Ode To NYC

Album: Ribbon Around The Bomb (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This upbeat track is Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden's love letter to his favorite city. He imagines running around New York with his wife as he shouts out various landmarks. They include:

    The Empire State Building
    Broadway
    Central Park where "a sea of pink forms from trees of blossom"
    The Bowery
    The street fairs
    Times Square, "a kaleidoscope of color."
    The subway (his "haven")
    Grand Central station
    Washington Square Park at sunset
  • Tom Ogden's wife, Katie, is the sister of Blossoms drummer Joe Donovan. He said "Ode To NYC" is a love letter to her as well.
  • I get my kicks at West 56th, we'll go sing Sinatra

    The lyric refers to going to watch a tribute at the Carnegie Club on West 56th. "That club is like something from a Scorsese movie," said Ogden.
  • Blossoms released this country-tinged track as the third single from Ribbon Around The Bomb on February 25, 2022. Ogden centered the album on a character called "The Writer."

    "The more songs I wrote, the more I realized that the writer referenced in the songs was in fact me," he said. "Having been so busy for the past eight years I and the band have never really had the chance to step back and reflect on what we've achieved. You're so focused on the future; write the next album then tour. Your life is usually mapped out at least two years in advance."
  • Edwin Burdis directed the video. Burdis is Arctic Monkeys' Creative Director; he worked on their AM and Tranquility Base Hotel albums.
  • Ribbon Around The Bomb debuted at #1 on the UK albums chart, becoming Blossoms' third consecutive chart-topper. It followed 2016's Blossoms and 2020's Foolish Loving Spaces.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.