An Open Letter to NYC
Beastie Boys
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
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 You know we're thorough in the boroughs 'cause that's a must I remember when the Duece was all porno flicks Running home after school to play PIX 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 happened 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 BVDs from VIM You know I'm reppin' Manhattan the best I can Stopped off at Bleeker Bob's, got thrown out Sneakin' in at four 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 ten-ten 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 we're 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 Lifelong, we dedicate this song Just a little something to show some respect To the city that blends and mends and tests Since 9-11 we're still livin' And lovin' life we've been given Ain't nothing gonna take that away from us We lookin' pretty and gritty 'cause in the city we trust Dear New York I know a lot has changed Two towers down but you're still in the game Home to the many, rejecting no-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 Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten From the Battery to the top of Manhattan Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin Black, White, New York, we make it happen
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: EUGENE O'CONNER, DAVID LYNN THOMAS, MICHAEL DIAMOND, ADAM YAUCH, ADAM HOROWITZ
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Release Details"An Open Letter to NYC" was released on November 11, 2004, as the second single from the Beastie Boys' sixth studio album, To The 5 Boroughs.
|
MessageThe song is a tribute to the city of New York, expressing the group's love for their hometown following the September 11 attacks.
|
Musical StyleIt includes a rap style highlighting the hip-hop culture prevalent in New York City.
|
Chart PerformanceUpon release, the song reached number 38 on the UK Singles Chart and fared well in independent music retail stores.
|
VideoThe music video, which premiered on MTV on March 7, 2004, was filmed in a rotating set, providing 360-degree views of the streets of New York.
|
SamplesBeastie Boys employed their unique blend of sampling and beat mixing, with the prominent sample in "An Open Letter to NYC" being "Sonic Reducer" by punk band The Dead Boys.
|
LyricsThe lyrics highlight various iconic destinations of NYC, including Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, and Queens.
|
ReceptionAllmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised the song as one of the standouts from the To The 5 Boroughs album.
|
PerformanceCuriously, despite being one of the more popular songs from To The 5 Boroughs, "An Open Letter to NYC" has only been performed live by Beastie Boys a handful of times.
|
TributeIn a heartfelt dedication to their hometown, the Beastie Boys recognize the diversity and resilience of NYC, acknowledging its influence on them as individuals and artists.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"An Open Letter to NYC Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 11 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/7047674/Beastie+Boys/An+Open+Letter+to+NYC>.
Discuss the An Open Letter to NYC Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In