To celebrate the city that has given so much to us, we asked our staff to name the songs that represent it best. <\/h2>\n
New York City is what you make of it. It\u2019s a city of seemingly endless contradictions, burdened by reputations it couldn\u2019t care less to live up to, with a legacy unlike any other. We were welcomed to New York in 2013, originally trading out of our former Williamsburg space, before relocating to Manhattan in 2021<\/a>. To be embraced by one of the most influential cities in the world, where music history is made nightly and creativity knows no curfew, has been nothing short of humbling. We\u2019re endlessly grateful to call this city home.<\/p>\n Rough Trade NYC<\/a>‘s Dan, Douglas, Jess, Max, Daniela, Truman, Kristi, Jenna, Shawtane, Lucy and George\u00a0<\/strong>share 100 songs <\/strong>to get you in the New York groove, spanning decades, genres, and the five boroughs. Songs from lifelong citizens, fresh-faced newcomers, and outsiders looking in; songs that pay tribute, capture its essence, reveal its imperfections and the city at its best. <\/p>\n Read the team’s highlights below and scroll for the 100-song-strong playlist. <\/p>\n Rough Trade NYC<\/strong><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Visit us at <\/span>Rough Trade Above <\/strong><\/b>and <\/span>Rough Trade Below<\/strong><\/b>. Our dual-store spaces at Rockefeller Center stock a carefully curated range of vinyl, books, specialist merchandise, hardware, audio accessories, plus a varied <\/span>live events programme<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Velvet Underground<\/strong><\/a> – <\/strong>The Velvet Underground & Nico<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n There are New York artists, and then there\u2019s The Velvet Underground<\/strong>. Using clanging pianos to evoke an anxious fervor, I\u2019m Waiting for the Man<\/em> is a stark portrait of heroin use between Lexington and 125th Street. Armed with simplicity and gritty sound and a willingness to confront the darker edges of city life, they remain the perennial New York act. <\/p>\n Beastie Boys<\/strong><\/a> – To the 5 Boroughs<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The Beastie Boys<\/strong> are a New York institution. They were born out of the hardcore scene before recording their debut in Rick Rubin<\/strong>\u2019s NYU dorm room. There are many songs from the trio about their hometown but none as forthright as An Open Letter to NYC<\/em>. One of many tributes to the city in the wake of 9\/11, The Beasties avoided jingoistic traps by concentrating on the underserved communities of New York City. Through this pronounced focus and their unique blend of hip-hop zen philosophy, it\u2019s one of the band\u2019s most mature and reflective statements.<\/p>\n Frank Sinatra <\/strong><\/a>– Trilogy: Past, Present, Future<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n I (Dan<\/strong>) am a die-hard Yankees fan and I still get goosebumps every time.<\/p>\n Frank Sinatra <\/u><\/strong><\/a>– Trilogy: Past, Present, Future<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n I (Eric) am a die-hard Knicks fan and I got goosebumps for the first time. (2026)<\/em><\/p>\n 53 year title drought. 27 years since the Knicks <\/strong>last Finals appearance (against the Spurs no doubt, losing 1-4). Well, it\u2019s 2026 in NYC, against that same team and\u2026 my mayor Muslim, my bagel Jewish, my Christian Dior, Knicks in five. 4-1, your New York Knicks are NBA Champions. Cue the new Nike ad<\/u><\/a>, directed by Josh Safdie<\/strong>, perfectly capturing this momentous New York moment. Chills.<\/p>\n Le Tigre<\/strong><\/a> – <\/strong>Hot Topic<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n An exceptionally upbeat screed against then-Mayor Giuliani\u2019s reign, Le Tigre<\/strong> craft a song as catchy as it is furious. Using the titular Metrocard to tour the effects of the late 90s \u201cquality-of-life\u201d crackdown, Kathleen Hanna<\/strong> decries Giuliani\u2019s attack on the city\u2019s sex workers through an infectious go-go hook.<\/p>\n Gil Scott-Heron<\/strong><\/a> – <\/strong>I’m New Here<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Three years after James Murphy<\/strong> admitted New York was bringing him down, Gil Scott-Heron<\/strong> went for the jugular. Worn down by the exhaustion that comes from a city that never stops moving, Scott-Heron sounds weary, as if he\u2019s trapped in a feeling that the city may no longer be a home. New York has prided itself as a city of blunt honesty, so any list about it is incomplete without a bit of skepticism.<\/p>\n The Strokes<\/strong><\/a> – <\/strong>Is This It<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Not only the title track, but <\/strong>The Strokes<\/strong><\/a>‘ entire first album evokes the city. It became my (Douglas<\/strong>) New York when I moved here. We saw the band play a bunch and those songs will forever sound like an NYC night out. <\/p>\n LCD Soundsystem<\/strong><\/a> –<\/strong> Sound of Silver<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n In our ‘New York Loves Music’ survey, one out of every 10 entries mentioned this song as their favorite about New York.