New York
Ashcroft Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and I wanted to go
half my life
and I feel kind of strange
like I never lived that life
and I'm trying hard
and I always want to know
and I always want to go
New York are you tunin' in
New York big city of dreams
New York oh what a city
New York are you tunin' in
there's no time to unpack yet
let's get straight out on the street
and feel no inhibitions
this city was build for me
and my head is full of questions
when did I feel this good
In the arms of my lover
burnin' through the night of New York
ain't it funny how time flies
in a city that never sleeps
it's getting after hours
and I'm feeling the heat
I'm almost dead and buried
this day is nearly done
but I want to keep on going
I'm gonna kiss the sun in New York
(i will go to my brain)
and I'm feeling kind of selfish
'cause i'm just flyin' home
I've been busy on your island
just having my own fun
it's an english tradition
find some money make some time
get busy on your island
and slowly lose your minds in New York
The opening lines of Richard Ashcroft's "New York" suggest a sense of displacement and detachment. The longing to be somewhere else and the feeling of not having lived a certain life permeates throughout the verses. Ashcroft's vocals are soaked in a sense of yearning, as he tries to make sense of his emotions, attempting to control his heart. The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "New York are you tunin' in", urges the city to take notice, to acknowledge the songwriter's presence, his desire to be part of it all.
As the song progresses, Ashcroft's lyrics reveal a love for the city, the heady excitement and the sense of freedom it imparts. The lines, "there's no time to unpack yet/let's get straight out on the street/and feel no inhibitions/this city was built for me" capture the essence of the song's message. The music builds up to a point of euphoria, as the songwriter basks in the glory of the city, the energy of its nights and the intensity of human connections.
Overall, "New York" can be seen as a paean to the city, with all its contradictions and complexities. Ashcroft's lyrics combine a sense of dislocation with a rapturous celebration of the city, and the two strands merge seamlessly to create a narrative that will resonate with anyone who's ever felt the pull of New York's magnetic energy.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you tuning in?
Am I being heard?
and I wanted to go
I desired to visit.
half my life
For a significant portion of my life.
and I feel kind of strange
I am experiencing an odd sensation.
like I never lived that life
As if I had never actually lived it.
and I'm trying hard
I'm struggling.
to control my heart
To regulate my emotions.
and I always want to know
I am constantly curious.
and I always want to go
I continually want to move forward.
New York are you tunin' in
Is the city paying attention?
New York big city of dreams
A metropolis filled with possibilities and opportunities.
New York oh what a city
An exclamation of admiration for the city.
New York are you tunin' in
Again, asking if the city is paying attention.
there's no time to unpack yet
There is a sense of urgency to explore.
let's get straight out on the street
It's time to immediately start discovering.
and feel no inhibitions
Without any hesitation or self-doubt.
this city was build for me
The city seems tailor-made for me.
and my head is full of questions
I have many queries running through my mind.
when did I feel this good
Asking myself when the last time was that I felt this positive.
In the arms of my lover
Embraced by my significant other.
burnin' through the night of New York
Making the most of the city during nighttime.
ain't it funny how time flies
A realization of how time passes quickly in the city.
in a city that never sleeps
Remarkable that the city is always lively.
it's getting after hours
Late at night.
and I'm feeling the heat
Feeling a rush of excitement.
I'm almost dead and buried
Exhausted and worn out.
this day is nearly done
The day is ending.
but I want to keep on going
Still want to keep exploring.
I'm gonna kiss the sun in New York
A metaphorical statement about accomplishing everything possible while in the city.
(i will go to my brain)
Unclear what this lyric means.
and I'm feeling kind of selfish
Admitting to feeling self-centered.
'cause i'm just flyin' home
Feeling conflicted because I am leaving the city soon.
I've been busy on your island
Referring to possibly Britain as 'your island.'
just having my own fun
Enjoying myself.
it's an english tradition
Suggesting that it is typical for English people to seek out fun and entertainment in a foreign place.
find some money make some time
Find the funds and take the time to enjoy oneself.
get busy on your island
And do not let oneself get too comfortable at home.
and slowly lose your minds in New York
There is excitement and stimulation in the city that can result in forgetfulness of the familiar home environment.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD ASHCROFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind