A Journey through Popular Songs about Places

The best keepsakes from our traveling are, without a doubt, the memories. And we are not referring to those typical souvenirs made in China, or those trendy sunglasses from Milan but to what stays in our mind. A walk with our beloved down the Parisian Champs Élysées, the taste of real Italian pizza in Rome, an exciting NBA game, or a camel ride through the dream-like Sahara desert: those are the things worth storing.

Songs take us back to certain moments of sadness, happiness, excitement, anger and also to places we’ve visited with our friends, family or partner. What could be better than playing them in our car on our way to work to start the morning right, or on our way to a party? Here are some songs that may make you cry or smile…

California Dreamin’ (The Mamas & The Papas)

In 1965, an American band released one of the hits that put them on a par with other bands on the rise like The Beach Boys. It was a song about the longing Michelle Phillips, the band’s vocalist, felt for California. Its lyrics speak of gray skies on a winter’s day and the longing for the warm weather of the Southern US West Coast. A classic that still has faithful followers.

 

 

Budapest (George Ezra)

Written a couple of years ago, this song became an international hit for its writer, Englishman George Ezra, who based his song on a planned trip to Budapest while sailing around Europe. In it he mentions a number of things he doesn’t own but would gladly give to a girl, which gives it a romantic edge. The lyrics are rather simple but the tune is very catchy.

 

Back in the USSR (The Beatles)

Back in the USSR is the opening number in the double album by this uber-popular English band: The White Album released in1968. This song generated problems with certain right-wing and anti-communist sectors that accused The Beatles of being a pro-soviet band. The lyrics talk about a dreadful flight between the US and the USSR, and mention the beauty of soviet women, the sound of the balalaikas (a Russian musical instrument) and how it’s good to be back home. It is also a tribute to Chuck Berry’s Back in the USA and California Girls by The Beach Boys.

 

Oh Africa (Akon)

Africa could not be missing on our list! This time it’s the turn of a charity single written by Akon and Keri Hilson to raise funds for African children. Its music video contributed to making this song an absolute success, and in it you’ll find characters of the likes of Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres, as well as the Soweto Gospel Choir, an internationally acclaimed South African band.

 

Paris (La Oreja de Van Gogh)

Supposedly written during a trip between Donosti (San Sebastián), the band’s birth town and Paris, the lyrics of this song talk about a love story in the French capital. Paris delves deep into the mind of a nostalgic woman that wonders why her lover left her without saying goodbye. A romantic song that did very well when it was first released in the year 2000.

 

Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down (Alicia Keys)

The sequel to Jay-Z’s and Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind. This song is the New York-born singer’s solo version that leaves us in total awe of her amazing voice. It’s part of her Element of Freedom album released in 2009. In the words of Alicia Keys, she chose to record her own version of the song because she wanted to express her personal feelings about New York. And she really succeeded in doing so, taking us through such emotion-provoking and characteristic places like Broadway, Harlem, the Brooklyn Bridge and some of NY’s best known avenues. Who wouldn’t fall in love with this beautiful melody?