The New York Nobody Sings

Skarhead "City Of Sleaze" (2010)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:45:00 +0000

Lyrics (via MaxiLyrics.com)
A concrete jungle
Violence and pain
Come here innocent
You won't leave the same
Greedy hands better watch out
Payback's a bitch and that's what it's all about

Drugs money sex
Make the world go 'round
Kings at crime
Run this town
So beg for your life
And get on your knees
I'm the cure
And your the disease

The rotten apple
The city that never sleeps
New York, New York
Home of the sleaze
Dropped many suckers like you in my past
Scum like you don't deserve a second chance

Drugs money sex
Make the world go' round
Kings at crime run the town
So beg for your life
And get on your knees
I'm the cure and your the disease

Time Out New York Magazine (March 8-14, 2012 issue) Compiles "100 Best NYC Songs"

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 14:02:00 +0000

We must have missed this issue of Time Out New York magazine when it hit newsstands back in March 2012, wherein they compiled the "100 Best New York Songs."

Only 100?
We're over 200 here and we're still adding more.
Great cover photo though.

Madball "Stand Up NY" (2007)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 22:12:00 +0000

N.Y.H.C. Forever...

Lyrics
(via 6Lyrics.com)

We lead by example (example)
It's time to set the trend (to set the trend)
Once again

Stand up New York
Hardcore show your pride
Stand up New York
Hardcore be recognized

We're the New York state of mind
Our city one of a kind
Station World wide
We have enough for you all
I must pay my own most respect
To the scene that started it all

Hardcore show your pride
Stand up New York
Hardcore be recognized

Brooklyn are you with me?
Queens are you with me?
Strong Island are you with me?
Staten Island are you with me?
The Bronx are you with me?
Manhattan are you with me?
STAND UP NEW YORK

Sylvain Sylvain - "Leaving New York" (2012)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:46:00 +0000

*Originaly posted at ThisAintTheSummerOfLove.

Here's something we always enjoy around here...a brand new, soulful New York City love song and accompanying video. This one comes from New York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain. According to Syl's Facebook page, the song will be featured on his upcoming solo album, to be titled "The Monkey Never Dies." No release date on that just yet...

"Leaving New York" - Music and Lyrics by Sylvain Sylvain

Sylvain Sylvain - Vocal/Guitar
Cheetah Chrome - Guitar
Sean Koos - Bass/Piano & Hammond B3
Les Warner - Drums
Angie Primm & Gayle Mayes - Backing Vocals

Grace Jones "The Apple Stretching" (1982)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 10:09:00 +0000

A seriously cool New York tribute from Grace Jones, who was GaGa before GaGa was GaGa. Released in October of 1982.

Lyrics (via LyricsFreak.com)

The sun comes swaggering across the harbour,
And kisses the lady waiting in the narrows,
She already plenty shaky stands there,
Blushing, clutching the torch of liberty,
Uptown luigi who don't speak english so good,
Is having an accident,
Backing his dumptruck into the fence,
The tin cans go clattering down the lane,
A drowsy bum thinks it's thunder,
And pulls the news over his head to stop the rain.
No, it ain't judgement day,
No, it ain't armageddon,
It's just the apple stretching and yawning, just morning.

New york putting it's feet on the floor,
It's just the apple stretching and yawning, just morning,
New york putting it's feet on the floor.

Suburban refugees fleeing the cracked cisterns,
Worm ridden fruit trees stream out grand central,
Pleased to be breathing bagels and pollution.
In Times Square new graffiti, old revolutions,

A bag lady is cursing the waiter for giving her a free coffee
Lucky he's a jesus freak moonlighting,
At the ACME discount store over in Queens,
The burglar alarm starts to scream,
A cop picks out his gun fires one and yells, "freeze!".

No, it ain't world war four,
It's just the apple stretching and yawning, just morning,
New York putting it's feet on the floor.

Nearby the Hudson a hooker makes a 'u',
To help a blind man to his pew in the park,
Some long ago home training jars the memory,
The bag lady says 'thank you' and curtsies.

The herd of beaten tourists limp homeward,
Having bitten off more than they could chew,
Moaning them old big city blues,
Miss liberty depicts her qualms and grins,
Another subway starts rattling,
And luigi's cans go clattering down the hill.

No, it ain't some kind of I'll wind,
No, it ain't the world coming to an end,
Just the apple stretching and yawning, just morning,
New york putting it's feet on the floor.

