Binghamton’s Official Song: The Real Story Behind the Music

The city of Binghamton has an official "theme song" but it's something very few residents know about.

Jim Ford wrote the song in 1988. The song - appropriately titled Binghamton, New York - was performed publicly by members of the high school choir at Recreation Park in May 1998.

At an event marking the first carousel ride of the season, Mayor Richard Bucci proclaimed that as the city's "official song."

In a WNBF Radio interview Friday, Ford talked about writing the special song. He said he was inspired by Rod Serling's famous quote: "Everybody has to have a hometown. Binghamton's mine."

Ford said after traveling around the U.S. and around the world, "it was great to come back to my hometown in 1975." He then decided to write a song about Binghamton.

Ford wanted to acknowledge three prominent people who had called the city their home: writer Rod Serling, inventor Edwin Link and musician Slam Stewart.

The song mentions the region's carousels, hills and rivers. It expresses pride in what's known as the "Parlor City."

Ford said Binghamton's official song was broadcast once on WNBF's Bill Parker show more than 25 years ago. It aired on the station again at the end of Friday morning's live interview.

Ford provided specially-printed copies of the lyrics to "Binghamton, New York" to WNBF to be given away to those who make a food or monetary donation during the "Food-A-Bago" campaign. The annual tradition supports CHOW - the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse - operated by the Broome County Council of Churches.

People may stop by the Food-A-Bago camper at the Weis Market at 1290 Front Street in the town of Chenango starting Monday, November 3.

LISTEN: Jim Ford spoke about his song "Binghamton, New York" on WNBF Radio on October 31, 2025.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.