Center City street scene in Philadelphia, PA, on March 12, 2018. (Photo by Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Here are 9 songs that show love to Philadelphia, the City Of Brotherly Love.

Philadelphia is a big-time music town. Hall & Oates, Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Chubby Checker, Bill Haley & The Comets, The Hooters, Todd Rundgren, Boyz 2 Men, The Roots, etc… Those were just the artists that came to the top of mind.  Believe me, there are tons more!

Philly is home to some of the best music venues past and present in the country. The Fillmore, Franklin Music Hall(formerly the Electric Factory), The Met, Union Transfer, The Mann Center, World Cafe Live, The Dell Center, The Theatre of the Living Arts (TLA), and the Kimmel Center.  Those are the venues that are still around and thriving.

Did you know American Bandstand started right here in Philly?  True story! It premiered in Philly in 1952 on what is now WPVI – Channel 6. Dick Clark took over the hosting duties in 1956 and the rest is history.

My parents tell me that American Bandstand was THE TV show back then.  Everyone wanted to be on the show because they not only played the best music to dance to but they would have awesome live performances.

Check out the video below of The Jackson 5 performing live on American Bandstand!

Philly is so in touch with the music scene that it has its own Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame.  You can find it in Center City on the Avenue of the Arts. Some notable members that are honored with their names on the Walk of Fame consist of: Patti LaBelle, Boyz 2 Men, Frankie Avalon, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Teddy Pendergrass, Todd Rundgren, Dick Clark, Jerry Blavat, Jim Croce, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Joan Jett, Peter Nero, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kevin Eubanks, The Trammps, The Roots, Sister Sledge, Jill Scott, The Bacon Brothers, Leslie Odom Jr.

We are talking LEGENDS!

Lots of these artists credit Philadelphia as giving them their start.  I did some research and tried to find the most memorable songs that love to the City of Brotherly Love.

Take a look below:

 

  • Bruce Springsteen - Streets of Philadelphia

    Bruce Springsteen lends his voice to the Philadelphia movie soundtrack for this classic.  Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington were both brilliant in the film as Tom Hanks earned his first Oscar win.

     

  • Fresh Prince - Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Theme

    This is just a classic.  Will Smith, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the basketball court scene.  Everyone in the world knows the lyrics to this song.

  • Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom

    If you think of a Philly song, this may be the first one to come to mind.  Thank you to Sir Elton John for showing the City of Brotherly Love some British love!

  • DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summer Time

    This Philly duo helped put Philly hip hop on the map.  The music video is amazing with the 2 guys riding in the back of a car all around the city.

     

  • Neil Young - Philadelphia

    Neil Young was brilliant on this song also on the Philadelphia movie soundtrack.

  • Boyz 2 Men - Motown Philly

    The iconic 90’s boy band show love with this love letter to their city.

  • Hall & Oates - Fall In Philadelphia

    The Philly natives show love to their hometown with this beautiful song.

  • Bill Conti - Gonna Fly Now

    Can you get more Philly than this song?  You can just see it… Rocky running up the Art Museum steps.  It exudes Philly!

  • MFSB - The Sound of Philadelphia

    Another Philly staple.  2 words: Soul Train. “I’m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!”

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