Sedaka wrote his 1959 hit "Oh! Carol" about his then-girlfriend, Carol Klein, later to become Carole King. In 1963, King released a humorous answer entitled "Oh Neil".
The Laughter In the Rain Songfacts says Sedaka's hits dried up when The Beatles arrived, but then he teamed up with the lyricist Philip Cody and had a a number 1 hit with "Laughter In The Rain." It re-ignited Sedaka's career and he had 6 more Top-40 hits in America by 1977.
Sedaka's voice is in the tenor range.
New York City Blues
Neil Sedaka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a heartbeat away from a ma-a-an
Who's learned to turn his head away
From the pai-ain that drai-ains the la-and
Harlem's not too far from here
You can smell the garbage, feel the fear
I hear they're gonna build a skyscraper there-ere
As if we didn't need the extra air-air
[Chorus]
New York City blue-ues
In order to wi-in, you've got to lo-o-ose
Old before your ti-ime
The dirt and the gri-ime get into everythi-ing
And the papers love to say-ay-ay
It's the meanest town in the USA
But I think it's okay
It's the town I've ma-ade my home
On another side of Park Avenue
Respectable folks don't know-ow-ow
Hungry eyes take in the view
Of the wor-orld that lay-ays them low-ow
Too many years on a welfare line
The old song and da-ance, ti-ime after time
You can only get so pushed arou-ound
Until you want to tear the damn thing dow-own
Tear it dow-own
[Chorus x 2]
Neil Sedaka's song New York City Blues delves into the contrasting realities of life that exist in the same city. The lyrics describe the pain and suffering that plagues certain parts of the city, where danger looms and hardship is ever-present. The alleyway mentioned in the first line is a symbol of the grim reality that so many people face in a city that is known for its bright lights and big dreams. The man who has learned to turn his head away, likely from the suffering he sees around him, is reflective of a larger societal issue - the ability to tune out and ignore the hardship faced by others.
The second verse of the song shifts to a more upscale area, reflecting the vast disparities that exist in a city like New York. The view of the world from Park Avenue, where the wealthy live, is very different from the view that those on welfare lines have. The lyrics use stark imagery to depict the feelings of those who are downtrodden and neglected, who have been pushed around for too long. The line "Until you want to tear the damn thing down" expresses a deep frustration with the system that has failed so many and a desire to see change.
Overall, New York City Blues is a commentary on the harsh realities of a city that is often romanticized and glamorized. It brings to light the difficult lives that so many lead and the need for societal change to address these issues.
Line by Line Meaning
Life and death in an alley way
There's a constant existence of death and danger in these streets.
Just a heartbeat away from a ma-a-an
Trouble is always close by.
Who's learned to turn his head away
The locals have grown accustomed to ignoring the pain and suffering in their surroundings.
From the pai-ain that drai-ains the la-and
The suffering of the people drains the life out of the land.
Harlem's not too far from here
Harlem is a nearby area.
You can smell the garbage, feel the fear
The stench of garbage and sense of danger is palpable.
I hear they're gonna build a skyscraper there-ere
There are plans to build a skyscraper, despite the current issues in the area.
As if we didn't need the extra air-air
The city is already overcrowded, with air pollution being a major problem.
New York City blue-ues
The sadness and hardships of living in New York City.
In order to wi-in, you've got to lo-o-ose
Success in this city often requires some sort of sacrifice or loss.
Old before your ti-ime
The harsh environment and struggles can make you feel aged beyond your years.
The dirt and the gri-ime get into everythi-ing
The filth and grime of the city seep into all aspects of life.
And the papers love to say-ay-ay
The media portrays the city as a mean and dangerous place.
It's the meanest town in the USA
New York City is often perceived as the toughest and most dangerous place in America.
But I think it's okay
Despite its flaws, the singer still loves and accepts the city for what it is.
It's the town I've ma-ade my home
New York City is where the artist has chosen to live their life.
On another side of Park Avenue
There is another part of the city where things are very different.
Respectable folks don't know-ow-ow
The upper class is mostly oblivious to the struggles of the working class and poor.
Hungry eyes take in the view
People who are struggling can only look at the world with a sense of yearning and desperation.
Of the wor-orld that lay-ays them low-ow
The world constantly brings them down and keeps them in poverty.
Too many years on a welfare line
Many people have spent years, if not their whole lives, dependent on welfare assistance.
The old song and da-ance, ti-ime after time
The same problems and struggles persist year after year for those in poverty.
You can only get so pushed arou-ound
People can only take so much mistreatment and oppression before they feel the need to fight back.
Until you want to tear the damn thing dow-own
They reach a point where they want to destroy the systems and institutions that keep them impoverished.
Tear it dow-own
A repeated call to action for those who are struggling to fight back against oppression and poverty.
[Chorus x 2]
Reiterating the sadness and difficulties of living in New York City, but also acknowledging the singer's love for the city despite its flaws.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NEIL SEDAKA, PHILIP CODY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kenny Doggo
I'm just gonna put it here so we can sing along to Neil.
Life and death in an alley way
Just a heartbeat away from a ma-a-an
Who's learned to turn his head away
From the pai-ain that drai-ains the la-and
Harlem's not too far from here
You can smell the garbage, feel the fear
I hear they're gonna build a skyscraper there-ere
As if we didn't need the extra air-air
New York City blue-ues
In order to wi-in you've got to lo-o-ose
Old before your ti-ime
The dirt and the gri-ime get into everythi-ing
And the papers love to say-ay-ay
It's the meanest town in the USA
But I think it's okay
It's the town I've ma-ade my home
On another side of Park Avenue
Respectable folks don't know-ow-ow
Hungry eyes take in the view
Of the wor-orld that lay-ays them low-ow
Too many years on a welfare line
The old song and da-ance ti-ime after time
You can only get so pushed arou-ound
Until you want to tear the damn thing dow-own
Tear it dow-own
New York City blue-ues0
In order to wi-in you've got to lo-ose
Old before your ti-i-ime
The dirt and the gri-ime get into everythi-ing
And the papers love to say-ay-ay
It's the meanest town in the USA-a
But I think it's okay
It's the town I've made my ho-o-ome
New York City blue-ues
In order to wi-in you've got to lo-ose
Old before your ti-i-ime
The dirt and the gri-ime get into everythi-i-ing
And the papers love to say-ay-ay
It's the meanest town in the USA-a
But I think it's okay
It's the town I've ma-ade my ho-o-ome
juv7
One of the greatist entertainers on the planet pure class no other words Americas best talent ever
monica shrigley
Brings back some fantastic memories !!
Paul Rodriguez
This is one of his best live versions of his songs. He did do a recent quarenteen version? But this one is better? He still a great entertainer for being 80 year's old.đ
Alexis eduardo
TENGO 35 AĂOS PERO ME ENCANTA NEIL SEDAKA ..TIENE CANCIONES MARAVILLOSAS .!!
Gerry Simon
love this guy
Guardian_77
I love to sing along. Epsecially, the part "it's the meanest town in the USA. But, I think it's ok. It's the town I've made my home".
Thomas Natoli
Very well said!
kbrown649
Man, what a great version!!
Cesar Herrada
Es un temĂłn ! New York City Blues, de 1,975. Junto con esa filarmĂłnica le da un sonido celestial.
Diego A. Villanueva Arteaga
No sé cómo pude demorarme tanto en escuchar esta canción, es demasiada buena.
Soy un veinteañero que le encantan estas canciones.