In the televoting of the final show on March 19, 2004 Max defeated nine other competitors (including established artists like Scooter or Sabrina Setlur). A majority of 92,95 % of all votes made him the German entry for the 49th Eurovision Song Contest in Istanbul, where he finished eighth with 93 points.
Thereupon the singer went back to school and passed his final high school examination, before teaming up with Raab once again to finish his self titled solo album in summer 2004. The record, a mixture of Funk, Soul and Pop in German and in English language, debuted at #1 on the German album charts and spawned the singles "Schwarz Auf Weiß", "Spür Dein Licht" and "Catch Me If You Can". From May to June 2005 Max then went on a club tour across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, before touring with Katie Melua.
Currently, Max is working on his sophomore album.
Empire State of Mind
Max Mutzke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oooooohh, New York
Grew up in a town that is famous as a place of movie scenes
Noise is always loud, there are sirens all around, and the streets are mean.
If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere, that's what they say
Seeing my face in lights, and my name in marquees found down on broadway
Even if it ain't all it seems,
I got a pocketful of dreams
Baby I'm from New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do.
Now you're in New York,
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you.
Hear it for New York, New York, New Yoooork
On the avenue, there ain't never a curfew, ladies work so hard
Such a melting pot, On the corner selling rock, preachers pray to God
Hail a gypsee cab, takes me down to Harlem to the Brooklynn Bridge
Someone sleeps tonight with a hunger for more than an empty fridge
I'm gonna make it by any means,
I've got a pocketful of dreams
Baby I'm from New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do.
Now you're in New York,
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you.
Hear it for New York, New York, New Yoooork
One hand in the air for the big city
Street lights, big dreams, all looking pretty,
No place in the world that can compare,
Put our lights up in the air, everybody say
Yeaaaahhh, Yeeaaahh
In New York
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do.
Now you're in New York,
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you.
Hear it for New Yoooork
The lyrics to Max Mutzke's song "Empire State of Mind" paint a vivid picture of what it's like to grow up in New York. The song's opening lines reflect on the reality of the city: a town that is famous for its movie scenes, but also one where noise is always loud, sirens are ever-present, and the streets are mean. Despite this, there's an underlying sense that if someone can make it in New York City, they can make it anywhere. The lyrics encourage listeners to pursue their dreams, to work hard to see their face in lights and their name in marquees found down on Broadway.
The imagery throughout the song reflects the diversity of New York, with mentions of a melting pot, gypsy cabs, preachers praying to God, and hunger for more. The chorus reinforces the idea that New York is a place where anything is possible, a concrete jungle where dreams are made of. The last verse ends on an inspirational note, with the lyrics encouraging everyone to put their lights up in the air and say "Yeaaaahhh, Yeaaaahh."
Overall, "Empire State of Mind" is a powerful anthem that celebrates the spirit of New York City and the resilience of its inhabitants. It's a reminder that even in the face of adversity, it's possible to make it and to achieve one's dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Oooooohh, New York
Expressing excitement for New York
Grew up in a town that is famous as a place of movie scenes
Raised in a town known for its on-screen appearances
Noise is always loud, there are sirens all around, and the streets are mean.
The environment is noisy and dangerous, with emergency sirens frequently heard
If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere, that's what they say
The city is seen as the ultimate test of success
Seeing my face in lights, and my name in marquees found down on broadway
Dreaming of achieving fame on Broadway
Even if it ain't all it seems,
Acknowledging that things may not be as idealistic as they appear
I got a pocketful of dreams
Holding onto aspirations and ambition
Baby I'm from New York,
Proudly proclaiming birthplace
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
Describing New York as a city where anything is possible
There's nothing you can't do.
Encouraging people to chase their dreams in the city
Now you're in New York,
Acknowledging the listener's current location
These streets will make you feel brand new
Being in New York can give a person a renewed sense of self
Big lights will inspire you.
