Each week, we run a global survey asking for a songs that represent hometowns.
This playlist contains 41 songs curated by people from around the world.
-
"El Ausente" by Pastor Lopez
Nominated by: video editor and graphic designer (28) from Bogotá, Colombia
Why: It's iconic for Christmas, it always plays and reminds me of my home, my city, and even more when I was in military service and had my family far away, it made me remember it more.
Listen on Spotify -
"Bałucka Krew" by Beron, Rojal
Nominated by: Office worker (28) from Łódź, Poland
Why: Because it talks about one of the districts in my city where I was born and it's close to me, I identify with it.
Listen on Spotify -
"Glückauf der Steiger kommt "Steigerlied"" by Johannes Kalpers
Nominated by: Senior Pension Officer (25) from Thum, Germany
Why: Because the Steigerlied represents the Ore Mountains. It is known in the area and I couldn't name another song that would come to mind regarding my hometown.
Listen on Spotify -
"Low Life (feat. The Weeknd)" by Future, The Weeknd
Nominated by: Cashier (34) from Bridgeport, CT, USA
Why: It reminds me of the urban city streets I grew up on. They speak on street life and violence .
Listen on Spotify -
"Chennai City Gangsta" by Anirudh Ravichander, Hard Kaur, Hiphop Tamizha, Country Chicken
Nominated by: Senior engineer (30) from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Why: This song perfectly set for my own city diversity and tradition,so I like this and in my college days we enjoy the song in our cultural event also best one by composer anirudh
Listen on Spotify -
"Ahonikenk" by Rubén Patagonia
Nominated by: Administrative (44) from Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina
Why: Because it always played in Patagonia, and although my city is on the Patagonian Atlantic coast and not in the mountain range, the regional folklore fits very well with the desert steppe landscape in which I was born. I left many years ago, it's a song that was only heard there; if I hear it, my chest swells with the south.
Listen on Spotify -
"Invincible" by Pat Benatar
Nominated by: Retired (64) from Lindenhurst, NY, USA
Why: Pat Benatar sings it and she is from my home town too. Just reminds me of my youth when I still lived in Lindenhurst.
Listen on Spotify -
"Ghoomar (From "Padmaavat")" by Shreya Ghoshal, Swaroop Khan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Nominated by: Teacher (55) from Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Why: It's a tradition songof Rajasthan folk. Reminds the culture and appearance of the people of Rajasthan. The song has everything related to Rajasthan history, culture and tradition.
Listen on Spotify -
"Capra cu Trei Iezi - Poveste Pentru Copii" by HeyKids Cantece Pentru Copii
Nominated by: worker (24) from Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Why: I was always sung to it when I was little, I would fall asleep to this song back then. It was simple and beautiful, and for me it was easy to remember, and my mother enjoyed singing it to me.
Listen on Spotify -
"Camptown Races" by Stephen Foster, John Cali, Thomas Pyle, Robert Shaw Chorale, Robert Shaw
Nominated by: Retired (79) from Stevensville, PA, USA
Why: Camptown is just a couple miles away from my childhood home and was immortalized in song by Stephen Foster.
Listen on Spotify -
"Heimat" by Equilibrium
Nominated by: Mail carrier (33) from Hof, Germany
Why: Because I am a big fan of Equilibrium and this band played in Hof in 2012 for the first and last time, and I was there live.
Listen on Spotify -
"Jijel" by Rhythm For Everybody
Nominated by: Retirement (60) from Jijel, Algeria
Why: The song "Jijel" by Rhythm For Everybody often evokes themes related to the beauty and culture of Jijel, a coastal city in Algeria. The lyrics may celebrate beautiful landscapes, everyday life, and the hospitality of the locals. If you want to know more about the specific themes of the song or details about the band, feel free to ask!
Listen on Spotify -
"Delhi" by Radu Dima
Nominated by: Software Developer (32) from Delhi, India
Why: I have traveled all over the US and whenever I hear this song, it brings tears to my eyes and makes me think of home. It amazes me that I’ve heard this song in so many places even when I have traveled outside of the US. It speaks to me each time I hear it. I have to pause whatever I am doing and listen to it in entirety. Sometimes I sing along….I know all the words, of course. It is like a hug from home!
