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Ryan Adams — New York, New York
Album: Gold
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1059









Released: 2001
Length: 3:40
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Well, I shuffled through the city on the 4th of July
I had a firecracker waiting to blow
Breakin' like a robber who was makin' his way
To the cities of Mexico
Lived in an apartment out on Avenue A
I had a tar-hut on the corner of 10th
Had myself a lover who was finer than gold
But I've been broken up and busted up since

And love don't play any games with me
Anymore like she did before
The world won't wait, so I better shake
That thing right out there through the door
Hell, I still love you, New York

Found myself a picture that would fit in the folds
Of my wallet and it stayed pretty good
Still amazed I didn't lose it on the roof of the place
When I was drunk and I was thinking of you
Every day the children they were singing their tune
Out on the streets and you could hear from inside
Used to take the subway up to Houston and 3rd
I would wait for you and I'd try to hide

And love won't play any games with you
Anymore if you don't want 'em to
The world won't wait and I watched you shake
But honey, I don't blame you
Hell, I still love you, New York
Hell, I still love you, New York
New York

I remember Christmas in the blistering cold
In a church on the upper west side
Babe, I stood their singing, I was holding your arm
You were holding my trust like a child
Found a lot of trouble out on Avenue B
But I tried to keep the overhead low
Farewell to the city and the love of my life
At least we left before we had to go

And love won't play any games with you
Anymore if you want 'em to
So we better shake this old thing out the door
I'll always be thinkin' of you
I'll always love you though New York
I'll always love you though New York, New York, New York
Comments (170)add comment
 Good to hear Ryan is back in the fold.   The  much anticipated return  of the   prodigal son ...thanks Bill  you rock brother!  ...and let's not forget  main , mellow and global! Happy New Year to you and your family. 
Thought it was Allman Bros for the first 15 seconds.
 bitbanger wrote:

I bugged out of NYC August 21 for Florida. I lived through the bad old days of the 80's and saw it transform to what may have been the Platonic ideal metropolitan life. Sadly with the recent years of riots and looting, brutal taxes, increasing political intolerance, and the return of common street crime made me realize was time to go.

I lived in the neighborhood which was the setting of Adams' song when it was a ghetto. When he wrote the song it had made itself into great part of town. 

I'll always love what New York made of itself in its golden age and always be broken hearted for what it did to itself in the past five years or so. Hopefully it can turn itself around. America is a better place with a healthy New York.





So. . . you're pro-gentrification? You're a perfect fit for Florida. 
I bugged out of NYC August 21 for Florida. I lived through the bad old days of the 80's and saw it transform to what may have been the Platonic ideal metropolitan life. Sadly with the recent years of riots and looting, brutal taxes, increasing political intolerance, and the return of common street crime made me realize was time to go.

I lived in the neighborhood which was the setting of Adams' song when it was a ghetto. When he wrote the song it had made itself into great part of town. 

I'll always love what New York made of itself in its golden age and always be broken hearted for what it did to itself in the past five years or so. Hopefully it can turn itself around. America is a better place with a healthy New York.

 kingart wrote:

I've been a resident of NYC for 42 +years, since Feb. of '80.  But as of May '22, I'm out of here.  I'm decamping to a certified village upstate New York.  
This is one of my RP-inspired theme songs.  This one and Get Me Out of Here by Billy Pilgrim.  I'm migrating out of here.  C'ya.  I'll always love you, New York.  



 sqqqrly wrote:
 Such a silly statement.... Jingoism?    Was there a threat of force in my words? I don't see how foreign policy comes into play either. Look up the big words before you use them Nate.

Upside-down flying of the flag was ruled constitutional in Spence v. Washington by the 1974 Supreme Court. I would agree with that ruling.  Mr. Ryan has a right to free speech.  I retain the right to decide for myself whether I will listen or not.


