New York
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics


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New York, du bist Wahnsinn
manchmal lieb ich dich
manchmal hass ich dich
Irrenhaus, Lustmaschine, Brandruine
du reckst deinen Schizokopf in die Wolken rein
doch unterm weißen Smoking
bist du dreckig wie ein Schwein
Ist 'n geiles Gefühl, wenn ich deine rote Sonne
überm Hudson seh
Leben aus den Vollen
wenn ich am Broadway steh
du bist Sehnsucht und Utopia
Paradies und Untergang
schön wie 'n Brillant von Tiffany
und unheilbar krank

und ich kauf mir 'n Paar Flügel
und fliege die Skyline entlang

New York, ich streun so gerne
durch deine tiefen Straßenschluchten
ich seh Superstars, die löffeln Kaviar
und saufen Champagner im Waldorf Astoria
doch ein paar Blocks um die Ecke




und schon siehst du die Endstation
ein Negerkind verhungert in Harlem ...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Udo Lindenberg's "New York" describe the singer's complicated relationship with the city of New York. Lindenberg's love for the city is expressed through his awe of its skyscrapers and bustling energy, which he compares to a "Lustmaschine"--or pleasure machine. He also relishes the feeling of living life to the fullest when standing on Broadway, where he can bask in the glow of the city's vibrant culture. However, the lyrics also touch on New York's darker side, as Lindenberg describes the city as an "Irrenhaus" or madhouse, and a "Brandruine" or burnt-out ruin. Lindenberg recognizes that beneath the city's glitz and glamour, it is plagued by poverty and inequality, as symbolized by the image of a starving child in Harlem.


Throughout the song, there is a juxtaposition between the idea of New York as a utopia and a place of paradise, and the reality of its corruption and decay. This contrast is heightened by Lindenberg's use of metaphor, such as describing the city as "schön wie 'n Brillant von Tiffany" (beautiful like a Tiffany diamond) and "unheilbar krank" (incurably sick). Overall, "New York" is a passionate and complex commentary on the experience of living in this iconic city.


Line by Line Meaning

New York, du bist Wahnsinn
New York, you are madness.


manchmal lieb ich dich
sometimes I love you.


manchmal hass ich dich
sometimes I hate you.


Irrenhaus, Lustmaschine, Brandruine
madhouse, pleasure machine, fire ruin.


du reckst deinen Schizokopf in die Wolken rein
you stretch your schizophrenic head into the clouds.


doch unterm weißen Smoking bist du dreckig wie ein Schwein
But under the white tuxedo, you are dirty like a pig.


Ist 'n geiles Gefühl, wenn ich deine rote Sonne überm Hudson seh
It's a great feeling when I see your red sun over the Hudson.


Leben aus den Vollen wenn ich am Broadway steh
Living life to the fullest when I stand on Broadway.


du bist Sehnsucht und Utopia Paradies und Untergang
You are longing and utopia, paradise, and downfall.


schön wie 'n Brillant von Tiffany und unheilbar krank
Beautiful like a Tiffany diamond and incurably sick.


und ich kauf mir 'n Paar Flügel und fliege die Skyline entlang
And I buy a pair of wings and fly along the skyline.


New York, ich streun so gerne durch deine tiefen Straßenschluchten
New York, I love to wander through your deep street canyons.


ich seh Superstars, die löffeln Kaviar und saufen Champagner im Waldorf Astoria
I see superstars spooning caviar and drinking champagne at the Waldorf Astoria.


doch ein paar Blocks um die Ecke und schon siehst du die Endstation Ein Negerkind verhungert in Harlem ...
But a few blocks around the corner, and you already see the end station. A black child starves in Harlem ...




Contributed by Jacob G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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