New York · The Empire State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
New York state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
New York's official state song is “I Love New York”, adopted in 1980. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Ever Upward”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for New York, with its full lyrics.
An original song for New York
Big-city pop-soul with piano, strings, brass, a swaggering beat and a skyline-size chorus
“Ever Upward” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male and female duet · Big-city pop-soul with piano.
Verse 1
Steam is rising off the avenue before the city wakes
Upstate the fog is lifting off a thousand mirror lakes
A bluebird in the apple blossoms up in Hudson Valley spring
New York, you're the first and loudest of everything
Chorus
Excelsior, ever upward, that's the way we climb
From the Battery to Buffalo, from Montauk to the line
Niagara's roaring thunder and the subway's rolling hum
New York, you're the heartbeat that I'm always coming from
Verse 2
Adirondack peaks in autumn, a canoe on Saranac
Brooklyn on a rooftop with the bridge lit at your back
Wine along the Finger Lakes, the Catskills in the snow
New York, you're the whole wide world in one hello
Chorus
Excelsior, ever upward, that's the way we climb
From the Battery to Buffalo, from Montauk to the line
Niagara's roaring thunder and the subway's rolling hum
New York, you're the heartbeat that I'm always coming from
Bridge
Eight million stories and a million more upstate
New York, you're the Empire that we made
Chorus
Excelsior, ever upward, that's the way we climb
From the Battery to Buffalo, from Montauk to the line
Niagara's roaring thunder and the subway's rolling hum
New York, you're the heartbeat that I'm always coming from
About “Ever Upward”
New York's song is big-city pop-soul with brass and strings and a chorus built on the motto, "Excelsior". It gives the whole state its due: the skyline and the subway, Niagara Falls, the Adirondacks, Hudson Valley orchards, the Finger Lakes wine country and the Catskills.
The eastern bluebird and rose are the state bird and flower. New York's official song is "I Love New York", the 1977 tourism jingle adopted in 1980.
Places and symbols in the song
- the New York City skyline
- Niagara Falls
- the Adirondacks
- the Hudson Valley
- the Finger Lakes
- Eastern bluebird
- Rose
SongUp AI composed and sang this song from the lyrics above and the style line under the title, the same way it makes songs for its users. It is not the official state song and it is not a cover.
The official state song of New York
- Title
- “I Love New York”
- Written by
- Steve Karmen
- Status
- adopted in 1980
Written in 1977 as the jingle for the state's tourism campaign, it became the official state song three years later; Karmen never charged the state for its use.
Many official state songs are still in copyright, so their lyrics are not printed here. The state's own website or legislature publishes the official text.
New York at a glance
- Nickname
- The Empire State
- Capital
- Albany
- Largest city
- New York City
- Statehood
- July 26, 1788 (11th state)
- Motto
- Excelsior (Ever upward)
- State bird
- Eastern bluebird
- State flower
- Rose
- Official state song
- "I Love New York" (in 1980)
Questions about New York's state song
What is the official state song of New York?
The official state song of New York is "I Love New York", Steve Karmen, adopted in 1980. Written in 1977 as the jingle for the state's tourism campaign, it became the official state song three years later; Karmen never charged the state for its use.
Is "Ever Upward" the official state song of New York?
No. "Ever Upward" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for New York. The official state song is "I Love New York", adopted in 1980. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Ever Upward" about?
New York's song is big-city pop-soul with brass and strings and a chorus built on the motto, "Excelsior". It gives the whole state its due: the skyline and the subway, Niagara Falls, the Adirondacks, Hudson Valley orchards, the Finger Lakes wine country and the Catskills. It names the New York City skyline, Niagara Falls, the Adirondacks, the Hudson Valley and the Finger Lakes, with the state bird (eastern bluebird) and state flower (rose) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "I Love New York" and when was it adopted?
"I Love New York" is credited to Steve Karmen; it was adopted in 1980. Written in 1977 as the jingle for the state's tourism campaign, it became the official state song three years later; Karmen never charged the state for its use.
What are New York's state symbols?
New York is nicknamed The Empire State. Its capital is Albany and its largest city is New York City. It joined the Union on July 26, 1788 (11th state). The state motto is "Excelsior (Ever upward)", the state bird is the eastern bluebird and the state flower is the rose.
Can I play or share "Ever Upward"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about New York, your town, your school or your family, with the names and places you choose, describe it on the Create page: a free account hears a 30-second preview of its own lyrics sung, and a full song comes with a Pro plan.
How do I make my own song about New York?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in New York City, NY") or paste your own lyrics, pick a voice, and SongUp AI writes, sings and mixes it in a few minutes. Every song comes with a lyric video, stems and a gift page.