New York City (Mixed)

Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - “New York City”

New York City

I don’t know why I love you

Maybe it’s because you’re mine

Like so many others, I found it all too easy

To stand off at a distance and criticize

But there ain’t nothing wrong with the city

Just some people been wronged there like everywhere else

New York City

I don’t know why I love you

Could be you remind me of myself

And I’ve been broke and criticized

And I’ve been pushed off to the side

I’ve been kicked when I was damn near out

But I’ve always felt inside

Like New York City, misused and mistreated

And run with when the running was good

And ignoring the beatings absorbed by those who live there

And the gangsters keeping the books

No, there ain’t nothing wrong with the city

Just some people been running it and running it, running it to death

New York City

I don’t know why I love you, but

It could be you remind me of myself, uh huh

Yeah, come on in here with the sticks, Timbale Man

The sounds of the city

Transport you around the Sun—feels warm

The music from every nation

It helps make the island one, uh huh

It’s home to both tramp and artist

And dreamers from everywhere

But, most of all, kind-hearted people

Whose stories ain’t on the air

New York City

I don’t know why I love you

Maybe it’s because you’re mine

Like so many others, I found it all too easy

To stand off at a distance and criticize

But there ain’t nothing wrong with the city

Just some people been wronged there like everywhere else

New York City

I don’t know why I love you

Could be you remind me of myself

And I’ve been broke and criticized, understand

And I’ve been pushed off to the side

I’ve been kicked when I was damn near out

But I’ve always felt inside

Like New York City

I don’t know why I love you

Something inside of me I feel

New York City

I don’t know why I love you

I don’t know why I love you, but it’s real

I don’t know why I love you, but it’s real

I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know

Yeah, I don’t know why I love you, but it’s real