New York City
Ph.D. Lyrics

Ph.D.'s song "New York City" is a song that expresses the feeling of being a foreigner in a new place, in this case, the city of New York. The lyrics, "I don't drink coffee, I take tea my dear; I like my toast done on one side," reflects the singer's cultural differences and preferences that distinguish them as an outsider in this new land. The use of "my dear" strikes an air of politeness and gentility which is often associated with the English culture.

The next lines, "And you can hear it in my accent when I talk; I'm an Englishman in New York," form a direct reference to the singer's distinct accent, which is likely to garner attention and curious speculation from locals. The lyrics in the subsequent stanza, "If 'Manners maketh man' as someone said; Then he's the hero of the day; It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile; Be yourself no matter what they say," encourages people to celebrate their unique traits and embrace their individuality, even in the face of adversity.

The refrain, "I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien, I'm an Englishman in New York," reinforces the sense of the singer's distinctiveness, referring to his status as an outsider in America. Sting, who composed the song, explained that the inspiration for the song came from author Quentin Crisp, who was an openly gay Englishman that moved to New York. Crisp was a fascinating and unusual character and stood out in a conservative culture.