The song offers a depiction of post-9/11 NYC while maintaining a dark tone which is present throughout the album. A music video for "NYC" was produced, directed by Doug Aitken. It features the band in a montage of pictures and designs as well as footage of a park at night.
"NYC" has been included on several best-of lists. Consequence of Sound ranked it at number 46 on their Best Singles of the 2000s list. Pitchfork ranked it at 140 on their Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s list. Slant Magazine rated it at number 219 on their Best Singles of the Aughts list. Electronic musician Moby placed "NYC" as his 8th favorite track of the decade.
NYC
Interpol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thought I knew which one to wear
I'm sick of spending these lonely nights
Training myself not to care
The subway is a porno
The pavements they are a mess
I know you've supported me for a long time
But New York cares (got to be some more change in my life)
New York cares (got to be some more change in my life)
New York cares (got to be some more change in my life)
New York cares (got to be some more change in my life)
Subway she is a porno
And the pavements they are a mess
I know you've supported me for a long time
Somehow I'm not impressed
It's up to me now turn on the bright lights
Oh, it's up to me now turn on the bright lights
New York cares (got to be some more change in my life)
New York cares (got to be some more change in my life)
New York cares (got to be some more change in my life)
New York cares (got to be some more change in my life)
It's up to me now turn on the bright lights
(Got to be some more change in my life)
Oh, it's up to me now turn on the bright lights
(Got to be some more change in my life)
The lyrics of Interpol's song "NYC" depict the singer's complex relationship with New York City. The opening lines, "I had seven faces / Thought I knew which one to wear," suggest a sense of identity crisis in the bustling metropolis of New York, where one may feel like they have to constantly change their persona to fit in or stand out. The singer is also struggling with loneliness, as seen in the line "I'm sick of spending these lonely nights / Training myself not to care." This could be a commentary on the isolating nature of city life, where there are so many people around but it can still feel incredibly lonely.
The subway and pavement being described as a "porno" and a "mess" respectively further adds to the degradation and ugliness the singer sees in the city. Despite this, the singer acknowledges that someone has supported him for a long time (presumably a lover or a friend), yet the support doesn't seem to be enough anymore, as he says "Somehow I'm not impressed." The repeated refrain of "New York cares" may be a sarcastic comment on the uncaring nature of the city, or it may be an optimistic hope that the city does indeed care about its inhabitants and can bring about change in the singer's life. The final lines, "It's up to me now turn on the bright lights," suggest a sense of empowerment and taking control of one's life within the city.
Line by Line Meaning
I had seven faces
I presented different versions of myself to the world
Thought I knew which one to wear
I believed I knew which version of myself was appropriate for each situation
I'm sick of spending these lonely nights
I'm tired of feeling alone and disconnected from others
Training myself not to care
I'm trying to protect myself from feeling hurt or disappointed
The subway is a porno
The underground is filled with people and advertisements that objectify and sexualize women
The pavements they are a mess
The streets are dirty and chaotic
I know you've supported me for a long time
I appreciate the loyalty and help of those around me
Somehow I'm not impressed
However, I am not feeling fulfilled or satisfied by their support alone
New York cares (got to be some more change in my life)
Despite its flaws, New York is a city that is full of energy and passion, and there is potential for growth and transformation there
It's up to me now turn on the bright lights
I must take action to create positive change in my life and surroundings
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Carlos Andres Dengler, Daniel Alexander Kessler, Paul Julian Banks, Samuel J Fogarino
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beelgik1
I had seven faces
Thought I knew which one to wear
But I'm sick of spending these lonely nights
Training myself not to care
The subway is a porno
The pavements they are a mess
I know you've supported me for a long time
Somehow I'm not impressed
But
[Chorus]
New York cares
(Got to be some more change in my life)
The subway she is a porno
And the pavements they are a mess
I know you've supported me for a long time
Somehow I'm not impressed
It is up to me now, turn on the bright lights
@tatoo5781
"I'm sick of spending this lonely nights, training myself not to care" love this line
@Safe-and-effective
No.
@billymkj2763
@@Safe-and-effective bro what are you on about ye necro poster
@Safe-and-effective
@@billymkj2763 Why are you calling me a necro? That's hate speech right there.
@DBGjohnny
I guarantee you he’s not talking about what you probably think
@anamorel2634
"It's up to me now, turn on the bright lights"... those words are so important to me.
@summerofgeorge1327
same :)
@tao5143
same, but i still can not do it :(
@Beaner..
Maestro Tao pai pai- yes u can
@JayInDecent
What meaning?