Looking for songs that help you feel connected to the east coast?
So many artists, in so many genres, have written about how the east coast inspires them. Whether this inspiration comes from the scenery of the east or romantic relationships in the east, the east coast has long been a topic of discussion in songs.
Below, we’ve listed 20 great songs that are about, or mention, the east coast!
1. “MotownPhilly” by Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men’s song “MotownPhilly” discusses the east coast — and is the first song we’ll discuss! This hit song, which was the first single of the group’s career, follows the group as they discuss where they’re from, as well as their upbringing and their dreams.
They say in this song, “Motownphilly back again / Doin’ a little east coast swing”.
2. “East Bound and Down” by Jerry Reed
“East Bound and Down” by Jerry Reed, which was released in 1977, was used in the soundtrack of the film Smokey and the Bandit. This song is all about heading east.
In the memorable chorus, Reed sings the lyrics, “East bound and down, loaded up and truckin’ / We gonna do what they say can’t be done / We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there / I’m east bound, just watch ol’ Bandit run”.
3. “East Coast Anthem” by Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte’s song “East Coast Anthem” also talks about the east coast, as you can see from the song’s title! In this song, the band talks about how they grew up on the east side and how this affected their lives.
They discuss how they didn’t get along with everyone. People thought the singer was an angry, troubled kid. However, the lyrics do hint that the singer had friends he would always trust, as he sings, “On the East Coast we ride until we die”.
4. “Baby, Won’t You Be My Baby” by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan also mentions the east coast in his song “Baby, Won’t You Be My Baby”. In this love song, Dylan explains how he’s gone to the east, as well as to the west. However, he hasn’t found anyone else. As a result, he still wants to be with the person he’s singing this song to!
Dylan sings, “Well, I looked East, I looked West / There was nothing I could see that I liked the best / Baby, won’t you be my baby?”
5. “Railroad Boy” by Nazareth
“Railroad Boy” by Nazareth is one of the best rock songs with east coast in the lyrics! The band sings from the point of view of a “Railroad Boy”, a boy with no roots or home. He travels on the railroad and on trains, going around the country to all the different coasts.
When the band discusses the east coast, they sing, “East coast towns they are / Dark and cold”.
6. “Windy Town” by Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart’s “Windy Town”, which appears on his 1995 album A Spanner In the Works, also talks about the east coast! Throughout Stewart’s song, he sings about remembering “Windy Town”, even though it does seem as though he’d like to forget it at times.
Stewart sings about how he’s traveled around the world. However, he’ll always be brought to remember this town. He sings the lyrics, “Every time the cold wind blows / Every time I hear the sound / East Coast crosswinds / On the cold wet stone / I remember Windy Town”.
7. “Made In the USA” by Demi Lovato
In Demi Lovato’s 2013 song “Made In the USA”, Lovato sings about a romantic relationship that is here to stay — as it was “Made In the USA”. Therefore, Lovato sings about different aspects of American culture, as well as the west coast and east coast. As the romantic story progresses, we learn why this relationship will last in America.
So, Lovato does mention the east coast! Lovato sings, “We touch down on the East Coast / Dinner on the sky rise / Winter is the best time for walking in the city lights”.
8. “The Jump Off” by Lil’ Kim
Lil’ Kim also references the east coast in her song “The Jump Off”, which was released in 2003. Lil’ Kim explains that she is returning to music after a few years off in this song. She’s coming back with energy and creativity. So, in this song, she sings a lot about her motivation to keep making music.
She also references her past and shouts out to her friends and those who have stood beside her. As she’s from the east coast, she talks a lot about it here in this song!
9. “Used 2” by Lil Wayne
In 2018’s “Used 2” by Lil Wayne, Lil Wayne talks about some of the things he’s been through in his past. However, he also discusses how things have changed, while other aspects of his life have stayed the same. Regardless, he will still harm those who try to harm him.
Through all of these topics that he discusses in this song, Lil Wayne also mentions the east side!
10. “New York” by Ja Rule
Ja Rule released his song “New York” on his 2004 album R.U.L.E. As the song deals with New York, you can bet it discusses the east coast, as well! Throughout this song, Ja Rule talks about how he’s from New York, how he shouldn’t be messed with, and how New York has made him who he is!
