One New York Ago
Rose Cousins Lyrics


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the sun was high, we walked slow
you like the heat, i like the shadow
i was brave but you didn’t know
on your birthday one new york ago

all the lights they never slept
all my love around you crept
our hearts beat and our feet stepped
through that sunday in new york
that i’ve kept

we might have had the right idea
but it never got off the ground
we were close, we were there almost
and we watched the sun go down
over the din this busy town

years move on and i don’t deny
the choice i made or your reasons why
but this cluttered heart is the tie that binds
me to the broken new york skyline

we might have had the right idea
but it never got off the ground
we were so close, we were there almost
now I can barely hear the sound

the sun is high, we walk slow
you’ve gone ahead, i’m flying solo




what i crave I would never show
on your birthday one new york ago

Overall Meaning

The song "One New York Ago" by Rose Cousins is an emotional and reflective piece that recalls a particular memory from the past. The lyrics speak of a day spent in New York with someone special, most likely a romantic interest. The sun was high, and they walked slow, enjoying each other's company. The person she was with liked the heat, while she preferred the shadow. She felt brave, but the other person didn't know how much effort she was putting in. It was a special day because it was the other person's birthday, which is being remembered one year later, hence the title.


The lyrics go on to describe the general atmosphere of New York City on that day. The lights never went off, and she felt surrounded by love. They walked through the city, and their hearts beat to the rhythm of the city. The memories of that day are held close to her heart, and every detail is vividly remembered, like the sun going down and the noise of the busy town.


However, the song takes a melancholic turn when it talks about how the relationship never took off, despite having the right idea. They were almost there but couldn't make it happen. Years have gone by, and they've moved on, but the memory of that day still lingers, and the broken New York skyline is a constant reminder of what could have been. The song ends on a bittersweet note, with the person she was with having moved on, leaving her to fly solo with the longing and regret that she could never articulate.


Line by Line Meaning

the sun was high, we walked slow
We strolled leisurely under the bright sun of a clear and calm day.


you like the heat, i like the shadow
You preferred the warmth while I preferred the coolness of the shade.


i was brave but you didn’t know
I displayed my courage but you were oblivious to it.


on your birthday one new york ago
We spent this memorable day together in New York city, a year ago today.


all the lights they never slept
The bright city lights never faded, they shone incessantly throughout the night.


all my love around you crept
My affectionate feelings were slowly surrounding and covering you like a gentle breeze.


our hearts beat and our feet stepped
Our hearts were beating in unison as we walked side by side.


through that sunday in new york
We enjoyed that lovely day on a quiet Sunday, in New York City.


that i’ve kept
These memories have remained cherished and precious to me.


we might have had the right idea
Our plan might have been sound and well-conceived.


but it never got off the ground
Unfortunately, our plan never successfully materialized.


we were close, we were there almost
We came very close to our goal, so close that we could almost touch the success.


and we watched the sun go down
We witnessed the sunset, as the day eventually came to an end.


over the din this busy town
Despite the noise and bustle of the busy city, we enjoyed the moment for what it was.


years move on and i don’t deny
Several years have since passed, and I cannot deny the passage of time.


the choice i made or your reasons why
Neither can I deny the decisions I made, nor the reasons you had for doing so.


but this cluttered heart is the tie that binds
My emotions remain mixed and confused, and they continue to link me to that moment in New York.


me to the broken new york skyline
The image of a disjointed New York skyline also triggers the same memories and emotions I felt that day.


now i can barely hear the sound
Now, my memories of that special day have begun to fade away.


the sun is high, we walk slow
Currently, I stroll alone on another bright and lovely day.


you’ve gone ahead, i’m flying solo
You are no longer with me, and I am now traveling alone.


what i crave i would never show
Although I long for your companionship again, I would never confess these feelings to you.


on your birthday one new york ago
This day, a year ago, was when we celebrated together in New York City.




Contributed by Kaitlyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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