“A Heart in New York” was a folk genre song created by American folk-rock duo Simon and Garfunkel, released in 1982. This track is released under their album, The Concert in Central Park. This album was released in February 1982 on Warner Bros. Record and became the artists’ first live album. It was a free benefit concert in Central Park, New York where the pair performed in front of more than 500,000 people.
This song contains a mixture of both jazz and rock music with an overall melancholy tone to emphasize the aesthetic beauty of New York City. There is a slow acoustic guitar and saxophone to express a nature of relaxation and smoothness. Throughout the music video, it shows clips of the city’s skyline and famous landmarks such as Central Park and the Statue of Liberty.
New York, to that tall skyline I come, flyin’ in from London to your door
New York, lookin’ down on Central Park
Where they say you should not wander after dark
New York, like a scene from all those movies
But you’re real enough to me, but there’s a heart
A heart that lives in New York
A heart in New York, a rose on the street
I write my song to that city heartbeat
A heart in New York, love in her eye, an open door and a friend for the night
New York, you got money on your mind
And my words won’t make a dime’s worth a difference, so here’s to you New York
Based on the lyrics of “A Heart in New York,” the artists reminisces the buildings and culture of the city. Although he travels far away from the city, he highlights that his heart still lives in New York. As the financial capital of America, New York is the place for opportunities, wealth, and money. Living in this robust city, the artists feel that the streets are like paved with gold and “like the scene from movies.”
I like this song because it has a soothing tone and soft singing about living in New York City. It is a combination of both rock and folk music and the lyrics references to the skyscrapers and history of New York.
December 14, 2017 at 11:47 pm
Art Garfunkel wrote a song about the amazing qualities of New York City. However, I think that he is not traveling away from New York but he is actually going to it. He is coming from London and will be arriving at New York City soon. He seems to be ecstatic to come here and expresses this in his song since he hopes to experience what many others do. He wants to have new opportunities and hopefully prosper. The music video incorporated scenes from New York itself which would also allow the viewers to see New York City’s beauty as it is. Overall, I enjoyed the song and how it portrayed New York as a welcoming place for people to come achieve their dreams.
December 18, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Sherry, I can’t believe I have never heard this song before. The soothing tone that this song has really makes me fall in love with New York again. It is interesting. however, that the song and New York exhibit different characteristics. The city is always moving, whether that is with people or the overall rush of everything in it. Not only is it moving, but it is often times loud. That is very different than the relaxing tone of “A Heart in New York”, it almost makes New York seem like a suburban, quiet area. I think it is interesting that Simon and Garfunkel chose this melody to the song, but it was a smart choice as they were trying to show their heartwarming feelings towards the city.
December 19, 2017 at 12:49 pm
I found this song aNd its lyrics really relatable as they truly capture the essence of New York City. For example, I enjoyed the line about not wandering in Central Park after dark as that is an unspoken New York rule. Additionally, I appreciate how you explored the composition of the background music in this song and described, in depth, the instruments and their emphasis used to create this particular mix of jazz and rock genres. I also liked this song because it talks about the historical buildings in New York City as well. I will have to add this song to my playlist in the future for when I am walking through New York City!