An Open Letter to NYC
Beastie Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Black, White, New York you make it happen
Brownstones, water towers, trees, skyscrapers
Writers, prize fighters and Wall Street traders
We come together on the subway cars
We're doing fine on the One and Nine line
On the L we're doin' swell
On the number Ten bus we fight and fuss
You know we're thorough in the boroughs 'cause that's a must
I remember when the Duece was all porno flicks
Running home after school to play PIX
At lunch I'd go to Blimpies down on Montague Street
And hit the Fulton Street Mall for the sneakers on my feet
Dear New York I hope you're doing well
I know a lot's happened and you've been through hell
So, we give thanks for providing a home
Through your gates at Ellis Island we passed in droves
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Black, White, New York you make it happen
The L.I.E. the B.Q.E
Hippies at the band shell with the L.S.D.
Get my BVDs from VIM
You know I'm reppin' Manhattan the best I can
Stopped off at Bleeker Bob's, got thrown out
Sneakin' in at four am after going out
You didn't rob me in the park at Dianna Ross
But everybody started looting when the light went off
From the South South Bronx on out to Queens Bridge
From Hollis Queens right down to Bay Ridge
From Castle Hill to the Lower East Side
From ten-ten WINS to Live At Five
Dear New York, this is a love letter
To you and how you brought us together
We can't say enough about all you do
'Cause in the city we're ourselves and electric too
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Black, White, New York you make it happen
Shout out the South Bronx where my mom hails from
Right next to High Bridge across from Harlem
To the Grand Concourse where my mom and dad met
Before they moved on down to the Upper West
I see you're still strong after all that's gone on
Lifelong, we dedicate this song
Just a little something to show some respect
To the city that blends and mends and tests
Since 9-11 we're still livin'
And lovin' life we've been given
Ain't nothing gonna take that away from us
We lookin' pretty and gritty 'cause in the city we trust
Dear New York I know a lot has changed
Two towers down but you're still in the game
Home to the many, rejecting no-one
Accepting peoples of all places, wherever they're from
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Black, White, New York you make it happen
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Black, White, New York, we make it happen
In the song "An Open Letter to NYC," Beastie Boys pay homage to the diverse and vibrant city of New York. The lyrics mention several New York neighborhoods including Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, as well as landmarks such as the Battery and Manhattan skyscrapers. The city's cultural melting pot is also celebrated with references to Asians, Middle Easterners, Latin Americans, Blacks, and Whites, and the subway is highlighted as a place where diversity is unified. The song's chorus praises the city for making things happen and bringing people together.
The song is a celebration of the city of New York and its people, as well as a tribute to the resilience and spirit shown in the face of adversity. The lyrics make references to historical events such as the wave of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island, as well as more recent ones such as the looting that took place during the 1977 blackout. The song also reflects on the impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the city, acknowledging that much has changed, but celebrating the city's enduring strength and inclusivity.
Line by Line Meaning
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
New York City's five boroughs
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
From the southern tip of Manhattan to the northern part of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Diverse ethnicities and nationalities of people living in the city
Black, White, New York you make it happen
The city's diversity is what makes it thrive
Brownstones, water towers, trees, skyscrapers
Different types of buildings and elements that make up the city's skyline
Writers, prize fighters and Wall Street traders
Different types of people who contribute to the city's culture and economy
We come together on the subway cars
The subway brings people from different walks of life together
Diversity unified, whoever you are
Even though people are different, they are unified by their shared experience of living in the city
We're doing fine on the One and Nine line
Life is good on certain subway lines
On the L we're doin' swell
Life is good on the L train
On the number Ten bus we fight and fuss
There may be conflict on certain bus lines
You know we're thorough in the boroughs 'cause that's a must
People are dedicated to their boroughs
I remember when the Duece was all porno flicks
The singer is reminiscing about how Times Square used to be
Running home after school to play PIX
The singer is reminiscing about childhood in the city
At lunch I'd go to Blimpies down on Montague Street
The singer is reminiscing about a specific deli in Brooklyn
And hit the Fulton Street Mall for the sneakers on my feet
The artist remembers shopping for sneakers in an iconic mall in Brooklyn
Dear New York I hope you're doing well
The artist is addressing the city as if it were a person
I know a lot's happened and you've been through hell
The singer acknowledges the city's challenges and difficulties
So, we give thanks for providing a home
The singer is grateful for the city being a home to many people
Through your gates at Ellis Island we passed in droves
The city was a gateway for many immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island
The L.I.E. the B.Q.E
Highways in the city
Hippies at the band shell with the L.S.D.
