Originally ‘The Creators’, the group formed in 1964 in Bayonne with Hugh Harris, Danny Austin, Dave Watt, Norman Donegan and Mary Ann Thomas. "The Boy From New York City" was released in December 1964 and by March 1965 had reached number 8 on the US pop charts. The group followed this up with "He Ain't No Angel" which barely troubled the top 100. The next two singles failed to chart, and the Ad Libs were soon dropped from Red Bird Records. They continued to record into the 1980s, but have never repeated the success of "The Boy From New York City". The song went on to chart again in the UK for Darts in 1978 and in the US for The Manhattan Transfer in 1981).
Boy From New York City
The Ad Libs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell us about the boy from New York City
Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, come on kitty (oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York City
He's kinda tall
He's really fine (yeah, yeah)
Someday I hope to make him mine, all mine
And he's neat
And oh, so sweet
And the way he looked at me just swept me off my feet
Yeah, yeah
Ooh-wee
You oughta come and see
How he walks yeah yeah
And how he talks
Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, cool-cool kitty (oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York City
He's really down
And he's no clown (yeah, yeah)
He has the finest penthouse
I've ever seen in town (yeah, yeah)
And he's cute in his mohair suit
And he keeps his pockets full of spending loot yeah, yeah
Ooh-wee
You ought to come and see
His pretty bar (yeah, yeah)
In his brand new car (yeah, yeah)
Every time he says he loves me
Chills run down my spine
Every time he wants to kiss me
Ooh, he makes me feel so fine yeah
Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, come on kitty (oh yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York city
He can dance
And make romance (yeah, yeah)
That's when I fell in love with just one glance (yeah, yeah)
He was shy
And so was I
And now I know we'll never ever say goodbye (yeah, yeah)
Ooh-wee
You ought to come and see
He's the most (yeah, yeah)
From coast to coast (yeah, yeah)
Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, cool-cool kitty (oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York city (oh, yeah)
Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, come on kitty (aha)
Tell us about the boy from New York city (a-aha)
Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, cool-cool kitty (oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York city (oh, yeah)
The Ad Libs' song "Boy From New York City" is a catchy tune that tells a story of a tall and fine man from New York City. The chorus is delivered with "Oo ah oo ah oo oo Kitty," where Kitty is asked to tell the listeners about the boy from New York City. The opening verse is sung by a woman who is smitten with the boy and hopes to make him hers someday. She describes him as neat, sweet, and charming. The second verse describes the boy's lifestyle, where he has a penthouse, mohair suit, and lots of spending money.
The chorus is repeatedly sung, and towards the end, the woman confirms that the boy is the love of her life, and every time he says he loves and wants to kiss her, it sends chills down her spine. The song is written in a conversational style, making the listener feel like they are part of the discussion. The song's theme is love-struck teenagers or young adults who can't help but talk about their crush or the man of their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Oo ah oo ah oo oo, Kitty
The group is urging Kitty to tell them about the boy from New York City with a catchy chant
Tell us about the boy from New York City
The group is curious and excited to hear details about the mysterious boy from New York City
He's kinda tall
The boy is taller than average
He's really fine, yeah, yeah
The boy is very attractive
Someday I hope to make him mine, All mine yeah, yeah
The group member has feelings for the boy and wants to be in a committed relationship with him
And he's neat and oh, so sweet, And the way he looked at me just Swept me off my feet Yeah, yeah
The boy is well-groomed and has a charming personality. The way he looked at the group member made her feel strongly attracted to him
Oo ee you oughta come and see How he walks yeah yeah And he talks
The group member thinks highly of the boy's physical and communication skills and encourages others to observe him
He's really down and he's no Clown yeah yeah
The boy is genuine and serious, not a jokester or insincere
He has the finest penthouse I've ever seen in town yeah, yeah
The boy lives in an extremely luxurious and impressive apartment
And he's cute in his mohair suit, And he keeps his pockets full of Spending loot yeah, yeah
The boy has a fashionable sense of style and keeps a lot of money on him
Oo ee, yeah we're all right Yeah, oo oo
The group member and the boy are doing well and enjoy spending time together
Ev'ry time he says he loves me Chills run down my spine
The boy's expression of love has a powerful physical and emotional effect on the group member
Ev'ry time he wants to kiss me He makes me feel so fine.
The boy's affectionate gestures make the group member feel happy and content
That's him Alright he's the boy from New York City We call him Jill, we're all right.
