a new york love.

as some of you know, i have a crazy love for new york city.

i've been known to write love notes to her,

i have a chance to visit often,

and even tho she stole away my boy for now,

i can't wait til i'm there permanently...

in the city and with josh.

well luckily, melissa lives there and has given me tons of wonderful tips.

it's really nice to have someone to share that in common with.

so enjoy her guest post, about one of the greatest cities in my country:)

...

Hey guys! This is Melissa of “From Brooklyn to Broadway” and I’m honored to share a guest post here on Nicole’s fabulous blog. In honor of my beloved New York City, which also happens to be Josh’s new home, I thought I’d share my favorite musical interpretations of New York. I love music. But really, what kind of statement is that? Everyone in the world loves music, so a good way to indulge in a little Big Apple magic is to listen to some songs about the city. New York’s always been a huge part of pop culture, and countless singers and songwriters have sought to capture it’s exuberance and beauty in music. Here are some of the top tunes to listen to for a virtual trip to the city so nice, they named it twice.

One of the biggies that I’m sure you all know is the classic “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra. Ol’ Blue Eyes knew the excitement of moving to New York and waking up in the “city that never sleep.” He captured the cool, smoky essence of the city in a song that’s known and loved worldwide. A more modern “New York, New York” is the version by Ryan Adams. It’s a completely different song, and also happens to be my very favorite song about the city. A longtime New York resident, Ryan Adams wrote about what it’s like to live in Manhattan. From “I shuffled through the city on the 4^th of July, had a firecracker waiting to blow,” to “I remember Christmas in the blistering cold, in a church on the Upper West Side,” the song speaks of everyday life in the city, and the trials and triumphs that go along with it.

If classic rock’s your thing, then check out “Back in the New York Groove” by Ace Frehley of Kiss fame. It’s a fun, upbeat song about the excitement that comes with getting back to the city after a long time away. If rap’s more your thing, you can’t beat Jay Z’s new “Empire State of Mind.” It’s about the more personal (if not cocky) parts of the city for Jay Z, and gives you a dose of reality for many New Yorkers. If you’re of a fan of singer/songwriter’s, you’ll love “Manhattan From the Sky” by Kate Voegele, a song that relates new love to the grandeur of seeing the New York City skyline from above on your first trip to the area.

Not all songs are about Manhattan though. One of my very favorite songs about the city is actually about my hometown of Brooklyn, which also happens to be the home of the biggest indie rock scene in the country. Bands, actors, musicians, artists, authors… they all call Brooklyn home, and for good reason. It’s an interesting, creative place where art and culture reign supreme. Grizzly Bear, MGMT, The Honorary Title, and Vampire Weekend are just a few of the Brooklyn bands I love, who help to make this the coolest borough of all. The Avett Brother’s “I And Love And You” perfectly captures the essence of Brooklyn as a refuge with lines such as, “Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in; are you aware the state I’m in?” It’s a gorgeous song.

With the holidays fast approaching (can you believe it?!) I have to mention my favorite New York Christmas song. Sure “It’s Christmas Time in the City” is a classic that brings to mind ice skating in Rockefeller Center, but there’s a song that’s more personal and even more beloved, to me at least. That song is “Merry New York Christmas” by Matchbox 20. I adore it and just so happen to listen to it all-year ‘round. It’s the story of how magical New York City truly is around the holidays, and how everyone comes together to help each other out. My favorite line? “Let our mercy be the gifts we lay, from Brooklyn to Broadway, and celebrate each and every single day, of this New York City Christmas.” I love the song so much that I even got my blog title from it!

This city is an incredible place full of landmarks, museums, theaters, parks, galleries, rock clubs and plenty of creative people, so I urge you all to plan a visit as soon as possible if you haven’t already. If a trip isn’t in the cards though, listening to New York-themed music is a great way to visit the city through your own headphones, if even for a short while.

Enjoy!