It was upside down on the cover in response to 9/11 if that moves your patriot meter at all.
Other than the out-of-control crime, murders, subway executions, corruption and revolving door of incompetent leadership, sure... it's fantastic.
This guy is SO talented.  I heard an interview once, where he admitted he had suicidal thoughts almost everyday!  And he still produces stuff like this....hats off to the guy.
I've been a resident of NYC for 42 +years, since Feb. of '80.  But as of May '22, I'm out of here.  I'm decamping to a certified village upstate New York.  
This is one of my RP-inspired theme songs.  This one and Get Me Out of Here by Billy Pilgrim.  I'm migrating out of here.  C'ya.  I'll always love you, New York.  
The song was recored few days before 9/11  with the world trade centre at the background of the video clip.
 bluematrix wrote:
I heard him in an interview on NPR years ago where he said the New York he is singing about is actually a nickname for a girl he was dating. 
 


He may have said that, but it sure seems like the song is about a love affair with the city and the girl. IMHO, of course.


I heard him in an interview on NPR years ago where he said the New York he is singing about is actually a nickname for a girl he was dating. 
 thewiseking wrote:
Easy for you to "love" New York Ryan. You don't live here.

 
Pack a bag hit the road bitter betty
For an opposing view point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmPOucFxnK8
 thewiseking wrote:
Easy for you to "love" New York Ryan. You don't live here.

 

Maybe he did then, at the time the track was made. It dates from '01.  
Easy for you to "love" New York Ryan. You don't live here.
Not my favorite DRA tune, but it's fun to hear it.
Always reminds me of 9/11.

The greatest song from Ryan's greatest album. 10 
Almost as good as "New York, New York (So Good They Named It Twice)" by Gerard Kenny.


Yep, that's my burg. Mr. Adams put together a nice anthem for a great city. Although I've been here more decades than I've been anywhere else, NYC never gets any less than exhilarating.
 rdo wrote:
New York is a great city ---- a shining glorious beacon to the world.  I recall in this video the twin towers are in the background.  Now the new Freedom Tower is done.  The memorial is quite moving and beautiful as well.
 
Yes indeed, it's a helluva town.  The reflecting pools at the WTC Memorial are now finished.  Saw them last week for the first time and was stunned into silence.  Yes, I knew they represent the footprints of the Towers, but man, oh, man.

The pools are magnificent structures with "Infinity Pool" waterfalls on all four edges and much smaller shafts in the center descending out of sight.  (They're smaller, but still HUGE.)  They're underneath the incredibly tall new WTC Tower ... well, it's really something, brother.

As the Acela trundles me into town on Monday mornings, I see the new Tower standing head and shoulders above everything else.

Note to haters: freedom and liberty are impossible to stop.
New York is a great city ---- a shining glorious beacon to the world.  I recall in this video the twin towers are in the background.  Now the new Freedom Tower is done.  The memorial is quite moving and beautiful as well.
 Stingray wrote:
Love the Adams family, but do not care for Ryan and Brian!
  SinisterDexter wrote:

So, I guess Lurch is the one you like?

 
Stingray's favorite from the Addams Family must be Thing.  A disembodied hand, kinda like the one he puts on the keyboard to type up comments.
 scraig wrote:
From SPIN: "Why did you put an upside-down American flag on the cover of Gold?
I'm a Democratic Socialist. I really don't get into the United States at all. I'm sorry, but politically, I really don't care. That'swhy I thought it was funny that people were like, "Ryan's got this great, patriotic song about New York after the bombing." It's like,"Hello, it's a song about being an idiot."

 
An upside down flag is, at least in military terms, a clear sign of a unit, or by extension a nation, in great distress. 

A Democratic Socialist, what's that? Is that a contradiction in terms? I'm a democratic -- small d -- progressive, but that and 2.50 will get me on the subway. I don't hear or read much that's patriotic or unpatriotic in the song. It's about, uh, living and loving in New York. An homage of sorts. In the context of 9/11. So the theme of the inverted flag clearly applies, at least in the context of this cut.

