US musicians blow their own trumpets for tourism
Tips and Articles
Top 4 pop songs of 2010 championing US cities
NYC over Hudson River (Stephanie Corsetti)
Forgot your USA Lonely Planet guide? Lacking Internet access while traveling? Don’t fret, these days backpackers can rely on their playlists for advice on where to visit in the USA. With a recent influx of American musicians paying homage to the best cities in the United States, here are four tracks to download and listen to for musical advice during your next USA adventure:
1. Empire State of Mind, Part II (Alicia Keys and Jay Z)
Not since crooner Frank Sinatra has a song about the magnificent New York re-defined this city. Empire State of Mind paints an authentic picture of New York. Rather than focusing on tourist attractions, Jay Z pays tribute to the beating heart of the city and the struggling dreamers who inhabit it. Alicia Keys sings of gypsy cabs driving from Harlem to the Brooklyn bridge and gives praise to this American spectacle of bright lights and tall buildings. In a city where everyone desires fame, Jay Z gives useful warnings to wannabes about “rap stars addicted to the limelight” and “good girls gone bad.”
Most inspiring lyric: “Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade, long live the king yo I’m from the Empire State that’s New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of…”2. I’m in Miami (Lmfao)
Unlike Jay Z’s deep rhymes, this dance tune lacks substance, which is somewhat reflective of Miami itself. On the surface, Miami is fun, fresh and sexy with stunning South Beach, beautiful multicultural people and excellent public transport. The Florida weather is tropical, ideal for “polka dot bikinis” and the water is amazingly warm, but take this song’s advice with caution. There is a ‘look-at-me’ mentality in Miami. Remember there are other activities to do besides drinking, dancing and playing “naked twister.”
Lyrics to take with a grain of salt: “Drink all day, play all night, let’s get it poppin’. I’m in Miami bi*#h!”3. California Gurls (Katy Perry)
Katy Perry proudly flies the flag for the women of California. They strut like “Daisy dukes” in stilettoes flaunting their “sun-kissed skin” and “laying underneath the palm trees.” Perry neglects to mention the joys of travelling the Pacific Coast Highway and the Hollywood vibe of this state, which are both prominent parts of California.
The tourism campaign slogan: “You could travel the world, but nothing comes close to the Golden Coast. Once you party with us, you’ll be falling in love.”4. Save Me San Francisco (Train)
Staying in the state of California, Train are certainly not the band to ask for directions around San Francisco. Unfortunately, their understated lyrics fail to give the ”city by the bay” the credit it deserves. Train list different musical genres; reggae, calypso, rock n’ roll and disco, capturing the creative pulse of San Fran but they are underwhelmed by historical island Alcatraz which “don’t sound so bad.”
Clever lyric: “Everyday so caffeinated, I wish they were Golden Gated”.
San Francisco from the Coit Tower (Stephanie Corsetti)
