Ah, Philadelphia. The city large enough to get mentioned in songs by internationally acclaimed artists, and to produce plenty of internationally acclaimed artists of it's own (I learned of more than a few while making this list). But small enough (?!?) to get passed over for overgrown towns (I'm looking at you, Phoenix) on waaay to many "Large City Statistics" graphs and charts.
Here's a list of some of the most famous song lyrics that mention Philadelphia, plus a few songs that might leave Philly out of the lyrics, but are obviously about the city of Brotherly Love. Read on and see if you can catch the neighborhood references.
I-76 - G Love and Special Sauce
The only song on this list to give specific travel advice, G Love and Special Sauce's I-76 is a tour through Philadelphia roadways. It even gives a shout-out to the Philadelphia 76ers.
And then it's off to center city in the fastest way
'Cause if you've gotta get downtown real quick
Then the only way to go is I-76
Unless of course you want to take that scenic view
Then East or West River Drive is right for you
But if you ain't got any time to lose
Put the pedal to the metal for that voyage cruise
And get on down to I-76
Philadelphia - Neil Young
This love song, originally written for the movie "Philadelphia", focuses on being proud of one's love.
Love lasts forever
Someone is talking to me
Calling my name
Tell me I'm not to blame
I won't be ashamed of love
Philadelphia
City of brotherly love
Brotherly love
Theme Song, The Fresh Prince of Bell Air - Will Smith
One of my guitar students used to live in a house that overlooked the basketball court where Will Smith hits the Rock in the opening credits of Fresh Prince (not to be confused with when Will Smith hits Chris Rock at the Academy Awards). And this song mentions West Philadelphia specifically, which is where I give guitar lessons.
In West Philadelphia born and raised
On the playground was where I spent most of my days
Chillin' out, maxin', relaxin', all cool
And all shootin' some b-ball outside of the school
When a couple of guys who were up to no good
Started making trouble in my neighborhood
I got in one little fight and my mom got scared
She said, "You're movin' with your auntie and uncle in Bel-Air
Streets of Philadelphia - Bruce Springsteen
The night has fallen, I'm lyin' awake
I can feel myself fading away
So receive me brother with your faithless kiss
Or will we leave each other alone like this
On the streets of Philadelphia?
Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show
This major hit by Old Crow Medicine Show makes mention of Philadelphia. The lyrics are slightly ambiguous; did the narrator actually set foot in the City of Brotherly Love, or did they simple meet someone from Philadelphia? You decide.
Walkin' to the south out of Roanoke
I caught a trucker out of Philly, had a nice long toke
But he's a-headin' west from the Cumberland Gap
To Johnson City, Tennessee
And I gotta get a move on before the sun
I hear my baby callin' my name and I know that she's the only one
And if I died in Raleigh, at least I will die free
Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John
Check out the album art and purchase on Amazon
Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin spun the name of the short-lived Philadelphia Freedom professional tennis team into a number 1 hit in the mid 1970s. This was done as a favor to Taupin's friend and member of the Freedom, Bellie Jean King.
This song wins points for it's numerous references to our fair city, but is deducted because is it really about Philly?
Oh, Philadelphia freedom
Shine on me, I love ya
Shine a light through the eyes of the ones left behind
Shine a light, shine the light
Shine the light, won't you shine the light?
Philadelphia freedom, I love ya
Yes, I do
Summertime - Will Smith
It's no surprise that this slappin' tune from Philadelphia Music Icon Will Smith hits hard on Philly neighborhood references. Yes, I'm again referencing Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.
The weather is hot and girls are dressin' less
And checkin' out the fellas to tell 'em who's best
Ridin' around in your jeep or your Benzos
Or in your Nissan sittin' on Lorenzo's
Back in Philly we be out in the park
A place called the plateau is where everybody goes
Guys out huntin' and girls doin' likewise
Honkin' at the honey in front of you with the light eyes
Dreams and Nightmares - Meek Mill
Don't mess with Philly. Meek Mill knows.
I'm ridin' around my city with my hand strapped on my toast
'Cause these niggas want me dead and I gotta make it back home
Punk Rock Girl - The Dead Milkmen
Another huge musical act inextricably tied to Philadelphia, where they were founded. Referencing two icon Philly commercial locales (both now closed).
One Saturday I took a walk to Zipperhead
I met a girl there and she almost knocked me dead...
We went to the Philly Pizza Company and ordered some hot tea
The waitress said "well no, we only have it iced
Dancing in the Street - Martha and The Vandellas
Just a casual call-out. Nothing to get excited about here. Could easily replace it with Phoenix, Arizona and no one would notice.
