Although it might seem that Warsaw and Kraków are the most frequently described cities in Polish songs, Łódź is certainly no worse. Many works in which the city landscape plays a supporting role remain huge hits and continue to resound in our headphones today. Other melodies are worth refreshing your memory with. We present a list of hits with Łódź in the background.

"Deszczowa piosenka" (Rainy Song)

Admittedly unconventional and perhaps somewhat ironic, but "Deszczowa piosenka" is a declaration of love for the hometown of the band Coma's musicians. "Oh, what a beautiful day / A dream washed away by rain / Flooded faces on Fabrycznym / They rejoice / Welcoming me. // Where does the city of my dreams flow? / Where does unloved Łódź flow? / Where does the scraped wreck flow? / How much longer?" – sings Piotr Rogucki. The clip for this song is interwoven with statements from Łódź residents gathered during a street survey and fragments of a concert recorded at the Wytwórnia club. Although it depicts an image of an industrial city that is somewhat gloomy (especially in winter), you cannot help but notice the love that its residents have for it. In "Deszczowa piosenka" we also hear: "Let my city know / That I love it / Like a wicked child". So we can say that it is a somewhat ironic, yet tribute paid by the band's musicians to their hometown.

"Ziemia obiecana" (The Promised Land)

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The clip promoting the film directed by Andrzej Wajda could not be missing from our compilation. The lyrics to "Ziemia obiecana" were written by Jonasz Kofta, and the music was composed by Zygmunt Konieczny. In the short clip we see, among others, Daniel Olbrychski singing, Andrzej Seweryn and Wojciech Pszoniak. The film's title alludes to the well-known biblical motif of Canaan, the land promised by God to the Jews, to which people tirelessly wandered, just as people seeking work and money flocked to Łódź. In the video we see, among other things, Piotrkowska Street, Plac Wolności (Freedom Square), and scenes from Wajda's film. "We are beyond time, sifting words through sand / Copper foreheads of ours covered by the sweat's darkness. / We were once young in the youngest city – Łódź / Here each of us came to have money!" – we hear.

"Obiecana ziemia" (The Promised Land)

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Since we're talking about "Ziemia obiecana", it's worth mentioning the contemporary, hip-hop response to the work from years ago. "Obiecana ziemia" is a view of Łódź artists from the hip-hop scene on their native city. In this song we can hear, among others, Zeus, Afront rapping or Familia HP. The beat was created by O.S.T.R. In the song's lyrics we will hear how artists working in the city perceive it. There were no bitter words, but from them also flows a desire to act and faith in the power of dreams coming true: "This city! These housing estates! These streets! And this scene! ŁDZ, our promised land! We fulfill our dreams, there's nothing to lose! ŁDZ, our promised land! Check it out! We fulfill our dreams! ŁDZ! Our promised land! Check it out! There's nothing to lose! ŁDZ! Our promised land!" – the rappers sing in the chorus. It's also worth adding that the photos for the video illustrating the song were taken at Pałac Poznańskiego (Poznański Palace) on Ulica Ogrodowa (Garden Street), which is now the Museum of the City.

"Prząśniczka" (The Spinner)

This song simply could not be missing from our list. "Prząśniczka" is a song composed by Stanisław Moniuszko for voice and piano. The lyrics were arranged by Jan Czeczota, and the most well-known vocals were provided by Irena Santor. Since 1998, "Prząśniczka" has been the official anthem of Łódź and every day at noon it rings out from the window of the City Hall located at Piotrkowska Street 104. No wonder, after all the song tells of girls spinning thread, and the textile industry was once the city's calling card.

"Łódź"

It's hard to find another song as uniquely Łódź as this one performed by the band NOT. "Łódź" is a song whose lyrics consist exclusively of the names of city streets. These include, among others, Piotrkowska, Limanowskiego, Włókiennicza, Smutnej and such characteristic places as Rynek Bałucki (Bałuty Market) or Księży Młyn (Priests' Mill). In the chorus, the artists of the NOT band perversely remind those familiar with Łódź of a well-known Jewish saying: "Your streets, our buildings". The song was created in 2007, and the artists making up the group are: Roberta Tuta and members of the Cool Kids of Death band – Kuba Wandachowicz and Marcin "Cinass" Kowalski.

"Kochankowie z ulicy Kamiennej" (Lovers from Kamienna Street)

Agnieszka Osiecka studied film direction from 1957 to 1961 at the Łódź Film School. Her time in the city became an inspiration for her to create a song telling of the passionate feeling of mysterious lovers. Kamienna Street, known from Agnieszka Osiecka's song, is today Włókiennicza Street and doesn't really evoke thoughts of love for anyone. But the legend of the lovers survived. In 2004, a relief-fountain "Kochankowie z ulicy Kamiennej" was unveiled.