11. “Return Post” by The Bangles
The Bangles also talk about the east coast in their 1986 song “Return Post”. The Bangles sing about a romantic relationship that is facing difficulties because of distance. In the song, the singer explains that the person she wants to be with is on the wrong coast — which is the east coast.
So, she knows that she must write him a letter to try to figure these things out. The band sings, “Something better is waiting for me /One of them is sitting on the east coast/ One awaits an answer by return post”.
12. “Juicy” by The Notorious B.I.G.
Juicy, the first single from The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1994 debut album, follows The Notorious B.I.G.’s rise to the top of his rap game. He talks about his music, his ascent, and more here. Through discussing his past and struggles, he also talks about other things, such as his way with women.
For example, he explains that it doesn’t matter where he is in the country when it comes to ladies. He raps, “Now honeys play me close like butter play toast / From the Mississippi down to the East Coast”.
13. “A Drop In the Ocean” by Ron Pope
Ron Pope’s 2007 song “A Drop In the Ocean” discusses a romantic relationship that can never be. The song’s overall meaning is slightly vague. Therefore, this could either be seen as a romance that never began — or a romantic relationship that ended, devastating the singer.
Regardless, it’s a sad song that mentions the east coast! Pope sings, “As my train rolls down the east coast I wonder how you keep warm / It’s too late to cry / Too broken to move on”.
14. “Garden of Eden” by Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses released their song “Garden of Eden” on their 1991 album Use Your Illusion I. The band talks about a lot of different things in this song. However, they mainly sing about problems with religion and governments.
The song opens with the lyrics, “It’s a critical solution, and the east coast got the blues / It’s a mass of confusion, like the lies they sell to you”.
15. “Scenario” by A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest released the song “Scenario” on their 1991 album The Low End Theory. In this hit song, the group talks about a variety of different topics. However, they also talk about the east coast when they say, “East coast stompin’, rippin’, and rompin’ / New York, North Cak-a-laka, and Compton”.
16. “Hericane” by LANY
In LANY’s 2017 song “Hericane”, the east coast is discussed when talking about a romantic relationship that is coming to an end. LANY compares the girl he’s with to a hurricane, as she wrecks and destroys a lot. Hence, the song’s title being called “Hericane”!
This song opens with the lyrics, “I don’t know when this tornado hit / You’re from the east coast, so let’s both call it / A hurricane”.
17. “How High” by Method Man & Redman
1995’s “How High” by Method Man and Redman also mentions the east coast! In this song, the duo detail a lot of different things, including the fact that they hail from the east coast. Method Man explains that he hails from the east coast, which to him is, “Home of the drug kingpin and cutthroats”.
18. “Tangled Up In Blue” by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan released his hit song “Tangled Up In Blue” on his 1975 album Blood on the Tracks. Dylan talks about the many changes he was going through at the time. As a result, he also discusses his failing marriage, which would end in divorce.
In the song, he sings about the east coast when he says, “Heading out for the east coast / Lord knows I’ve paid some dues / Getting through / Tangled up in blue”.
19. “New York City” by Owl City
Owl City’s 2018 song “New York City” follows two people as they embark on a road trip to the city. The duo likely are in a romantic relationship and, possibly for the first time in their lives, have the opportunity to taste a little freedom and go on this road trip.
Owl City sings the lyrics, “We’re heading for the East Coast tonight / So pack your bags and hold on tight / ‘Cause we’re taking off”.
20. “Home Is Where the Heart Is” by Lady A
Finally, we have Lady A’s 2008 song “Home Is Where the Heart Is”! The band sings about wanting to leave a small town to chase their dreams in this song. However, as the singer explains that she’s leaving her small town, her mother tells her that “Home Is Where the Heart Is”.
The singer then goes on to explain that she stopped to stay in a town to earn some money. She sings, “Only stayed to save a little money for / Enough gas to make it to the east coast / That’s when I saw the brightest pair of / Deep blue eyes walking straight into my life”.
But then, she met the man she would marry — and she realized she didn’t want to leave this new home of hers!