Harlem is celebrated for its vibrant diversity, bestowing a bright twist upon New York’s culture with an iconicism that echoes around the world.
Whether you’re a local meandering the banks of the Harlem River, or a tourist falling in love with an American angel, our collection of stand-out songs about Harlem evoke the neighbourhood’s quirks and blessings, refusing to focus on its infamy.
Songs About Harlem
1. The Rolling Stones – Harlem Shuffle
The Rolling Stones’ 1986 single Harlem Shuffle is actually a cover of an old R&B song by Bob & Earl, released in 1963. This cover exhibits a masterfully natural translation of Harlem Shuffle’s erotic R&B undertones to The Stones’ equally innuendo-clad glam rock genre.
This sultry rock hit carries a sleek midnight feel, every lyric relating equally to dancing on the Harlem streets or beneath the sheets with a Harlem girl;
“You move it to the left, yeah, and you go for yourself, you move it to the right, yeah, if it takes all night, now take it kinda slow with a whole lot of soul, don’t move it too fast, just make it last … Just move it right here to the Harlem Shuffle.”
2. Bill Withers – Harlem
From the mind of the man who wrote classic hits such as Ain’t No Sunshine and Lean On Me, Bill Withers’ retro pop track Harlem carries masterfully upbeat energy, mirroring the vibrant ambience of Harlem’s streets in the era when disco and psychedelia crowned the charts.
Appearing as the very first track on his debut album, Withers certainly had something to say with this song. Against a constantly ascending and colourful harmony, Withers dedicated each verse to the contrasts of Harlem’s weather and culture;
“Summer night in Harlem… it’s too hot to sleep and too hot to eat, I don’t care if I die or not … Winter night in Harlem, radiator won’t get hot, and that mean ole landlord he don’t care if I freeze to death or not.”
3. Kevin Morby – Harlem River
Kevin Morby’s 2013 track Harlem River reflects the thoughts of a man wandering its banks, wondering where the trail might lead him.
Drawing upon the emotional connotations of water and the sightless horizon of a riverside walk, Morby crafts his lyrics as a conversation to the river as he acquaints himself with the city for the first time; =
“Harlem River, talk to me, tell me what you think about, Harlem River I’m in love. Harlem River talk to me, where we heading now? Harlem River I’m in love, all because of you.”
Morby’s track is anchored in an addictive guitar riff, stylistically simple yet dripping with a characterful attitude; a stunning reflection of half-cautiously exploring the edgier parts of any city.
4. Tedeschi Trucks Band – Midnight In Harlem
This 2011 release by Tedeschi Trucks Band blends a myriad of retro soul, R&B and psychedelic inspirations within its plush, bluesy style.
Each instrument’s addition to the harmony is captivating, building an effortlessly clean and clear-skied sound that captures the love for the district.
Midnight In Harlem tells a lyrical story of escaping to Harlem from a ruined life elsewhere, meandering down the river in contemplation as it leads you towards a new place.
“I came to the city, I was running from the past, my heart was bleeding and it hurt my bones to laugh… He was born to love me, I was raised to be his fool.”
Tedeschi Trucks Band evocatively detail the grittiness of their Harlem walk, using it to convey pure adoration of the district’s clear honesty over glamorous falsehood;
“There were old man’s shoes, there were needles on the ground, no more mysteries, baby, no more secrets, no more clues, the stars are out there, you can almost see the moon.”
5. U2 – Angel Of Harlem
While U2’s 1988 pop track, Angel Of Harlem, was written in subtle dedication to Harlem’s hometown hero, vintage jazz singer Billie Holiday, this track’s message transfers to any Harlem girl who’s stolen your heart.
Angel Of Harlem describes stepping off the plane at JFK Airport and falling in love beneath the lights of New York, “I heard the sound of an angel, New York like a Christmas tree, tonight, this city belongs to me, angel. Soul love, well this love won’t let me go, so long, Angel of Harlem,” crafting an anthem for anyone reminiscing on an old fling in a city that wasn’t theirs.
6. Louis Armstrong – Christmas Nights In Harlem
Louis Armstrong’s feel-good jazz track Christmas Nights In Harlem captures a rosy, faded scene of an old-school Christmas night in one of the most colourful corners of New York City.
Painting his lyrics upon a big band soundscape, Louis Armstrong’s festive track is laden with serene illustrations of a high-spirited neighbourhood.
Christmas Nights In Harlem masterfully blends traditional Christmas scenes with Harlem’s brightest, swinging qualities to reflect the two sides of any area;
“Every gal struttin’ with her beau, through the streets covered white with snow, happy smiles everywhere you go, Christmas night in Harlem. Come on now every Jane and Joe, greet your sweet ‘neath the mistletoe, with a kiss and a hi-de-ho, Christmas night in Harlem.”
7. Aretha Franklin – Spanish Harlem
Aretha Franklin’s 1971 cover of Ben E. King’s Spanish Harlem switches up the original lyrics to illuminate an imaginative scene for her story to unfold upon;
“When the moon is on the run and all the stars are gleaming, It’s growing in the street, right up through the concrete, but soft, sweet and dreamy, there is a rose in Spanish Harlem.”
Spanish Harlem is anchored in the metaphor of picking a rose and planting it in your garden; a crystal clear symbol of falling in love, devoting yourself to romance, care and adoration of a woman’s beauty.
But underlying Aretha’s soulful track is the dark suggestion of something much shadier than pure love, very discreetly hinting at the predatory behaviour, sexual violence and human trafficking which often burdens the grittier neighbourhoods of any major city;
“With eyes as black as coal, that look down in his soul, it starts a fire there and then he looses control… He’s going to pick that rose and watch her as she grows in his garden.”