Histories of Lost New York

A New York “State of Mind”

Whether it was written recently or 70 years ago, the idea of a New York “state of mind” is a central theme in many of the songs about the city. The state of mind is the way we live, think, and act when we are in the city. It is the atmosphere that swallows us and changes the way we view and interact with the city and its people. However, what is defined as this “state of mind” varies if different time periods.

Manhattan

Ella Fitzgerald 1956

The song “Manhattan” describes the joys of living in the city. The city is defined by its many center for entertainment and enjoyment such as Central Park or Coney Island, where you can interact with the environment and people in positive ways. Moving through the city is blissful, no matter where you go. The New York state of mind here is defined as a place that allows you to escape from mundane behaviors and enjoy the little things in life from the charming city streets, subways, shows, zoos and other institutions.

Uptown

The Crystals 1962

Living for the City

Stevie Wonder 1973

As we shift towards music in the next decade, moving through the city is not as easy because different parts of New York vary in socioeconomic atmospheres that treat people differently. For example, the song “Uptown describes the racial and economic tensions in the city. In uptown Manhattan, “where folks don’t have to pay much rent” the world is nicer to African Americans. They can walk proudly instead of “crawlin’” downtown and being looked down on for the color of his skin, where they are forced to an inferior position. Similarly, “Living for the City” by Stevie Wonder discusses discrimination and racial tensions in the city. As an African American man comes to New York in search of a job, he is caught in racial profiling by the police. Before he is even given a chance, he is sent to jail and now struggles to survive.

Although racial discrimination has been prevalent in the city before this time and is still an ongoing struggle in New York, these songs from the 1960’s and early 70s depict the shifting ambience during the civil rights movement as discussions about racial injustice was slowly rising. Cultural institutions like central park do not define the city, but instead the differences in socioeconomic areas do. Walking through the city is no longer the blissful, but instead confining and cruel.

Shattered

The Rolling Stones, 1978

I’m Waiting for the Man

The Velvet Underground

53rd & 3rd

Ramones

During the next few decades the “state of mind” in New York shifts again this time reflecting the rising crime, drug and prostitution rates in the city. For example, “I’m Waiting for the Man” describes a person’s experience buying heroin from a drug dealer, while “53^rd & 3^rd” describes a man who became a prostitute after struggling with drugs. The texture of the city is described in “shattered” as gritty, dirty, and suffocating. Instead of the city being a joyful escape moving through the New York, especially uptown and the west-wide was dangerous and distressing. The city is now defined by people caught in drugs and crime as they struggle to survive.

NYC

Interpol, 2003

An Open Letter to NYC

Beastie Boys, 2004

Songs about New York in recent year reflect increasing immigration and diversity in the city as well as post 9/11 reactions and emotions. For example, in “An Open Letter to NYC”, the Beastie Boys state “We come together on the subway cars diversity unified, whoever you are”. Even though city dwellers are different in culture, language, income, etc. the city brings us all together. The city connects us through important shared experiences that are unique to only New Yorkers, such as riding the subway, going to grand central station, central park, Coney Island, or traveling the boroughs. Both “An Open Letter to NYC” and the song “NYC” by Interpol discuss how the city cares and accepts people from all places, even after tragic events such as 9/11.These songs of recent decades continue to describe New York as a dirty and cruel place “Subway, she is a porno and the pavements they are a mess”, but these songs define the city as a home for all cultures.