Welcome to New York
Promotional Single | 1989 (2014)
Background and Release
Taylor recalled that her relocation to New York City in March 2014 served as an inspiration for 1989‘s conception, saying: “I was so intimidated by this city for so long. I thought I would never be able to make it here, because I wasn’t something enough — bold enough, brave enough to take on this huge city in all of its blaring honesty. And then at a certain point I just thought, ‘I’m ready.'” She said that the city’s energy prompted her to embark on “endless potential and possibilities”. To this end, she actively sought to collaborate with new producers, including Ryan Tedder. Tedder was contacted by Taylor via a Voice Memo, and produced two tracks for 1989: “Welcome to New York” and “I Know Places“. “Welcome to New York” was released for digital download via the iTunes Store on October 20, 2014, as one of 1989‘s pre-release promotional singles. Prior to the digital release, Taylor shared a 30-second sample of the song on YouTube.
Lyrical Theme and Production
«I wanted to start 1989 with this song because New York has been an important landscape and location for the story of my life in the last couple of years. I dreamt and obsessed over moving to New York, and then I did it. The inspiration that I found in that city is hard to describe and to compare to any other force of inspiration I’ve ever experienced in my life. It’s an electric city.»
And you can want who you want
Boys and boys and girls and girls
Live Performances
Critical Reception
Commercial Performance
As proof of Taylor’s love for her adopted hometown, all proceeds from sales of the single went to New York City Public Schools. The city also showed love back when it made Taylor a tourism ambassador.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Walking through a crowd, the village is aglow
Kaleidoscope of loud heartbeats under coats
Everybody here wanted something more
Searching for a sound we hadn’t heard before
And it said
[Pre-Chorus]
Welcome to New York
It’s been waiting for you
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York
It’s been waiting for you
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York
[Chorus]
It’s a new soundtrack
I could dance to this beat (Beat)
Forevermore
The lights are so bright
But they never blind me (Me)
Welcome to New York
It’s been waiting for you
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York
[Verse 2]
When we first dropped our bags on apartment floors
Took our broken hearts, put them in a drawer
Everybody here was someone else before
And you can want who you want
Boys and boys and girls and girls
[Pre-Chorus]
Welcome to New York
It’s been waiting for you
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York
It’s been waiting for you
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York
[Chorus]
It’s a new soundtrack
I could dance to this beat (Beat)
Forevermore
The lights are so bright
But they never blind me (Me)
Welcome to New York (New York)
It’s been waiting for you
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York
[Bridge]
Like any great love it keeps you guessing
Like any real love, it’s ever changing
Like any true love, it drives you crazy
But you know you wouldn’t change anything, anything, anything
[Pre-Chorus]
Welcome to New York
It’s been waiting for you
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York
It’s been waiting for you
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York
[Chorus Variation]
It’s a new soundtrack, I could dance to this beat
The lights are so bright but they never blind me (Welcome to New York)
New soundtrack (It’s been waiting for you, welcome to New York)
The lights are so bright
But they never blind me (Welcome to New York)
So bright, they never blind me
Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York
Album | 1989 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Released | October 27, 2014 | ||
Recorded | January 23, 2014 | ||
Studio | Conway (Los Angeles) | ||
Genre | Synth Pop Electro Pop | ||
Length | 3:33 | ||
Label | Big Machine Records | ||
Songwriters | Taylor Swift Ryan Tedder | ||
Producers | Ryan Tedder Noel Zancanella Taylor Swift | ||
1989 CHRONOLOGY | |||
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