As for the rest: "it's a song about being an idiot." What? Where the f is that implied in or inferred by Adams's song?
 Keef wrote:
Don't call him Bryan.{#Fire}
 
Although he probably wouldn't mind a few of Bryan's royalty cheques.
I give him a B....and ruin his disguise.  Easily as good as that thing he did with one of the Spice Girls.
From SPIN: "Why did you put an upside-down American flag on the cover of Gold?
I'm a Democratic Socialist. I really don't get into the United States at all. I'm sorry, but politically, I really don't care. That'swhy I thought it was funny that people were like, "Ryan's got this great, patriotic song about New York after the bombing." It's like,"Hello, it's a song about being an idiot."
Great 4th of July Song!!
Don't call him Bryan.{#Fire}

Great tune. 
Cheers All, and especially that strong nasally icon of newyorker tuff stuff Edward I. Koch, one great Mayor for the Greatest Effin City
RIP
Cynaera wrote:
I first heard this on Coyote FM (read prior comments for the background on that station), and it was just so inspiring. Then Coyote went away, and there was a vast wasteland of Britney/Michael/Train... 

And now, here it is again. Of course, it'd be RP. Thank you, Bill and Rebecca. Always and forever. You just know...
 

Miss you so much, Cynaera...

this is a great song, with a profound video that gives the song incredible meaning with visual images of the Twin Towers—




 
This whole package is Bruce Springsteen if he were chewing bubble gum and became "happy, bouncy pop".
 Proclivities wrote:
Did it sound something like one of Van Morrison's five songs?
 
{#Roflol}
 rsb444 wrote:
adams is such a derivative chameleon;

nice voice, but nothing else, save cookie-cutter songs and borrowed melodies and images

i'm surprised van morrison (and a lot of other artists) didn't sue him for the offering on "gold"
 
Did it sound something like one of Van Morrison's five songs?
My town for three decades. And a good song for it. 
Id rather listen to Ryan than Brian any day of the week. I dont happen to work for the New York chamber of commerce, so, hats off to commercializing a city.. YEA tourism !
2nd that notion

 
whtahtefcuk wrote:
More Ryan on RP!
 


More Ryan on RP!
Best New Artist of 2000s!!!!!
 SinisterDexter wrote:

So, I guess Lurch is the one you like?
 
Morticia...coocoocatchoo!


 Stingray wrote:
Love the Adams family, but do not care for Ryan and Brian!
 
So, I guess Lurch is the one you like?
Love the Adams family, but do not care for Ryan and Brian!
Great to hear Ryan Adams on RP.  More please.
He is an insanely talented songwriter.
adams is such a derivative chameleon;

nice voice, but nothing else, save cookie-cutter songs and borrowed melodies and images

i'm surprised van morrison (and a lot of other artists) didn't sue him for the offering on "gold"
 wrangler wrote:
didn't we just hear ryan adams and the cardinals about 30 mintues ago?
 
that is what I was just thinking...it speaks to the fact that you usually don't hear repeated artist all that much.
didn't we just hear ryan adams and the cardinals about 30 mintues ago?
I like this tune...
 Sjaaks wrote:
Hmmmmm, listen to "Darling Pretty" by Mark Knopfler, it's from 1996. Would you say it resembles? {#Rolleyes}

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqHJWsgGx4g
 

yeah.  although he writes some catchy stuff, everthing i've heard from this guy is way too derivative...so he's a wanker in my book.

I first heard this on Coyote FM (read prior comments for the background on that station), and it was just so inspiring. Then Coyote went away, and there was a vast wasteland of Britney/Michael/Train...

And now, here it is again. Of course, it'd be RP. Thank you, Bill and Rebecca. Always and forever. You just know...
Hmmmmm, listen to "Darling Pretty" by Mark Knopfler, it's from 1996. Would you say it resembles? {#Rolleyes}

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqHJWsgGx4g
Yea, I haven't heard this one in awhile either, prolly his best album.
Good stuff
Haven't heard this in awhile.  Glad to be listening!! {#Dancingbanana_2}
funny to think if 9/11 never happened.  I like this tune regardless.
As an expatriated New Yorker I really like the sentiment in this song, I do feel good when I hear it. Having said that, I can't say I like too much else by him though.

 RadioDoc wrote:

Nope. September 25, 2001.

 


The video was shot the weekend before 9/11 and prominently features the twin towers.
Ryan's high water mark. Everything after is hit and miss.
Can't stand him. I've tried. Just can't. He's awful and from what I've heard from friends who have gone to see him, he's an unhinged mess who doesn't respect his audience.
 drjimmy wrote:
R.E.M., Wilco, Genesis, Ryan Adams. Fanfreakingtastic set!

