So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
Start spreadin' the news, I'm leavin' today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it
New York, New York
I want to wake up, in a city that doesn't sleep
And find I'm king of the hill
Top of the heap
These little town blues
Are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York, New York
New York, New York
I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps
And find I'm a number one, top of the list
King of the hill, a number one
These little town blues, are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
And
If I can make it there
I'm gonna make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York
New York
New York
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it
New York, New York
I want to wake up, in a city that doesn't sleep
And find I'm king of the hill
Top of the heap
These little town blues
Are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York, New York
New York, New York
I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps
And find I'm a number one, top of the list
King of the hill, a number one
These little town blues, are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
And
If I can make it there
I'm gonna make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York
New York
New York
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I think this song is about New York
I agree
The jazz! The sax, the drums, Franks AMAZING voice... all comes together to make THE best song in the world... EVER!
You can feel the swing as it plays.. cant help tapping my feet and swaying my body with the soulful rhythem.
Well done Frank!
This song makes sense to Frank because himself he was so desperate to make a fresh start out of Hoboken (The place where he grew up). Ive never been to NY before but if i get the chance, I'll be playing this song in a taxi or something...looking at all the scenery...
I worship this song
I've always felt that this is like an infomercial for New York and that some corrupt Italian-American politicians put a gun to his head and forced him to make a propaganda song like this. Maybe it's just me.
This song is actually the theme from a late 70's film called - surprise, surprise - 'New York, New York'. So it's probably just you.
last call at the bars back home in ct. when i was a kid growing up, yankee statium with my grandfather.
this song rocks my world. i sing for a broadway dance group. and this is one of my fav's that we sing
this song rocks everyone's world. New York City is stronger than ever, juts wish the chairman could have seen it now.
ok, so i love this song. when my brother was in the fifthe grade (5 years or some odd ago...), his class put on a lip sync and it was right around the time Frank Sinatra died. my big brother was frank sinatra, and it was awesome. every time i hear this song, i think of how great that was, and how great new york, new york really, truly is.
a timeless classic reminiscent of a past era that never dies