<\/p>\n Ol\u2019 Dirty Bastard<\/strong><\/a> – Dirty Story: The Best Of Odb<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Wu-Tang<\/strong>\u2019s wildcard started his solo career a year after their breakthrough album, Ol\u2019 Dirty Bastard<\/strong>\u2019s debut single Brooklyn Zoo <\/em>was one of his biggest. Shouting out his old crew \u2018Brooklyn Zu\u2019, the track features all of the hallmarks of a great ODB track: his rambling, chaotic flow, RZA<\/strong>\u2019s smooth as silk production, and an uncompromising sense of absurdity.<\/p>\n Living Colour<\/strong><\/a> – <\/strong>Vivid<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “You\u2019ve got to fight for your neighborhood.” Kind of says it all, but especially when belted out by Corey Glover<\/strong> accompanied by a typically jaw dropping Vernon Reid<\/strong> guitar solo.<\/p>\n Prefab Sprout<\/strong><\/a> – <\/em><\/strong>From Langley Park To Memphis<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Originally written to feature Isaac Hayes<\/strong> on vocals, Prefab Sprout<\/strong>\u2019s Hey Manhattan!<\/em> is distinctly from a foreign perspective. Written by an English band for their transatlantic crossover, the sophisti-pop act don\u2019t play coy with. Even as they namedrop Fifth Ave and Frank Sinatra<\/strong> with a wink and a smirk, its depiction of the blissful naivet\u00e9 of arriving in a city ripe with possibilities still rings true.<\/p>\n Harry Styles<\/strong><\/a> – <\/strong>Harry Styles<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Drawing on the contrast of a twangy instrumental and its setting\u2019s urban longing, Ever Since New York<\/em> is a moment of graceful puberty for the former teen idol. Based on a time when Styles<\/strong> received unfortunate news in a Brooklyn hotel, it\u2019s the sight of an artist reaching for maturity that\u2019s finally within their grasp.<\/p>\n Parquet Courts<\/strong><\/a> – Light Up Gold<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Since their inception, Parquet Courts<\/strong> have asserted themselves as one of New York\u2019s best modern bands. Stoned & Starving <\/em>sees the band taking an increasingly paranoid walk through Ridgewood, Queens. The casual stroll turns sour as they sputter out bodega options over a relentless rhythm section before erupting into slacker guitar heroism.<\/p>\n Nina Hagen<\/strong><\/a> – Angstlos<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Nina<\/strong> perfectly captures the essence of a glamorous, chaotic and music-driven night of old New York that we wish still existed today.<\/p>\n Lana Del Rey<\/strong><\/a> – <\/strong>Born To Die<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Juxtaposing the bright lights of New York with the fizzy joys of Diet Mountain Dew, Lana Del Rey<\/strong> hints at something poisonous underneath the surface. One of her most playful compositions, the song similarly goes down easy with its bouncy hip-hop instrumental and dancing piano flourishes.<\/p>\n John Roseboro<\/strong><\/a> – Johnny<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n John Roseboro<\/strong> takes us on a journey through the city that may feel familiar to those of us that ride the subway every day. With his velvety voice and plucky bossa nova guitar, he makes the MTA feel romantic. With lines like “I love the Q ’cause \/ I love the view of Manhattan Bridge” <\/em>and <\/em>“Now my phone just died \/ but I know my way back home,” Roseboro writes a love letter to the routines of New York’s commuters. <\/p>\n Talking Heads<\/strong><\/a> – <\/strong>Speaking in Tongues<\/em><\/strong><\/a> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Few bands reflect the creative melting pot of the CBGB-era like
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I\u2019m Waiting for the Man<\/em><\/h3>\n
An Open Letter to NYC<\/em><\/h3>\n
New York, New York<\/em><\/h3>\n
New York, New York<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Turnstiles<\/em><\/h2>\n
Billy Joel<\/u><\/em><\/a> <\/em><\/h3>\n
My My Metrocard<\/em><\/h3>\n
New York Is Killing Me<\/em><\/h3>\n
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New York City Cops<\/em><\/h3>\n
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New York I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down<\/em><\/h3>\n
Brooklyn Zoo<\/em><\/h3>\n
Open Letter (To A Landlord)<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Hey Manhattan!<\/em><\/h3>\n
Ever Since New York<\/em><\/h3>\n
Stoned and Starving<\/em><\/h3>\n
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New York \/ N.Y.<\/em><\/h3>\n
Diet Mountain Dew<\/em><\/h3>\n
I Took the L<\/em><\/h3>\n
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This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)<\/em><\/h3>\n