West Side Story
Upper West Lyrics

You could hate, listen, love or ignore me
No matter how you feel about me, I'm still going to share my story.

But buckle up for my west side story
My story is going to be fast-paced and exciting, so be prepared for a wild ride.

Where do we go from here...
I'm not sure what the future holds, but I'm excited to find out.

Grew up on seven second, moved up to 87th
I spent part of my childhood on Seventh Street, and then my family moved to 87th Street.

We rep that city where we saw the smoke on 9/11
I'm proud to come from the city where we experienced the tragedy of 9/11 and the aftermath.

Just kids in second grade, or maybe third it was
I was so young when 9/11 happened that I don't remember exactly what grade I was in at the time.

But either way that day we really saw what murder was
Being so close to the terrorist attacks at a young age made me understand how serious and traumatizing violence can be.

You ever of us? This city I reside
Do you know about me and other people who live in this city?

Grew up on fields of grass and gravel down on riverside
I spent a lot of time playing on the grass and gravel areas near the river on the Upper West Side.

That's where I learned to dream
Spending time in nature and space to think helped me develop my imagination and my aspirations for the future.

On top that rock I'd sing
I used to climb on the rocks near the river and sing to myself.

I told me dad one day I'd grow up to become a King!
As a child, I had big dreams and aspirations, and I shared those with my dad.

I said I'm living now, cuz we all die later
I want to make the most of my life in the present because we only have a limited amount of time.

Hey dad look up one day, you'll see me on that skyscraper
I want to accomplish great things and be successful, and I hope that someday my dad will see me achieve that from the top of a skyscraper.

See I was 6 years old, when I learned to tie my laces
I have fond memories of learning to tie my shoes at a young age, which seems like a small achievement now but was a big deal to me then.

So I could walk my city's streets and see the different faces
Learning to tie my shoes allowed me to explore the city on foot and interact with the diverse population around me.

Made up of every color, mixed in with every race
The people in my city are from all different backgrounds and ethnicities, which makes it a unique and interesting place to live.

No matter where I am in life I won't forget this place
My city will always hold a special place in my heart no matter where I end up in life.

When people grow up fast, the teenage dream is different
Teenagers who have had to grow up quickly have different plans and aspirations for the future than those who haven't.

Cuz kids will tell you that they hear you, but they never listen
Sometimes young people pretend to listen to advice and wisdom, but they don't really comprehend its value until later in life.

I see that Hudson River
The river that runs through my city is an important landmark and symbol of its history and beauty.

That murky water looking perfect
Despite its appearance, the river still has a certain allure and charm that captures people's attention.

With the stat of Liber-Tee
The Statue of Liberty is an iconic symbol of freedom and opportunity that represents my city and its values.

That's NYC, east or west or battery
All parts of New York City are unique and special, from the East Side to the West Side to Battery Park and beyond.

Man that's where I have to be
My city is my home and my happy place, and I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Just hop up on that 2 or 3
One of the subway lines that runs through my city is the 2 or 3, which is a convenient way to get around and explore different parts of it.

Express to Soho, man I love that downtown
The neighborhood of Soho is one of my favorite parts of downtown, and I enjoy exploring its shops and streets.

Just like a yo-yo, when I leave I'll just come back around
Even when I travel or leave the city for a while, I know I'll always come back to it and it will always feel like home.

These are my stomping grounds, and they always will be
The areas and neighborhoods where I spent my childhood and youth will always hold a special place in my heart and feel like home to me.

This city made me just exactly what I am today
Growing up in this city and experiencing its unique culture and diversity helped shape who I am and my worldview.

It's where our hearts belong
My city is an important part of my identity and who I am, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

They'll always sing this song
The stories and memories of this city will live on through me and others who call it home.

I said I'm from the west!
I'm proud of my roots and where I come from on the West Side of my city.

Side of this busy city
My city is always bustling and full of energy, which is part of what makes it so special.

Where people never rest
The people in my city are always on the go and pursuing their goals and dreams, which inspires me to do the same.

Stay focused on the pretty
Despite the challenges and negativity that can come with living in a big city, it's important to find the beauty and positivity in it too.

Lights of the skyline, I tread the high-line
I love the view of the skyline from the High Line, which is an elevated park and former train track that runs through the city.

The seconds fly by in the NY, that's NY-time
Life in my city can be fast-paced and hectic, and it can feel like time is always slipping away.

I feel the air with every single breath I take
The air in my city has its own unique flavor and feeling that you can't find anywhere else.

These streets under me with every single step I make
The ground beneath my feet and the streets around me are like an extension of myself and my city.

I said for heaven's sake, just take us back one day
Sometimes we long for a simpler and more carefree time, and wish we could relive or revisit certain moments from our past.

Whether in spirit, souls, or dreams make it happen someway
Even if we can't physically travel back in time, we can still hold those memories and experiences close in our hearts and minds.

Back against the grass we're staring at the summer night
Lying down in the grass and looking up at the night sky is a simple pleasure that reminds us of the beauty and wonder of the world around us.

Baby just relax and let this moment come to life
Sometimes we need to simply let go and enjoy the present moment, without worrying about what's to come or what has already passed.

I'm looking straight up from the lawn, I'm gone, and feel the rush
Lying on the grass and looking up at the sky can be a transcendent experience that takes us out of ourselves and makes us feel alive.

Could never see a star but I know this city's filled with us
Despite the light pollution and bustle of the city, I know that there are still countless people with unique stories and experiences that make it a special place.

I am forever grateful, for all you've given me
I feel a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for my city and all of the experiences it has afforded me.

These endless possibilities and now I'm living free
My city is full of potential and opportunities, which have allowed me to live a life that feels free and open to new experiences.

And when I thought this city had no sympathy
Sometimes the city can be harsh and unforgiving, but even then there are still moments of kindness and compassion to be found.

I saw that every day's a treat and every night's a symphony
When you learn to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the city, every day and night can feel like a gift to be savored and enjoyed.

I swear I love this sound, this light, this air, this ground
Every aspect of my city, from its sounds and sights to its atmosphere and essence, feels like a part of me and fills me with love and pride.

That's why I say it proud when people ask of my hometown
I am proud to come from this city and to share its legacy and spirit with others who may not be familiar with it.

No matter where we go from here, or where we may reside
Whether we stay in my city or move away, it will always be a part of us and shape who we are in some way.

Just know that all our stories started on the West Side!
No matter what kind of stories we have or where our personal narratives have taken us, we all have a common thread that ties us together as proud West Siders.