N.A.S. "New York State Of Mind" (1994)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:57:00 +0000

...of course the reality of living life in New York City is different for everyone who calls the place home.

NOFX "All My Friends In New York" (2005)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:48:00 +0000

Lyrics (via PLyrics.com)

Staying home is not really an option
For alcoholics living in Manhattan
Have you seen the size of John Bush's apartment?
It's a bit smaller than a glove compartment

For all my friends in New York, the next 10 rounds are on me

New Yorkers have the most familiar faces
And they do their drugs in the most public places
Every week an old friend shows up, surprise
And wants my friends to stay up for the sunrise
Hello Max, Johnny, John, Omar
Hello sun, goodbye Niagara Bar
How many times can you listen to Blondie,
The Clash, The Ramones, and that Strokes song?
How many people can we fit in a bathroom?
That Ryan Adams guy is fucking crazy

To Pete, Brian, and Jimmy G, the next ten lines are on me

Joey Ramone "New York City" (2012)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 02:44:00 +0000

Joey Ramone CD "Ya Know?" - Released 05/22/12
"New York City" - Official video debut Tuesday, 09/25/12.

An amazing video for Joey's love song to his hometown.
How many of these faces do you recognize?

Living Colour "Open Letter To A Landlord" (1988)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:58:00 +0000

I can't believe we haven't put this one up yet!

Back in 1988, long before Jeremiah's Vanishing New York took up the cause, the members of New York City's hard rocking Living Colour (who were just then really breaking out into some national recognition) released this scathing indictment of money hungry landlords and the shady tactics they used to clear buildings and entire neighborhoods of "undesireables." Since 1988 the landlords' tactics may have changed a bit, but the process of making the city damn near unaffordable to all but the wealthy continues unabated.

"You can tear a building down but you can't erase a memory."

Indeed...

Lyrics: (via Lyrics Freak.com)
(written by Vernon Reid/Tracey Morris)

Now you can tear a building down but you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run down
but they have a value you can't see

This is my neighborhood This is where I come from
I call this place my home You call this place a slum
You wanna run the people out This is what you're all about
Treat poor people just like trash Turn around and make big cash

Now you can tear a building down but you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run down but they have a value you can't see

Last month there was a fire I saw seven children die
You sent flowers to their families but your sympathy's a lie
'Cause every building that you burn is more blood money that you earn
We are forced to relocate from the pain that you create

Now you can tear a building down but you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run down but they have a value you can't see
Now you can tear a building down but you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run down but they have a value you can't see

We lived here for so many years Now this house is full of fear
For a profit you will take control Where will all the older people go?
(Go, go, go, go, go)

There used to be when kids could play without the scourge of drug's decay
Now our kids are living dead They crack and blow their lives away

Now you can tear a building down but you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run down but they have a value you can't see
Now you can tear a building down but you can't erase a memory
These houses may look all run down but they have a value you can't see
(You've got to fight, you've got to fight)
Now you can tear a building down
(You've got to fight for your neighbourhood)
But you can't erase a memory
(You, you got to fight)
These houses may look all run down
(For you neighbourhood)
But they have a value you can't see
(You've got to, you've got to fight)
Now you can tear a building down
(You've got to fight for your neighbourhood)
But you can't erase a memory
(You've got to fight, you've got to fight)
These houses may look all run down
(For your neighbourhood)

Slaughter and the Dogs "Hell In New York" (1980)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 17:06:00 +0000

An oh-so familiar sounding riff kicks off and runs throughout this Slaughter and the Dogs track...which is not exactly a love song about living conditions in 1980-era New York City.

Lyrics:
(via MaxiLyrics.com)

Sky Scrappers Falling
As New York Comes Down
The Widows They Are Crying
While The Cads Loot The Town
Corruption May Get You When You?re Innocent
The Vultures They Attack When You Recumbent

Theres Hell, In, New York, To-Night
Theres Hell, In, New York, To-Night

Homicides Happening In Central Park
The Sirens They Are Saying Dont Walk In The Dark
Blood Means Money When The Hit Men Fire
Professional Ladys Will Give You Desires

Theres Hell, In, New York, To-Night
Theres Hell, In, New York, To-Night

Watch These Boys In White
While They Look So Good
Destroying All Other Cultures
Like Dictators Should
And Nixon Came Out Of Kennedys Life
You Better Look Out On A Politician Strife

Theres Hell, In, New York, To-Night
Theres Hell, In, New York, To-Night

Theres Hell, In, New York, To-Night
Theres Hell, In, New York, To-Night
Theres Hell. In. New York......

