Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
John Turner Layton Jr. and Henry Creamer first transported music lovers to “the land of dreamy dreams” in 1922.
New Orleans Bump
Jelly Roll Morton recorded the jaunty yet melancholy piece with his orchestra in 1929, but close your eyes and you can imagine it’s Frenchmen Street 2016. Gorgeous.
Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?
Written by Eddie DeLange and Louis Alter,the wistful love song to a city was first performed by Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong in the 1947 movie "New Orleans."
The Battle of New Orleans
The oddly comical description of the failed 1815 British invasion was written by Jimmy Driftwood and made a novelty hit by Johnny Horton in 1959. The Ed Sullivan Show production is a just plain weird.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans (You Better Go See the Mardi Gras)
For 60years, no Carnival season has passed without the playing of Professor Longhair's syncopated masterpiece. Love the whistling in the original, but I picked this lively Harry Connick Jr. cover becausethere's no video of Fess' rendition.
Walking to New Orleans
A 1960 hit penned by Bobby Charles and recorded by Fats Domino in which the rhythm of the song brilliantly matches an imaginary moseying cadence.
No City Like New Orleans
R&B icon Earl King’s loping paean to the food, music, ladies and celebrations of the city, covered here by George Porter Jr. and his Runnin' Partners. Incidentally, King may have contributed the whistling to Professor Longhair’s “Mardi Gras in New Orleans,” or so I read.
(Take a Trip With Me Down to) New Orleans
Gary U.S. Bonds says it all in 10little words: “If you ain’t been to heaven, then you ain’t been there.”
Boy From New Orleans
Louis Armstrong’s autobiographical recollection of his hometown, sung more or less to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In” and recorded the year he died.
The City of New Orleans
True, the 1971 folk song written by Steve Goodman and recorded by Arlo Guthrie is actually about a train, but the poignant lyrics have achieved a poetic relationship with our city, wouldn't you agree?
Talkin' About New Orleans
The Meters’ odd harmony behind Cyril Neville's lead vocals lends this exercise in funk a slightly eerie edge.
I Wish I Was in New Orleans
Tom Waits’ growling 1977 plea to return to the streets of the French Quarter, or possibly even the gutter. Maybe a touch too lachrymose, but I still dig it.
New Orleans Ladies
Written by Hoyt Garrick with a contribution by Leon Medica, the orchestral earworm became an inescapable local smash in 1978 for the band Louisiana’s LeRoux. Abit cheese-dipped perhaps, but I still love it.
My Dawlin' New Orleans
Starting off with some beat poetry, Lil’ Queenie's 1970s anthem was written on behalf of all of us who’ve been irreversibly smitten and/or bitten by the city.
When You Go to New Orleans
Part of the mighty Neville Brothers’ concert repertoire that kept us sweating on the dance floor through the 1980s and 90s.
Country Boy Down In New Orleans
N.O. Block Party (They Don't Like That)
Partners N Crime partnered with DJ Jubilee (pictured) to create this upbeat 1996 track based in part on the Dixie Cups' "Iko Iko." Note, there's some adult language.Here's a link.
Goin' Back To New Orleans
Dr. John gives homesickness a Latin flair.
Ain't No City (Like the One I Got)
This standard for the The Original Pinettes Brass Band could be a 21st-century bookend to Earl King's mid-20th century "No City Like New Orleans." True, the words "New Orleans" don't appear in the title. It's just assumed, right?
N.O. Bounce
Big Freedia, the Queen of the Queen City of the South, sets backfields in motion with this high-energy chant.Here's a link to the whole song.
What's your favorite 'New Orleans' song?
The above songs are in chronological order. With one exception, they include the words New Orleans or some derivation in the title. Do you approve of the list? Please feel free to fill me in or set me straight in the comment stream. If you make a good case, I'll add your song to the batch.
Here come your picks for best "New Orleans" song. That is, a song with the words "New Orleans" or some derivation in the title.
King of New Orleans
NOLA.com commenterthedeepend2 proposed the 2011 Better than Ezra ballad. Thank you, thedeepend2.
Crescent City Snow
NOLA.com commenter atpontchrtrn contributed Susan Cowsill's epic of longing. I consider the use of "Crescent City" in the title to qualify the song for this list. Anyone disagree?
Crescent City
NOLA.com commenter fgboy contributed this nostalgic Lucinda William country/folk gem. Thanks.
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Drop Me Off in New Orleans
I Am the Big Easy
"So I will boil it down to one "Post Katrina" song that I think really speaks to those who came back to rebuild the city after the the storm had passed," wroteNOLA.com commenter Dennis_Schaibly as he contributed this complex rhyme by Ray Bonneville.
Christmastime in New Orleans
NOLA.com commenter jellynola wrote: "Christmastime in New Orleans is always on my holiday playlist- but I hum it all year"
