The Knocks are a production and DJ duo who specialize in melodic, carefree … Read Full Bio ↴The Knocks are a production and DJ duo who specialize in melodic, carefree dance music that draws from soul, funk, disco, rap, and pop. Making their name with several singles and remixes, as well as EPs like 2011's Magic, they made their full-length debut in 2016 with 55, which featured a diverse array of guests such as Cam'ron, Carly Rae Jepsen, Wyclef Jean, and Walk the Moon. Following side project diversions that delved into future funk (Amelia Airhorn) and tropical house (the Mary Nixons), the Knocks presented another feel-good disco-house throwback with 2019's New York Narcotic. The duo subsequently released projects with artists like Gallant, Rivers Cuomo, and Foster the People, with whom they recorded the covers-heavy 2021 EP Melody & Silence. The collaboration-heavy full-length outing HISTORY appeared the following year.

The Knocks were formed in 2008 by James "JPatt" Patterson and Ben "DJ B-Roc" Ruttner. Patterson and Ruttner met at New York City's New School and shared an apartment, where they set up small recording studios in their bedrooms. The loud noise coming from their apartment led to neighbors constantly knocking on their door in order to get them to pipe down, hence the duo's name. Early success as remixers, however, enabled them to build their own studio in Manhattan. During 2008 and 2009, Knocks remixes surfaced for Katy Perry ("I Kissed a Girl"), Britney Spears ("3"), and PRGz ("Soul Glo"). B-Roc and Andrew W.K. also released DAMN! The Mixtape Vol. 1 in 2009, featuring several Knocks productions.

In 2010, the Knocks released their first singles, the sunny "Dancing with the DJ" (which later appeared on their 2011 EP Magic) and the whistling "Make It Better." Over the course of the next few years, the duo's profile was magnified by additional remixes for Tegan and Sara ("Closer"), the 1975 ("Girls"), and Dragonette ("Let It Go"), among others, in addition to tours with Ellie Goulding, Dragonette, and Sleigh Bells. They also collaborated with Fred Falke for the Kitsuné Music release "Geronimo" in 2012, as well as Treasure Fingers for "DYWT," released on Fool's Gold Clubhouse in 2014. Also in 2014, the group released an EP, titled Comfortable and released on the Neon Gold label, that included collaborations with X Ambassadors and Ra Ra Riot.

Signed to Big Beat, the Knocks slowed it down a bit for the 2014 single "Classic," one of their funkier and more disco-indebted singles, featuring Powers. An EP titled So Classic appeared in April 2015, followed by a new version of "Classic" featuring a verse by Fetty Wap. The Knocks spent much of the year working on their long-delayed debut album, which was previewed by the singles "I Wish (My Taylor Swift)" (with Matthew Koma) and "New York City" (featuring Cam'ron). Finally, in March 2016, the duo released their first full-length, 55, which included additional guest appearances from Wyclef Jean, Walk the Moon, Carly Rae Jepsen, Alex Newell, and Semi-Precious Weapons' Justin Trantor. That July, the pair remixed selected tracks from the album on the 55.5 EP.

In early 2017, the Knocks released Testify, an EP of new songs featuring collaborations with MNEK, Delacey, and Tayla Parx. Later that year, the duo teamed up with Skylar Spence and released a future funk mixtape as Amelia Airhorn. They also formed the Mary Nixons, a group with Mat Zo, and issued the single "Adrian." They followed with the Captain Cuts collaboration "House Party." July 2018 saw the release of the single "Shades" which appeared later that year on the Knocks' second full-length, New York Narcotic. The album also featured contributions from Method Man, Sofi Tukker, and Foster the People.

2019 brought several singles, including the Kah-Lo collaboration "Awa Ni" and "Lucky Me" (with Great Good Fine Ok). Most of these were collected on the EP Summer Series: 2019. Several more singles arrived in 2020, including "One Fine Day" (with Idris Elba), "Bodies" (with MUNA), and "All About You" (featuring Foster the People). The following year, they released Melody & Silence, an EP with Foster the People that included a remix of the single, as well as covers of hits by Beck, Moby, and the Verve. Also in 2021, the Knocks released "R U High" (featuring Mallrat) and "Sound the Alarm" (featuring Rivers Cuomo and Royal & the Serpent), and were featured on Purple Disco Machine's "Fireworks." The following year saw the release of the full-length effort, HISTORY, which featured collaborations with Foster the People, MUNA, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Cold War Kids, Parson James, and Yoke Lore, among others.