Delta Rhythm Boys - Take The A Train, 1941

noreply@blogger.com (Tim Broun) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:04:00 +0000

The Black Bows "New York Call" (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 02:52:00 +0000

Artist: The Black Bows
Title: "New York Call"
Released: 2011

" 'New York Call' is definitely about our love for the city, because we are pursuing our dream to make music in New York."
-The Black Bows guitarist Lorren Schweppe.

Lyrics:

This was my story, my dream,
make music in New York,
I left everything for nothing,
no visa, no job, no home,
I left the person who loves me
with a void memory
I ain't got nothing to lose
perhaps something to gain

Get on the plane, you'll figure it out
This is a New York call
leaving behind all memories
This is a New York call
a tear running fast down my face
This is a New York call
but I'm sure I will face

Everyone against me, as if they're obstacles
I left my friends I'm alone, this is all I know
Sent back to London as a criminal, today they only obey,
Now I'm in the cold Iceland and trying to kill the pain.

I hear the great spirits sing
This is a New York call.

New York City (You're a Woman)

noreply@blogger.com (esquared™) — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:18:00 +0000

New York City you’re a woman

Cold-hearted bitch ought to be your name

Oh you ain't never loved nobody

Yet I’m drawn to you like a moth to flame

...

Among Savages - "New York City" (2012)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:48:00 +0000

Something new that is both lyrically and accoustically brilliant from Among Savages.
Among Savages.com
Among Savages - Facebook

Lyrics (via SweetLyrics.com)

New York City
Where all your girls are pretty
All your men are running from somewhere
Making a name for themselves

Are you running from something
Or did you come from nothing
Are you testing the Lord
With the cards that you've been dealt

In the midst of all those buildings
Where the changing of the wind
Don't seem a miracle at all

And by the hands of man
It's a maze of bad habits
Where the rabbit in the hat
Is just a train in the fog

Yeah, you came here with nothing
And your leaving with the same
Sometimes the road that you were walking on
Is going the wrong way

Just come as you are
When you leave you will be changed
Everyday is a gift, everyday is a gift
And it's all slipping away

Follow your dreams
But beware of the illusions
You won't feel the void in your heart
With a bank statement and a car

What is it worth, what is it worth
Have you given up on freedom
You spent your life earning the keys to set you free
When you were free all along

New York City
Where all your girls are pretty
All your men are running from somewhere
Making a name for themselves

Are you running from something
Or did you come from nothing
Are you testing the Lord
With the cards that you've been dealt

Where do you find peace
In the middle of the city
Hard enough to find a friend
When everyone's starting over again

I feel like a child
In a world that seems shapeless
When I am most afraid
Is when I get sucked back in

Yeah, you came here with nothing
And your leaving with the same
Sometimes the road that you were walking on
Is going the wrong way

Just come as you are
When you leave you will be changed
Everyday is a gift, everyday is a gift
And it's all slipping away

Now if you leave
Will you feel defeated
Cause you didn't take from the city
As much as the city took from you

What if you'd stayed
What if you'd done what you were thinking
I'd rather you give up on life in the city
Than giving up on life too

It must be hard to live
In the midst of all those buildings
Where the changing of the wind
Don't seem a miracle at all

And by the hands of man
It's a maze of bad habits
Where the rabbit in the hat
Is just a train in the fog

Yeah, you came here with nothing
And your leaving with the same
Sometimes the road that you were walking on
Is going the wrong way

Just come as you are
When you leave you will be changed
Everyday is a gift, everyday is a gift
And it's all slipping away

Follow your dreams
But beware of the illusions
You won't feel the void in your heart
With a bank statement and a car

What is it worth, what is it worth
Have you given up on freedom
You spent your life earning the keys to set you free
When you were free all along

New York City
Where all your girls are pretty
All your men are running from somewhere
Making a name for themselves

Are you running from something
Or did you come from nothing
Are you testing the Lord
With the cards that you've been dealt

(DeLavega artwork on St. Marks Place - July 2010)
(Photo by NYCDreamin)

Everclear - "The New York Times" (2003)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 14:37:00 +0000

Everclear's emotional musical postcard to New York City in the wake of the events of September 11, 2001. From their 2003 CD "Slow Motion Daydream."