Listen on Spotify -
"Pakistan Pakistan Mera Iman Pakistan" by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Nominated by: seller (34) from Multan, Pakistan
Why: When we mentioned the name of God, He rewarded us. Pakistan, Pakistan, Pakistan, my reward is Pakistan. Pakistan - best lyrics, very classic and rhythmic rap, which tells about my country, a very patriotic national song.
Listen on Spotify -
"风伴广州港(粤语)" by 汐音社, 野火大鸿
Nominated by: internal management (23) from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
Why: The song is set against the backdrop of Guangzhou Port, incorporating the love and pride for the city of Guangzhou. The melody and lyrics are filled with the unique urban atmosphere and cultural sentiment of Guangzhou. This song showcases the charm of Guangzhou as an international metropolis and is also a deep confession of love to the city.
Listen on Spotify -
"Aye Ope yo" by Adeyinka Alaseyori
Nominated by: Caterer (45) from Akungba, Nigeria
Why: Because my mum use to sing it to us in her dialect, is a praise song to worship God, so after singing, it make one reflect of God’s love and counting your blessings
Listen on Spotify -
"Sobreviviré" by Darío Gómez
Nominated by: Employee (29) from Itagüi, Antioquia, Colombia
Why: The place where I was born used to be a small town, so that kind of music was heard a lot at that time and it reminds me of my childhood.
Listen on Spotify -
"浏阳河" by 李谷一
Nominated by: part-time job (30) from Songling, Jiangsu, China
Why: The local customs, geographical features, and the mother river of my hometown, everywhere are shadows of my childhood. I feel like I can recall a lot. I like it very much, it's very meaningful.
Listen on Spotify -
"Link" by L'Arc-en-Ciel
Nominated by: Unemployed / Student (18) from Palembang, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia
Why: This song was played the most throughout the journey; I kept replaying it because its melody is melancholic and calms my heart.
Listen on Spotify -
"Bhenge Mor Ghorer Chabi" by Mekhla Dasgupta
Nominated by: Housewife (60) from Dhaka, Bangladesh
Why: Because this song mentions home and key. Also, Rabindranath is one of my favorite artists. The tune of the song is also very beautiful.
Listen on Spotify -
"Benin - L’Aube Nouvelle - National Anthem (The Dawn of a New Day)" by Glocal Orchestra
Nominated by: Student (23) from Cotonou, Benin
Why: It represents the national anthem of my country, I used to sing it every Monday morning throughout my entire school years until I went to university.
Listen on Spotify -
"Summer Days" by Rhye
Nominated by: Programmer (60) from Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Why: The summer here is wonderful as it is sunny and warm. The thought of summer days is what gets us through the cold winter days.
Listen on Spotify -
"Trilhos Urbanos" by Caetano Veloso
Nominated by: Artistic Drawing and attendant at the family pizzeria (57) from Amélia Rodrigues, BA, Brazil
Why: In the past, the city belonged to the same city as the musical author, Santo Amaro, Bahia. Therefore, it has very similar culture, including urban, architectural, and agricultural aspects.
Listen on Spotify -
"Je vais a Yaoundé" by André Marie Tala
Nominated by: Accountant (37) from Yaoundé, Cameroon
Why: It plunges me into pleasant memories of my life, the good times with family, the restaurants, and the scenery of the city.
Listen on Spotify -
"The Best of Times" by Dream Theater
Nominated by: Unemployed (19) from Adiwerna, Tegal Regency, Central Java, Indonesia
Why: It reminds of the best moments, like gathering with family members who are now separated because of parents' divorce and playing with hometown friends and elementary school friends.
Listen on Spotify -
"África Minha (feat. Bonga)" by Plutonio, Bonga
Nominated by: Student (20) from Cambambe, Angola
Why: Because it reminds me of my homeland, my cultural heritage, my habits and customs, values for life.
