New York New York
Ryan Adams (LocoStavos) Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, I shuffled through the city on the 4th of July
I had a firecracker waiting to blow
Breakin' like a rocket who was makin' its way
To the cities of Mexico
Lived in an apartment out on Avenue A
I had a tar-hut on the corner of 10th
Had myself a lover who was finer than gold
But I've been broken up and busted up since

And love don't play any games with me, anymore
Like she did before
The world won't wait, so I better shake
That thing right out there through the door
Hell, I still love you, New York

Found myself a picture that would fit in the folds
Of my wallet and it stayed pretty good
Still amazed I didn't lose it on the roof of the place
When I was drunk and I was thinking of you
Every day the children they were singing their tunes
Out on the streets and you could hear from inside
Used to take the subway up to Houston and 3rd
I would wait for you and I'd try to hide

And love won't play any games with ypu, anymore
If you don't wanna 'em to
The world won't wait and I watched you shake
But honey, I don't blame you
Hell, I still love you, New York
Hell, I still love you, New York, New York

I remember Christmas in the blistering cold
In a church on the Upper West Side
Babe, I stood there singing, I was holding your arm
You were holding my trust like a child
Found a lot of trouble out on Avenue B
But I tried to keep the overhead low
Farewell to the city and the love of my life
At least we left before we had to go

And love won't play any games with you, anymore
If you don't want 'em to
So we better shake this old thing out the door
I'll always be thinkin' of you
I always love you, love New York
I always love you, love New York
I always love you, love New York

I always love you, love New York
New York, New York

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ryan Adams's "New York, New York" describe his experiences living in New York City, a place where the city and its people provide both joy and heartbreak. The first stanza speaks of the 4th of July, a time of celebration, but also of his emotional state, as he compares himself to a firecracker ready to explode. He describes how he lived on Avenue A, had a tar-hut on the corner of 10th and had a lover finer than gold. However, he has been broken up and busted since then, indicating that his lover may have left him or that he has lost something valuable.

The chorus shows the powerlessness of love and how it affects individuals. The world doesn't wait, so one must shake it off and move on. The second verse talks about how he found a picture that fit in his wallet and how he thought he might lose it while drunk on the roof of the place he lived. He remembers the sounds of the children singing, and how he would try to hide from the woman he loved while waiting for her in the subway. The chorus repeats the idea of love not playing games with him anymore.

Finally, the last verse mentions Christmas at a church on the Upper West Side, where he stood singing while holding his lover's arm, and how they found themselves in trouble on Avenue B. They left the city and their love life before they had to go, and though love won't play games with him anymore, he will always love New York.

Overall, the song speaks to the experience of living in a city that can both lift you up and break you down emotionally. He acknowledges the highs and lows of the city, love, and life, yet ultimately expresses his love for New York.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, I shuffled through the city on the 4th of July
I walked slowly through the city on Independence Day

I had a firecracker waiting to blow
I had a small explosive device that I was anticipating to ignite

Breakin' like a rocket who was makin' its way To the cities of Mexico
I moved swiftly through the city, like a rocket heading to Mexico

Lived in an apartment out on Avenue A
I resided in a flat on Avenue A

I had a tar-hut on the corner of 10th
I owned a small, covered structure at the intersection of 10th street

Had myself a lover who was finer than gold But I've been broken up and busted up since
I had a romantic partner who was invaluable to me, but my life has been shattered since we parted ways

And love don't play any games with me, anymore Like she did before
My romantic relationships no longer toy with me, unlike in the past

The world won't wait, so I better shake That thing right out there through the door
The world won't stop for me, so I should leave my troubles behind and move on

Hell, I still love you, New York
Despite my problems, I still retain a deep affection for the city

Found myself a picture that would fit in the folds Of my wallet and it stayed pretty good
I acquired a photo that fits easily into my wallet, and it remains in fair condition

Still amazed I didn't lose it on the roof of the place When I was drunk and I was thinking of you
I'm surprised I didn't misplace it on the rooftop while I was intoxicated and preoccupied with thoughts of you

Every day the children they were singing their tunes Out on the streets and you could hear from inside
Each day, the children sang their melodies on the streets, easily heard by those indoors

