Alicia Keys - Streets Of New York (City Life) Lyrics






[Nas (Alicia Keys)]
Nasty, yeah, yeah (New York, New York)
Hey yo black it's time again, yeah, yeah
(New York, New York)
Come here, yeah, yeah
(New York, New York)
Hey yo black it's time

["yeah, yeah, hey yo black it's time" - continues throughout song]

[Nas]
If you knew my streets
You would know all everybody talk about is who got beef
Who snitchin, who told police
Who came home, who still gone, who restin in peace
Now they killin over music money, not drugs, rap replaced it
Cause thugs with no brains got no patience
New jacks I pistol whip 'em with the funky rhythm I be kickin
Musician and flatten composition
A pain, I'm like Saddam Hussein
Still alive lookin at his dead children's burnt remains
I burnt the game, learnt you lames a new lesson
Your crew's soft man, ya'll need some new weapons
The P's breathe Warriorz and skullies and Timmies
Around mixed, spics, niggaz and giddies
From my ghetto kings in deep thought we don't blink
But don't think we wastin our time
It's a New York State of Mind

[Chorus #1 - Alicia Keys]
New York, New York, New York
New York City, whoa oh
New York, New York, New York
New York City, baby

[Alicia Keys]
It's like a jungle, out here
So much struggle, out here
And my dream's still unphased
Greed still the cousin of death
Always feels like always somethin farther time
In the Streets of New York
(New York state of mind, New York State of mind)

[Alicia Keys]
All I see is street homes
And who it's holdin, our people
Only comforts the brain
It's like I'm going insane
The revolution has to start, don't waste no time
In the Streets of New York
(New York state of mind, New York state of mind)
C'mon

[Chorus #2 - Alicia Keys]
New York, New York, New York, New York oh
State of mind (New York City)
New York, New York, New York, New York oh
State of crime (New York City)
New York, New York, New York, New York oh
Big dreams (New York City)
New York, New York, New York, New York oh
Big schemes

[Alicia Keys]
Oh, break the game
Just ain't the same
Baby loves and girls with no shame
Can't get away (get away), epidemic plague
Every hood in every state
Don't have no reasons cause relieve is hard to find

[Break - Alicia Keys]
In the streets of New York (New York state of mind) - [4X]
["New York state of mind" is also repeated in background]

[Rakim]
I'm from the home of a million legends and trend settin
A lot of footsteps to follow, I've been steppin
Mind stressin tryin to find a record crime shreddin
Time precious, I ain't have rest since nine eleven
I live fast, hustle like today is my last
I get cash, the struggle's like a day on the Ave.
Crack bein raw, gats squeezin off
Manhattan squeezin off, from cats who tease with war
The eve of the Apocalypse, evil keep movin politics
Every block is at risk, the metropolitan metropolis
The opposite of Liza Minelli and Frank Sinatra
Alicia Keys, Nas and Ra the gangsta's opera
So New York City walk with me, talk gritty
It's up to us New York it's our city
Here the man come with the anthem, hands up
It's time the thrill is back New York, let's stand up

[Chorus - w/ ad libs]

[Rakim - talking behind Chorus]
Oh yeah, crucial Keys
Your God Rakim Allah
New York City, Nasty Nas
A. Keys, yeah, c'mon





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Alicia Keys Streets Of New York (City Life) Comments
  1. A.... O....

    3:15

    Enjoy

  2. C.... E....

    Looove This!

  3. H.... ....

    Every single word in that poetry touched me, pure art

  4. R.... F....

    She just ruined a great song

  5. R.... F....

    She just ruined a great song

  6. S.... M....

    I love ths song it has such a broadway feel to it... This is your best New York Song True story..

  7. K.... K....

    Love Alicia

  8. L.... A....

    The constant state of moving nowhere... Is New York;))

  9. T.... g....

    The constant state of moving nowhere....you people need to read into the lyrics abit more.

