A performance by The Milk Carton Kids is a quiet and intricate affair. The duo have enjoyed intently listening audiences across the country and abroad in their respective solo careers, but an even greater sense of urgency and demand of attention is palpable now that they've come together as The Milk Carton Kids. Their songs are written together, but you won't know there is more than one author. Their history together spans only one short year, but you won't know that either. They stand close together when they play, facing each other and using microphones instead of plugging their guitars in. And if they looked more alike, they'd fool you that they were brothers.
Their songs disguise the youth of the members of the band. Befittingly, so do the old guitars they play and old clothing they wear. But to be sure, The Milk Carton Kids have something new to present: harmonies & minimalist instrumentation which are a clear reference to times passed, but with an eye intently on the future; a perspective on coming-of-age in the eye of a present-day storm; and the chronicling of an American struggle for simplicity, at least musically. To present it they use two guitars and two voices, they labor over the arrangements, they record themselves live, and they release their music on their own label, and for free.
As solo artists they have 10 releases between them. As a band their career is off to an auspicious start. Starting from a highly regarded position among their peers, they've opened for the art-piano-pop critical darling Vienna Teng, Grammy nominated friend and fan Sara Bareilles, and now will take to the entire U.S. and Canada this summer supporting one of the consummate songwriters of their generation, Joe Purdy. Despite the decision to stick to acoustic guitars in their own show, both Ryan and Pattengale are multi-instrumentalists and will also comprise Purdy's backing band, joining him on bass, pedal steel guitar, piano, and harmonies.
Their first collaborative release, RETROSPECT, is a live album due out March 15th, 2011, that represents the culmination of the past year of live performance. A collection of songs from each of their solo careers, written separately but reinterpreted and performed as the duo now called The Milk Carton Kids, RETROSPECT will be released under the name "Kenneth Pattengale & Joey Ryan".
The first official release of The Milk Carton Kids, entitled PROLOGUE, comprised of original songs written by the duo for this project. It was released in 2011 on their own Milk Carton Records.
New York
The Milk Carton Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Long enough to fight I just run away
And it's you my love it's you I'm running from
You were mistaken you are to blame
Lately I've taken to getting my own way
Yes, it's you my love it's you I'm running from
I'll be in New York without you like before
I'm never lonely off making trails
Passed on the only woman dressed in veil
Oh, it's you my love it's you I'm running from
When your beds empty will I appear
In dreams you so badly wish could draw me near
Oh, it's you my love it's you I'm running from
I'll be in New York send for me when you want more
I'll be in New York without you like before
The Milk Carton Kids' song "New York" appears to tell the story of a man who is running away from love. The lyrics describe how he never stays long enough to fight for the relationship and simply runs away whenever things get tough. The man admits that it's the woman he loves that he's running from. He blames her for his mistakes and justifies his actions by claiming that he simply wants to get his own way. However, the truth is that he's scared to confront his emotions and fears.
The song takes a turn when the man decides to leave town and travel to New York. He tells the woman that she can send for him when she wants him back, but he won't be coming back until then. The lyrics suggest that the man is trying to forget the woman he loves and make a fresh start in a new city. However, it's unclear if this is a permanent move or if he's leaving the door open to return to the relationship in the future.
Overall, the song seems to be a bittersweet ode to love and the fear of vulnerability. The singer of the song is struggling with his feelings and running away from them instead of confronting them. He's searching for a fresh start in a new city but can't seem to escape his past.
Line by Line Meaning
You said it just right I never stay
You correctly interpreted my tendency to flee from relationships
Long enough to fight I just run away
I avoid conflict by leaving before any argument can escalate
And it's you my love it's you I'm running from
You are the reason why I fear long-term commitment and feel the need to run away
You were mistaken you are to blame
You misunderstood my intentions and caused me to act in a certain way
Lately I've taken to getting my own way
I have become more selfish and want to do things on my own terms
Yes, it's you my love it's you I'm running from
You are the source of my problems and the reason why I can't settle down
I'll be in New York send for me when you want more
I will be in a new place, waiting for you to contact me when you realize your true feelings
I'll be in New York without you like before
I will be alone in New York City, just like I was before I met you
I'm never lonely off making trails
I don't get lonely because I'm always moving forward and exploring new places
Passed on the only woman dressed in veil
I missed out on a great opportunity with a woman who was wearing a veil
Oh, it's you my love it's you I'm running from
Once again, you are the reason why I didn't pursue that woman and why I continue to run away from relationships
When your beds empty will I appear
I will come to you only when you are feeling lonely and vulnerable
In dreams you so badly wish could draw me near
You yearn for me to come back to you in your dreams, but you know it's unlikely to happen
Oh, it's you my love it's you I'm running from
You are the reason why I can't commit to you, even when you need me the most
Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Neto Saavedra
this song is such a masterpiece
Simone Ortisi
I think so.
Jon Wittenberg
Wow! Not since Simon and Garfunkel have I heard such nice harmonies! Really dig this!
Davis Millard
Fantastic!!! I'll listen to these two all day, beautiful harmonies, excellent guitar work. True art here.
Xavier Zano
Excellent ! Great guitar work and heavenly harmonies...
B Tanner
Why you aren't the most popular band in the country is beyond me. I've been a fan ever since I saw you performance on "Tiny Desk Concert". I have your "Ash ampersand Clay" album and I'm looking forward to your next product. "New York" is my second favorite song after "Like a Cloak".
Jacob Boy
haha why did you spell out "ampersand"
Sean Matthew King
Jacob Boy Probably because Joey specifically says it that way during the concert.
Mª Dolores Alonso Becerril
Lindas voces, oreciosa música y mágica ciudad. Me encanta!
Alison
Great job guys.