Biography by Andy Kellman

New York City
The Knocks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

New York City
Welcome to Medina, the Mecca, the melting pot
Where you could be playin' ball or sellin' rocks
Tell the cops, they don't care
If you starvin', they won't share
All they'll say is, "Get your own, mothafucka'"
See the love isn't unconditional
A demonstration of unification is uncivilized

If you're ahead of the game, it's you they epitomize
But all these bright lights, how could you not visualize?
The Apple is rotten, but I love it

(We're in New York)
42nd and Broadway, you'll see a play
142nd and Broadway, see the yay
I've written rules you follow, it's no need to say
They take your chips, I ain't talkin' no Frito Lay
(We're in New York)
No Allstate or Geico
But she got that money for lipo'
In the trunk, most of us got the rifle
Get your purse snatched from a psycho in
(We're in New York)
When I watched the towers fall
But nobody takin' ours, y'all
20 gunshots, call that a shower, y'all
Money, respect, don't forget the power, y'all
(We're in New York)
Certain beef you can't call off
So get holes in your body, like a golf course
Yeah, shotty to the brain
See you thought it was a game, but

We're in New York City
We're in New York City
We're in New York City
When I watched the towers fall
We're in New York City
Nobody takin' ours, y'all

(We're in New York)
When I watched the towers fall
But nobody takin' ours, y'all
20 gunshots, call that a shower, y'all
Money, respect, don't forget the power, y'all
(We're in New York)
Certain beef you can't call off
So get holes in your body, like a golf course

Yeah, shotty to the brain
See you thought it was a game, but

Overall Meaning

The Knocks's song New York City is a commentary on the harsh realities of life in the city that never sleeps. The opening lines introduce the listener to the diverse and complex nature of the city, referencing Medina (a holy city in Islam), Mecca (the most sacred city in Islam), and the melting pot concept. The lyrics continue to paint a picture of a city where success is celebrated and failure is harshly punished. The police are portrayed as uncaring and greedy, unwilling to help those in need. The chorus repeats the phrase "We're in New York City" as a reminder of the brutal reality of life in the city.

The lyrics also touch on the violent nature of the city, referencing 20 gunshots being a "shower" and the fact that some beefs are impossible to squash peacefully. The song acknowledges the terrorist attack on 9/11, but also asserts the city's resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

Overall, the song explores the duality of New York City's culture, showcasing both the good and the bad aspects of life in the city. The repeated phrase "We're in New York City" serves as a reminder that this is the reality of living in the city, and that it's not always easy.

Line by Line Meaning

Welcome to Medina, the Mecca, the melting pot
New York City is a diverse city that is similar to the Middle Eastern cities of Medina and Mecca, where different cultures intersect to create a unique hybrid metropolis.

Where you could be playin' ball or sellin' rocks
New York City is a place where there are opportunities for success and prosperity, as well as criminal activity and failure.

Tell the cops, they don't care
The police in New York City are apathetic towards the plight of others, especially those who are struggling to survive in the city.

If you starvin', they won't share
If you are hungry and desperate for food in New York City, the police are not going to provide you with any assistance.

All they'll say is, "Get your own, mothafucka'"
When you ask for help in New York City, you will be met with harsh and dismissive responses.

See the love isn't unconditional
People in New York City do not necessarily help or support each other altruistically, without any strings attached.

A demonstration of unification is uncivilized
In New York City, working together cooperatively is often considered counterproductive and backwards.

If you're ahead of the game, it's you they epitomize
New York City is a place where success is admired and celebrated, but also envied and targeted.

But all these bright lights, how could you not visualize?
The glitz, glamour, and spectacle of New York City is inescapable and captivating.

The Apple is rotten, but I love it
New York City may have its flaws and imperfections, but it is still beloved and cherished by those who call it home.

42nd and Broadway, you'll see a play
New York City is known for its thriving theater scene, and one can find many performances and shows on 42nd Street and Broadway.

142nd and Broadway, see the yay
However, New York City also has a significant drug problem, and one can also find illegal substances like cocaine (referred to as 'yay') on 142nd Street and Broadway.

I've written rules you follow, it's no need to say
The unwritten rules and social norms of New York City are so ingrained that newcomers can quickly pick up on them without being told.

They take your chips, I ain't talkin' no Frito Lay
While in some parts of the country 'chips' might refer to potato chips, in New York City it can also refer to one's money, which someone might steal from you.

No Allstate or Geico
There are no guarantees or safety nets in New York City, as one would expect from insurance companies like Allstate or Geico.

But she got that money for lipo'
Beauty standards in New York City are high, and it is not uncommon for people to spend significant amounts of money on cosmetic surgery to achieve those standards.

In the trunk, most of us got the rifle
Due to the prevalence of violence and crime in New York City, many people feel the need to carry guns for protection.

Get your purse snatched from a psycho in
Muggings and theft are common occurrences in New York City, and it could happen to anyone at any time.

When I watched the towers fall
The September 11th terrorist attacks had a profound impact on New York City, and many residents still remember that day vividly.

But nobody takin' ours, y'all
Despite the tragedies and hardships that New York City has faced, its citizens remain resilient and determined to protect what is theirs.

20 gunshots, call that a shower, y'all
Gun violence is a pervasive problem in New York City, and it is not uncommon for there to be shootings with multiple rounds of gunfire.

Money, respect, don't forget the power, y'all
In New York City, money and success are highly regarded, and those who achieve them are respected and admired.

Certain beef you can't call off
In New York City, there are some conflicts and disputes that cannot be resolved or negotiated.

So get holes in your body, like a golf course
Violence and shootings are so common in New York City that one might end up with gunshot wounds, similar to the holes on a golf course.

Yeah, shotty to the brain
Getting shot in the head is a brutal and horrific way to die, but it is a possibility in the dangerous landscape of New York City.

See you thought it was a game, but
Many people come to New York City with the belief that they can handle the challenges and obstacles they will face, but it is often more difficult than they anticipate.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ben Ruttner, James Patterson, Cameron Giles

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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