Manhattan Morning
Flash Lyrics


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Cold and grey Manhattan morning
Steals into the day
Shattered doors, newspaper torn
And blowin' down the street.

Somewhere in the city heights
A frightened siren screams
A truck rolls by and I just stand and watch
Locked in a dream

And I feel like I'm the only one
That knows how it feels to be this free

Walking by store windows
That reflect the neon flares
See my breathing turn to white clouds
As it hits the morning air.

I can hear the early subway train
Go rumbling' underground
A cop rides by on a horseback
Jesse James has just hit town.





And it feels like I'm the only one
That knows how it feels to be this free.

Overall Meaning

In "Manhattan Morning," Flash offers a vivid portrayal of a cold and dreary morning in New York City. The lyrics describe the city's raw and authentic nature, including the chaotic sounds of sirens and blaring horns. The verse "Walking by store windows / that reflect the neon flares / see my breathing turn to white clouds / as it hits the morning air" speaks to the harshness of the cityscape and how vulnerable an individual can feel in the midst of it all. The lyric "And I feel like I'm the only one / That knows how it feels to be this free" implies a sense of isolation in the midst of chaos. In other words, it's the kind of environment that can set a person free but can also bring them down.


The chorus is a reflection on this sense of introspection. The singer seems to be experiencing something that's difficult to put into words. He's in a dream-state where he can observe everything around him yet doesn't feel like he's a part of anything. The verse "A cop rides by on a horseback / Jesse James has just hit town" invokes thoughts of a wild west showdown. It's a stark reminder that despite living in a concrete jungle, the city can still feel like it's falling apart at the seams. "Manhattan Morning" as a whole speaks to the idea that New York City can be both exhilarating and exhausting, liberating and isolating, and it's up to the individual to decide how they'll navigate it.


Line by Line Meaning

Cold and grey Manhattan morning
The weather is chilly and overcast in Manhattan this morning.


Steals into the day
The morning has just started, and the grey weather seems to take over the day.


Shattered doors, newspaper torn
The city seems a bit broken down or neglected, with doors that have seen better days and newspapers scattered around.


And blowin' down the street.
The wind is strong and causing the newspapers to blow down the street.


Somewhere in the city heights
High up in the city buildings, there is some commotion or distress.


A frightened siren screams
A police, ambulance or fire siren is heard that indicates someone is in danger.


A truck rolls by and I just stand and watch
The singer is standing still and watching everyday life happen around him, including the truck that is passing by.


Locked in a dream
The artist feels semi-conscious, like he is in a dreamlike state.


And I feel like I'm the only one
The artist has an isolated sensation, feeling like he is alone but observing everything happening around him.


That knows how it feels to be this free
The artist is experiencing a sense of freedom, feeling free to watch the city and everything happening in it.


Walking by store windows
The singer is taking a stroll, passing by shops.


That reflect the neon flares
The neon lights from the shop windows reflect and light up the street.


See my breathing turn to white clouds
The singer exhales, and his breath becomes visible in the chilly weather.


As it hits the morning air.
The singer notices the crispness of the air as he breathes it in.


I can hear the early subway train
The singer can hear the subway train running underground.


Go rumbling' underground
The sound of the subway train is strong and resonating through the ground.


A cop rides by on a horseback
A police officer on horseback is seen riding down the street.


Jesse James has just hit town.
This is a reference to Jesse James, a notorious outlaw. It could mean that there is someone or something dangerous in the area.


And it feels like I'm the only one
The singer still has a sense of being alone in his observations.


That knows how it feels to be this free.
The artist once again acknowledges the feeling of freedom, like he is free to enjoy and observe the city on this chilly, grey morning.




Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Marcelo B

Best song on the album. The two previous works, Flash and Flash in the Pan are MUCH more progressive and consistent.

sinfoneura

Gran album...

sherrynoland

Sad to lose Pete, but Flash lives on. Just released new CD after 40 YEARS!! "Flash featuring Ray Bennett & Colin Carter", out on Cleopatra Records May 21, 2013.

Ronnie Guitar

They liked to show a little flash on their album covers. Got to catch the eye of a young man with some album-buying cash in his pocket.

steve tjehlt

i am soooooo sad and I can't stop crying!

Ramadi Odink

WOUW

2wilburc

I think Pete Banks was shuffled out of Yes by John Anderson because Banks had more Yes about him than Anderson.Possible?

Marcelo B

I dont think so... Probably because Steve Howe had much more technique and creativity than Banks.

Arthur F. Scaltrito

Blue Oyster Cult
Flash
Mott The Hoople
Phila Spectrum
August 1973

ksjoyjespeace

Geddy Lee stole from Colin Carter !

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