For some 25 years, from his time with The Police to life as a solo act, rocker/tantric sex enthusiast Sting has played sold-out arenas across the world and pushed millions of records. To commemorate his career thus far, the icon will release Sting: 25 Years on September 27th. But since no celebration is complete without a party, Sting will mark his 60th birthday this October with an all-star concert featuring the likes of Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and many more, reports Glide Magazine.

Going down October 1st (the Stinger’s big day is actually October 2nd) at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, the event will also feature appearances/performances from Lady Gaga, Mary J. Blige, Robert Downey, Jr. (sure, why not?), Herbie Hancock, Vince Gill, Will.i.am, Rufus Wainwright, Branford Marsalis, and Stevie Wonder. While the show is private, Sting fan club members get access to a chunk of tickets for a mere $279.10 (or they can go to Ticketmaster and pay $2,583.90). All proceeds go to benefit the Robin Hood Foundation, a charity that helps fight poverty in NYC.

Here’s video of Sting and Springsteen singing “Every Breath You Take” back in the day:

Throughout the five boroughs, New York has been both a home and source of inspiration for many musicians over the years. There are few (if any) cities that have been written about as much as New York has. But which songs belong at the top? Which numbers show the style and the swagger? The class and the crass? Which can move between the skyscrapers and the subway?

You’re probably wondering: Why celebrate New York now? Shouldn’t you have posted this after the Yankees won last year? Yes, the opportunity seems a bit late, but not really if you think about it. New York thrives on “keeping it real” and trademarks itself on setting the precedent for everything. So, to answer your question, there is never a better time to write about New York City. Simply because, New York City always “is.”

Well, let’s be honest. With the Northside Festival next weekend, we’re pretty stoked about being around Brooklyn lately. Not only do we get to have our own lil’ soiree, but we get to enjoy the likes of Titus Andronicus, Wavves, Fucked Up, Liars, High Places, and a slew of other pretty hot acts. We might just have to dig out our “I Love New York” shirts for the weekend.

Just kidding. Anyways, here are your top 10 songs about the world’s cultural mecca.

10. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”

While Jay-Z been a superstar for quite some time now, he took it to a new level with this ode to the city he was raised in. With a soulful piano provided by Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind” brilliantly has Jay-Z’s verses reflecting his rise to the top along with the different areas of New York he spends his time in. From the streets of Brooklyn to the celeb neighborhood of TriBeCa, Jay-Z essentially wrote a sequel to Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”, showing how he made it where he is, and even having the New York attitude to suggest that he makes “the Yankee cap more famous than a Yankee can.” Keys belts out a more traditional chorus about how inspirational the streets of New York can be. Since it’s less than a year old, “Empire State of Mind” still has to withstand the test of time, but it doesn’t look like it’s going away any time soon.

9. Bob Dylan – “Talkin’ New York”

One of the two original compositions from Bob Dylan’s first album, “Talkin’ New York” is standard Dylan fare with a fairly frantic acoustic strumming and harmonica interludes. But the lyrics are spit out rapidly with Dylan only taking a break before the last line of each verse. The story of his arrival in New York takes in everything, from the city’s size to his search for a job. However, it’s the second to last verse that shows the development of Dylan’s wit, when he says “A lot of people don’t have much food on their table/But they got a lot of forks ’n’ knives/And they gotta cut somethin’.” From a stranger’s perspective, New York can appear both exhilarating and terrifying. Dylan manages to show both of these sides in just the course of three minutes.

8. Billy Joel – “New York State of Mind”

Probably one of the most famous songs about New York, Billy Joel’s ode to the city is based on his return to the East Coast after spending the last three years in L.A. The slow, jazzy piano evokes images of a smoky lounge in Greenwich Village. Joel’s delivery and lyrics all paint the city as a lost love that he’s finally returning to. While he could be partying on the West Coast, he needs “A little give and take/The New York Times, The Daily News.” The sense of normalcy that comes from the bustling streets of Manhattan offers a unique experience that Joel can’t do without. While he may travel the world, it looks like he’ll always make his way back to New York.

7. The Ramones – “53rd and 3rd”

While many of the above songs have hinted at the dark underbelly of New York, The Ramones “53rd and 3rd” really came across as gritty in every way. From the angry guitars to the shouting delivery to the lyrics, this song isn’t from the band’s point of view. Instead, it’s the story of a Green Beret who served in Vietnam who falls to prostitution as he tries to pick up customers from the street corner mentioned in the title. When Joey Ramones sings, “Don’t it make you feel sick?” he almost vomits the words out, adding to the character’s disgust at how far he’s fallen. The entire song shows that not everyone is cut out for New York and many wind up falling into an underworld of crime in an attempt to make ends meet.

