Countries, destinations and cities have inspired composers and songwriters for centuries, not least rivers, with one of the most historic being Johann Strauss, who composed his famous Blue Danube as an ode to the beauty of said river. Indeed, there are a number of songs which have been written in honour of, or inspired by events which took place in a number of river cruise cities; destinations which you can explore on a number of different river cruises around the world. Whether these river cruise cities are in Europe, Russia or the Far East, there’s always a story behind the song and a host of sights to explore in the city which inspired it. So, in classic chart countdown style, here’s my musical top ten of river cruise cities, which makes for an eclectic playlist to say the least.

10. Tulips from Amsterdam – Max Bygraves
The song
Popularised by the late, great arch-crooner Max Bygraves, this was his biggest hit  – a double A-side with You Need Hands – and reached number 3 in 1958 and spent 25 weeks in the charts. It was actually written by German singer/songwriter Klaus-Gunter Neumann, who penned it after being inspired by the city’s famous tulip fields.
The city
Amsterdam of course will forever be synonymous with said tulips and as far as river cruise cities go, it’s certainly one of the most representative when it comes to national symbols. On an Amsterdam river cruise you’ll have the opportunity to visit the tulip fields and some of the famous Dutch windmills as well as such famous sights as the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum.

9. Lisbon – The Walkmen
The song
From variety icon to indie rock now, with this 2010 effort from American post-punkers The Walkmen. The song is also the title of their sixth studio album, and frontman Hamilton Leithauser is quoted as saying that he and his fellow band members were so blown away by the city’s ambience and architecture that it motivated and influenced them through the album’s creation, so much so that they named it after the Portuguese capital.
The city
Though Lisbon’s not one of those river cruise cities which actually lies on a river, it’s a popular fixture as many cruises which explore Portugal and Spain’s Douro begin with a tour of its historic streets before transferring overland to the river itself. The architecture is indeed inspirational, so be sure to explore Cascais Old Town and take in such iconic structures as the Torre de Belem and St George’s Castle.

8. Nine Million Bicycles (in Beijing) – Katie Melhua
The song
OK, so I’ve cheated a bit here, as the official title of Katie Melua’s 2005 hit doesn’t have the ‘Beijing’ bit, but when it comes to river cruise cities featured in songs, this certainly one which does its bit on the guided tour factoid front. Indeed, Melua’s got the inspiration for the song when being told that supposedly, there were nine million bicycles in Beijing by her guide on a city tour.
The city
If you want to try and count the bicycles for yourself, book a Yangtze river cruise. Many river voyages which explore the iconic Chinese stretch of water begin with a tour of China’s capital, before you transfer to the river itself. Once in the city, you’ll have the opportunity to take an excursion out to the Great Wall of China, or explore such iconic city sights as the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven.

7. Kiev – Barclay James Harvest
The song
Since their mid-1960’s inception in the north of England, Prog rockers have addressed a wide variety of topics lyrically, including this 1986 effort which deals with the Chernobyl disaster. At the time, the fallout contaminated an area of the Ukraine close to its capital, Kiev.

The city
While in Kiev, it is indeed possible to visit the excellent and informative Chernobyl National Museum, which is a thought-provoking look at the events, though as far as surviving goes, Kiev wrote the book, emerging proud and beautiful after being attacked by Mongol Hordes, bombed during the Second World War and coming under Soviet rule. needless to say, there are plenty of historic sites to explore.

6. Hamburg Song – Keane
The song
Hamburg Song appears on British alternative rock band Keane’s second album Under the Iron Sea. It was considered a darker album than their debut which catapulted them to fame, and indeed, spawned this song about the strains put on keyboardist Tim Rice-Oxley’s friendship with his bandmate, singer Tom Chaplin, following the band’s success. Not sure what the Hamburg link is though.
The city
Hamburg is Germany’s second largest city and lies on the River Elbe, close to the point where it ends its journey in the North Sea. While it’s true that not all Elbe river cruises extend this far, it is possible to explore the city as part of a river voyage. The fact that it’s also one of Germany’s biggest ports makes it a popular port of call for ocean cruise ships too.  Don’t miss the beautiful Town Hall, the Church of St Michael and the stunning botanical garden.

5. One Night in Bangkok – Murray Head
The song
Cold War metaphor musical Chess is perhaps best known for spawning Barbara Dickson and Elaine Paige’s 1985 hit I Know Him So Well, which was number one for four weeks. However it was also responsible for this cheeky entendre-laiden account of a match between two chess players – one Russian, one American – which takes place in the city.
The city
The capital of Thailand is a common starting point for cruises which explore the Irrawaddy River and passengers often fly into the city and explore it before transferring to begin their river voyage. There are so many temples to choose from, it’s difficult to know where to start but the Temple of the Reclining Budda is one of the most famous. It worth taking time out for a meal too, as the cuisine here is some of the world’s finest.

4. April in Paris – Ella Fitzgerald et al
The song
There have been many songs inspired by the romance of France’s capital but this jazz standard is one of the most well-visited, having been recorded by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller. Ella Fitzgerald’s version remains one of the most memorable however, as her voice is considered one of the finest in the female jazz world.
The city
Paris’ reputation as a tourist destination of course goes before it and visit to the city will give you the opportunity to see for yourself such world-famous sights as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. However, the Seine River, which passes through it is also one of its most popular attractions and indeed, most Seine River cruises start or end in the city.

3. Moscow Underground – Simple Minds
The song
The noir-thriller genre inspired Simple Minds’ frontman Jim Kerr lyrically for this track, but it was Guitarist Charlie Burchill’s train rhythm which got the wheels rolling, evoking the spirit of the Russian capital’s famous underground system.
The city
In a similar way to the London Underground, Moscow’s underground is one of the city’s most popular attractions. It’s full of splendid artworks, with each stop boasting amazing architecture. Your Volga-Baltic Waterway cruise will often extend as far as the Moscow Canal, giving you chance to explore such wonders as Red Square, the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral.

2. Goodnight Saigon – Billy Joel
The song
Iconic singer-songwriter Billy Joel has penned many hits but this is surely one of his most moving. Joel composed the track in honour his friends who had served in the Vietnam War and puts himself into the mind of a soldier serving in the conflict. Saigon was the capital of the independent republic of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, though is today known as Ho Chi Minh City.
The city
One of the most contrasting of river cruise cities, you can explore the legacy of the Vietnam War, French Colonialism and much more besides on a visit to Ho Chi Minh City. It goes without saying that there’s plenty of delectable cuisine on offer but don’t miss the Saigon Opera House, the War Remnants Museum and Ho Chi Minh Square.

1. Vienna – Ultravox
The song
The  fact that this 1980’s classic was famously kept off the top-spot in the UK by Joe Dolce’s comedic Shaddap You Face didn’t stop it being one of the decade’s most recognised songs and the band’s most famous. The haunting and iconic track was inspired by the 1948 film The Third Man, which is set in Austria’s capital.
The city
A mainstay of pretty much any Danube cruise, Vienna is home to some of the finest architecture in Europe and a fine musical pedigree, too. Don’t miss such sites as the world-famous Opera House, Schonbrunn Palace and the Imperial Palace. There’s also the opportunity to explore the Third Man Museum, to help give you a sense of the mood and atmosphere which inspired the track.

By Simon Brotherton
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