Living In New York
S.I.G.I.T Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York
See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run
If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
In S.I.G.I.T's song Living In New York, the lyrics detail the perspective of an Englishman living in the American city. From the outset, the Englishman specifies his tastes, stating that he prefers tea to coffee and his toast done on one side, which can be discerned from his accent. These small details point to a bigger fact, that he is indeed an outsider in this city. The Englishman is also seen carrying a walking cane wherever he goes, further hinting at his age and difference.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien, I'm an Englishman in New York," emphasizing the discomfort and awkwardness the singer feels being in this new place. He sees himself as different and out of place, both as an "alien" in the city and an "Englishman" in America. However, he acknowledges that it takes a strong person to ignore ignorance and continue to be oneself, no matter what others may say.
The final verse of the song elaborates further on what it means to be a true "gentleman." The Englishman must not only remain composed in the face of ignorance, but also exhibit "modesty, propriety" and "gentleness, sobriety" in a society that may not value those traits highly. The Englishman maintains that it takes more than just strength and weapon to be a man, but rather a sense of self and dignity that cannot be easily shaken.
Overall, S.I.G.I.T's Living In New York provides an introspective and poignant look at what it means to feel like an outsider in a new place, while also highlighting the importance of being true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't take coffee, I take tea, my dear
I prefer tea over coffee as my drink of choice
I like my toast done on one side
I enjoy my toast lightly toasted on just one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
My accent clearly indicates that I am from England
I'm an Englishman in New York
I am a British man living in New York City
See me walking down Fifth Avenue
I can be seen strolling along Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I always carry a cane with me
I take it everywhere I walk
I bring the cane wherever I go
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I may feel like an outsider, but I am legally allowed to be here
If 'manners maketh man' as someone said
The saying 'manners maketh man' implies that good manners are essential qualities of a gentleman
He's the hero of the day
A man with good manners is worthy of admiration
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
A true gentleman can tolerate others' ignorant behavior with a smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
One should always be true to oneself and not let others' opinions dictate one's actions
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
Being modest and well-behaved can sometimes attract negative attention
You could end up as the only one
Following proper etiquette may make one stand out from the crowd
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
In modern society, it is uncommon to find individuals who exhibit gentleness and self-control
At night a candle's brighter than the sun
In certain situations, a small act can have a big impact
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
It takes more than being physically tough to be a real man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Having a license for a gun does not necessarily make one a true man
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
Face your problems head-on, but try to avoid conflict if possible
A gentleman will walk but never run
A true gentleman exhibits composure and dignity, even in challenging situations
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gordon Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind