Their name is derived from the historic New York political organization Tammany Hall. Although they do not classify themselves as a Celtic music group, the band has a strong Irish American identity and musical feel.
Tammany Hall NYC formed in 1997, and soon began playing in local New York clubs. The group gained a strong local following, releasing their first album, Getawayland in 1999 under the independent label Glass Records. The following year they released Back In The Bottle, an acoustic album that had more of a folk music influence than its predecessor. The songs "Cindy", "To the Woman" and "Someone" have been used on the NBC show Scrubs.
Buddy, their third album, was released in February 2003, and saw them returning to the louder mix of punk and alternative rock that had characterized their debut. The song "To the Woman," from this album, was featured on Scrubs on January 17, 2006. "Cindy," a re-recorded version of the song originally from Back In The Bottle, was also played on Scrubs in October 2003. Later in 2003, the soundtrack to Eat This New York was released, which showed a wide range of Latin and jazz influences on the band's part.
Wintertime
Tammany Hall NYC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Slush-filled shoes await the subway line.
And i catch chills down my spine.
Traffic cops sip coffee and fall behind.
She longs to chill me out with undershine.
She drowns my spirit with her salty wine.
Her arms hold me in my mind.
She won't say your name or leave you in the night.
She just helps you feel and lets you know that feeling's alright.
Sometimes i am blind to the lessons only she can provide.
And for that moment, i'm warm inside.
Wintertime.
The pubs are packing...you might wait a while.
Smell of sawdust mixed in village-style,
But the mugs don't crack a smile.
Winter seeps through skin.
Resides in sorrow's tin.
She can slay a man with forces only he can understand.
Sometimes i am blind to the pain inflicted inside.
And she holds me, but she doesn't let me hide.
The song "Wintertime" by Tammany Hall NYC is a reflection on the winter season and its effects on the persona. The first lines of the song paint a picture of a cold and dreary day, with slush on the ground and a feeling of discomfort that causes chills down the singer's spine. The traffic cops, who are supposed to maintain order, are behind schedule and taking a break to sip coffee. The winter seems to have slowed everything down and made the city come to a halt.
The persona then refers to a woman whom he calls "she," who seems to embody winter's qualities. She has the power to "chill him out," and yet she also has a way of drowning his spirit with her melancholic ways, represented by her "salty wine." However, she also has a comforting side, as her arms hold him in the moments of darkness. She is a paradoxical figure that allows him to feel and teaches him valuable lessons that he may be blind to in other seasons.
The last lines of the song describe the persona's surroundings where the winter has seeped in, and sorrow has taken residence. The woman seems to have an overwhelming power over the persona, and she can slay him with forces he only understands. She forces him to confront the pain that he may usually ignore in other seasons, but she also holds him and doesn't let him hide. "Wintertime" is a song that transcends weather and speaks to the effects that external factors can have on one's emotional and mental state.
Line by Line Meaning
Wintertime.
The season of winter has arrived.
Slush-filled shoes await the subway line.
People are standing on the subway platform with damp shoes due to the slush on the ground.
And i catch chills down my spine.
The cold temperature is making the person shiver.
Traffic cops sip coffee and fall behind.
Police officers are drinking coffee and moving slowly due to the winter weather.
She longs to chill me out with undershine.
The cold weather can be calming in a way, as it slows down the hustle and bustle of life.
She drowns my spirit with her salty wine.
Winter can also have a negative effect on a person's mental state.
Her arms hold me in my mind.
Winter may evoke memories and emotions that are comforting to the person.
She won't say your name or leave you in the night.
Winter is a constant presence and cannot be ignored or avoided.
She just helps you feel and lets you know that feeling's alright.
Despite its challenges, winter can evoke feelings of warmth and coziness.
Sometimes i am blind to the lessons only she can provide.
Winter can teach valuable lessons about patience, resilience, and finding beauty in difficult situations.
And for that moment, i'm warm inside.
The person feels comforted and content despite the cold temperature.
The pubs are packing...you might wait a while.
During winter, people often seek warmth and socialize in bars and restaurants.
Smell of sawdust mixed in village-style,
These places often have a cozy and rustic feel.
But the mugs don't crack a smile.
Despite the warmth, people may still feel the effects of the winter blues.
Winter seeps through skin.
Winter has a physical effect on the body, and can cause discomfort and pain.
Resides in sorrow's tin.
Winter can exacerbate feelings of sadness and loneliness.
She can slay a man with forces only he can understand.
The challenges of winter are deeply personal and can impact a person's mental and physical health.
Sometimes i am blind to the pain inflicted inside.
The person may not fully recognize or understand the toll that winter is taking on them.
And she holds me, but she doesn't let me hide.
Despite its challenges, winter demands that a person face it head-on and find ways to cope.
Contributed by Maya R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.