New York

Title: Theme From New York, New York
Composer: John Kander
Lyrics: Fred Ebb
Arrangement: John Lane

People come to Mayo Clinic from around the world. One day a couple came up, and started recording a video of me playing. I asked where they were from and they said, "Ghana". It's amazing how far people travel to come to Mayo Clinic. Many of them from outside the country have been to New York, so I'm guessing that's why so many are happy when I play that song. This is the theme song from the Martin Scorsese film New York, New York (1977). The composers Kander and Ebb have stated that they attribute the song's success to actor Robert De Niro, who rejected their original theme for the film, because he thought it was "too weak". The song did not become a popular hit until it was picked up in concert by Frank Sinatra during his performances at Radio City Music Hall in October 1978. This is the accompaniment that I usually play, and if you wanted to sing along, the lyrics are below.

Lyrics:
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