11.6: Sound of the City

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Music is an outstanding medium through which we can experience the sense of place associated with cities. Many songs evoke pride in a city. Others serve as reminders of well-known locations – especially to those homesick for familiar faces, streets, flavors, smells, and sounds. Cities are often anthropomorphized by songwriters who think of them as friends or even lovers. Anthony Kiedis of the Los Angeles based band, The Red Hot Chili Peppers sang, “Sometimes I feel that my only friend is the city I live in, the City of Angels. Lonely as I am, together we cry...” Although the song is about drug addiction, it serves as a powerful reminder of the emotional investment many people have with their cities. Wikipedia lists nearly 1,600 songs about Los Angeles alone, so anything more than a cursory listen is impossible. It is interesting to note that rap music lyricists often write prolifically about their cities, indicating the neighborhood/tribal origins of the music discussed earlier in this text. In the table below are a few well-known urban anthems, often heard at (tribal) sporting events to enhance the emotional bonds people have with their cities.