    T.... g....

    the greatest words

  10. L.... ....

    You ruined a great song.

  11. G.... M....

    I'll live in New York someday! Trust me!

    G.... M....

    I live in Brazil, bro... Yeah, i'm missing my entire life in a terrible country!

    G.... M....

    You get there yet?

    G.... M....

    Me too! I’ve always felt a connection to New York even though I live in a small town in the UK. I’ll be there one day

    G.... M....

    It's been four years now, hope you already make it there?

  12. j.... c....

    Such a great song, so much better than that pop rendition of New York with Jz so much more soul and feeling.

  13. B.... Y....

    If I were a DJ I would mix Harlem Nocturne, then Streets of New York, and then Empire State of Mind. Great mix and intro for New York the great city

  14. B.... Y....

    This song goes with her Harlem Nocturne and it goes well with Empire State of Mind as well

  15. g.... ....

    Good. But no irish

  16. P.... D....

    so wat?

  17. A.... G....

    incredible!

  18. h.... ....

    that's what i have been saying since i was 13

  19. k.... m....

    produced by dj premier

  20. V.... ....

    I dig it.

  21. K.... W....

    Instrumental is sampled from Nas - N.Y. State of Mind

  22. t.... ....

    i thought this would be good it sucks

  23. E.... ....

    New York, City of dreams... if only I could go there.

  24. Z.... G....

    N.E.W. Y.O.R.K. :|<3

  25. J.... ....

    hey hope you made it! :D

  26. s.... w....

    @sshers1 right:'/ Xx

  27. r.... ....

    I live in NYC. Best city in the world!

  28. D.... ....

    Beyond the Walls of Intelligence, Life is Defined.

  29. K.... a....

    m3 nfsek
    -_-

  30. 9.... ....

    some one speaking to music... dont listen to it

  31. N.... H....

    WORST VIDEO EVER!!!

  32. R.... x....

    Fucking spammers

  33. t.... ....

    Let's hear it for New York!!!!!!!!!!!

  34. C.... H....

    Alicia Keys is one talented woman. I love how this is just like spoken poetry. Beautiful, she always amazes me.

  35. e.... y....

    76 dislikes wtf you all 76 haters just hate on NYC just wish you were here in the BIG APPLE NYC 4LIFE

  36. R.... x....

    God so claaaaassssssssssssy I so want to go to New York. After listening to this sultryness of Streets of New York by Ms. Keys it makes me wonder if I could actually have sex with New York city is that possible? My god how erotic does that sound? lol ;)

    R.... x....

    No! how stupid do you sound!

  37. S.... ....

    @RamonaFromPomona metal heads lol. my friend switched the song in my teachers class, but the only music he listens to is metal so he doesnt count :P

  38. d.... ....

    How cool is this woman and how cool is New York? Love the both! Holla!

  39. S.... H....

    Alicia fans: Checkout my song about aids awareness dedicated to her organization Keep a child alive.
    Search: sarah rebekah Pretty Red ribbon
    I wanna spread awareness faster then this horrible disease spreads around the world, cause its so important, so please help, all you gotta do is search and click-Thanks

  40. S.... F....

    @lylith999 Though I appreciate you dropping some knowledge , it is spelled geographically.
    peace.

  41. r.... m....

    In the 4:58 mark thats actually Las Vegas. But cool video though.

  42. g.... ....

    Irish girls are hot ..that is all I care about lol

  43. w.... ....

    Boogie Down 4eva

  44. W.... Z....

    esta muy padre la cancion

  45. s.... ....

    one of the most beautiful pieces ive heard from her

  46. J.... K....

    beautiful, well done Alicia!!

  47. l.... d....

    ok this is not the streets of new york he irish song sung by wolf tones ok so why the hell are people commenting about the troubles betwwen britan and ireland not here people not here..... no relefence at all to this song

  48. p.... o....

