My top ten songs from 1970s New York City, my favorite historical music scene.
Suicide – “Ghost Rider”
The original rock and roll two-piece.
Television – “See No Evil”
One of the best side one track one songs ever.
New York Dolls – “Babylon”
The story of Long Island party girls who get naughty in Manhattan on Saturday night and take the train of shame home in the morning.
Ramones – “Carbona Not Glue”
This was their great lost hit single, unfortunately left off Leave Home due to a copyright dispute.
Blondie – “Denis”
An extremely catchy ode to a french dude.
Richard Hell and The Voidoids – “Blank Generation”
Misunderstood anthem written by a poet in rocker’s clothing.
The Heartbreakers – “Chinese Rocks”
Too much junkie business.
Patti Smith Group – “Gloria”
This song blew my teenage mind when I heard it on the car radio in the buildup to Hurricane Gloria in the mid 80s. I didn’t get the artist’s name when it aired and it was years before I was able to track it down.
The Cramps – “Human Fly”
“I got 96 tears and 96 eyes.”
Talking Heads – “Cities”
A song about leaving New York.
