New York is a very special place. If you want to travel to the United States, I encourage you to visit New York. It is a very culturally rich city with lots of things to see and do. Today’s song is a sort of tribute to New York: Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys.
I have chosen this video of Alicia Keys singing this song while playing the piano, rather than the actual music video. Alicia Keys also speaks briefly at the beginning and end of this clip, which I have also transcribed below.
I hope you enjoy the video. If you have any questions about the lyrics, please let me know, and I will explain anything that you don’t understand.
Alicia Keys speaking:
“The first time I heard my music on the radio, I was driving, down the BQE, in my first car, and I almost swerved out of control, hit all of those orange construction things on the road. I lost it! I was so excited. I couldn’t believe it, screaming, by myself.”
Alicia Keys beginning the song:
“I want to play this different than you ever heard before.”
Uuuu, New York
Uuuu, New York
Grew up in a town
That was famous as a place of movie scenes
Noise was always loud
There were sirens all around
And the streets are mean
If I can make it here
I could make it anywhere
That’s what they say
Seeing my face in lights
Or my name on marquees found down on Broadway
Even if ain’t all it seems
I got a pocket full of dreams
Baby I’m from New York!
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There’s nothing you can’t do
Now you’re in New York!
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Hear it for New York, New York, New York!
On the avenue
There ain’t never a curfew, ladies work so hard
Such a melting pot
On the corner selling rock
Preachers pray to God
Hail a gipsy cab
Takes me down from Harlem to the Brooklyn Bridge
Someone sleeps tonight
With a hunger for more than an empty fridge
I’mma make it by any means
I got a pocket full of dreams
Baby I’m from New York!
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There’s nothing you can’t do
Now you’re in New York!
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you,
Hear it for New York, New York, New York!
One hand in the air for the big city
Street lights, big dreams, all look pretty
No place in the world that can compare
Put your lighters in the air
Everybody say Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
New York!
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There’s nothing you can’t do
Now you’re in New York!
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you,
Now you’re in New York!
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There’s nothing you can’t do
Now you’re in New York!
These streets will make you feel brand new,
Big lights will inspire you,
Hear it for New York!
Alicia Keys speaking: “What’s up? I’m Alicia Keys. I heart music and I heart sweet potatoes, and I heart radio.”