New York Fever
The Toasters Lyrics


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I've got a problem that I cannot explain
A small metal slug tore a hole through my brain
I got heartburn it's like a knife in my back
I like to ride the subway
But I might get pushed on the tracks
I got no money I get so depressed
When a perfect stranger puts a gun to my chest
I tell you doctor I'm going of my mind
Is there anything for a pain of this kind
New York fever again

Hey hey, hey hey!

I've got a pounding on the back of my skull
I try to react but my senses are dull
I hear voices I wish not to repeat
Too busy dodging bullets on the street
I've got to get out of this town
Something stinks it's about to go down
Feeling sick but I can't feel my pain
I've got the new york fever,
New York fever again

Hey hey!

Go! hey hey hey hey hey hey!

New york fever again

Hey hey, hey hey!

Well
It's quite outrageous, and I cannot believe
The kids can't read but they
Are armed to the teeth
They keep complaining that they can't find no work
They don't go to school
They do drugs act like jerks
I've got a pounding, a pounding
On the back of my skull
I try to react but my senses are dull
I hear voices I wish not to repeat!
I'm too busy dodging bullets on the street!

New York fever (New York fever)
New York fever (New York fever)




New York fever (New York fever)
New York fever again

Overall Meaning

The Toasters' song "New York Fever" is an upbeat ska punk track that lyrically takes the listener through a series of chaotic and unsettling experiences. The lyrics present the singer as someone experiencing intense physical and emotional pain as a result of living in New York City. The opening line, "I've got a problem that I cannot explain," sets the tone for the rest of the song.


The second line of the song, "A small metal slug tore a hole through my brain," is a clear reference to being shot, which unfortunately happens all too often in New York City. Various lines throughout the song suggest feelings of paranoia and anxiety, such as "I like to ride the subway, but I might get pushed on the tracks," and "When a perfect stranger puts a gun to my chest."


The song also touches on the issue of violence and crime in the city. Lines like "Too busy dodging bullets on the street" and "Something stinks it's about to go down" bring to mind a sense of danger and chaos. The overall message seems to be that the city can be overwhelming and terrifying, leading the singer to feel sick and crazed with "New York fever."


Line by Line Meaning

I've got a problem that I cannot explain
There's something seriously wrong with me, but I have no idea what it is.


A small metal slug tore a hole through my brain
I have a constant headache that's so severe it feels like something's physically damaging my brain.


I got heartburn it's like a knife in my back
I'm in intense pain, as if someone's stabbing me in the back with a knife.


I like to ride the subway
Despite the risks, I still enjoy taking public transportation.


But I might get pushed on the tracks
I'm afraid someone might purposefully shove me onto the subway tracks.


I got no money I get so depressed
I'm broke and it's causing me to feel really down all the time.


When a perfect stranger puts a gun to my chest
I'm so desperate that even random strangers are threatening me with weapons.


I tell you doctor I'm going of my mind
I'm convinced that I'm losing my sanity and need help.


Is there anything for a pain of this kind
I'm desperate for any kind of relief from the physical and emotional pain I'm experiencing.


I've got a pounding on the back of my skull
My headache is so intense that it feels like there's someone aggressively hitting the back of my head.


I try to react but my senses are dull
My body is going numb, and I'm struggling to respond to what's happening around me.


I hear voices I wish not to repeat
There are terrible things being said to me, and I don't want to repeat them out of fear they might come true.


Too busy dodging bullets on the street
I'm constantly in danger, having to avoid gunfire as I try to go about my day.


I've got to get out of this town
The situation is so dire that I need to leave this city as soon as possible in order to survive.


Something stinks, it's about to go down
I can sense that things are about to get much worse than they already are.


Feeling sick but I can't feel my pain
I physically feel terrible, but the emotional distress is so strong that I can't even register the physical sensations.


It's quite outrageous, and I cannot believe
The state of things is so terrible that it's hard to even comprehend or come to terms with.


The kids can't read but they are armed to the teeth
Young people are uneducated but have access to dangerous weapons.


They keep complaining that they can't find no work
There's massive unemployment, but it seems like no one is doing anything about it.


They don't go to school, they do drugs, act like jerks
The youth are harming themselves and others by dropping out of school and engaging in negative behavior like drug use.


New York fever again
The city's constant chaos and danger is overwhelming and suffocating - it feels like an illness that won't go away.


Hey hey!
An exclamation resembling a battle cry, out of desperation and provocation.


Go! hey hey hey hey hey hey!
A repeated cry of urgency, calling for immediate action and escape from danger.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROBERT HINGLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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