Hey Manhattan!
Prefab Sprout Lyrics

Guess what ! Summer's arrived I feel the world's on my side
Excitement for the summer season and a feeling of confidence in oneself and the world.

The Brooklyn Bridge stretches below me
Observation of the iconic bridge in the New York City skyline.

A billion souls all dying to know me
Hyperbolic statement about the attention and admiration one feels in a bustling city like New York.

Well here I am ! Loaded with promise
Confidence in one's abilities and potential.

And knee deep in grace
Feeling blessed or fortunate in the current moment.

What I want is here on my face and
Being able to express one's desires or goals through facial expression or body language.

I feel like I own the whole damn place
Sense of empowerment and ownership over the city and one's experiences there.

Hey Manhattan ! Here I am ! Call me star-struck Uncle Sam.
Excitement and patriotism in being in a place as iconic as Manhattan.

Strolling Fifth Avenue
Leisurely walking down one of the most famous avenues in New York City.

Just to think Sinatra's been here too
Reflecting on the history of the city and the famous people who have been there before.

These myths we can't undo they lie in wait for you
Acknowledging the various cultural legends and stories that exist within cities like Manhattan.

We live them till they're true
The myths and stories become part of the lived experience and culture of the city.

Manhattan doobie doo. Hey Manhattan doobie doo.
A playful way of repeating the name of the city, and emphasizing its significance.

Someday's you've got to get outside - Look there's "The Carlyle"
Recognizing the importance of taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, and pointing out a famous hotel.

That's the place where Kennedy stayed,
Referencing a moment in history that occurred in the city.

And where were you when he died ? (Yeah some things are slow to fade.)
Reflecting on the significance of certain life-changing events, and acknowledging their lasting impact.

There they were - Loaded with promise
Thinking about the potential and ambition of past generations, and recognizing it in oneself.

Knee deep in fate - When what you want shows on your face
Acknowledging that success can depend on both hard work and luck.

All that's left litters the whole damn place
Commenting on the abundance of material possessions and trash that accumulate in a city.

Hey Manhattan ! Here I am ! Call it bad luck Uncle Sam.
Acknowledging that even with potential and ambition, success is not always guaranteed in a city like Manhattan.

Scrounging Fifth Avenue
Humorous language used to describe a person walking down a famous, high-end shopping street without the intention of buying anything.

Just to think the poor could live here too
Reflecting on the stark contrast between the wealthy and poor populations that coexist in the city.

But what are they to do ? These myths belong to you,
Addressing the societal and economic issues in the city, and recognizing that certain cultural myths are not accessible to all residents.

We live them till they're true,
Repeating the earlier sentiment that cultural myths and legends become part of the lived experience and culture of the city.

Manhattan doobie doo. Hey Manhattan doobie doo.
A playful way of repeating the name of the city, and emphasizing its significance.