Museum exhibit focuses on 100 songs about NYC from Sinatra to Lil’ Kim, and everything in between

A Musical Journey Through the Heart of New York City

Imagine stepping into a vibrant, immersive celebration of New York City’s iconic soundtrack. The Museum of the City of New York has unveiled an extraordinary interactive exhibit titled "Songs of New York: 100 Years of Imagining the City Through Music," which invites visitors to experience the city’s storied history through its most beloved and enduring songs. From the jazz standards of Frank Sinatra to the hip-hop anthems of the Wu-Tang Clan, this exhibit is a living, breathing tribute to the city that has inspired generations of musicians and artists.

The Vision Behind the Exhibit: More Than Just a Tribute

Curator Lilly Tuttle explains that the exhibit is not merely a celebration of New York’s greatness but a deeper exploration of how the city evokes strong emotions and serves as a catalyst for creativity. “We did not need this exhibition to praise New York,” Tuttle shared, “but to talk about the way in which New York inspires really strong feelings.” The exhibit, which first debuted in 2023 during the museum’s centennial celebration, has returned by popular demand, now housed in its own dedicated gallery. This space offers visitors the opportunity to interact with a dynamic map of New York, triggering songs from each borough through movement. The result is a sensory experience that feels as frenetic and diverse as the city itself.

A Century of Music, Narrowed Down to 130 Tracks

The exhibit’s playlist is a carefully curated selection of 130 songs, representing a wide range of genres, boroughs, and time periods. Tuttle and her team began with a much larger list, which they painstakingly narrowed down to ensure diversity and depth. “We were trying to make sure we had borough diversity, time period—just hitting all the different markers that we wanted to hit, to give you this fly-through of time and space and style,” Tuttle recounted. The final playlist spans the 20th and 21st centuries, featuring iconic tracks like Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Only Living Boy in New York,” Lil’ Kim’s “Crush on You,” and LCD Soundsystem’s “New York, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down.” For those who want to take the experience home, the museum has also released an accompanying Spotify playlist.

Hidden Gems and Modern Classics

Among the playlist’s highlights are lesser-known tracks that reveal the city’s rich musical heritage. For example, Willie Colón’s 1970s salsa hit “Nueva York” captures the vibrant energy of the Bronx and Harlem during the height of the salsa movement. Meanwhile, contemporary artists like rapper LeiKeli47, with her 2017 track “Hoyt & Schermerhorn,” bring a modern edge to the collection. These selections remind visitors that New York’s musical legacy is not just about its famous landmarks but also about the lesser-known stories and voices that shape its cultural identity.

Photography and Visual Storytelling

The exhibit is not just about sound; it’s also a visual feast. The museum has drawn from its own collection to showcase photographs that document New York’s musical eras, from the birth of hip-hop to the heyday of punk rock. Works by photographers like Allan Tannenbaum, Joe Conzo, Fred W. McDarrah, and Jannette Beckman bring to life the city’s iconic figures, such as the Velvet Underground, Louis Armstrong, and Héctor Lavoe. Together, the images and the music create a multi-sensory narrative that immerses visitors in the city’s artistic history.

An Interactive Experience That Mirrors the City’s Energy

What makes “Songs of New York” truly unique is its interactive design. Visitors trigger songs by stepping on different parts of the map, creating an unpredictable and dynamic experience. As Tuttle describes, “You get these odd juxtapositions—like Frank Sinatra and the Wu-Tang Clan.” This chaotic yet harmonious blending of styles reflects the city’s own chaotic beauty. The exhibit is not just a collection of songs; it’s a living, breathing celebration of New York’s ability to inspire, provoke, and unite people. By the end of the journey, visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for the city’s enduring role as a muse for artists and musicians alike.