It's just an invitation across the nation
A chance for folks to meet
There'll be laughing, singing and music swinging
Dancing in the street
Philadelphia, PA (dancing in the street)
Baltimore and D.C. now (dancing in the street)
Can't forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
Motown Philly - Boyz II Men
Another musical act from Philly, and it shows, with specific mentions of that only those familiar with Philly would get. Many references to Philly, but most are pretty vague. Here's some of the most specific ones.
It's long overdue but now
Philly is slammin'
Boyz II Men, ABC, BBD
The East Coast family
Never skipped a beat (nah)
While cooling on South street
Jet black Benz, plenty of friends
And all the Philly steaks you can eat
You Got Me - The Roots
Ok, another famous musical act formed in Philly, and showing some deep knowledge of West Philly, where Questlove and guest vocalist Eve both grew up. There is a large Ethiopian and Eritrean community in West Philly. In fact, there are 3 Ethiopian restaurants on Baltimore Ave between 45th and 47th street (and another one a few blocks up 45th!). In fact, one of them is right across the street from Good Music Academy.
Until I'm overseas on tour and peeped this Ethiopian
Queen from Philly takin' classes abroad
She studyin' film and photo; flash, focus, record...
Time passed, we back in Philly, now she up in my spot (Uh-huh)
Tellin' me the things I'm tellin' her is makin' her hot (Uh-huh)
Beat Up Guitar - The Hooters
Another Philly act, and more specific references to Philly neighborhoods.
You lived on Vine Street
I lived at home...
You and I will ride away
From the town that rocked the nation
Philadelphia, PA...
Kensington Station, we sat on the tracks
I wrote you a song
The one you knew it was flat...
You can't get to Heaven on the Frankford El
Fall in Philadelphia - Hall and Oats
Yes, they're from Philly, but these lyrics are just a passing mention.
I think I feel my back up against the wall
I'm gonna spend another Fall In Philadelphia
Freedom of 76 - Ween
Purchase on Amazonhttps://amzn.to/3A6yHPH
Finally. A band that is not from Philadelphia that knows a thing or two about the city! Oh, what's that? They're from New Hope? That explains it.
Also, what is a bacon steak?
Side note: Doesn't mention Philly by name.
A ho on South Street hired for tricks
Little girls pickin' up sticks...
Liberty bell cracked in half
A bacon steak
A perfect match
Freedom of '76...
"Mannequin" was filmed at Woolworth's
Boyz II Men still keepin' up the beat...
Fairmount Park in the summer
Lookin' good on the street
Came Out Swinging - The Wonder Years
I had never heard of this band, but these guys are my age and grew up in Lansdale, like I did. Judging by the lyrics, I'm guessing we had similar ventures in to the city from this far-flung suburb (exurb?):
I came out swinging from a South Philly basement
Caked in stale beer and sweat under half-lit fluorescents
And I spent the winter writing songs about getting better
Well, if I'm being honest, I'm getting there
South Philly - Cayetana
Ok, I'm getting old. This is another successful band from Philly that I've never heard of.
No lyrics here, because, while the title suggests otherwise, there is nothing specific to Philly or any Philly neighborhood mentioned in the song. But, hey, at least its in the title, right?
Night Train - James Brown
Like Dancin' in the Street, this is merely an East Coast geography lesson. At least Phoenix couldn't replace us here.
Baltimore, Maryland
Philadelphia
New York City
Take it home
And don't forget New Orleans
The Home of The Blues.
Off To Philadelphia - John McCormack
With a title like that, you'd expect some specifics about Philly. But no, this ones about emigrating to Philadelphia; something quite appealing to early 20th century Irish crooner John McCormack and his fellow Irishman due to Philly's large Irish population. Take note of the Irish goodbye in this one:
With me bundle on me shoulder,
Faith! there's no man could be boulder.
For I'm lavin' dear old Ireland widout warnin'
For I latrely took the notion
For to cross the briny ocean
And I shtart for Philadelphia in the mornin'
Paris of Nowhere - The Wonder Years
Another entry by The New Hope group, again with no mention of Philly specifically. But it's hard to miss the references.
We're building shrines to Saint Nick Foles
In the churches, in the alleyways
I watched the river overflow
From the Schuylkill in the pouring rain
I'm alone in the house where your sister died
On the block that you lived your entire life
And I takе the same train I did at nineteen
And wе danced on the benches in an empty Market East
Throw me into the Delaware
And leave me down at the bottom there
The black lung of the east coast
The Paris of nowhere
Into the Delaware
And leave me down at the bottom there
Desperate, kind, and cutthroat
The Paris of nowhere
Looking for more Philly Trivia?
You'll have to go somewhere else. This website is about guitar lessons in Philly, not Philly trivia. Just keeping it real.