 
Again... hello robot!


Always liked Ryan Adams, and I like this song too. . .

7 {#Arrow} 8

Always hated this song :-\

And artist.
 nate917 wrote:

Jingoism.  How do you know the photo wasn't shot upside down?

Such a silly statement.... Jingoism?    Was there a threat of force in my words? I don't see how foreign policy comes into play either. Look up the big words before you use them Nate.

Upside-down flying of the flag was ruled constitutional in Spence v. Washington by the 1974 Supreme Court. I would agree with that ruling.  Mr. Ryan has a right to free speech.  I retain the right to decide for myself whether I will listen or not.

R.E.M., Wilco, Genesis, Ryan Adams. Fanfreakingtastic set!

 sqqqrly wrote:

Disrespect.  What he thinks he meant by it does not matter.

 
Clearly you don't think at all... at least not for yourself.


 sqqqrly wrote:

Disrespect.  What he thinks he meant by it does not matter.

 
Jingoism.  How do you know the photo wasn't shot upside down?

Keep the overhead low, baby. Love this!
 sqqqrly wrote:

Disrespect.  What he thinks he meant by it does not matter.
 
amazing how much wrongness you can pack into 11 words. that takes practice.
He did a version of this on SNL when SNL came back on after 911.  It was amazing.
He has been a total douche at times, especially when Gold was coming out... but he sure could (can) write gems.
I like this style!!
 sqqqrly wrote:

Disrespect.  What he thinks he meant by it does not matter.

 
It is the recognized method of signaling distress.

THE FLAG CODE
Title 36, U.S.C., Chapter 10
As amended by P.L. 344, 94th Congress
Approved July 7, 1976


 Mandible wrote:
what is the significance of the upside down flag?

I don't know if it's what was intended, but generally, flying the flag upside down is a distress signal; it means "send help".
 BillnDollarBaby wrote:
Such an emotional song for me... beautiful lyrics.
 
This song kicks off the album in fine style!
 sqqqrly wrote:

Disrespect.  What he thinks he meant by it does not matter.

 

As an American, I'd like to say I disagree.
Yuk, just yuk!
 audiophelia wrote:
I seem to recall that this album/single was ironically released on 911. :/
 
Nope. September 25, 2001.

I seem to recall that this album/single was ironically released on 911. :/
Or distress.

 
sqqqrly wrote:

Disrespect.  What he thinks he meant by it does not matter.

 


 Mandible wrote:
what is the significance of the upside down flag?
 
Disrespect.  What he thinks he meant by it does not matter.

Nice.  Reminds me of the Grateful Dead for some reason
Adams is so prolific, the gems can get lost in the silt, but this is undoutably one of his best.  {#Notworthy}
I recall someone posting that the whole picture is upside down - that is to say, he is hanging upside down. Dunno fo sho.
 
 
Mandible wrote:
what is the significance of the upside down flag?
 

what is the significance of the upside down flag?
Eh, more like Shemp.
 
mcklein18 wrote:
Sounds like Moe.
 

InnerNinja wrote:
But what do I know, I'm just a frustrated Ninja!


Uhhhh... thanks for this? I guess? {#Stupid}
Sounds like Moe.
I love this song.  I played it for days after 9-11.  Ryan Adams played this on SNL once soon after 9-11.
But what do I know, I'm just a frustrated Ninja!
 a_genuine_find wrote:
From the bottom of NY's heart, I love the flag on the cover. . .
distress indeed

 