Used to take the subway up to Houston and 3rd I would wait for you and I'd try to hide
I previously rode the subway to Houston and 3rd, pausing to await your arrival while attempting to go unnoticed

And love won't play any games with ypu, anymore If you don't wanna 'em to
If you want to avoid love's games, it won't oblige you anymore

The world won't wait and I watched you shake But honey, I don't blame you
The world refuses to slow down, so I observed you quickly depart. My fondness remains, so I don't blame you for leaving

Hell, I still love you, New York
My emotions for the city are still rooted in love

I remember Christmas in the blistering cold In a church on the Upper West Side
I recall an icy Christmas spent in a church located in the Upper West Side

Babe, I stood there singing, I was holding your arm You were holding my trust like a child
My darling, I vocalized festive tunes while grasping your arm. You clutched me with an innocent trust, similar to that of a child

Found a lot of trouble out on Avenue B But I tried to keep the overhead low
I encountered many issues on Avenue B but attempted to keep expenses to a minimum

Farewell to the city and the love of my life At least we left before we had to go
Goodbye to the city and my heart's affection. Luckily, we left before being forced to do so

And love won't play any games with you, anymore If you don't want 'em to
If you don't wish to play love's games, it'll happen no longer

So we better shake this old thing out the door I'll always be thinkin' of you
We should leave the past behind and move on. Nevertheless, I'll never forget you

I always love you, love New York
I'll always cherish my adoration for you, New York

I always love you, love New York
My affection for you, New York, will persist forever

I always love you, love New York
To my beloved New York, I will always cherish my love for you

I always love you, love New York
New York, New York, my love for you is endless

New York, New York
New York, New York

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HANS FLORIAN ZIMMER, WILLIAM ADAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@emnaamri7867

49w↑6

Well, I shuffled through the city on the 4th of July
I had a firecracker waiting to blow
Breakin' like a robber who was makin' his way
To the cities of Mexico
Lived in an apartment out on Avenue A
I had a tar-hut on the corner of 10th
Had myself a lover who was finer than gold
But I've been broken up and busted up since
And love don't play any games with me
Anymore like she did before
The world won't wait, so I better shake
That thing right out there through the door
Hell, I still love you, New York
Found myself a picture that would fit in the folds
Of my wallet and it stayed pretty good
Still amazed I didn't lose it on the roof of the place
When I was drunk and I was thinking of you
Every day the children they were singing their tune
Out on the streets and you could hear from inside
Used to take the subway up to Houston and 3rd
I would wait for you and I'd try to hide
And love won't play any games with you
Anymore if you don't want 'em to
The world won't wait and I watched you shake
But honey, I don't blame you
Hell, I still love you, New York
Hell, I still love you, New York
New York
I remember Christmas in the blistering cold
In a church on the upper west side
Babe, I stood their singing, I was holding your arm
You were holding my trust like a child
Found a lot of trouble out on Avenue B
But I tried to keep the overhead low
Farewell to the city and the love of my life
At least we left before we had to go
And love won't play any games with you
Anymore if you want 'em to
So we better shake this old thing out the door
I'll always be thinkin' of you
I'll always love you though New York
I'll always love you though New York, New York, New York

All comments from YouTube:

@iagoil

3y↑151

It is 20 years today since this recording session. Shocking memories of that September 2001. 9/11 heroes never forgotten.

@DisfiguredFace

2y↑2

Absolutely true :( #neverforget911

@savionmjallyeiither42luvr

2y↑1

Yup

@resident_soul

37w

I dedicate this song to the bothers and sisters who lost their lives on 9/11 from our own shadow DEEP STATE government

@roberthickman2907

29w

I was 18 years old when The towers fell I spent a long time in the Marines fighting to never have that happen again.

@ronaldjaybelin520

28w

this is not representative of the facts: i have nieces and grand ones who live in downtown NYC= i wrote this just after the fact of 9/11 to announce my loyalty to them...not New York..SO..this suggested timing is simply a lie

@Konverteraren

16w↑10

4 days later, our life as we knew, changed.

@katoness

11w↑1

All By Design and Look Where They Have Us Now

@matthewalexanderlemma8000

1y↑15

I was 15 in the fall of 2001. Back then, I was big on watching MTV and VH1 before leaving for school and I remember this video being played often in the weeks following 9/11. Unreal how it was filmed four days before that tragedy.

