – “Stillness Is The Move”

2010: LCD Soundsystem – “Dance Yrself Clean”

2011: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – “Belong”

2012: Sleigh Bells – “Comeback Kid”