The Immigrant

Neil Sedaka

About The Immigrant

"The Immigrant" is a 1975 single written by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody and performed by Sedaka. The single was the second release from his album, Sedaka's Back. "The Immigrant" was dedicated to John Lennon and the immigration problems that he faced. The single peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent one week at number one on the Easy Listening chart in May 1975. According to Philip Cody, the lyric writer of The Immigrant, the song was originally written as a tribute to his father, Anthony Feliciotto, who came to America from Sicily in 1930.  


Year:
1972
4:08
96 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Harbors opened their arms to the young searching foreigner
Come to live in the light of the beacon of liberty
Planes and open skies, billboards would advertise
Was it anything like that when you arrived
Dreamboats carry the future to the heart of America
People were waiting in line for a place by the river
It was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room that people could come from everywhere
Now he arrives with his hopes and his heart set on miracles
Come to marry his fortune with a hand full of promises
To find they've closed the door, they don't want him anymore
Isn't anymore to go around
Turning away he remembers he once heard 
A legend that spoke of a mystical magical land called America
There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room that people could come from everywhere
There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear
There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Neil Sedaka

Neil Sedaka (born March 13, 1939) is an American pop/rock singer, pianist, and composer. His career has spanned nearly 55 years, during which time he has sold millions of records as an artist and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard Greenfield and Phil Cody. more »

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Written by: NEIL SEDAKA, PHIL CODY

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Song Information Fact
"The Immigrant" is a song by American pop singer Neil Sedaka, released in 1974.
Album Fact
The song is a part of Sedaka's studio album named "Sedaka's Back". It is the seventh track of the album.
Chart Fact
"The Immigrant" was a top 30 hit in the United States, peaking at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Inspiration Fact
The song was inspired by the struggles of Sedaka's grandparents who were immigrant Jews.
Lyric Inspiration Fact
Neil Sedaka wrote "The Immigrant" as a response to the anti-immigration sentiment and policies he saw in the United States during that time period.
Collaboration Fact
The lyrics were done by Phil Cody, marking the first time Sedaka had collaborated with another writer on his compositions since Howard Greenfield in the 1960s.
Contemporary Relevance Fact
Although written in the 70s, the song's themes of immigration and xenophobia have remained relevant into the 21st century.
Emotional Connection Fact
Sedaka often chokes up while singing "The Immigrant," showing how deeply personal this song is to him.
Resonance Fact
This song holds a deeper significance for many immigrants and their descendants, reflecting their experiences.
Positive Reception Fact
Despite its weighty subject matter, the song received positive reviews from critics for its melodic composition and poignant lyrics.
Celebrity Endorsement Fact
"The Immigrant" was the only song covered by Johnny Mathis that was not one of his own hits, emphasizing the song's appeal to other artists.
Political Context Fact
Sedaka has mentioned in various interviews that "The Immigrant" was intended as a political statement about the US government and its immigration policies during the Nixon era.
Other Version Fact
A version of "The Immigrant" was recorded in the Italian language as well, testifying to the song's universal appeal.

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    The Immigrant

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1975

    Billboard #22


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