@psst...heyyou6508

33w↑2

I'm surprised they diverted from their "reality" shows and shity hip hop playlist to even recognize someone like Ryan Adams but I guess there was money to be made.

@summerteeeth

21w↑5

Back in pre everything available online at a click / tap days, this video was the first footage I saw of pre 9/11 WTC (and knew what I was seeing). Iirc the video was witheld for a while. The dedication at the end still gets me.

@wildmercuryfilms

15w

“Pre-Everything”?

Do you mean BEFORE the pandemic?

No, I think this was after The Pandemic.

This probably in 2021 or 2022.

@summerteeeth

14w↑2

@@wildmercuryfilms I should have added I meant at the time of 9/11. I find your take on my post a little strange.

@rylee3267

5y↑66

As a New Yorker who was 11 when the towers fell, this makes me miss the city I was born in, but never got the chance to know.

@coolbreeze5683

2y↑14

"Love won't play any games with you, anymore if you don't want 'em to"... wise words

@cheesecake134

10y↑177

He performed this on SNL not long after 9/11 and I straight ugly cried.

@francisqchristopher8684

5y↑32

I had the first date with the love of my life on September 7, 2001. We met in Union Square, walked around the village, ended up on St. Marks (she grew up on Delancey). Four days later...yeah. Anyway, we bonded over music in a very deep way, and this song was one of the very first new things we both liked; I remember us watching him do it on SNL around then.

Some years later it dawned on me that the Twin Towers were behind him throughout the video. I wondered if they must have shot it right before 9/11. Then I noticed the cards, which they obviously added afterward the fact. Note the date. He was clearly filming all day that day, into the evening, and so was apparently mere streets away from us as we were first meeting. Kinda funny, or something.

@thedevshow4L

1y↑15

crazy how a song made before a city got its heart ripped out became a song representing its spirit and back when it was normal

@craigusselman546

51w↑6

I grew up with NYC being tough cynical funny it was so sad seeing it be so vulnerable and scared. Im Canadian but everyday after 9/11 people checked to see hows New York City is it ok Hows the weather there everyone was so protective of it .

@doodlebug2003

2y↑38

The Saxophone solo at the end really nods to the whole New York Jazz scene in an otherwise rock/pop song, love its deliberate inclusion.

@Tony_Baloney_69420

1y↑1

Much appreciated

@wlgj1341

1y↑2

Nothing inherent in this song was intended for jazz : that’s all after the fact

@junghunt8645

16w

lol. Imagine thinking this milquetoast ass song has anything to do with bebop and the history of black jazz in NYC. What you just said was insane and fairly insulting.

@HollyGoLightly1978

14y↑76

As a native New Yorker, this video breaks my heart. May this new year bring peace to all those suffering around the world, and may it bring tolerance to those who have so much hatred in their hearts here in the U.S.

@whiteskystudios3261

2y↑1

its Now 2022

@nzmarco

2y↑1

@@whiteskystudios3261 No it's not

@wlgj1341

Jeffers’s: What in fucks’ name are you supposed to be mouthing ?

@wlgj1341

You have no clue, isn’t that right ?

@MrKDB001

33w

Bless you.

@ghostduster1

4w↑1

Love this song, but Summer of 69 is his masterpiece!!!

@templario10

3w↑1

Summer of 69 is a Bryan Adams song. Ryan Adams has a very different style, but both are great.

@ady44a

5y↑69

I come back to this every year 😢

@ady44a

4y↑3

It’s that time of year again 😥

@neilefc877

4y↑3

Are you here today? 🙂
Thinking of America on this day
🇮🇪🇺🇸

@ady44a

4y↑3

Nicky Styles yes

@wulyf4lyf

4y↑28

I’ve watched this every year since 9/11, and it’s still one of the most heartbreaking and eerie videos ever. I lived in NYC in 98-99, then again from 2008-2013. I was back in NJ , commuting to NYC to attend SVA, and will never forget waking up the morning of 9/11. My friends in school were all still in downtown NYC, and I remember my friend calling me from NYC , telling me class was evacuated, and he was in the middle of 23rd st, directing traffic, as all cops were down by the Towers. My ex gf’s dad worked in the Towers, but didn’t go in that day. I was working in film as a set dresser, when I wasnt in class, and the film industry sent all the lights down to look through the rubble at night. My 2 uncles were down there for 2 nights digging through, looking for survivors. Almost 20 years later, and that fear and heartbreak feel like it was only yesterday.

