Top 7 Most Famous Music Videos Shot in New York City

New York City, with its electrifying energy and iconic landscapes, has been a muse for many artists. It’s no surprise that the city has served as the backdrop for numerous music videos. From skyscrapers to subways, Central Park to Times Square, NYC’s multifaceted charm has been immortalized in these videos. Here’s a walk through seven of the most famous music videos shot amidst the urban grandeur of the Big Apple.

7. “New York, New York” – Ryan Adams (2001)

Director: Norwood Cheek
YouTube Views: Over 3 million
Insight: The video was filmed on September 7, 2001, just four days before the tragic events of 9/11. Given this timing, the video offers one of the last visual records of the World Trade Center towers standing intact. Initially, there were discussions about whether to release the video after the attacks. Ultimately, it was decided to proceed with the video dedicated to those who lost their lives on September 11. This dedication made the video not just a love letter to New York City but also a tribute to resilience, loss, and remembrance.

6. “Bad Boy” – Madonna (1992)

Director: David Fincher
YouTube Views: Over 10 million
Insight: The video possesses a narrative, almost film-like structure, rather than a series of abstract or loosely connected images. This approach was fairly characteristic of many of Madonna’s music videos, as they often told intricate stories. In the video, Madonna portrays a high-powered yet deeply troubled Manhattan executive who engages in a series of one-night stands as a form of escapism from her emotional pain and loneliness. Her behavior becomes increasingly self-destructive as the video progresses.

5. “Waiting on a Friend” – The Rolling Stones (1981)

Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg
YouTube Views: Over 46 million
Insight: Unlike many other music videos, there’s no intricate plot or drama unfolding. Jagger is seen waiting for his bandmate Keith Richards. Once they meet up, the two walk together to a bar where the other members of The Rolling Stones are waiting. The video beautifully underscores the song’s theme of valuing friendship over romance. The video captures the unmistakable ambiance of New York City in the early 1980s. The streets, the people, the storefronts – all evoke a specific time and place in the city’s history.

4. “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” – Beastie Boys (1987)

Director: Ric Menello and Adam Dubin
YouTube Views: over 51 million
Insight: The video parodies glam metal and hair band performance videos of the time. It commences with a fictional music promoter disapproving of the Beastie Boys’ style, after which the band crashes a glam metal performance, showcasing the contrast between the two genres. Slayer guitarist Kerry King makes an appearance in the video, further emphasizing the rock and metal connection. He plays the guitar solo in the track and can be seen in the video delivering that solo while in a cage. The video offers a humorous look at the life of a touring band, including scenes of the Beastie Boys playing to an excited crowd, getting into various antics backstage, and encountering enthusiastic groupies.

3. “Empire State of Mind” – Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys (2009)

Director: Hype Williams
YouTube Views: Over 182 million
Insight: The video stands as a visual journey through New York City, highlighting its iconic landmarks. The imagery includes skyscrapers, subways, Times Square, and the unmistakable New York City skyline. These scenes celebrate the city’s grandeur and pulse. Interwoven with these grand visuals are shots of everyday people – the heartbeat of the city. We see kids playing basketball, street scenes, taxi drivers, and residents going about their daily lives, emphasizing that New York is as much about its people as its iconic structures. Jay-Z is seen rapping in various locales throughout the city, underscoring his personal connection and journey with NYC. Alicia Keys, on the other hand, passionately plays the piano and sings the infectious chorus with the city skyline serving as a majestic backdrop.

2. “Doo Wop (That Thing)” – Lauryn Hill (1998)

Director: Big TV!
YouTube Views: Over 172 million
Insight: One of the most striking aspects of the video is its split-screen format. On one side, Hill is portrayed in the 1960s, and on the other, she’s shown in the late 1990s. The simultaneous portrayal of these two eras underscores the song’s message about timeless relationship issues, illustrating that while styles and contexts change, certain challenges and dynamics remain the same. The video was filmed in Washington Heights, New York City. The urban backdrop provides an authentic setting that resonates with the song’s soulful, streetwise vibe.

1. “Juicy” – The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)

Director: Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs & Ralph McDaniels
YouTube Views: Over 565 million
Insight: True to the song’s lyrics, the music video visually follows Biggie’s journey from his struggles in his early life in Brooklyn to his subsequent rise to fame. The video opens with a flashback to 1983, showing a young Biggie being evicted from his apartment, a moment that symbolizes his humble beginnings. The music video juxtaposes scenes of Biggie’s early life with shots of his success. Viewers see scenes from his childhood in Brooklyn contrasted with luxurious settings, including a mansion and a pool party, emphasizing the transformation in his life.

New York City, immortalized in these music videos, offers more than just a visual treat; it provides a temporal journey through its diverse neighborhoods and eras. As directors and artists collaboratively capture its essence, NYC stands as a testament to the adage – while the city never sleeps, it forever dreams.

These music videos, each in their unique way, capture the soul of New York City. Whether through aerial shots, bustling streets, historical landmarks, or intimate alleyways, they encapsulate the city’s enduring allure. As artists continue to draw inspiration from NYC’s streets, its essence becomes forever intertwined with the melodies and lyrics of countless songs. Through these videos, New York City is not just a location; it’s a character, a muse, and a storyteller, etching its indelible mark on the annals of music history.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Spotify