Lyrics:

Ohhhhh...
It makes no sense to me... Yeah
I was living in a different world when I heard the news,
I keep on having the same bad dream
And it makes me wanna hurt all the people who have done this thing to you

When I see your face I can see you smile
Read all about you in the New York Times
When I see your eyes I can see you're lie
When I think about what happened, it just makes me crazy

This makes no sense to me, yeah
This eye for an eye thing it has gone too far
I don't know anyone who does not hurt inside
I'd like to believe if you learn from this
Then maybe someday we can make things right
I wanna believe in this world,
I wanna believe in this life
I wanna believe in a world that does not seem real when you read between the
lines

When I see your face I can see you smile
Read all about you in my New York Times
When I see your eyes I can see you're lie
When I read the words about you it just makes me crazy
I wanna believe in this world
I wanna believe in this life
I wanna believe in the world that does not seem real when you read between the
lines

Ohhh... I gotta read between the lines..
Wooaoh you gotta read between the lines
Wohhh yeah I really wanna believe I can make things right
I wanna believe I can learn how to feel alright inside
I wanna believe I can learn how to make things right

Ohh I wanna believe in this world
I wanna believe in this life
I wanna believe in a world that does not seem real when I read the New York
Times

I see your face, I see you smile
Read all about you in the New York Times
I can see your eyes, I can see your lie
When I think about what happened, it just makes me crazy
When I close my eyes you seem so alive
When I think about you I wanna believe you can make things right
I wanna believe
I wanna believe
I wanna believe
I wanna believe
I wanna believe in this world
I wanna believe in this life
I wanna believe
Ohh I wanna believe in this world
I wanna believe in this life
I wanna believe in a world that does not seem real when I read the New York
Times

B.J. Thomas "Eyes Of A New York Woman" (1968)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:49:00 +0000

A New York love song that managed to reach #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart on 09/14/68.

Lyrics (via Lyrics007.com)

by Mark James

I'll be in New York City
When the lights shine bright tonight
Where my woman waits for me
Arms that hold me tenderly
Lips as sweet as honeycomb
Love that waits for me alone
Deep in the eyes of a New York woman

The eyes of a New York woman
Are eyes that can hold a man
She swept me off of my feet
Made my world seem so complete
I'll never have to look for more
I found what I've been lookin' for
Deep in the eyes of a New York woman

Thought I wasn't ready for the tie that binds
But I lost my heart to her when her eyes met mine
Now I see her differently
I've got to make her mine

So I'll make my home Fun City
And let the lights shine bright on me
East side cafes, West side plays
Uptown, downtown, I'll be there
I'll never have to look for more
I found what I've been lookin' for
Deep in the eyes of a New York woman

The eyes of a New York woman
Are eyes that can hold a man
She swept me off of my feet
Made my world seem so complete
I'll never have to look for more
I found what I've been lookin' for
Deep in the eyes of a New York woman
Deep in the eyes of a New York woman
Deep in the eyes of a New York woman
Deep in the eyes

Of a New York woman
Deep in the eyes of a New York woman

The Dictators "Avenue A" (Live in Cleveland, OH - 04/26/02)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 11:21:00 +0000

This is one of my favorite New York songs ever and I thought it would be a good one to close out the year here at The New York Nobody Sings. The song "Avenue A" originally appeared on the Dics' 2001 release "DFFD". This live version, complete with a scathing intro by H.D.M. about the rapid changes overtaking New York's Lower East Side, was filmed in Cleveland, OH on 04/26/02.

Lyrics: (via Lyricstime.com)

Benny got a new tattoo
Down at the St. Mark's Zoo

He walked down to the park
Drinkin 40's, till it's dark
Talkin to a grey haired man
In a tie-dyed shirt and ragged pants
He said,
That's where the hippies used to play
Down on Avenue A

Susie got a new pair of shoes
Now she don't know what to do

So she's sitting in the Park
Smokin pot till it's dark
Talking to a toothless man
With spiky hair
And leather pants
He said,
I knew Stiv in the day
And that's where the junkies used to play
Down on Avenue A

When every memory is gone
and everything you know is wrong

Takin the edge off on a beautiful day
with a Frappacino and a cr?e brulee
yeah, it's all over when you see a Range Rover
and to my bodega, I say hasta luega

it's not what you do, it's what you say
and it's not who you know, it's who you pay

Down on Avenue A

*From all of us here at The New York Nobody Sings - we'd like to thank all of YOU for reading, listening and commenting in 2011. Have an enjoyable and safe New Years Eve and we'll see you back here in 2012.