@ashleyl6790

39w↑2

I agree... I can still feel the fear, chaos and sorrow very viscerally when I think about it. Hard to convey to my kids now what a terrible day that was.

@NYC_Pizzaman

32w↑1

Are your uncles okay?

@bobwhite137

5y↑5

Just happened to have a meeting on 9/6, and walked through the lobby between the towers, of course thinking nothing of it at the time. Flying in that morning, and flying home that night, the towers were the first and last things you saw. Eerily, our meeting almost got moved 9/10, and one of my colleagues from the bay area, would have been on flt 93 on 9/11 to return home. There but by the grace of God any of us go.

@AaronDanieltenni

1y↑6

As a boy who sat in Elementary school, every anniversary, I describe that day. Absolutely beautiful. A monument of New York in my eyes.

@radchik

12y↑207

this song/video should be an anthem for New York..it was shot on the last weekend the world seemed "normal"..after that fateful Tuesday which started out so mundane, everything changed and it will NEVER be the same. God Bless Ryan Adams for this nugget of joy right before a nightmare began and unfortunately we're still experiencing. WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

@ryanadams4795

@@radchik I got your message hope you saw mine ?

@thedappercook

2y↑4

@@ryanadams4795 bloody spammer and fake profile. Reported.

@kennethcafasso

2y↑2

I was born in Manhattan St Vincent hospital...l visit New York every couple of years it's sad what Bill de Blasio and Andrew Cuomo did to that City.... please let's save New York City.....l have family still up there and they say you don't want to live here....l went there maybe Year before the pandemic had a blast.....

@kennethcafasso

2y↑1

I subscribe and Bell 🔔 it..... Sorry took so long not on YouTube a lot but like everyone else trying get away from Facebook..

@wlgj1341

Although that is not the sequence of events, I wrote it after 911 as a lullaby to family I have in New York

43 More Replies...

@peeiioo

2y↑4

I used to live in New York, and I was happy (I left it almost 6 months ago) 😄, but the destiny decided that I needed to move to Paris, I arrived 1 week ago, and when I was walking with the Eiffel Tower behind me, this song came, and I realized how much I miss NYC :( !!! 🥹

@juliadennehy

11y↑70

"Filmed just four days before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York. This song brought alt-country performer Ryan Adams into the top 20 of adult top 40 radio and earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal." Miss you, twins. I would have rebuit you both, as you were.

@done1675

4y↑7

100%. I still can't rationalize how we didn't just rebuild those fucking towers the way they had been.

@jasontighe9692

4y↑4

They should have been rebuilt even taller. Tallest buildings in the world. Both of them.

@MrRocksW

3y↑2

I visited the monument a few years ago, instead they have two large deep shafts made out of marble matching the locations of each tower. I thought it looked nice.

@DeepScreenAnalysis

They were ugly buildings. The only tragedy were the people who died in them.

@epiczgaming8894

3y↑1

its hard even thoe i was born 2003 and couldn't see them i love the way the twin towers looked finished building in the early 70s they were only 29 years during the attacks its a shame and i look at the towers in this vid and shed a tear just thinking only if they were rebuilt just how they were i just love the design of them and we all miss them ;( never forget.

1 More Replies...

@tonijwt5so11genisys

1y↑4

All the families to the lost I wish you a blessed day and love

@McD5791

8y↑148

every time Sep 11th rolls around, I have to listen to this track at least once... It feels more and more poignant with every passing year.

@scottammons9653

Steppenwolf pusher

@vincentfalsaperla

7y↑1

WE KNOW

@sdwpolowed

Me too

@danielcronin7077

I am the same way.

