There are a handful of iconic places in the world that should be visited at least once in a lifetime. They have always had a particular draw, attracting waves of visitors every year. They have inspired novels, poems, songs and films, and become icons. Relaxnews has compiled a playlist of music that is quintessential to each of these iconic destinations.
1. Berlin, Germany: Berlin is a haven for artists, exhibitionists and creative types. Its thriving music scene embraces everything from punk cabaret to minimal electro. The city has also served as an inspiration for artists around the world and within Germany throughout its history.
Iconic track: Kamikaze Queens' "Voluptuous Panic" (2009). Berlin's eclectic and vibrant music scene is introduced here by punk cabaret group Kamikaze Queens. Comprising members across a range of nationalities, the Berlin-based group released its debut album, also titled 'Voluptuous Panic,' in 2009.
2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: The city of Rio de Janeiro is most famous for its breathtaking white beaches and beautiful mountains. Natives from Rio de Janeiro are called Cariocas, meaning energetic, exuberant people in love with life.
Iconic track: Amy Winehouse's "The Girl from Ipanema" (2011). Taken from the posthumously released album 'Lioness: Hidden Treasures,' British singer Amy Winehouse gives a fresh and soulful take on this classic hit.
3. India: A good way to discover this rich country is by driving from Mumbai to Delhi. The route allows you to explore much of the country's rich and varied culture. Among other things, you will pass Buddhist caves and traditional Hindu architecture, taste the spicy delights of Indian cuisine, experience the overwhelming bustle of Delhi and take in the Hindu traditions of Mumbai.
Iconic track: M.I.A.'s Paper Planes (2008). M.I.A's "Paper Planes" featured in the hit film 'Slumdog Millionaire,' an adaption of the novel Q&A by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup.
4. New York City, New York: New York's vibrant and varied musical scene has spanned everything from rap to No Wave, while its iconic buildings and legendary neighborhoods have inspired thousands of artists around the world to create tales about success, failure, love, loss, highs and lows in the city that never sleeps.
Iconic track: Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State Of Mind" (2009). This classic love song to New York praises the American dream, its failures and the vibrant NYC.
5. London, England: Imagine that, like the tens of millions of tourists that come to this city every year, you just arrived in London, a city of multiple influences and populations, where more than 300 languages are spoken. Moving around the streets of London puts visitors in contact with the urban dynamism of this high-density city. Completely different worlds coexist in its streets, from flower aficionados visiting Kew Gardens to neo punks strolling the streets of East London, alongside the bustle of the fastpaced financial center, London is a real melting pot.
Iconic track: The Clash's "London Calling" (1979). An iconic 'London' track, imagining a post-apocalyptic capital.
6. Havana, Cuba: Havana is one of the largest and most vivacious cities in the Caribbean. Five centuries of political struggle have given this city a distinctive flavor. From Spanish colonialism to American mafia presence, the city is a mixture of cultural heritages with its classic American cars (a result of the US trade embargo) and ration shops -- a manifestation of communist economic and social policies.
Iconic track: Buena Vista Social Club's "Chan Chan" (1997). Named after a members club in Havana, the Buena Vista Social Club band was comprised of members who had performed at the original club, and the album sparked an international revival of interest in Cuba music.
7. Paris, France: Paris is a city that lives up to its own clichés: romantic, artistic, sophisticated and yet bohemian, Paris satisfies tourists of every disposition. No other city has been the subject of so many novels, poems, songs and movies. Getting lost in Paris while strolling through the streets of Le Marais, the Latin Quarter or the Champs-Elysees is a tourist's dream.
Iconic track: Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin's "Je t'aime, moi non plus" (1969). One of the quintessentiel 'French' or 'Paris' songs, "Je t'aime, moi non plus" sees one of France's greatest artists speaking of love and sex. The song was originally banned from radio in several countries around the world due to its erotic content.
8. Tokyo, Japan: The frenetic streets of Tokyo reflect this constantly changing city where fashion trends become outdated as soon as they hit the shelves and technical innovations become obsolete before even they're released.
Iconic track: Elvis Costello's "Tokyo Storm Warning" (1986): Elvis Costello's "Tokyo Storm Warning" from his 1986 album 'Blood & Chocolate' portrays the travels of an overwhelmed and confused tourist in foreign lands.
9. Casablanca, Morocco: Casablanca is Morocco's economic and cultural capital as well as the country's center of art and fashion. With a cosmopolitan feel, the city went through rapid expansion during the French protectorate era, drawing in large numbers of people from rural areas. Casablanca's contact with the western world is reflected in the city's culture, notably in fashions and western-style restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The traffic jams and shantytowns rub up against wide boulevards and colonial architecture. The facades in the suburbs contrast with the Hispano-Moorish architecture in the city center.
Iconic track: Billie Holliday's "As Time Goes By" (1979). Billie Holliday performs this classic track from the movie 'Casablanca.'
10. Pacific Coast, United States: Driving along California's Pacific coast is one of the most iconic roadtrips in the traveling world. If you start your drive by crossing the two-mile-long Coronado Bridge just outside San Diego, catching a glimpse of the peninsular beach, and head north, the ensuing road will take you through some of the wildest stretches of coast, passing by the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, frequented by migrating seabirds, and the Long Beach Museum of Art. Keep going until you arrive in the Big Sur coastal community, where the art scene and hippie culture have become legendary.
Iconic track: Tupac's "California Love" (1995). Legendary West Coast rapper Tupac extols the virtues of California in this classic track.
0% 0 votes | Berlin & "Voluptuous Panic" |
0% 0 votes | Rio de Janeiro & "The Girl from Ipanema" |
0% 0 votes | India & "Paper Planes" |
0% 0 votes | New York City & "Empire State Of Mind" |
0% 0 votes | London & "London Calling" |
0% 0 votes | Havana & "Chan Chan" |
0% 0 votes | Paris & "Je t'aime, moi non plus" |
0% 0 votes | Tokyo & "Tokyo Storm Warning" |
0% 0 votes | Casablanca & "As Time Goes By" |
0% 0 votes | Pacific U.S.A. & "California Love" |
20 Sep, 2012
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Source: http://www.lfpress.com/2012/09/13/soundtracks-of-iconic-destinations
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