Interestingly the cover was shot with Ryan hanging upside down...
Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:
See edited post below.
Were you thinking of this guy?
timc wrote:
Huh?
See edited post below.
Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:
Thank goodness he's more talented than his dad.
Huh?
Thank goodness he's more talented than his dad. Edit: Hahah, Disregard that...wrong Adams.
From the bottom of NY's heart, I love the flag on the cover. . . distress indeed
One of my three favorite artists! I'm among the crowd that thinks he the boywonder and truly turns everything he touches to Gold. This was by far my favorite album of his until Cold Roses came out. There's no denying that this record will fit neatly in the halls of great classic rock albums. I'd say he already deserves of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nod.
For an oldwaver like me, this guy surely gave me some hope that younger generation CAN make some decent music. Way to go, Ryan!
What an awesome set, Bill. All the late-evening music caffeine I was hoping for :) Having never been to New York, this song seems to capture in music what I think a visit would be like.
Somebody compared this original song from an original album to Clay Aiken? Idiot. I saw two shows on this tour and they were a couple of the best I've ever seen in my life.
93vx800 wrote:
I LOVE New York, New York. It's the Yankees I hate!
me too - and i bet i'll love it even more when i actually get to see it with my own eyes for the first time!
Dang. Feels like an '8', then a few bars later, a '2'. Guess I'll give it a '5'.
slartibart_O wrote:
IT's a Fun Fact: Believe it or not the photo on the cover was actually shot with our little buddy Ry hanging upside down...
From what I read of his personality, they should have left him there. Decent tune.
I LOVE New York, New York. It's the Yankees I hate!
IT's a Fun Fact: Believe it or not the photo on the cover was actually shot with our little buddy Ry hanging upside down and then flipped over for the CD cover! That's why the flag is upside down (oops! Ha Ha) and his hair is so cool looking like it is sticking up and stuff. To understand this you might have to go out and buy the CD and look at it upside down! Wow!
Catchy little ditty
Is that Robert Smith of the Cure posing on the cover?
a tasty little geography lesson! 1:21 pm - Ryan Adams - New York, New York 1:19 pm - Lovin' Spoonful - Summer In The City 1:14 pm - Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway 1:08 pm - Wilco - Impossible Germany
great song from a great album
dogdokken wrote:
Yea, too many words, "Tangled Up In Blue" is the same, it's awful. Artists need to be more like Clay Aiken, he sings just the perfect amount of words (written by an anonymous songwriter) that's very heartfelt.
Yes, you are absolutely right. All songs should have a limit as to the number of words to be used in them. Also, we should start to limit the number of thought processes that singers are entitled to. Oops, there is that word, entitlement... The scourge of today... Perfect amount of words? You are kidding, I hope!
if you give this song a low rating, the terrorists have won...
dogdokken wrote:
Yea, too many words, "Tangled Up In Blue" is the same, it's awful. Artists need to be more like Clay Aiken, he sings just the perfect amount of words (written by an anonymous songwriter) that's very heartfelt.
Clay Aiken sucks on all accounts; therefore, you suck by association. Have fun sucking.
dogdokken wrote:
Yea, too many words, "Tangled Up In Blue" is the same, it's awful. Artists need to be more like Clay Aiken, he sings just the perfect amount of words (written by an anonymous songwriter) that's very heartfelt.
I am no Court Composer preferring Saliere over Mozart ("too many notes"). Good words are always welcome in quantity, especially if accompanied by fabulous tunes. If you want to compare this song to Dylan - especially one of his best songs - I would be happy to do so: Dylan - 10 Ryan Adams - 2 Clay Aikin - errrnt!!!
mongoose01ca wrote:
I don't understand the low ratings to this. I just don't. There are a lot of other solid tracks on this CD, BTW.
I admit it took a while to grow on me. Now it's up to a 9. Great lyrics, rich with NYC imagery. I like to listen to it back-to-back with Marcy Playground's Vampires of New York.
I don't understand the low ratings to this. I just don't. There are a lot of other solid tracks on this CD, BTW.
I remember when Ryan Adams appeared on Saturday Night Live and played this song after 9/11. It couldn't have been more timely, moving and uplifting.
palmgalo wrote:
The song start a little bit same "Jessica" from the Allman-Brothers.
Yeah, I thought it was them at first, myself. Still an enjoyable song, though.
Patriotic Liberals... they'd like you to think that's a contradiction in terms ... like... I d'nunno... moral majority... or some such.
Wilmshurst wrote:
Far too many words crammed into far too little original music.
"Too many notes", Joseph?
boy does ny not need your love
But I want it to get stuck in my head. MojoJojo wrote:
Itsa "get-stuck-inya-head-whenya-don't-wanit-to" song. Sorry.