@banjoplayingbison2275

7y↑4

This song is frequent (along with my other Ryan Adams songs) on my playlist, but I Always listen to this song on Sept 11, as a nice tribute to remember the great people of the city in the aftermath after the attacks! An absolutely great song

5 More Replies...

@MyLife_in_aNutshell

2y↑4

The last music video with the World trade center.. and the real New York ☹️❤️🇺🇲

@under88Me

13y↑35

I'm so glad that I accidentally found this not so well known but sooo talented guy... hard to believe that this song is 10 years old, a great, timeless indie piece!

@justinjjoachin448

44w↑4

Lol, hard to believe this song is 22 years old now

@dothebartman9156

4y↑47

Video still gives me chills in both a beautiful and eerie way, something about the screen mentioning this was filmed the weekend before 9/11 and then cutting to this tribute song with the towers front and center is just very kinetically powerful

@wlgj1341

This was written in response to 9/11 events and because I have family in NYC… not prior to

@dothebartman9156

1y↑5

@@wlgj1341 I'm not sure I understand what you mean? The video says it was filmed Sept 7, 2001 at the beginning and has the towers clear in the background.

@wlgj1341

@@dothebartman9156 are you reading that from ‘flash cards’..?…let’s see, nah, that would require such genius technology to simply denote a specific date..and clearly you have reason to be confused…FUCKING DOH !!

@wlgj1341

SEE IFVYOU CAN GLOM ONTO A REAL WORLD PERSPECTIVE:?…? I wrote this as lullaby for my relatives who live in NYC AFTER THE FACT: THAT VIDEO IS A SALES CAMPAIGN

@wlgj1341

Clarification: both ‘WELCOME TO NEW YORK’ and ‘ILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU , NEW YORK’ ARE MY STORYLINES

1 More Replies...

@lenatraceroxton1363

29w↑2

I'm so glad he decided to keep this video instead of changing it to something else.

@davidhanifin2692

3y↑3

This song and video gives me chills still. Thinking of you today America on the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks. (2021, 11 September) . David, Brisbane, Australia.

@tommy2x4

3y↑21

I always revisit this song/video. Despite what flaws you may see in our country, you have sit back and watch a brief clip of how free we once were. Over two thousand people got up two days after this was shot, some planning birthday parties, others getting excited for a first date or celebrating milestone anniversaries….all wiped out by 19 evil people who took a perverse interpretation of a religion to kill innocent people. Here we are 20 years later and unfortunately our world has yet to recover…I’m not optimistic that it ever will.

@imsonicnoob2112

2y↑2

In 4 days, New York will never be the same

@deepsix1827

3y↑5

I'll never forget when I heard this for the first time. I told my gf at the time that I really liked it but had no idea who sang it. She sent me a link to Ryan and I bought the CD. Still enjoy it to this day.

@R2k2

35w↑3

I've never heard of Ryan Adams, or this song. But it was a Spotify suggestion and I sure like it!

@psst...heyyou6508

33w↑1

If you haven't found it yet you may want to check out Whiskeytown which was his band that put out a lot of really good music. Off the top of my head I'd recommend Faithless Street, Strangers almanac and Pneumonia.

@kellymilliman2646

10y↑50

I post this video on my FB page every Sept 11.....reminds me what a wonderful place NYC is and will always be....and how strong the human spirit is there!!

@samanthadanielson5988

7y↑2

Kelly Milliman I do the same. not only to remember the events of that day. but as a shout out to a lovely city I visited in 1995 at the age of 18, and a kudo to Ryan himself. I think this song and video was "needed" after 9/11 for all of us to heal.

@dvchel

Yeah, like a final beautiful tribute. A message from God that everything will always be alright and fall into its place accordingly.

@McD5791

6y↑2

I've been doing that myself for a few years as well...

@Dermot2927

I’m guessing you may not do it this year....

@ryanadams4795

Thanks Kelly I really appreciate 🌹🌹🌹

@junkyarddog303

1y↑30

One of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time right here. So prolific, so brilliant and his voice can go any and everywhere 🔥 💯

@wlgj1341

Prolific comes along more frequently when in your twenties you’re provided with a 6 inch thick portfolio of a 55 year old linguist…with zero remuneration

@wlgj1341

I wrote this in response to 9/11 , the sequence of events offered here is rigged

@ThePogues82

Yeah, but he abuses women.

