This Is Where We Live – A Krrb Playlist Celebrating Our Hometowns

Everybody’s got to start off somewhere and if you look hard enough, some band has probably written a song about wherever it is you might call your hometown. In the true tradition of keeping it local, this Second Official Krrb Playlist is made up of musical shout outs to the various municipalities that spawned this diverse group of legendary musicians. From Chicago to East LA, from Manchester to (of course) Brooklyn, strap on your headphones and get ready for a whirlwind tour of hometowns, Krrb style.

15 Songs To Come Home To

It doesn’t get more local than home, so (exactly like the last time) just click the play button below to listen to the entire playlist in the sequence that we have lovingly labored over. Or peruse our “table of contents” below and pick and chose which tracks you want to hear for yourselves…

We Live in Brooklyn by Roy Ayers

Because we do. And also because it seems we always begin these playlists with a track from this master of the xylophone.
listen on youtube

London Calling by The Clash

The ultimate fist in the air song by the masters of British Punk.
listen on youtube

Northendon by The Doves

Manchester gives the big boys a run for their money when it comes to producing the most musical talent. We see an NPR Manchester vs. Brooklyn Soundcheck Smackdown in the not too distant future… Representing Manchester here: The Doves.
listen on youtube

Homecoming by Kanye West

Kanye may have been born in Atlanta, but he got his first musical break as a producer in the windy city.
listen on youtube

Hometown by Bruce Springsteen

Does anybody ever think about The Boss without thinking about New Jersey?
listen on youtube

Born in East LA by Cheech and Chong

A hilarious riff on the Springsteen anthem, with political undercurrents that ring true today.
listen on yahoo

Dirty Water by The Standells

The Beantown classic. And we’re not talking ice hockey…
listen on youtube

New York’s Alright If You Like Saxophones by Fear

The name of this band alone should give you an idea of the angle this ode to the big apple is taking.
listen on youtube

The Message by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five

Same city as above, similar message as above, same year as above (1982)… but boy is the delivery different. This video is priceless for the outfits alone.
listen on youtube

Hometown Glory by Adele

A love song to her hometown. Plain and simple.
listen on youtube

Beirut by Nantes

This band is originally from New Mexico, is named after the capital of Lebanon and is singing about a small city in western France. Talk about citizens of the world…
listen on youtube

Georgia On My Mind by Ray Charles

Could be about a woman, could be about the State. But it’s definitely about missing the comforts of Georgia, and sung by one of the greatest entertainers of all time, so it’s well worth a listen.
listen on youtube

A Case Of You by Joni Mitchell

Another ambivalent song, theme-wise, but after listening to this there should be no doubt in your mind that Canada has produced some of the world’s most beautiful musicians.
listen on youtube

Country Roads by John Denver

This one needs no introduction.
listen on youtube

Rock Creek Park by Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds

It is shocking how many people we know from DC that don’t know this song. We intend to right that wrong here and now.
listen on youtube

So there you have it. Hope you enjoy taking a stroll through the various main streets of these songs, and do let us know about any we have missed…