[Lee] When the phone rang, 3 in the morn, dead middle of night There was nuthin on the line I set back the silent receiver / tiny flames lit in my head Hey did any of you freaks here ever remember lenny? I can′t remember his last name He′s turned to dust now, one of the chosen few Left out in the rain, out of town again Left out in the rain, ocean bound I guess
Between the matress and a column of hazy faces I remember every word you said Quite a clear picture ev′ry word you said The door was open but the way was not lit And there was no way out of my head
On a crimson hiway by a chrome bumper I last saw you: Alive / inclined to thrive / evening fireflies lit sparks around yr head
But wait a minute let′s back up a bit: Some famous stars were busted by the thought police down on fashion avenue Impersonating real men / not knowing who they really were Now here at dark corners all is calm and quiet and good The kids are up late dreaming quiet questions in a graceful mood:
Can you please pass me a jug of winter light? Fold me in an ocean′s whim? In sweet corrosive fire light? In the city made of tin?
Are you famous under the skin? Familiar with the things you wanted? Able now to take it all in? Making peace w/ every hole in the story?
Did lightning keep you up all night? Illuminate the soot and grit? Can you tell how high the sky tonight? Dig out from under in spite of it?
Can you cover up the one that floats? Can you push back the hours? I hear yr voice, I speak yr name Among nyc ghosts and flowers Will we meet? to run again?
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten From the Battery to the top of Manhattan Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin Black, White, New York you make it happen
Brownstones, water towers, trees, skyscrapers Writers, prize fighters and Wall Street traders We come together on the subway cars Diversity unified, whoever you are We′re doing fine on the One and Nine line On the L we′re doin′ swell On the number Ten bus we fight and fuss ′Cause we′re thorough in the boroughs and that′s a must I remember when the Duece was all porno flicks Running home after school to play PIX * 1 At lunch I′d go to Blimpies down on Montague Street And hit the Fulton Street Mall for the sneakers on my feet Dear New York I hope you′re doing well I know a lot′s happen and you′ve been through hell So, we give thanks for providing a home Through your gates at Ellis Island we passed in droves
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten From the Battery to the top of Manhattan Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin Black, White, New York you make it happen
The L.I.E. the B.Q.E Hippies at the band shell with the L.S.D. Get my BVD′s from VIM You know I′m reppin′ Manhattan the best I can Stopped off at Bleeker Bob′s got thrown out Sneakin′ in at 4:00 am after going out You didn′t rob me in the park at Dianna Ross But everybody started looting when the light went off From the South South Bronx on out to Queens Bridge From Hollis Queens right down to Bay Ridge From Castle Hill to the Lower East Side From 1010 WINS to Live At Five Dear New York this is a love letter To you and how you brought us together We can′t say enough about all you do ′Cause in the city were ourselves and electric too
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten From the Battery to the top of Manhattan Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin Black, White, New York you make it happen
Shout out the South Bronx where my mom hails from Right next to High Bridge across from Harlem To the Grand Concourse where my mom and dad met Before they moved on down to the Upper West I see you′re still strong after all that′s gone on Life long we dedicate this song Just a little something to show some respect To the city that blends and mends and tests Since 911 we′re still livin′ And lovin′ life we′ve been given Ain′t nothing gonna take that away from us Were lookin′ pretty and gritty ′cause in the city we trust Dear New York I know a lot has changed 2 towers down but you′re still in the game Home to many rejecting know one Accepting peoples of all places, wherever they′re from
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten From the Battery to the top of Manhattan Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin Black, White, New York you make it happen
[Kevin Rudolf] In the city of dreams, you get caught up in the schemes And fall apart in the seam Tonight That boy he used to bomb, From B.K. to the Bronx and it′s the fortunate one, who dies
[Nas] New York, we ready!
[Kevin Rudolf] He move from LAS to SoHo (hooo) A few blocks for those who don′t know (ohh) Down the hall punched a hole in the wall Bounced out, all are in control Certified son of a gun Learns life lesson 101 Don′t fly too high on your own supply Get burnt by the sun
Coz in the city of dreams You get caught up in the schemes And fall apart in the seam Tonight That boy he is the bomb, from B.K. to the Bronx And it′s the fortunate one who dies
He was NY′s talk of the town Heard out to the LI sound (okay) He started datin models and he figured it out He used to be a nice guy, then he cut that sh!t out Qualified sex machine No better than a vowed fiend She wanted a ride to the upper east side but he dropped her ass off in queens
Coz in the city of dreams You get caught up in the schemes and fall apart in the seam Tonight That boy would play his guitar like he was ready for war (You ready, K?) (It′s your man Nas here) And then he′d lift up his voice to the Sky (Take it straight through New York City)
[Nas] Yo, ok, my city, my town, my crown Michael Bloomberg, forget what you heard I′m thought of highly, shoppin Louie, Gianni Christian LaCrosse shades, what can a boss say? City, bus, the subway, cab, the runway Ski masks and gunplay my past at a young age The illest city on the planet Towers came down, Wall Street barely standin We Crook Brothers, opposite of Brook Brothers My footsteps of Scatman Crothers It′s just generations of style to get five luminous minutes with me Interviews on how I flip sixty-twos This isn′t my style, I spit what I′m livin right now I′m out on the town, gold bars shuttin it down Bottles stacked from the floor to the ceiling Then it′s a loud fool, fifty-third street, right near the Hilton I′m fightin the feeling I had when I was lightin up buildings Now I′m writin for millions of listeners Critics who just don′t get it They try dissin us, New York full of kings and queens, all the rest just mimic us
[Kevin Rudolf] Coz in the city of dreams You get caught up in the schemes and fall apart in the seam Tonight That boy would play his guitar like he was ready for war And then he′d lift up his voice to the Sky