You Think I’m The Negative One

SBTRKT featuring Ezra Koenig “New Dorp New York”

Ezra Koenig’s lyrics here are brilliant – he’s evoking very specific images in New York City, and contrasting them so that middle class Staten Island blurs with big money Manhattan. He’s playing a little game with the listener, but he always is, to some extent. I think if there’s any point to be made here, it’s about the way native New Yorkers attach themselves to the GREATNESS of the city even if that’s not reflected at all in their lives, but the pride really becomes a big part of identity and makes life a little bit better. But really, I think above all else, Ezra is having fun with references, connections, and the simple pleasures of alliteration and assonance.

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