Terence Jay "New York Christmas" (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:28:00 +0000

Cover Girls "New York City Christmas" (1998)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:10:00 +0000

The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl "Fairytale Of New York" (1987)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:55:00 +0000

Hey there, this is NYCDreamin. On behalf of all of us here at The New York Nobody Sings, I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a happy, healthy and prospeous 2012.

The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl
"Fairytale of New York"
(1987)

The Baghdaddios "Christmas At CBGB's"

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:38:00 +0000

This upbeat, sure-to-be-a-classic Christmas song comes to us via the Official CBGB Facebook page earlier this morning, I couldn't resist sharing it here too. Christmas. In New York. At CBGB? Sounds pretty kick ass if you ask me...

And speaking of CBGB and Christmas...have you seen those beautiful, limited edition CBGB photo prints by Joseph Holmes, being offered by 20x200.com? They're the perfect gift idea for the hard-to-buy-for punks on your "naughty but still get a gift" list, but time is running out, Christmas is only a week away! Click HERE for more details.

Rosebud Social - "New York Days" (2012)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 11:05:00 +0000

I'm very happy to share something with you this week that you've never heard before. A few days ago an old friend of mine from back in high school - a guy who I'd lost contact with over the years but through the miracle of Facebook, as so often happens these days, have been back in touch with recently - a musician kind of guy, drummer, posted this song on his Facebook page. It's an original song, performed by his long running band Rosebud Social, titled "New York Days." Well, you know right away what I was thinking: "Hmmm, seems perfect for this blog I know about..." So I shot dude a message asking him to tell me a bit about the song and video and to give me a bit of "introductory" who/what/where infomation about the band Rosebud Social and the song "New York Days." In response, I instead heard back from guitarist/vocalist/spokesman, Tom Keteri.

"Rosebud Social has been actively playing since 1992 and the core members (Pat Olds, drums, and Tom Keteri, vocals and guitar) have travelled many miles together, and the band has outlived most of their influences. Joel Moede (bass player of 20 years, stood down in 2010 to have a family) and was replaced by Brian Kislia of "The Swing Dogs," a Minneapolis blues rock band. Brian brings organizationl skills to the band and having been the singer in his band he also opens the door to more vocal range on the back ups. he was the guitar player and songwriter in "The Swing Dogs" so the writing has also been enhanced and we are not such a one trick pony.

Our influences range from old Country to Metal and everywhere in-between, we all have our "favorites" as a band and definately have a "continuity", but we are a mix of Soul Asylum, The Replacments, and most of the "other usual suspects" from the Midwest."

As for the song itself?

"The song was written from the standpoint of never experiencing New York in the "physical sense," it was a dreamt up interpretation of someone from the Midwest moving there and isolating one person (in this case a girl) that you see every day on her schedule among the thousands of people on the street and sort of occupying your day with what you would say and do, had you had the chance to meet her.

The song was written several years ago, in ten or fifteen minutes, before attending a Jayhawks concert on the North Shore of Lake Superior in the dead of winter The isolation of Minnesota's North Shore and the isolation of being amongst so many people in New York (although completly different in fabric) is what we shot for when writing the song. The two situations are so different, but also alike.

The song was written shortly before Ryan Adams released the album "Gold" in 2001, which contains the song "New York, " so there was never a big push on our part to market this song back then because of the similarity of the content. The original song, (that is heard in the video) is the version we will be finally releasing on our new C.D. We always felt it was too good to be a b-side piece, and now with the tradgedy of the events of 9/11 at a respectable distance in the past and no "New York" songs out there at the moment, we feel it is time to finally release it.

The video was produced by Justin Olds and was a pretty accurate interpretation of what we wanted for the song.we are looking forward to working with Justin again in the future as he really captured the feeling of the song."

The new CD Tom mentioned is due out sometime in the first half of 2012. The guys are in the studio today actually, working on this and other original material. I'll have more information on how you can get a copy of the CD as it becomes available over at ThisAintTheSummerOfLove. So here you go...your first listen to "New York Days." The band, again, is called Rosebud Social.

Let's Clean Up The Ghetto

noreply@blogger.com (esquared™) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:01:00 +0000

Here's to the weekend.

