Frank Sinatra – New York, New York

About The Song

Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” is an iconic fusion of singer and song that has gained newfound significance in New York City, where some residents have started singing it after applauding first responders at 7 pm. However, the song’s origins and its journey before Sinatra’s rendition are more intricate than commonly known.

Originally titled “Theme from ‘New York, New York’,” the song was penned by the renowned songwriting duo John Kander and Fred Ebb, known for their work on musicals like Cabaret and Chicago. It was created for the 1977 film New York, New York, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro as musicians navigating post-World War II New York. Although the film might not be as remembered as some of Scorsese’s other works, it had its admirers, including critic Roger Ebert, who praised Minnelli and De Niro’s performances.

Interestingly, the iconic song was not among the original compositions presented by Kander and Ebb to Scorsese, De Niro, and Minnelli. A comment from the trio led the songwriters to embark on a new creative endeavor:

“[Scorsese] returned ‘very embarrassed’ and said Mr. De Niro found the title number ‘lightweight’ and wanted them to try again,” recalled Mr. Kander.

Their subsequent effort resulted in the now-famous song, which Sinatra performed for the first time to an enthusiastic audience. Musical history often takes unexpected routes, and the evolution of “New York, New York” stands out as one of the most intricate and rewarding journeys.

Video

Lyric

Start spreading the news
I’m leaving today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York

These vagabond shoes
Are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it
New York, New York

I wanna wake up in a city
That doesn’t sleep
And find I’m king of the hill
Top of the heap

These little town blues
Are melting away
I’ll make a brand new start of it
In old New York

If I can make it there
I’ll make it anywhere
It’s up to you
New York, New York

New York, New York

I want to wake up in a city
That never sleeps
And find I’m a number one
Top of the list
King of the hill
A number one

These little town blues
Are melting away
I’m gonna make a brand new start of it
In old New York

And if I can make it there
I’m gonna make it anywhere
It’s up to you
New York, New York, New York

Guitar chord

Intro:

Gtr. 1 (lead)

B string-----33--2--3--0-------


Gtr. 2 (rhythm)
D                                Em                A (let ring out)


                    D                  Em 
Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today
          D                            Em          A 
I want to be a part of it - New York, New York
                 D                    Em 
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
                   D                            D7 
Right through the very heart of it - New York, New York


        G               Gm                  D 
I want to wake up in a city, that doesn't sleep
              F#m            B7             Em       A 
And find I'm king of the hill - top of the heap


                   D                  Em 
These little town blues, are melting away
                  D                              D7 
I'm gonna make a brand new start of it - in old New York
        G         Gm                D       B7 
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
            Em    A   Em    A   D 
It's up to you - New York, New York


Play lead with intro.

Repeat verse(s) as needed