The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
(City rhythm, ooh, city rhythm, ooh, city rhythm, ooh)
When my heart (city rhythm) is torn apart (ooh)
By the love I wish I had
Well, I spend my (city rhythm) nights in the city's lights (ooh)
And things don't seem so bad
Ya know the movement seems to soothe me
And the tempo takes control
And I lose my blues
When the New York City rhythm fills my soul
It's the New York City rhythm runnin' though life (city rhythm)
The poundin' beat of the city streets that keeps my dreams alive
I'm lost (I'm lost), I'm found (I'm found)
I'm up (I'm up), I'm down, (I'm down) but somehow I survive
It's got to be the New York City rhythm in my life
Oh, it's got to be the New York City rhythm in my life, in my life
(City rhythm, ooh, city rhythm, ooh, city rhythm, ooh, city rhythm, ooh)
When I'm out (city rhythm) for love or sin (ooh)
Oh, it's good to be in town
In the funky (city rhythm) dives on the old west side (ooh)
There's always somethin' goin' down
Yes, I live my life with strangers
And the danger's always there
But when I hit Broadway and it's time to play
You know that I don't care
It's the New York City rhythm runnin' through' my life (city rhythm)
The poundin' beat of the city streets that keeps my dreams alive
I'm lost (I'm lost), I'm found (I'm found)
I'm up (I'm up), I'm down, (I'm down) but somehow I survive
It's got to be the New York City rhythm in my life
Oh, it's got to be the New York City rhythm in my life, in my life
(City rhythm, ooh, city rhythm)
Nueva York, Nueva York, Nueva York
Nueva York, Nueva York, Nueva York, Nueva York, Nueva York
Nueva York, Nueva York, Nueva York, Nueva York
(City rhythm ooh, city rhythm) New York City yeah (ooh, city rhythm, ooh)
(City rhythm) New York City yeah (city rhythm, ooh)
(City rhythm) New York City yeah (city rhythm, ooh)
When my heart (city rhythm) is torn apart (ooh)
By the love I wish I had
Well, I spend my (city rhythm) nights in the city's lights (ooh)
And things don't seem so bad
Ya know the movement seems to soothe me
And the tempo takes control
And I lose my blues
When the New York City rhythm fills my soul
It's the New York City rhythm runnin' though life (city rhythm)
The poundin' beat of the city streets that keeps my dreams alive
I'm lost (I'm lost), I'm found (I'm found)
I'm up (I'm up), I'm down, (I'm down) but somehow I survive
It's got to be the New York City rhythm in my life
Oh, it's got to be the New York City rhythm in my life, in my life
(City rhythm, ooh, city rhythm, ooh, city rhythm, ooh, city rhythm, ooh)
When I'm out (city rhythm) for love or sin (ooh)
Oh, it's good to be in town
In the funky (city rhythm) dives on the old west side (ooh)
There's always somethin' goin' down
Yes, I live my life with strangers
And the danger's always there
But when I hit Broadway and it's time to play
You know that I don't care
It's the New York City rhythm runnin' through' my life (city rhythm)
The poundin' beat of the city streets that keeps my dreams alive
I'm lost (I'm lost), I'm found (I'm found)
I'm up (I'm up), I'm down, (I'm down) but somehow I survive
It's got to be the New York City rhythm in my life
Oh, it's got to be the New York City rhythm in my life, in my life
(City rhythm, ooh, city rhythm)
Nueva York, Nueva York, Nueva York
Nueva York, Nueva York, Nueva York, Nueva York, Nueva York
Nueva York, Nueva York, Nueva York, Nueva York
(City rhythm ooh, city rhythm) New York City yeah (ooh, city rhythm, ooh)
(City rhythm) New York City yeah (city rhythm, ooh)
(City rhythm) New York City yeah (city rhythm, ooh)
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