Let's paint a sign
Everybody can read
Let's get rid of everything
We don't need
The fraternities, sororities,
The douchebags
And the woooo-wooooers, uh huh

[Real lyrics below]

You know, I was in
New York City a few months ago
And the garbage and the
Trash men were on strike
I'm talking about the
Maintenance people for the city

What they were trying to do was
They were trying to get
A little more money
You know, get a little raise in pay
But at that particular time
The city was broke
They were about ready
To declare default

I tell you, the garbage in some places
Was stacked up two, three stories high
At night, heh, boy, at night
It wasn't even safe to
Walk the streets, you see

Cause the rats
The roaches and the water bugs
I mean they were hustling, baby
Trying to get something to eat, see

And let me tell you something
It was stinking
Boy, there was all kind
Of disease in there

You know, but it only brought
To mind the fact that you can
No longer depend on the man downtown
To take care of business like
He's supposed to when he's supposed to

In order for us to get it
Like it's supposed to be
As far as cleanliness
You know, and safety

We gotta get together
And do it for ourselves
That's the only way it's gonna be done
And you know what I'm talking about
Let me tell you what I mean

Well, y'all, get it
You've gotta get it
Get it, you know you get it

Ghetto, talking bout the ghetto
Ghetto is our home
That's where we live
Where we live

Get your paint
Get your hammer, your nails
Get your brooms
Your mop and your pails
We gonna wash it, polish
And make it all clean

Let's wash away all of the sin
Time for a new life to begin
In the ghetto

I said
Clean it up, clean it up
I said we gonna
Clean it up, clean it up

Because the ghetto
I said the ghetto
Ghetto is our home
(That's where we live)

Let's paint a sign
Everybody can read
Let's get rid of everything
We don't need
The pushers, the dealers
The pocketbook snatchers
And thieves, uh huh

Let's make the streets safe
For women to walk
Let's get rid of all the vulgar talk
We gotta do it
In order for us to survive

I said we gotta
(Clean it up, clean it up) do it
We, we got to
(Clean it up, clean it up)
Yeah, hey

Sunny ghetto, oh
(Ghetto, ghetto is our home)
That's where we live from day to day
(That's where we live)

All of you brothers
That live on the main line
You lived in the ghetto
Once upon a time
We need everybody to lend a hand

Now you've helped everybody else
Now's the time for you
To help yourself
We can't depend
Depend on the people downtown
Well, well, get it up, get it up

Clean it up, clean it up
Well, well
Clean it up, clean it up
Hey, hey, hey, hey

Ghetto is our home
Yeah, that's where we live
Where we live, well

I said downtown
(Clean it up, clean it up)
Get it up, get it up
(Come on, y'all)
(Let's clean it up, clean it up)

Get a broom, well
(Come on, y'all)
(Let's clean it up, clean it up)
(Come on, y'all)
(Let's clean it up, clean it up)...

-- Philadelphia International All Stars, Let's Clean Up The Ghetto

"42nd Street" Grand Finale featuring Ruby Keeler, Vocals (1933)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 10:26:00 +0000

"42nd Street is a 1933 American Warner Bros. musical film directed by Lloyd Bacon with choreography by Busby Berkeley. The songs were written by Harry Warren (music) and Al Dubin (lyrics), and the script was written by Rian James and James Seymour, with Whitney Bolton (uncredited), from the novel by Bradford Ropes." - Wikipedia

Lyrics: (via STLyrics.com)

In the heart of little old New York,
You'll find a thoroughfare.
It's the part of little old New York
That runs into Times Square.
A crazy quilt that "Wall Street Jack" built,
If you've got a little time to spare,
I want to take you there.

Come and meet those dancing feet,
On the avenue I'm taking you to...

Come and meet those dancing feet,
On the avenue I'm taking you to,
Forty-Second Street.
Hear the beat of dancing feet,
It's the song I love the melody of,
Forty-Second Street.

Little "nifties" from the Fifties,
Innocent and sweet;
Sexy ladies from the Eighties,
Who are indiscreet.

They're side by side, they're glorified
Where the underworld can meet the elite,
Forty-Second Street.

Jayne County "Jackie Told Me" (2003)

noreply@blogger.com (NYCDreamin) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:15:00 +0000

In keeping with the "Lower Manhattan Drag Scene circa late 60's/early 70's" theme established in our previous post (as tunefully depicted in Lou Reed's smash hit "Walk On The Wild Side"), here we offer up something a bit more rarely heard - a gem written and performed by one of the more outspoken and outrageous participants of said "scene."

Seminal punk forerunner/art rock innovator Jayne County says this song, about her long deceased speed-freak friend, roommate and fellow Max's Kansas City backroom hellraiser Jackie Curtis (also name checked, of course, in Reed's slightly more well known tune), tells a story that "...takes place in the East Village in 1969."