New York
Sinatra Lyrics


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Start spreadin' the news, I'm leavin' today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it
New York, New York

I want to wake up, in a city that doesn't sleep
And find I'm king of the hill
Top of the heap

These little town blues
Are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York, New York

New York, New York
I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps
And find I'm a number one, top of the list
King of the hill, a number one

These little town blues, are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
And
If I can make it there
I'm gonna make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York




New York
New York

Overall Meaning

Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" is a powerful tribute to the city that never sleeps. It's an optimistic song about starting anew in New York City, a place where hustle and bustle never stops. The first verse lays out the desire to "be a part of it" and "stray" through the "very heart" of New York. The chorus proclaims the longing to "wake up in a city that never sleeps" and "be king of the hill," adding that the "little town blues" are "melting away." The second verse repeats the chorus with an added emphasis on being "number one" and making a "brand new start" in "old New York." Finally, the song declares that if someone can "make it there," in New York City, then they can make it anywhere.


Frank Sinatra's voice and the song's soaring melody work together to make the song an emotional powerhouse. The lyrics portray the aspirations of millions of individuals whose dreams brought them from all corners of the world to New York City. The song has become an iconic symbol of New York City, and it is played at major sporting events and celebrations.


Line by Line Meaning

Start spreadin' the news, I'm leavin' today
I'm excited to share that I'm leaving today


I want to be a part of it
I want to be a contributing member of the city


New York, New York
Referring to the city of New York


These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
My adventurous spirit wants to roam


Right through the very heart of it
I want to explore every corner of the city


I want to wake up, in a city that doesn't sleep
I want to live in an energetic and lively city


And find I'm king of the hill, Top of the heap
I want to be successful in this bustling city


These little town blues, Are melting away
My feelings of sadness from small town life are fading


I'll make a brand new start of it
I'll make a fresh start in the city


In old New York
In the iconic city of New York


If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
If I can be successful in New York, I can be successful anywhere


It's up to you, New York, New York
The city of New York holds the key to my success


I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps
I want to live in a city that is always active and bustling


And find I'm a number one, top of the list
I want to be the best and most successful in the city


King of the hill, a number one
I want to be at the top of my game and achieve great success


If I can make it there, I'm gonna make it anywhere
If I succeed in New York, I can succeed anywhere


It's up to you, New York
My success depends on the opportunities and challenges presented by the city of New York


New York, New York
Referring to the city of New York




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fred Ebb, John Kander

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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