@jasonsudeikis26

47w

@Mick *abused.

@RJ-ox8on

19w

somebody always has to jump in with some internet gossip about every person on the planet as if they don't have a past themselves@@ThePogues82

1 More Replies...

@gpshaggin77

3y↑2

Remembering 9/11/2001 20 years later,We Will Never Forget.

@1985JM

8y↑18

love this song as it always brings me back to 2001......god bless everyone who died on that dark day..

@GeorgSolti

4y↑7

I am Argentine and my only time in New York was between September 9 and 15, 2001. I had just started to know the city (and love it) when it was the fatal day. I was never able to return there, but I hope to do so sometime. This video is so sad, but Ryan Adams is really great

@emnaamri7867

49w↑6

@Chowbizful

13y↑13

4 days before the first chaos of 21st century, [ tears streaming ]

@stephenbroderick748

6y↑135

To us Irish,America is still the land of hopes and dreams,we will always love our American cousins

@justinhiggins2210

4y↑2

Wow

@MyStitch1

4y↑6

Right back atcha', Ireland!

@robertbarker309

3y↑2

Even after we crapped out a conald T rump?

@ecolville5023

3y↑2

@@robertbarker309 We're going to let that one go.....😉😉👍👍

@danno698299

3y↑2

We love the Irish too.

9 More Replies...

@ironcast

10y↑57

Please take time to remember all of the people who lost their lives on 9-11-01. God bless them all.

@BPCADownStateChapter

7y↑2

Please take the time to remember the 50,000+ people who survived that day but carry the wounds they received every day for the reat of their lives. They were assaulted that day. These are the walking victims of 9/11. No Justice, No peace. Just horific memories.

@nietcey

4y↑42

I listen to this song every anniversary.

@dothebartman9156

4y↑3

Same! See you on the big 2-0

@gregl5340

4y↑2

Same here

@justin-ej1wt

4y↑2

Me too

@ryanadams4795

3y↑1

Thanks nietcey

@Enviri

@@dothebartman9156 big 2-0 was 6 days ago...

@manhattanfunk80s31

8y↑57

R.I.P. Twin Towers

@ady44a

4y↑15

It’s that time of year again 😥

@ady44a

3y↑1

Here again 😢

@ady44a

32w

Here again 😢

@lauracross6494

9y↑14

god bless New York 🗽

@ryanadams4795

🌹🌹🌹🌹

@kareemseifeldin7805

1y↑1

Just last week I attended my best friend's wedding at City Hall in Manhattan. After a lovely dinner in Midtown we went to a Koreatown karaoke place. I could think of nothing better to sing than this song for a beautiful New York City wedding--and everyone else agreed. Just a lovely tribute to the capital of the world.

@skinheadsbowling

3y↑2

We're still here Ryan and we still love you......

@davidd.6428

6y↑10

The first Ryan Adams song that I ever heard. And now 15+ albums later, it’s still my favourite.

@mariavalentina2721

4y↑26

2020 and I still listen this song every anniversary 😞

@slapshot68

3y↑2

20 yrs ago today 🙏🙏🙏 never forget

@jimiparkes5748

3y↑2

20 years later. Never Forget

@Lexpatt

3y↑30

Love this. There is such a melancholy-ness about it, and the hauntingly beautiful video.

@DeepScreenAnalysis

12y↑12

It's lovely to have a song associated with that time and place that is upbeat and reflective instead of being bombastic and mournful.

@markcrooks6039

3y↑1

...We still love you New York...from your brothers and sisters in Australia

@dyedanddead5845

1y↑2

New York baby 🔥 we still here

@dizzyb111

12y↑3

RIP to the innocent lives lost on this tragic day 11 years ago. Never forget

@SuperDRAfan

13y↑24

10 years ago today. 4 days later, the world as we knew it would never be the same. And this song, instead of being about a girl, takes on a whole different meaning...

@Halliday7895

3y↑3

but it is about a girl...it's about a relationship happening in NYC it still does not in anyway detract from your point about it being very meaningful! ...my favorite part of the song...he mentions a picture of her in his wallet that almost blows away on the rooftop while he was drunk. cheers

@thedappercook

2y↑3

@@Halliday7895 not quite. It's about both his failed love affair with a women and his life living in New York that despite the failed love affair and the women he doesn't love anymore, he will always continue to love New York.

@mrjuicejunior

52w

And now 21 years ago

@davidmealey2000

1y↑3

Shot September 7, 2001, when the world was far more innocent.

@bricedepasse

16w↑1

The greatest of the XXIst century.

@davidmealey2000

1y↑3

Filmed 09/07/2001. Days before. And the Twin Towers loom large.

@mikerecinto8253

6y↑7

The towers are still a mighty symbol of NYC. Tough to watch the vid but also it’s good to see the video and NYC with the WTC. Never forget

@lcmab1992

4y↑7

I'm so sorry, for all the people. For the towers. For Ryan.

@rosinmirko

6y↑9

Beautiful song for a beautiful city.

@slapshot68

32w

Shame what the democrats hav done to it!

@kennyfischer3327

9y↑15

This song really makes me feel great. Reminds me of home, my love, and times when things were simpler...

@rdsklw

2y↑4

Always ion my mind, especially on this day......

@neilefc877

4y↑6

Dear America, you take a lot of shit from a lot of people, but I think you area wonderful place. Don’t ever change. Love from Europe 💙❤️🇺🇸🇪🇺

@jxomxo

7y↑6

Watching this video right now is my introduction to Ryan Adams. Never been later.

@Modern_Nostalgia

7y↑54

So eerie, that this song was recorded shortly before 9/11. So haunting

@samanthakane25

6y↑1

Nostalgic Zone the video was shot 4 days before, not the song recorded, love

@blastofo

The Moldy Peaches debut album was released on 9/11 and contained a song called “NYC’s like a graveyard”.

@JamesJimmaHarding

3y↑4

I remember first hearing this in about March 2002, and all I could remember first hand was the guitar riffs/instrumental. Now I know it means so much more

@zanyzoo6767

13y

on a sunny day on 9/11 in the UK in the county of Sussex, I was walking around my lounge with the tv on, not paying much attention. Then I was drawn to it by the images of those two buildings under attack. I have never been to NY , but I stood there and cried, for the people and its city. We all still love you NY............. from every where.

@lennylevy3201

37w↑1

Now a days im not happy but will always be proud to be a new yorker!

@LellePrinter82

8y↑5

I feel both sad and nostalgic when I see the twins. R.i.p Twin Towers and all victims. Never forget.

@scottconnor7497

9y↑13

I still cry every time I hear this song.

@nickrigdon8883

Me too.

@user-tw6tz2bb1c

8y↑1

I knock-out an autist everytime I hear this song

@hsmith3844

6y↑1

I miss my City, brother Firefighters, police, EMS workers.............all of them. RIP

@ScottStLouis-fu3lz

Every generation has a singer/ songwriter that stands out. Bob Dylan, Jackson brown, Ryan adams.

@mattmarshall569

2y↑7

This was the song I heard on the radio back in 2002 that introduced me to Ryan Adams and his awesome music. He is still to this day my all time favorite music artist and his music has been my main go-to playlist for most of my adult life. This song will always be one of my favorites of his!

@laurarominger2073

25w

This introduced me to him too. Though I had Whiskeytown cds before. Never knew it was filmed right before.

@Dashriprock4

6y↑7

Sept 2018. Will always visit on this day. I still love you NY

@frankmatyja7272

2y↑2

Life is short! Live and give.

@eric.6653

3y↑6

This was filmed just 4 days before 9/11. Absolutely chilling.

@lyonslaforet

12y↑3

2001 wouldn't be complete without the Gold album!

@Albert_O_Balsam

9y↑45

Fucking really awesome track, Ryan Adams is bloody great.

@mizzhannah

13y↑1

Spending Summer 2011 in NEW YORK CITY...I'll be a long way from home (Dublin, Ireland)....Going to be the best summer ever.

@michaelsmorrison

13y

The dance you do... It's not the words you say it's the dance you do... It's not the words you say it's the dance you do... You could talk all day and not get anything done untill you go out at night with a torch and a loaded Gun... M.S. Morrison

@mikethespiiike

13y↑8

10 years ago this was one of my favorite songs....and i just found it again...awesome!!

