THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

469-Frank Sinatra-Theme from New York, New York.

1980-Number 59 single. When it was re-issued in 1986 it reached Number 4.

Best Bit-At 2.21. At the end of every New York Yankees baseball match, if the team had won they played Sinatra’s version, but if they had lost the original by Liza Minnelli was played. Needless to say Minnelli was not best pleased, and after she complained only the Sinatra version is now heard, win or lose.

‘Theme from New York, New York’ was co-written by Fred Ebb, (1928-2004) who provided the lyrics, and John Kander, (see also best songs 441 and 182) who wrote the music, for the 1977 Martin Scorsese musical film ‘New York, New York,’ starring Liza Minnelli, (see also best songs 182) and Robert De Niro. In the film Minnelli sings the original version of the song, which was released as a single, and taken from the films soundtrack Album, and peaked at Number 104 on the Billboard Hot 100 ‘bubbling under chart.’ The song was first brought to the attention of Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) (see also best songs 877-567-120 and 73) by his longtime associate and former employee of his publishing company Frank Military. After hearing it Sinatra began performing it live in a medley with ‘New York, New York,’ which is a 1944 song not to be confused with ‘Theme from New York, New York.’ Audiences loved his rendition of ‘Theme from New York, New York.’ so much that Sinatra kept moving it to later into the set, which he was still closing with “My Way,’ by 1980 the song had become the closer for his performances. Although recorded at the twilight of his career ‘Theme from New York, New York’ soon became one of Frank Sinatra’s best loved songs, and one of his signature tunes.

Frank Sinatra who had first introduced ‘Theme from New York, New York’ into his repertoire during performances at the ‘Radio City Music Hall,’ in New York, in October 1978, first recorded the song for his 55th studio Album ‘Trilogy: Past Present Future,’ which was recorded between July to December 1979, and released in March 1980. ‘Trilogy: Past Present Future,’ is a triple Album, with side 1 & side 2 being made up of songs originally written between the decades of the 1920’s to the 1950’s, these were arranged by Billy May (1916-2004.) Side 3 & side 4 are Sinatra’s interpretations of more recent songs written in the 1960’s, and 1970’s, which were arranged by Don Costa, (1925-1983) with the exception of the track ‘Something,’ which was arranged by Nelson Riddle (1921-1985) (see also best songs 877-286 and 73.) Side 5 & 6, which was arranged by Gordon Jenkins, (1910-1984) is an interpretation of what music may sound like in the future. Of all the music ever recorded by Frank Sinatra ‘The Future’ has received the worst reviews of his career, with the American music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine describing ‘The Future’ as ‘a mess,’ although it has also been called ‘ambitious, experimental, and self-referential, more of a free-form suite than a set of songs.’

‘Theme from New York, New York’ was the last of Frank Sinatra’s 297 single releases to reach the American Billboard Hot 100, when peaking at Number 32 in 1980. During his career he recorded two more studio versions, in 1981 for his ‘NBC TV’ special ‘The Man and His Music,’ and in 1993 for Capitol Records. The latter recording was edited into a duet with Tony Bennett (1926-2023) (see also best songs 868) for Sinatra’s ‘Duets’ Album. The version recorded for the Album ‘Trilogy: Past Present Future’ was produced by Sonny Burke, who was born Joseph Francis Burke, on March 22nd, 1914, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States, he died from cancer on May 31st, 1980, at the age of 66. Sonny Burke was a musical arranger, composer, Big Band leader, and producer, his career highlights include co-writing with Peggy Lee, (1920-2002) (see also best songs 468) the songs to ‘Disney’s’ 1955 animated musical ‘Lady and the Tramp,’ and with John Elliot, (1914-1972) he co-wrote songs for ‘Disney’s’ ‘Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom,’ which won the 1953 Oscar for ‘Best Short Subject (Cartoons.’) Sonny Burke produced many Albums for Frank Sinatra, including his 1969 signature song ‘My Way, he also produced Petula Clark’s (see also best songs 838) ‘This Is My Song,’ (1967-UK-Number 1) written by Charles Chaplin, (1889-1977) for his movie, ‘A Countess From Hong Kong’ (1967.)

Many songs have been written about New York, but this is the one which really captured the hearts of ‘New Yorkers.’ the lyrics ‘If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere,’ sum up what many New Yorkers feel about their city, where competition is intense, but success there is richly rewarded and very satisfying. The song stresses personal responsibility in the line, ‘It’s up to you, New York, New York,’ as it’s a place where you can’t expect a handout, but have an opportunity to succeed no matter who you are. The song is written from the perspective of an entertainer who leaves a small town, and tries to make it in the city. Instead of worrying over the difficulties he/she will face, they embraces the challenges in anticipation of a new life in 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.’