Sting – Englishman In New York

I don't take coffee, I take tea, my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York

See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
I'm an Englishman in New York

Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say

Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun

Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run

If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say

Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say


Lyrics submitted by Novartza, edited by Anneza

"Englishman In New York" as written by Gordon Sumner

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Englishman In New York song meanings
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32 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment[Sting]: Englishman in New York (1987) is about Quentin Crisp. He's one of the most charming, witty and courageous men I know. He was openly gay not only when it was dangerous, but when it was against the law. Then he moved to the Bowery, this tough neighbourhood in New York, when he was 71. The song has exactly the same chords as 'If You Love Somebody Set Them Free' If you find a good chord structure you should use it at least once or twice. I tried to capture the multicultural elements of the music in New York. You hear jazz on one block and rock on the next, then someone comes round the corner with hip-hop blaring out of their car. That's why those hip-hop drums burst in for a few bars. The record company tried to talk me out of that; but I said, "No; that's what it's about." I think Quentin rather likes the song. He calls me Mr Sting.
    sillybunnyon August 28, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Commentgreat song, especially the jazz part!
    loon July 01, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI get a lot of inspiration from this song as it is saying be yourself no matter what anyone thinks about you, and no matter how different you are to everyone around you, you should be proud to be your own person.
    00:jpstln:00on April 18, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General CommentWell... listening to the lyrichs, you might say it's a gay song ("See me walking down Fifth Avenue/A walking cane here at my side/I take it everywhere I walk/I'm an Englishman in New York." - Hmm; "It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile/Be yourself no matter what they say" - again, Hmm...), but such an interpretation is as wacky as MY interpretation of "Mad about you" (*stupid stupid stupid*).
    It MAY be about that, but in a larger field. It's a song about being an "alien", just as Sting himself put it. About belonging, but not quite.
    If you watch the video closly, you'll see a sort of body language Sting is posting: crossed legs standing up, making a crooked cross if you will. That sign means "amongst stragers", if you study that part of psichology that deals with subliminal messages through the position of the body.
    So it's about being amongst strangers, not knowing anybody, not having friends around, etc.

    Sorry for the long coment.
    AprilMoon1991on July 02, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI don't really get the part that goes

    Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
    You could end up as the only one
    Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
    At night a candle's brighter than the sun

    Is he telling us *NOT* to be modest and proper? Or is he telling us to "ignore people who think you're notorious because you're modest and proper, and it doesn't matter if you end up alone as a consequence"?

    As for the candle, is it useful only at night? What is the message in this statement? It almost sounds like it has the opposite spirit compared to the rest of the song, namely that you should only display your personality (candle) privately (at night).
    Am I totally getting this wrong?
    doesnotcomputeon February 28, 2008   Link
    • 2 Replies
  • 0
    General CommentNice :)
    nagareboshion June 10, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis is a great song...amazing
    HeatHBabyon September 27, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentGreat song... what else is there to say.
    Last_niteon September 29, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentGreat song, I was thinking to do what tps12 for a while I think I'll do it today heh.
    Pukaon April 09, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThe rock combined with some jazz makes this a great song.
    Philadelphia Eagleson June 30, 2004   Link

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