Empire State of Mind

This song is amazing for the breadth of its appeal. Unlike other portraits of New York by myriads of hip hop artists through the decades, including Jay Z, this song isn't just for the tough guys living in poverty and resorting to crime in Bed Stuy, East New York, South Bronx, etc. It's also not just for those born and raised in New York, and it doesn't take an elitist stance against the hundreds of thousands of young, wide-eyed Americans looking to embrace an urban lifestyle and pursue their dreams. This song is for the natives, the transplants, the immigrants, the criminals, the good citizens, the poor, the middle class, the wealthy--everyone and anyone whose dreams have been made and fulfilled in this great city.

You hear this song played in the bars where young people gather to socialize. You hear it trickling from the boom box behind the counter at the corner deli, where you are served by a man or woman who left everything behind to make a new life in New York. You hear it coming out of the car windows of sixty-year-old men and women who, along with the rest of their family, have spent their entire lives in the city.

This song doesn't glorify the crime-ridden city of the 1970's (nor does it ignore the past). It is an all-encompassing, optimistic anthem for an ever-evolving city in the year 2009.

Listen to Alicia Keys vocal in the chorus versus Rihanna in 'Run This Town', there is no comparison - a classicly trained articulate professional versus someone who butchers the English language in every interview I've ever heard from her. Don't get me wrong, Alicia Keys lacks the "street cred" to bring that needed dynamic to 'Run This Town', something Rhianna is better suited for; but hearing someone is among the best at what she does bring it like Alicia does in 'Empire State of Mind' is incredible to hear! This track alone makes the album worth purchasing (plus the subject matter is spot on too - New York is where it's at!).

LOL when did this website become christian talk hour? A bunch of crazies preaching about jesus. Either this is an organized troll or you people have nothing better to do

This song is just an anthem for new york, just a song celebrating and honoring New York City, nothing more, nothing less.

You messed up some lines, not to mention took them from another website... Probably should get rid of the "lyrics courtesy of allhiphop.com"

The line in the chorus is: "Concrete jungle where dreams are made of"

this song is amazing..

i love the play on words with Anna Wintour's name in the line "and in the winter gets cold in vogue with your skin out" so geniussss

the line - long live the king yo, in thinking its a tribute to MJ, does anyone else think that?

There are still a lot of errors in these lyrics...

As someone else mentioned, the chorus should be: "Concrete jungle, where dreams are made of" NOT "I'm from where dreams are made of"

Also as someone else mentioned, the line is: "If Jeezy payin LeBron, I'm payin Dwayne Wade" NOT "If Jesus payin LeBron...."

Instead of "560 Stage Street", the line should be "560 State Street"

Instead of "still sipping Malta", the line should be "still sipping Mai Tais"

In the chorus, the line should read "Big lights will inspire you", not "the lights..."

Instead of "me i gotta plug a special and i got it made", it should be "me I gotta plug Special Ed I Got It Made"

Instead of "3 card marley", it should be "3 card Monte"

That's all I have...

Do you guys honestly thin he is saying "drinking maltas" in the 24th line? Have you ever heard of mai-tais?

I would love this song so much more if Jay-Z didn't have to sneak in lines about how sick he is. I'm pretty sure the Yankees made wearing the Yankees hat famous - it wasn't you, Jay-Z. Rest of the song is great though.