Listen on Spotify -
"Lahore (From "Lahore")" by Guru Randhawa
Nominated by: Owner of a tuition centre (60) from Lahore City, Pakistan
Why: Guru Randhawa is praising my city. Most of the girls are beautiful. Boys want to marry Lahiri girls.
Listen on Spotify -
"Good Morning Jesus (Worship)" by Voice of the Cross
Nominated by: accountant (46) from Enugu Udi, Nigeria
Why: IT IS A SPIRITUAL SONG THAT MAKES ME TO BE SOBER AND REFLECT ON THE MERCIES OF GOD. IT BRINGS NOSTALGIC MEMORIES OF MY CHILHOOD
Listen on Spotify -
"Untukmu Selamanya" by Ungu
Nominated by: Employee (36) from Palembang, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia
Why: This song is one that I often listened to as a child with my family and has become a memory now that I am far from home. When I hear this song, it can become something beautiful.
Listen on Spotify -
"Thành Phố Buồn" by Lan Anh
Nominated by: Accountant (30) from Ho Chi Minh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Why: This song brings back many memories of the days in Vietnam when I often went out with friends and sang karaoke together.
Listen on Spotify -
"Ebi K'ipagun D'ale Ajasa Sansaliu Owo Laso Oge Bojo Ori Se Nle Si Kosogodo Tio Gbe Rin Mi Kosi Igi-Tole Ninu Igbo" by Late Alhaji Ayinla Omowura & His Apala Group
Nominated by: Sales representative (36) from Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́, Nigeria.
Why: Because my dad use to sing it to my hearing and to remind us not to forget our origin
Listen on Spotify -
"Minha Vida" by Gerilson Insrael
Nominated by: Student (24) from Lisbon, Portugal
Why: I had a girlfriend in my hometown and we went through a lot together, and this song reminds me of the beautiful story we had.
Listen on Spotify -
"Listen To Your Heart" by Roxette
Nominated by: Head of the Construction Department (62) from Brodnica, Poland
Why: I used to listen to this song very often in my youth, those were beautiful times. It reminds me of the time spent with family and friends.
Listen on Spotify -
"Těšínská - Live" by Jaromir Nohavica
Nominated by: Carpenter (55) from Cieszyn, Poland
Why: it is a song about the history of my city, poetically capturing the past and present
Listen on Spotify -
"Didi" by Khaled
Nominated by: security (57) from Annaba, Algeria
Why: because i was listing to it with my friends and vibing together and having a good time the feeling is missing it and we was vibing in the beach and we was drinking soda together and we was fishing and the song make this moments remembered because it's a very good song and it's my best song because its music stuck in the head
Listen on Spotify -
"Watermelon Sugar" by Harry Styles
Nominated by: It manager (35) from Halifax, UK
Why: It makes me think of summer and makes me happy as the hometown always feels warmer
Listen on Spotify -
"Os Verdes Campos da Minha Terra - Ao Vivo" by Agnaldo Timoteo
Nominated by: Public servant (59) from Laranjeiras do Sul, PR, Brazil
Why: Because it's a nostalgic song and reflects my homeland well
Listen on Spotify -
"칠갑산" by Ju Byeong Seon
Nominated by: Database Administrator (45) from Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
Why: It has a song of my hometown and expresses it best, so sometimes listening to it makes me feel like I could cry. It makes my heart race.
Listen on Spotify -
"Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio, L.V.
Nominated by: Financial Analyst (55) from Johannesburg, South Africa
Why: The song aptly captures the rampant crime in this city mostly run by gangs.y
Listen on Spotify -
"Home Sweet Home" by Mötley Crüe
Nominated by: Developer (34) from La Paz, Bolivia
Why: It makes me want to return to my country when I'm working abroad, the nostalgia of seeing your pets and family members
Listen on Spotify -
"End of Beginning" by Djo
Nominated by: Student (21) from Whitby, ON, Canada
Why: The lyrics just make me think about home because im not there right now but when I am I feel similar to how the singer describes it
Listen on Spotify