The group has given the boy the nickname 'Jill' and they confirm that he is indeed the boy from New York City
Oo ah oo ah Kitty, Tell us about the boy from New York City
The group repeats their request for Kitty to share more details about the boy from New York City
Oo ah oo ah Kitty, Tell us about the boy from New York City
The group continues to express their excitement and interest in learning more about the boy from New York City
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: George Davis, John Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
木倉谷哲也
Lyrics:
Ooo wah, ooo wah, cool, cool kitty
Tell us about the boy from New York City
Ooo wah, ooo wah, c’mon kitty (Oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York City
He’s kind of tall
He’s really fine (yeah, yeah)
Some day I hope to make him mine, all mine (yeah, yeah)
And he’s neat
And, oh, so sweet
And just the way he looked at me
He swept me off my feet (yeah, yeah)
Ooo whee, you ought to come and see
How he walks (yeah, yeah)
And how he talks (yeah, yeah)
Ooo wah, ooo wah, cool, cool kitty (Oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York City
He’s really down
And he’s no clown (yeah, yeah)
He has the finest penthouse I’ve ever seen in town (yeah, yeah)
And he’s cute
In his mohair suit
And he keeps his pockets full of spending loot (yeah, yeah)
Ooo whee, say you ought to come and see
His pretty bar (yeah, yeah)
And brand new car (yeah, yeah)
Every time he says he loves me
Chills run down my spine
Every time he wants to kiss me, ooh
He makes me feel so fine (yeah)
Ooo wah, ooo wah, c’mon kitty (Oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York City
Well, he can dance
And make romance (yeah, yeah)
That’s when I fell in love
With just one glance (yeah, yeah)
He was shy
And so was I
And now I know I’ll never, ever say goodbye (yeah, yeah)
Ooo whee, say you ought to come and see
He’s the most (yeah, yeah)
From coast to coast (yeah, yeah)
Ooo wah, ooo wah, cool, cool kitty (Oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York City (Oh, yeah)
Ooo wah, ooo wah, c’mon kitty (Aha)
Tell us about the boy from New York City (A-ha)
Ooo wah, ooo wah, cool, cool kitty (Oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York City (Oh, yeah)
Mary Kate Daniiher
This amazing song never gets old. The Ad Libs 1965
Raymond Malcuit
THE AID LIBS VERSION OF THIS SONG, WENT TO NUMBER 8 ON THE BILLBOARD HOT-100 CHART IN 1965.
Regina Hyde
Here in the UK, this was a big hit for Darts, one of our equivalents of Sha Na Na
Starman on Channel 2
Darts version peaked at Number 2 in the UK Charts in June 1978.Only kept off the top by Boney M and 'Rivers of Babylon'.This was one of three singles to peak at Number 2 for Darts in 1978.The other two being 'Come back My Love' and 'It's Raining'.
teddibearsworld
One day in 1987, I was receiving manager for a wholesale florist in Paramus, New Jersey, and a driver came to the dock with a small load.
He introduced his wife, Mary-Anne.. who was with him, and he was proud to tell me she was "Kitty", who was the lead singer for The Ad Libs.
She smiled, and shook my hand.. but barely said two words, as I remember.
I knew The Manhattan Transfer re-make, but must confess, until that point.. I had never heard the original . After that encounter.. I went to my record store in Hackensack, and bought the original.
Now that I'm a music aficionado, I find myself wishing the meeting was more substantial . I would have loved to have asked her a few questions !
William Fox
I forgot the name of this group, but I dearly loved this song. I wish they would have done more songs. That way I would know the group
Jeff Schwartz 4 T.O. Council - Jeff4TO Dot Com
Lieber and Stoller produced this. The outstanding production quality helped make this a hit!
Len314159
Ad Libs are from the wonderful city of Bayonne, NJ - my home town. We call it the "Gardern Spot of the Garden State". It was the only town where, once upon a time, you could see the Statue Of Liberty framed by the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center
Jeanmarie Lieb
I love and miss my cousins from Bayonne, NJ.
木倉谷哲也
Lyrics:
Ooo wah, ooo wah, cool, cool kitty
Tell us about the boy from New York City
Ooo wah, ooo wah, c’mon kitty (Oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York City
He’s kind of tall
He’s really fine (yeah, yeah)
Some day I hope to make him mine, all mine (yeah, yeah)
And he’s neat
And, oh, so sweet
And just the way he looked at me
He swept me off my feet (yeah, yeah)
Ooo whee, you ought to come and see
How he walks (yeah, yeah)
And how he talks (yeah, yeah)
Ooo wah, ooo wah, cool, cool kitty (Oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York City
He’s really down
And he’s no clown (yeah, yeah)
He has the finest penthouse I’ve ever seen in town (yeah, yeah)
And he’s cute
In his mohair suit
And he keeps his pockets full of spending loot (yeah, yeah)
Ooo whee, say you ought to come and see
His pretty bar (yeah, yeah)
And brand new car (yeah, yeah)
Every time he says he loves me
Chills run down my spine
Every time he wants to kiss me, ooh
He makes me feel so fine (yeah)
Ooo wah, ooo wah, c’mon kitty (Oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York City
Well, he can dance
And make romance (yeah, yeah)
That’s when I fell in love
With just one glance (yeah, yeah)
He was shy
And so was I
And now I know I’ll never, ever say goodbye (yeah, yeah)
Ooo whee, say you ought to come and see
He’s the most (yeah, yeah)
From coast to coast (yeah, yeah)
Ooo wah, ooo wah, cool, cool kitty (Oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York City (Oh, yeah)
Ooo wah, ooo wah, c’mon kitty (Aha)
Tell us about the boy from New York City (A-ha)
Ooo wah, ooo wah, cool, cool kitty (Oh, yeah)
Tell us about the boy from New York City (Oh, yeah)