About the song
In the world of music, there are few songs that have become as synonymous with a city as “New York, New York” has with the city that never sleeps. Written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, this iconic song has been a staple of American music for decades, and its association with Frank Sinatra has cemented its place in the annals of music history.
The story of how “New York, New York” became a part of Sinatra’s repertoire is a fascinating one. Frank Military, a longtime associate and former employee of Sinatra’s publishing company, was instrumental in introducing the song to the legendary singer. Military sent Sinatra a record of the song, and persisted in checking in with his secretary to see if he had listened to it. Eventually, Sinatra gave the sheet music to his pianist, Vinnie Falcone, and began performing it in a medley with “New York, New York” from On the Town in October 1978.
As Sinatra continued to perform the song, he began to develop the massive rallentando that defines his interpretation of the song. This signature style, which has become synonymous with Sinatra’s version of “New York, New York,” was immortalized on record and has been widely imitated but never replicated.
Sinatra’s recording of “New York, New York” was released in 1980 as part of his triple album Trilogy: Past Present Future. The song was an instant hit, peaking at #32 on the Billboard charts and becoming Sinatra’s final Top 40 hit. It also reached #10 on the Adult Contemporary chart in the US and #2 in Canada. The song’s success was not limited to the US, as it reached #1 on Notitas Musicales’ Hit Parade chart in Mexico and #4 in the UK in 1986.
One of the most interesting aspects of “New York, New York” is its evolution over time. Sinatra made two more studio recordings of the song, one in 1981 for his NBC TV special The Man and His Music, and another in 1993 for Capitol Records. The latter recording was edited into a duet with Tony Bennett for Sinatra’s Duets album.
The lyrics of “New York, New York” are a testament to the city’s enduring appeal. The song’s opening lines, “Start spreadin’ the news, I’m leavin’ today / I want to be a part of it: New York, New York,” set the tone for a song that is both a love letter to the city and a declaration of ambition. The song’s conclusion, “If I can make it there, I’m gonna make it anywhere, / It’s up to you, New York, New York,” has become a mantra for anyone who has ever dreamed of making it big in the city.
Interestingly, Sinatra altered some of Ebb’s original lyrics during the recording process, likely as a mistake. However, Ebb was not fond of the revision, and the original lyrics have been restored in subsequent versions of the song.
Despite the changes, “New York, New York” remains one of the most iconic songs in American music. Its association with Frank Sinatra has cemented its place in the pantheon of great American songs, and its enduring popularity is a testament to the city’s timeless appeal. Whether you’re a native New Yorker or just a visitor, “New York, New York” is a song that is sure to get you moving and inspire you to take on the city that never sleeps.
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Lyrics
Start spreading the news, you’re leaving today (tell ’em, Frank)
I want to be a part of it, New York, New York
Your vagabond shoes, they are longing to stray
And step around the heart of it, New York, New York
I wanna wake up in that city, that doesn’t sleep
And find your king of the hill, top of the heap
Your small town blues, they’re melting away
I’m gonna make a brand-new start of it, in old New York
You always make it there, you make it anywhere
It’s up to you, New York, New York
In New York, New York
I wanna wake up in that city, that doesn’t sleep
And find I’m king of the hill, top of the list (you bet)
A number one, king of the hill
These little town blues, they have all melted away
And I’m gonna make a brand-new start of it, right there in old New York
You better believe it, folks
You always make it there, you make it anywhere
Come on, come through, New York, New York
New York