The 20 best songs with a city in their name

Written as Joel made his way back home to New York City after a trip to the west coast, this 1976 classic has become an unofficial NYC anthem that rung out from the speakers after a Mets win at the now-closed Shea Stadium. 

Recorded for the 1964 film of the same name, Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas" is perhaps the most famous song associated with Sin City, and has since been covered by countless artists ranging from southern rockers ZZ Top to Bruce Springsteen. 

Subtitled "Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair," Scott McKenzie's breezy counterculture anthem about going to San Francisco helped transform the city into a destination for hippies across the globe in the 1960s and '70s. 

This 1982 country classic about a wayfaring rodeo cowboy name-drops several cities across the Southwest, from Houston to Santa Fe, but west Texas city Amarillo gets top billing. Arguably one of George Strait's most iconic songs, it has sold over 2 million copies, earning two Platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America. 

Even though he's from Minneapolis, Prince wrote "Baltimore" following the killing of Freddie Gray at the hands of the city's police officers, an event that sparked widespread protests. The song appears on his 2015 album "Hit n Run Phase Two," the final album released before Prince's own untimely death one year later.

Originally recorded in 1961, Bob Dylan's "Santa Fe" wasn't officially released until three decades later, in 1991. The song's lyrics are definitely a little offbeat and nonsensical, but there's no denying that it's an extremely catchy tune. 

Technically about the notorious prison in Folsom, California, this Johnny Cash song resulted in what would become his most famous album, "At Folsom Prison." It was written while Cash was half a world away and eventually became one of his most iconic songs, opening his live shows for decades. 

Widely regarded as one of the best country songs of all time, Marty Robbins's "El Paso" is also one heck of a good story that involves a gunfight, jealousy between lovers, and the looming threat of hanging. It also wasn't the only song Robbins recorded about the Texas city. There's also "Feleena," a sequel about the song's love interest, and "El Paso City," a retrospective tune written from a third-party perspective that references the original's lyrics. 

The debut single from this '90s R&B juggernaut, "Motownphilly" was perhaps the most appropriate introduction to Boyz II Men. It was an instant crossover success and a perfect introduction to both the band and the home city that they love. 

Written originally by John Prine, Bonnie Raitt's take on "Angel From Montgomery" is so great that it could make even the most skeptical listener book a trip to Alabama just to see what all the fuss is about. 

Singer-songwriter Marc Cohn came up with the idea for "Walking In Memphis" while he was literally walking around the largest city in Tennessee, seeing its most famous sites. Released in 1991, the song earned Cohn his first and only hit song on the charts. 

Coming in at the tail end of the grunge era in 1998, Hole's "Malibu" was co-written by frontwoman Courtney Love, who said that the song was inspired by a boyfriend she had while living in the sunny California enclave in the late '80s. 

This early recording from Elton John centers around a love that's torn between Denver and Los Angeles. John wants to move off to California to try to make it big with his guitar, while his love interest wants to stay in the mountains of Colorado. 

Now widely regarded as one of the greatest songs in hip-hop history, N.W.A. introduced themselves to the world with "Straight Outta Compton" in 1988. It was a massive hit and decidedly less controversial than its B-side, "F**k Tha Police," which sparked national outrage. 

Written by Sufjan Stevens about his own painful personal experiences in the Windy City, "Chicago" is a staple of this indie favorite's live shows and appears on his 2005 album totally devoted to the state of Illinois. 

Don Williams was actually in Tulsa, preparing to open a show for Eric Clapton, when he really dialed in "Tulsa Time." Written by songwriter Danny Flowers, Williams actually had to claim the song for himself from Clapton, and recorded it in 1978. But that didn't stop Clapton from releasing his own version of the blues-infused, endlessly catchy tune one year later. 

Even though it's long been associated with the Motor City, KISS's legendary "Detroit Rock City" is actually rooted in a pretty sad story that didn't happen in Detroit. Frontman Paul Stanley co-wrote the lyrics after a fan of the band was killed in a car accident while on the way to a KISS show. 

The title track of U.K. punk icons The Clash's third album, "London Calling," touches on a host of issues that were important to songwriters Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, including police brutality in London and the band's own financial struggles. 

An absurdly catchy comeback from '90s alt-rockers Weezer, "Beverly Hills" is a song that's all about wanting to live that lavish 90210 lifestyle. 

It's unclear whether or not this 1967 hit is actually referring to Jackson, Mississippi or Jackson, Tennessee. Still, regardless of the actual destination, it was a smashing success for Johnny Cash and June Carter.