6. Beastie Boys – “No Sleep till Brooklyn”

The most fun song here is by none other than New York natives, the Beastie Boys. Different than most other tracks on this list, the lyrics contain hardly any references to the city. Instead, it’s all about the band’s life away from home. The touring, the hotels, the partying. All of these lines on what a great time they’re having traveling around the world are the complete opposite of the “No! Sleep! Till Brooklyn!” chorus, which is a call to go home. Maybe they’re saying they love playing live in their hometown the best. Maybe they want a break from their all their adventures to spend time at home. Who knows? But the fact that the line has become part of everyday vocabulary (no sleep till insert location here), coupled together with that kickass riff, cements its place in the top New York songs.

5. Interpol – “NYC”

Interpol’s tribute to New York is a decidedly sad affair in which the protagonist only finds hope from the city itself. Despite the fact that the feeling doesn’t appear mutual (“The subway is a porno/The pavements they are a mess/I know you’ve supported me for a long time/Somehow I’m not impressed”), the city is still there for him, day in and day out. The sluggish guitar riff gives a feeling of wandering aimlessly through the city streets at night. At the end of the song, the realization comes that New York’s done its part to support those who live there. Now it’s the inhabitant’s turn to make something of it (“It is up to me now, turn on the bright lights”).

4. John Lennon – “New York City”

If there’s any song that showed the juxtaposition of the five boroughs, it’s “New York City” by John Lennon. From David Peel smoking some pot to the policeman trying to do his job to the crazed preacher, the scene is familiar to anyone who lives in New York. Seeing homeless people asking for change across the street from Lincoln Center is part of everyday reality for New Yorkers. As we’re so focused on our own packed schedules, we have trouble noticing the people around us. Lennon mentions this as well, singing “Tried to shake our image/Just a cycling through the village/But found that we had left it back in London/Well nobody came to bug us/Hustle us or shove us/So we decided to make it our home.” For those of you wondering why New York is a hot spot for celebs, this is one of the biggest reasons.

3. The Velvet Underground – “I’m Waiting For The Man”

If “53rd and 3rd” came across as a gritty look at New York’s dark underbelly, “I’m Waiting For The Man” grabs you by the throat and shoves you face-first into that grimy environment. With the instruments sounding a little dirty, the music evokes images of a heroin addict struggling to make it up Lexington Avenue to meet his dealer for his next fix. The song also goes into race relations within Harlem during the 1970s. While the user has to wait for the man, he does get his fix (“He’s got the works, gives you sweet taste/then you gotta split because you got no time to waste) and will go on until he needs his next one. Though this track has a similar theme as The Ramones’ New York song, it takes to a far deeper level of dependence by throwing drug usage into the mix. It displays some of the worst the city has to offer, highlighting the crime and none of the class.

2. U2 – “The Hands That Built America”

While U2 wrote this song for Martin Scorcese’s Gangs of New York, “The Hands That Built America” goes far beyond that time period. Each of the song’s verses represent a different era in New York’s history. The first verse has the strongest connection to the film as Bono sings about the emigration of millions of Irish to America due to the Potato Famine and the change that awaits them there. The second verse relates love to the American Dream and that hard work can lead to prosperity. The final verse brings the song to the near-present, talking about 9/11 and “Innocence dragged across a yellow line.” While it’s not the most popular U2 song about New York, it is the most powerful, dealing with some of the best and worst time periods in the city’s history.

1. Frank Sinatra – “Theme From New York, New York”

Yeah, it’s a cheesy and obvious pick. But Frank Sinatra’s version (it was originally written for Liza Minnelli) of this song is the quintessential New York track. From the opening line of “Start spreadin’ the news, I’m leaving today/I want to be a part of it: New York, New York,” you’re instantly transported to midtown Manhattan. It’s heard everywhere in the city, including after every game at Yankee Stadium, or after the ball drops in Times Square on New Year’s, or during Columbia & NYU’s commencement ceremonies. Yet there’s a good reason for this. The song perfectly illustrates New York’s classy and ballsy attitude. New Yorkers know that since they made it there, they can make it anywhere. But they’d rather stay right where they are, just like how Sinatra wants to “wake up in a city that never sleeps.” Showing all of its good sides, “Theme From New York, New York” is the best song about the city. Bar none.

In an interview with Chicago’s WGN-TV last month, John said that the two had a good time and were ending amicably after the March 11th Albany, NY show, but their immediate plans just didn’t click.

“As far as I know, there will be no more Billy and Elton shows after the Albany show in New York on March 11th,” John said. “It’s not my decision, it’s Billy’s. He has decided to take a year off. It doesn’t gel with my plans but he’s a friend. And as an artist, you have to respect his decision.”

Joel told RollingStone.com that he’s had a lot on his plate both professionally and personally and needed a little time for the Piano Man.

“I promised myself more personal time this year. I’m going to Italy, and I’ll probably go to Paris. I’ll probably take my boat to New England and hang out on the coast. I’ll ride my motorcycle. I’ll just be a bum.”

But those in need of some piano heavy pop can always turn to John. John’s minor solo jaunt, made up of ten dates, will kick off on April 6th in Corpus Christi Texas, jump across much of the Midwest and end on May 1st in Youngstown, OH. The dates will follow a March tour in South Africa and proceed an extensive European endeavor set for late May and June.