@dannwhitehead6193

Agreed. I have been singing the chorus for the last few days. And only visited NY once.

@cletusmorraies7564

3y↑6

Such a great song.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

@pixelationnn

2y↑1

The last morning of the 90's
6:00AM - 8:46 AM September 11, 2001

@sfwc2011

12y

I miss the Towers so much. I also miss the way life was before the Towers went down and what was taken from us when they collapsed, especially my friend, Michael Lyons FDNY. God Bless America, God Bless NYC.

@davemeredith8261

6y↑123

Seeing this - I wish we rebuilt the towers from the original blueprints.

@sydneyprescott3374

4y↑9

Definitely

@ianchristopheralexander1596

3y↑1

Me too.

@joannaferris2232

Nice idea but they had to take all kinds of things into account in deciding to rebuild.

@prokopf-9332

3y↑5

gotta move one. A homage is better then a straight replica.

@jimfaust6342

Me too

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@nMM456

6y↑3

Never Forget.

@laomeng88

44w↑1

I’m getting really strong “Tangled in Blue” vibes. Anybody else seeing the Dylan influence?

@JoseMorales-lw5nt

Bronx boy, born and raised! I was two months away from my 20th birthday when those bastards ripped my heart and forever altered the skyline I grew up with. Jodi Mitchell was right, you don't know what you got till it's gone. God bless you, Ryan Adams for your love letter to my city. Hell, you did it pre-9/11, before bandwagon hippocrates latched on to videos like yours. We New Yorkers always took shit from outsiders for years. Just like you did for your relationship with Mandy Moore. But those were jealous folks on the outside looking in. You set her on the path to THIS IS US. Just like your song and video set us on the path to reimbracing our beloved city. You'll always be a New Yorker to us.🇵🇷🇺🇸😎

@jameshoward3454

10y↑8

Love this song

@stivenbonilla4775

10y↑5

Welcome to the City of New York in the United States.

@CitySkin09

9y↑2

Filmed on my Dad's 45th birthday.

@Lookinland

12y

No that prayer in that comment was for them who died and them who continue to suffer health problems or grieving a loss from the attacks in New York on that day For the World overall... God bless us all Amen

@michrennie

8y↑13

I've always thought Ryan Adams the master of both mimicking and synthesizing. This is his "Paul Simon" phase.

@johngrunwell6101

Hmmm! What do you mean by this? I mean, I understand the assessment of Paul Simon, but how does this Adams material reflect similar sensibilities?

@michrennie

8y↑5

I've often felt that certain RA songs (if not entire albums) were studies in other artists' work. I don't mean this in a negative way; painters used to learn their craft by literally copying the works of the masters. Here are a few that come to mind:

"House on the Hill" (Whiskey Town) -- Gram Parsons
"Gimme Something Good" and much of the self-titled album -- Damn the Torpedoes-era Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
"So Alive" -- U2 (guitars) and the Smiths (vocals)
"New York" -- Paul Simon

Probably a lot more, but I'm at work and need to get back to it. Keep in mind, this is an artist that un-ironically covered an entire Taylor Swift album. Clearly he values learning the craft from other artists.

@johngrunwell6101

I am now going to try out New York and So Alive!

@trevmac8362

This song was plagiarized and stolen from a rock group in the early 70's called Caravan..the song (Aristocracy) Adams should be sued

check it out f you don't believe me

@michrennie

8y↑2

Well, that definitely supports my feeling that Ryan dabbles in focused studies of other artists' work. But I just listened to that Caravan song, and while I see the similarities (especially the cadence of the versus), I think it's a stretch to call it plagiarism.

6 More Replies...

@robertomurillo2420

4y↑4

19 years today 😔

@done1675

4y↑1

This is so deep. I'm a native New Yorker that still lives here.

@itsagagasworld

12y

thats just what americans do, and being from right outside of new york the whole event really hit hard, so thats why i still bring it up

@user-zx1ir7jt4c

8y↑11

New York(the state) is wonderful. I love it.

@iTsSeCrEtPerDuE

14y↑6

Ryan Adams is amazing. I heard about him a little over a year ago from a family friend, and haven't been able to get over him since. I love him so much! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3