    @whearwolfe Actually Northern Ireland is not part of Britain..its part of the U.K which was created to keep N.Ireland under british rule.If you look at your passport it says Great Britain AND Northern Ireland.Great Britain consists of 3 countrys..ENGLAND,SCOTLAND AND WALES...This is not me being a hater,its just a stone cold FACT...I look forward to your reply.

  49. b.... b....

    im hearin so many good things about nyc got 2 check it out 1 day

  50. V.... ....

    one day I gonna visit this city

  51. L.... G....

    Beautiful video. It's appreciated. Who doesn't love Alicia?

  52. a.... ....

    @ivyroseire If u'r not part of Britain...then should be, nobody know about you guys,,,,seriously! olololololololol

  53. J.... M....

    constant evolution of going nowhere from tears for water right?...... i think thats the title but im not getting up and getting my book to check lol. love that damn poem!! good book(:

  54. S.... C....

    jajaja

  55. S.... C....

    Bloody hell, you angry bunch! Ok ok, I omitted the northern bit, I apologise! But did it really warrent such an onslaught of negativity?! I was only making a peaceful statement, no malice intended in the slightest. With the foul language you came with I wonder if you have any decent level of education to be coming at me in the way you did. I was amazed with the comments I read. Was it necessary?! If so, WHY?!!!

  56. g.... ....

    @manch34 u fucktard, that is all i have to say to you

  57. n.... ....

    forget the past keep moving a lot of shit happened to people in all countries so get a grip and face the fact the world is fucked up even if your not in it it will always be shit so just think of yourself and enjoy life there are always backstabbers that dont want you to make something of your life
    well im saying do the best you can but dont bitch about things that happened before you were born who gives a shit !!

  58. s.... ....

    @Hiddenafrown
    im irish and have no problem with brits
    so why do you have a problem with the irish?

  59. 1.... ....

    @roxtor12345 Northern Ireland is though.

  60. S.... M....

    What an amazing slideshow to go with an amazing song! Love it..

  61. K.... ....

    I really like this! Real poetry,makes u go places where your body won't take u

  62. k.... ....

    @ivyroseire well we do speak their language and watch their tv and their football premier league

  63. G.... ....

    New york is a wonderful city. I could not forget it yet.

  64. M.... ....

    @SantaBadd Did you ever watch the Steve Wilkos show where every episode he either had a pimp, prostitute or child molester from Chicago. Did you know Chicago has the highest crime rate of any major US city? I never said there weren't gangs or prostitution in New York, I just said that there's a lot more in Chicago than any other major US city.

  65. S.... ....

    @MetalGearGas OMG! Did you ever watch the show 'Runaway Squad' that take place in New York on A&E. That is where I got my info from. New York has prostitutes, pimps, and gangs as well. I thought you would know about that being from New York.

  66. M.... ....

    @SantaBadd You can't debate the fact that Chicago is currently the most unsafe major city in the country. Every city has their share of prostitutes but I would like to know where you got your information about the prostitution age in New York. The Olympics won't be in Chicago because of the severe level of gang violence.

  67. S.... ....

    @MetalGearGas Nope bullshit. I heard that New York has 14/15 yrs old girls doing prostitution!!! Okay people don't get mugged in New York? O Please. But I guess you got a point. Chicago is unsafe for New Yorkers becuz Chicagoans will kick yo ass. LOL

  68. M.... ....

    @SantaBadd New York is the safest big city in the world, we haven't had a bomb threat for about two years before yesterday and every time we do have a bomb threat our spectacular police force takes action. I'd rather have some trash around than get mugged every time I leave the house, Chicago is just too unsafe. Have you ever even been to New York?

  69. S.... ....

    @MetalGearGas Well it sure is hell not New York. New York has too many bomb threats and trash everywhere.

  70. M.... ....

    @SantaBadd Even though Chicago has the highest gang population of any major US city? For Gods sakes, the national guard is being dispatched to deal with them. Best place in the world? I think not.

