Cities are often used as muses or metaphors in the world of music. Artists can create an image of a place by telling stories of life there and its impact on them. For example, songs like Welcome to Atlanta by Jermaine Dupri or Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z become iconic because of the way they blend personal and collective narratives, not only showcasing the city environment but also delving into its inhabitants’ emotional aspects and cultural pride. However, they can perpetuate a certain portrayal of the city and its people due to an existing romanticization connected to this format.

Can you think of a song that talks about the city you are from? Do you connect to the lyrics?

Viva Las Vegas – Elvis Presley, 1964

Created for the film of the same name, it glorifies the city’s lively nightlife, gambling, and non-stop excitement, portraying it as a place of endless possibilities and high stakes. According to Bob Dylan, the song also functions as a commercial, enhancing the city’s image as a playground for escapism and adventure, becoming its unofficial anthem. It also contributed significantly to the city’s identity and reinforced the perception of its residents and visitors as daring, thrill-seeking, and living life to the fullest (Trzcinski, 2024)​.

On an Evening in Roma – Dean Martin, 1959

In an attempt to capture the simple joys of life in Rome, this song portrays a romanticized version of the city, reinforcing certain stereotypes about Romans, and Italians as a whole, being perpetually passionate and carefree​, which might be true in some cases when compared to cultures that are more closed off but are still seen by the locals as something that takes away from their personal identities and relationship experiences (Vezzosi, 2019).