The bright city lights have an uplifting effect
Hear it for New York, New York, New Yoooork
Celebrating the city of New York
On the avenue, there ain't never a curfew, ladies work so hard
Describing the city's bustling environment, with people working all hours of the day
Such a melting pot, On the corner selling rock, preachers pray to God
The city is diverse, with contrasting people and lifestyles
Hail a gypsee cab, takes me down to Harlem to the Brooklynn Bridge
Illustrating traveling from one busy area to another popular location
Someone sleeps tonight with a hunger for more than an empty fridge
Highlighting the harsh reality of poverty in the city
I'm gonna make it by any means,
Determined to succeed no matter what it takes
One hand in the air for the big city
Raising a hand to show appreciation for the city
Street lights, big dreams, all looking pretty,
Painting a pleasant picture of the city's appearance at night
No place in the world that can compare,
Stating that New York is unique
Put our lights up in the air, everybody say
Encouraging people to join in the celebration with lights and cheers
Yeaaaahhh, Yeeaaahh
Exclaiming joy and enthusiasm for New York
Writer(s): Alicia Keys, Bert Keyes, Angela Hunte, Alexander William Shuckburgh, Janet Andrea Sewell, Sylvia, Shawn Carter
Contributed by Colton R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SWR Big Band
Hier sind die lyrics:
Grew up in a town that is famous as a place of movie scenes
Noise is always loud, there are sirens all around, and the streets are mean.
If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere, that's what they say
Seeing my face in lights, and my name in marquees found down on broadway
Even if it ain't all it seems,
I got a pocketful of dreams
Baby I'm from New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do.
Now you're in New York,
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you.
Hear it for New York, New York, New Yoooork
On the avenue, there ain't never a curfew, ladies work so hard
Such a melting pot, On the corner selling rock, preachers pray to God
Hail a gypsee cab, takes me down to Harlem to the Brooklynn Bridge
Someone sleeps tonight with a hunger for more than an empty fridge
I'm gonna make it by any means,
I've got a pocketful of dreams
Baby I'm from New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do.
Now you're in New York,
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you.
Hear it for New York, New York, New Yoooork
One hand in the air for the big city
Street lights, big dreams, all looking pretty,
No place in the world that can compare,
Put our lights up in the air, everybody say
Yeaaaahhh, Yeeaaahh
In New York
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do.
Now you're in New York,
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you.
Hear it for New Yoooork
Grete
Ich kann gerade nicht genug von ihm genug hören,❤❤❤
gloriana white
Fantastisch! Es gibt noch echte Künstler 🙌🏼 improvisationsbereit, kreativ - man kann es nicht mal “handwerkskunst” nennen, weil es einfach passiert... Wenn das Herz vertont wird, dann wird’s einfach nur ein masterpiece💎 bei Herrn Mutzke klingt alles nach einer Jamsession. Verlier nie deine Leichtigkeit!🤙🏼
theandi939
Sehr schön gesagt.
Thomas Kluss
...der Kerl ist einfach nur Wahnsinn und ein Meister.
Wurde - gerade am Anfang - viel zu wenig beachtet.
Da ist es super, dass er jetzt DIE Musik macht, die ER mag und liebt.
DIE deutsche Nr. 1! Da gibt es nichts vergleichbares!
Ursula Biechely
Der Mann ist einfach nur Klasse...
Ms GiGi Arsenal
This band is awe!!
Der Quhpilot
Max ist einer der souligsten Sänger auf dem Planeten. Der Kerl ist einfach nur klasse !
Bernd
Max wieder außerordentlich und die Band große Klasse.
Sonderlob von mir als Gitarrist an den Kollegen Klaus-Peter Schöpfer, er trägt den Song mit sensationeller Leichtigkeit.
Artin
Einfach wieder erstklassig, sowohl die SWR Bigband als auch Max. Das ist ganz großes Kino 👍😃
Rüdiger Goldstein
childiintime