Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down

Album: The Element of Freedom (2009)
Charted: 4 55
Play Video
  • Ooh, New York
    Ooh, New York

    Grew up in a town that is famous as a place of movie scenes
    Noise is always loud, there are sirens all around and the streets are mean
    If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere, that's what they say
    Seeing my face in lights or my name on marquees found down on Broadway
    Even if it ain't all it seems, I got a pocketful 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 gypsy cab, takes me down from Harlem to the Brooklyn Bridge
    Someone sleeps tonight with a hunger far more than an empty fridge
    I'ma make it by any means, I got a pocketful 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 looking pretty
    No place in the world that can compare
    Put your lighters in the air, everybody say
    Yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah

    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 Writer/s: Alexander Shuckburgh, Alicia Augello Cook, Angela Hunte, Bert Keyes, Janet Sewell, Shawn Carter, Sylvia Robinson
    Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Pedro from PortugalI love this song. Alicia is great
    The Jay Z is fine. But this one is great, suberb. But i understand americans don't like this one so much. You don't know much classical music . And by classic music I mean Beethoven, Debussy, Mozart. etc
    Sorry. You don't know what you are missing.
  • Oto from SlovakiaPerfect song! So much energy from sung melody...
  • Joseph from Brooklyn, NyMe and my mother love this song. Jay-z's version was good too.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.