  71. S.... ....

    Aw Fuck U Alicia, everybody know your a hoe behind close doors. New York is just too dirty for me to live in not to mention watchin that Runaway Squad show with 14yr old kids missing. All I can say is Chicago the best place in the world!!!!

  72. o.... ....

    god bless america. we are yorkshires republican army, we're barmy where ever we go. big up to our brave troops out in afganistan and iraq play up boys. FOREVERengaland.

  73. s.... ....

    i wonder why i cannot download this one...

  74. c.... ....

    Check out our Torquay Parody "Torbados" on You Tube. I think you will like it!!

  75. P.... S....

    @pastirot Aaaah, bass is an electric instrument. So must be chello, alto violin and violin. I see...

  76. T.... F....

    @roxtor12345 england is in the UK

  77. M.... L....

    @qus123 bass is an electric instrument because you need electronic amplifiers to produce a sound...........and unplugged tracks never go with drums,especially not with drums from a machine,but in this truck the live drums are put to make an effect to the song............this is not a true unplugged song

  78. A.... ....

    Whoa, who woke up the Whinging Irish on this page? Calm the feck down, children!

    Isn't this a song about New York?

  79. P.... S....

    @pastirot So you think drum and double bass are electric instruments?

  80. T.... F....

    @roxtor12345 north ireland is part of britain, but most of ireland is not

  81. T.... ....

    PARIS PARIS PARIS PARIS PARIS PARIS !!!
    Bonjour NY
    Hello girls ;-)

  82. e.... ....

    @manch34 what the fuck are ye talkin shit for ye cunt

  83. h.... m....

    I've been there... When I was there i wouldnt go back home

  84. m.... ....

    @NewyoricanQueen
    sure New York is a great place, but to say it's the best place in the world, without being to all other places in the world is a bit rich. Sorry have you been to every other city on earth?

  85. M.... D....

    NY is LOVE

  86. d.... ....

    Manch34 just to clear up the mistake in your comment. Ireland is NOT part of Britain, Northern Ireland is.

  87. d.... ....

    Can I clear up one thing manch34. Ireland is not part of Britain. Northern Ireland is, please if you are going to post a comment, at least get your facts right.

  88. F.... ....

    @AngloSaxonBob
    What are you talking about, the British have been around since long before the English (Anglo-Saxons) invaded Britain...why on Earth do you think it's called Britain? lol. It was named Britain and the people were British long before the Act of Union...they weren't words just invented in 1707...

    It would be more accurate to say the opposite. British identity preceded English identity, not vice versa, and today British identity overpowers English identity. As it should. ;)

  89. S.... C....

    I was born in England with English parents. So I am English. But I also see myself as being British as it encompasses Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England.

  90. S.... M....

    this is kinda,...........GAY

  91. C.... ....

    Youtube "Costa aka Capo" if u fuk wit Real Rap.

    Listen to all of his shit!

    Especially listen to "Gov'z Greazy" N "Fair One".

  92. H.... M....

    "Unplugged" is the name of MTV stage where Alicia performed on.

  93. M.... L....

    unplugged means only acoustic instruments like piano,acoustuc guitar etc..........unplugged track usually don't go with drums or basslines

  94. A.... ....

    "but most people are british now anyway" Precisely my point, because the English are now British. There were no British then.

    And the "British" mix includes the Welsh and the numerous others from other parts of the world who have now converged on the British Isles

  95. s.... ....

    I live in NY but not in NYC.I go every month and its beautiful<3

  96. S.... P....

    actually the english are still english and the Scottish are still Scottish, british is the name given to an english Scottish mix, if a child has 2 Scottish parents he is Scottish, if it has 2 English parents then its English, but if it has a Sdottish dad and an English mum then its british.
    hope this helps, but most people are british now anyway.

  97. P.... W....

    Yeah! Very nice.