S2: Listening Activity #3

TITLE: New York, New York from On the Town

COMPOSER: Leonard Bernstein

PERFORMERS: Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly & Jules Munshin

 a.) What did the music make you think of?

New York , New york! First when you think of the city New York you imagine America ,the Statue of Liberty , tall grey buildings that nearly touch the sky, busy place , a lot of people minding there own business and cool shops! Plus this music is very catchy and Its Jazz !
The I love the 1940s , the music the dancing the fashion , especially the fashion.  And you instantly get this 1940s mood from the beginning of the song. 

 b.) Did you like the music?  Why or why not?

I really liked , after listening to this song I want to watch the whole movie. I enjoy old movies and music. And this is like a history lesson for me , when studding old music and where it started ( like Jazz ) , who created it and when it became popular. 

 c.) What does the music do (discuss dynamics, tempos, articulation, etc.)?

Really nice start of the song . All of their voices fit perfectly together ! It is so nice listening to them sing . The tempo makes you want to clap , and move one foot like they did at that time of period. 

 d.) What instruments/voices do you hear? How are these sounds employed to create the mood of the piece?

I think the actors/singers are all tenors. 

In the song I could hear Saxophones , Trumpets , Trombones ,  piano , Basses , and of course drums . 

New York, New York Lyrics 

GABEY, CHIP, OZZIE:
New York, New York!
It's a helluva town!

GABEY:
We've got one day here and not another minute
To see the famous sights!

OZZIE:
We'll find the romance and danger waiting in it
Beneath the Broadway lights;
But we've hair on our chests
So what we like the best are the nights
Sights! Lights! Nights! 

GABEY, CHIP, OZZIE:
New York, New York, a helluva town.
The Bronx is up, but the Battery's down.
The people ride in a hole in the groun'.
New York, New York, it's a helluva town!

CHIP:
(points to Empire State Building)
Hey, Gabey! Gabey, look.

(consulting his guidebook with reverence and excitement)

Gabey, it says here "There are 20,000 streets in New York, 
not counting MacDougal Alley the heart of Green-Witch Village,
a charming thoroughfare filled with..."

OZZIE:
Here we go again!

CHIP:
The famous places to visit are so many,
Or so the guidebooks say.
I promised Daddy I wouldn't miss on any.
And we have just one day.
Got to see the whole town
From Yonkers on down to the Bay.

GABEY, CHIP, OZZIE:
In just one day!

New York, New York, a visitor's place,
Where no one lives on account of the pace,
But seven millions are screaming for space.
New York, New York, it's a visitor's place!

(Two sailors enter, weaving and weary-looking - 
one happy, one very glum.)

GABEY:
Hey! Look who's comin' back! It's Tom and Andy!

OZZIE:
Hey, Tom, Andy! Hey, fellas, how are the New York dames?

ANDY:
Wonderful - I don't remember a thing!

TOM:
Awful! I remember everything!

(Tom and Andy exit.)

OZZIE:

Manhattan women are dressed in silk and satin,
Or so the fellas say;
There's just one thing that's important in Manhattan,
When you have just one day;
Gotta pick up a date...

CHIP:
Maybe seven...

OZZIE:
Or eight
On your way.

GABEY, CHIP, OZZIE:
In just one day!

New York, New York, a helluva town.
The Bronx is up, but the Battery's down.
The people ride in a hole in the groun'.
New York, New York, it's a helluva town!!

http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/onthetown/newyorknewyork.htm