New York City
Flashlight Lyrics


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crime
frank sinatra
new years eve
bouncing souls
krs1
big apple
mafia
bums
statue of liberty
seinfeld
letterman
time square
guns
spider man
mets
the ramones
the bronx
cats the musical
we've never been to new york city
warriors
ed kotch
king kong
central park
cats
parties
planet of the apes
sick of it all
pollution




spiderman again
skyscrapers

Overall Meaning

The song "New York City" by Flashlight is a reflective piece which captures the city in all its glory and grit. The song encapsulates the city's rich cultural history and the changes that have occurred since the days of Frank Sinatra and the Mafia. The lyrics mention crime, bums, and pollution, but the city is still seen as the “Big Apple” with the Statue of Liberty welcoming those who arrive at its shores. The song also references famous New York City icons such as Seinfeld, Letterman, the Mets, the Ramones, and King Kong.


The song also captures the beauty and vibrancy of New York City. It refers to the parties in Times Square on New Year's Eve, the vibrant Central Park, and the majestic skyscrapers. The song alludes to Spider-Man, Planet of the Apes, and Cats the Musical, demonstrating the art scene's breadth and diversity. Furthermore, the song references the Warriors and Ed Koch, who were central figures in New York City's history.


The overall message of the song is that, despite its flaws, New York City is still a vibrant and exciting place. Although the lyrics mention guns, crime, and the Mafia, the song highlights the city's culture and iconic landmarks. The song is a celebration of the city, flaws and all.


Line by Line Meaning

crime
The high crime rate that New York City is known for.


frank sinatra
The iconic musician who sang about New York City.


new years eve
The famous celebration that occurs in Times Square on New Year's Eve.


bouncing souls
A punk rock band from New Jersey who sing about the excitement of New York City.


krs1
A rapper who grew up in the Bronx and frequently raps about the city.


big apple
A nickname for New York City which refers to the city's fame and importance.


mafia
The organized crime syndicate that is associated with the history of New York City.


bums
Homelessness and panhandling, which is often seen on the streets of New York City.


statue of liberty
The iconic statue that stands in New York Harbor and represents freedom and democracy.


seinfeld
The famous television show that is set in New York City and represents the city's quirkiness and humor.


letterman
The legendary talk show host who filmed his show in New York City for many years.


time square
The bustling commercial and entertainment center that is famous for its bright lights and billboards.


guns
The issue of gun violence that is prevalent in many parts of New York City.


spider man
The superhero who is associated with New York City and often saves the city from harm.


mets
The professional baseball team that plays in New York City and has a strong fan base.


the ramones
A punk rock band from New York City who sing about the city's energy and spirit.


the bronx
A borough of New York City that has a rich history and culture.


cats the musical
The popular musical that takes place in New York City and features felines as the main characters.


we've never been to new york city
The admission that the singer has never actually been to New York City themselves but is aware of its cultural significance.


warriors
The cult classic movie that takes place in a fictionalized version of New York City.


ed kotch
The famous painter who captured the essence of New York City in his artwork.


king kong
The iconic movie monster who famously battles against the city of New York, destroying skyscrapers in the process.


central park
The famous park located in the middle of Manhattan which provides a much-needed green space to the crowded city.


parties
The lively nightlife scene in New York City, which is known for its many bars and clubs.


planet of the apes
The science fiction movie that features a dystopian version of New York City in the far future.


sick of it all
A hardcore punk band from New York City who sing about the harsh realities of life in the city.


pollution
The environmental issue of air and water pollution that is a major concern in New York City.


spiderman again
The repetition of Spiderman as a symbol of New York City's connection to superheroes and the fantastic.


skyscrapers
The towering buildings that make up the iconic skyline of New York City.




Contributed by Carter A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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