A reference to the music scene in Central Park in the 60s and 70s
Get my BVDs from VIM
The singer is referring to a specific clothing store in Brooklyn
You know I'm reppin' Manhattan the best I can
The artist is proud to represent Manhattan
Stopped off at Bleeker Bob's, got thrown out
The singer remembers being kicked out of a famous record store
Sneakin' in at four am after going out
The singer remembers staying out late and sneaking into places
You didn't rob me in the park at Dianna Ross
The singer is referencing a specific mugging incident in Central Park
But everybody started looting when the light went off
The artist is referencing the 1977 blackout, which led to looting throughout the city
From the South South Bronx on out to Queens Bridge
Different neighborhoods in the city
From Hollis Queens right down to Bay Ridge
Different neighborhoods in the city
From Castle Hill to the Lower East Side
Different neighborhoods in the city
From ten-ten WINS to Live At Five
Different TV and radio stations in the city
Dear New York, this is a love letter
The artist is expressing their love for the city
To you and how you brought us together
The city has been a place that unites people from different backgrounds
We can't say enough about all you do
The singer is acknowledging the city's contributions
'Cause in the city we're ourselves and electric too
The city brings people to life
Shout out the South Bronx where my mom hails from
The singer is giving a shoutout to their mom's neighborhood
Right next to High Bridge across from Harlem
The singer is referencing a specific area in the South Bronx
To the Grand Concourse where my mom and dad met
The singer is referencing an iconic street in the South Bronx and their parents' history
Before they moved on down to the Upper West
The artist's parents moved to another neighborhood in the city
I see you're still strong after all that's gone on
The artist is acknowledging the city's resilience
Lifelong, we dedicate this song
The singer is dedicating the song to the city and its people
Just a little something to show some respect
The song is a tribute to the city
To the city that blends and mends and tests
The city is a place where people from different backgrounds come together and overcome challenges
Since 9-11 we're still livin'
The artist is referencing the city's survival after 9/11
And lovin' life we've been given
The city and its people appreciate life
Ain't nothing gonna take that away from us
The city and its people are strong and resilient
We lookin' pretty and gritty 'cause in the city we trust
The city and its people have resilience and pride
Dear New York I know a lot has changed
The singer acknowledges the city's changes over time
Two towers down but you're still in the game
The city continues to thrive despite challenges
Home to the many, rejecting no-one
The city is a home to many people, regardless of their backgrounds
Accepting peoples of all places, wherever they're from
The city welcomes people from all over the world
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
New York City's five boroughs
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
From the southern tip of Manhattan to the northern part of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Diverse ethnicities and nationalities of people living in the city
Black, White, New York you make it happen
The city's diversity is what makes it thrive
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EUGENE O'CONNER, DAVID LYNN THOMAS, MICHAEL DIAMOND, ADAM YAUCH, ADAM HOROWITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MarshMan Gunnar
One of the most underrated Beastie tracks.
Heisenberg
true
Evan AB
Totally Agree, and experiencing all their music with new eyes it's all Brilliant!
Ian Thomas
In my top three, if not my top 1 depending on the position of the stars!
MarshMan Gunnar
Awesome @EvanB... they were so talented and dynamic! Still miss Yauch!
Cheyenne Schanta
Not by me.
Dave Johnston
The beat on this song. Holy crap. This song is just INSANE. How did this not get more air play?
Neiko
The track screams NYC hip hop. Fast, boom bap, intense background samples that are always rising. Love it. I’m a native from QUEENS baby!! Born in Valley Stream , but I was raised in South Jamaica and South Flushing
Karen Kane
Still gives me good chills.
John Cee
Man, I miss these guys, hearing MCA makes my heart heavy, what a loss.