Karen O is a pseudonym of Karen Lee Orzolek (b. 22 Nov 1978 in South Korea)… Read Full Bio ↴Karen O is a pseudonym of Karen Lee Orzolek (b. 22 Nov 1978 in South Korea), lead vocalist with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Karen O and the Kids.

Her mother is Korean and father is Polish. She grew up in New Jersey, went to Dwight-Englewood high school, and attended Oberlin College, but transferred to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

Orzolek has been noted for her sense of fashion. All of her costumes are designed by fashion designer and friend Christian Joy. She is also well known for her outrageous antics during live shows. She is known to often spit water or beer, or sometimes grapes into the crowd. Her on-stage antics have been compared to punk legends like Iggy Pop and Patti Smith. In 2003 at The Metro, Sydney, Australia (prior to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' appearance at the Livid festival), she accidentally danced off the stage at a sideshow and reluctantly had to be taken to hospital - a few days later she appeared at the festival in a wheelchair, pushed by Angus Andrew.

She currently lives in Los Angeles, California, in the Silver Lake neighbourhood.

NYC Baby
Karen O Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

One, two, ready go
Left my baby in New York City
Oh what did he's in New York City
'Cause my arms are empty
And phone it rings a plenty
I'd rather have my baby
Much, much closer to me lately than he's been
Yeah I'd rather have my baby

Much, much closer to me lately than he's been

Overall Meaning

The opening lyrics of Karen O's song NYC Baby depict a sense of longing and loss as she sings about leaving her lover behind in the city. The lyrics delves into the emotions of the singer as she tries to make sense of the separation that has caused her arms to feel empty. She questions herself about the reason behind her man's stay in New York City, leaving her with no choice but to accept the fact that he is not physically present with her.

Karen O's melancholic voice gives the song a sense of nostalgia, as she tries to come to terms with the reality of the situation. The chorus, "Yeah I'd rather have my baby, much, much closer to me lately than he's been" echoes the singer's sense of loss, as she longs to have her lover close to her. The lyrics of the song reflect a situation that many can relate to, the feeling of longing and needing someone close to you.

Line by Line Meaning

One, two, ready go
Let's start this song

Left my baby in New York City
I had to leave my love in the city of New York

Oh what did he's in New York City
I wonder what he is doing in New York City

'Cause my arms are empty
I feel lonely without my baby here

And phone it rings a plenty
My phone is constantly ringing, but it's not my baby calling

I'd rather have my baby
I wish my baby was with me

Much, much closer to me lately than he's been
I wish my baby was closer to me than he has been in recent times

Yeah I'd rather have my baby
I really want my baby with me

Much, much closer to me lately than he's been
I want my baby to be physically near me

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KAREN LEE ORZOLEK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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