It should also be noted that Joel said the “Face 2 Face ” tour may come back at some point, but there’s no definitive plans. We’ll keep you updated regarding that and any other Elton John dates.

Tickets for many of the upcoming dates are now on sale via Ticketmaster.com.

Elton John 2010 Tour Dates:
03/21 – Johannesburg, ZA @ The Botanical Gardens
03/24 – Cape Town, ZA @ Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
03/25 – Cape Town, ZA @ Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
03/26 – Port Elizabeth, ZA @ NMMU Sportsfields
04/03 – Merida, MX @ Chichen Itza
04/06 – Corpus Christi, TX @ AmericanBank Center
04/09 – Lubbock, TX @ United Spirit Center
04/10 – Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center
04/15 – Hoffman Estates, IL @ Sears Centre Arena
04/16 – Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena
04/17 – Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center
04/24 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
04/25 – Toledo, OH @ Lucas County Arena
04/30 – Reading, PA @ Sovereign Center
05/01 – Youngstown, OH @ Covelli Center
05/26 – Rabat, MA @ Mawazine Festival
05/28 – Jelling, DK @ Jelling MusikFestival
05/29 – Watford, UK @ Watford Football Club
05/30 – Warsaw, PL @ Stadion Polonii
06/03 – Belgrade, RS @ Belgrade Arena
06/08 – Budapest, HR @ Sportsarena
06/10 – Prague, CZ @ O2 Arena
06/12 – Bucharest, RO @ Piata Constitutiei
06/13 – Sofia, BG @ Lokomotiv Stadium
06/17 – Tel Aviv, IL @ National Football Stadium
06/19 – Linz, AT @ Urfahraner Jahrmarkt
06/20 – Graz, AT @ Schwarzlsee
09/17 – Milan, IT @ Teatro degli Arcimboldi
09/19 – Rome, IT @ Auditorium Parco della Musica
09/20 – Rome, IT @ Auditorium Parco della Musica

Alice in Chains:

What: Dates for Vancouver, British Columbia; Salem, OR; Myrtle Beach, SC; Richmond, VA; Mashantucket, CT; Toronto; Chicago; and St. Paul, MN

When: February – March

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster.com at 10:00 AM EST

Billy Joel & Elton John:

What: Dates for North American tour

When: January – March

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster.com at 10:00 AM EST

DevilDriver:

What: Dates for North American tour

When: January – February

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster.com at 10:00 AM EST

John Mayer:

What: Dates for Sunrise, FL; Tampa, FL; Jacksonville, FL; Auburn Hills, MI; Grand Rapids, MI; St. Paul, MN; and Los Angeles

When: February – March

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster.com at 10:00 AM EST

Norah Jones:

What: Dates for New York, NY

When: March 27th

Tixs: $39.50 – $65.50

Buy: Ticketmaster.com at 10:00 AM EST

Did we miss anything? Let us know below!

Fortunately for you in a similar situation, the marvelous duo returns in 2010, after some recent cancellations, and with a pretty random itinerary to kick around. Starting in Hawaii, BJ & EJ will enjoy some much needed winter sun, which they’ll juxtapose a month later by trekking into the rainy, wintry mist of the Pacific Northwest. Then after an odd jumbled fellowship through middle America, which includes stops in Oklahoma and Missouri, they’ll be back in the chilly, icy Northeast. Yikes.

Good thing they can always “start a fire”…

Tickets are on sale beginning Saturday, December 4th via Ticketmaster.com.

Billy Joel/Elton John 2010 Tour Dates:
01/06 – Honolulu, HI @ Blaisdell Arena
01/09 – Honolulu, HI @ Blaisdell Arena
02/03 – Seattle, WA @ KeyArena
02/06 – Seattle, WA @ KeyArena
02/10 – Portland, OR @ Rose Garden Arena
02/13 – Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena
02/16 – San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
02/19 – Salt Lake City, UT @ EnergySolutions Arena
02/22 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
02/25 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Ford Center
02/27 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
03/09 – Buffalo, NY @ HSBC Arena
03/11 – Albany, NY @ Times Union Center

Elton John & Billy Joel:

What: Tour dates for Kansas City, MO, North Little Rock, AR, & Oklahoma City, OK

When: November – December

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster.com at 10:00 AM CDT

Guns N’ Roses:

What: Tour dates for Canadian tour

When: January

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster.com at 10:00 AM EST

Lady Gaga (w/ Kid Cudi):

What: “The Monster Ball” North American tour dates

When: November – January

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster.com at 10:00 AM EST

Owl City:

What: Tour dates for North American tour

When: January – February

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster.com at 10:00 AM EST

Phish:

What: Tour dates for North American tour

When: November – December

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster.com at 10:00 AM EST

Weezer:

What: Tour dates for North American tour

When: December

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster.com at 10:00 AM EST

Widespread Panic:

What: Tour dates for Atlanta, GA

When: December

Tixs: $51.50

Buy: Ticketmaster.com at 10:00 AM EST